Nikkormat/Nikomat question

Doug Cunningham · Aug 19, 2016

Hi,
I just received a Nikomat camera and it's in excellent condition. One thing though, the pin and flange that link the meter to camera body is slightly bent towards the camera body. It is only a small amount but enough to machine a small arc into the lower portion of the name plate. It is completely functional and requires little more than normal effort to rotate the ring.
If I attempt to bend it slightly to it's normal position, how at risk am I to snap the flange off, or is it rugged enough to withstand this? Thanks experts!

blockend · Aug 19, 2016

One of my Nikkormats (a Japanese Nikomat) also has an arc etched in the nameplate from a bent locating pin. The previous owner must have bent it back into place because although it's close it no longer touches. As with all such things, go easy if you decide to get physical. My advice would be to use needle nose pliers which should bend the offending part without applying leverage to any other part.

Doug Cunningham · Aug 19, 2016

Thanks blockend, that was how I figured I would handle the problem. I was concerned it might be made of pot metal or something, but a magnet will stick to it, so it's probably a decent alloy and it did survive the impact that bent it in the first place.

blockend · Aug 19, 2016

Doug Cunningham said:
Thanks blockend, that was how I figured I would handle the problem. I was concerned it might be made of pot metal or something, but a magnet will stick to it, so it's probably a decent alloy and it did survive the impact that bent it in the first place.

Nothing coming out of Nippon Ikon in the 60s and 70s was made of cheese, it was hand made by mostly young engineers emulating German quality. Go easy and you'll be fine.

Doug Cunningham · Aug 19, 2016

You're right about that--thanks!

John_Nikon_F · Aug 22, 2016

Wouldn't a Nikkormat be the export version of the Nikomat?

Anyway, yes, the coupling ring can be bent back into place. Just don't do it using the pin itself. Find something to work as a fulcrum allowing you to get leverage from behind the raised part of the coupling ring to bend it back into place. A small piece of wood that's about as thick as the shutter speed ring and the coupling ring should work fine, placed against the front apron with the coupling pin rotated to the lens mounting position. Use a slotted screwdriver between the wood and that portion of the ring to bend it straight. If the nameplate is messed up as well, you may be able to get it straight by tapping on the back side with a piece of wood and a hammer , with the bottom part of the nameplate placed against another piece of wood. That said, I may have a spare nameplate. Would likely be from an FTn.

-J

Doug Cunningham · Aug 22, 2016

John_Nikon_F said:
Wouldn't a Nikkormat be the export version of the Nikomat?

Anyway, yes, the coupling ring can be bent back into place. Just don't do it using the pin itself. Find something to work as a fulcrum allowing you to get leverage from behind the raised part of the coupling ring to bend it back into place. A small piece of wood that's about as thick as the shutter speed ring and the coupling ring should work fine, placed against the front apron with the coupling pin rotated to the lens mounting position. Use a slotted screwdriver between the wood and that portion of the ring to bend it straight. If the nameplate is messed up as well, you may be able to get it straight by tapping on the back side with a piece of wood and a hammer , with the bottom part of the nameplate placed against another piece of wood. That said, I may have a spare nameplate. Would likely be from an FTn.

-J

Thanks for the advice! Should have posted already I was able to bend the affair back carefully with needle nose pliers but not by bending the pin itself, but the little flange it's mounted on.
Thanks so much for the kind offer, but the name plate was barely scratched. Appreciate that a lot!

Doug Cunningham · Aug 22, 2016

Yes John, the Nikomat was marketed in Japan only I think.

John_Nikon_F · Aug 24, 2016

Doug Cunningham said:
Thanks for the advice! Should have posted already I was able to bend the affair back carefully with needle nose pliers but not by bending the pin itself, but the little flange it's mounted on.
Thanks so much for the kind offer, but the name plate was barely scratched. Appreciate that a lot!

Doug Cunningham said:
Yes John, the Nikomat was marketed in Japan only I think.

Doug,

Cool, not a problem.

Yes, my father bought a Nikomat FTn in Tokyo in 1969, while on a business trip.

-J

Nikkormat/Nikomat question

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