Nikon body without being sticky?

Odot · Jan 6, 2018

So my F100 started to get sticky and smell bad so i wonder what model should i get to replace it? I really liked the weight, size and weather proof of the F100 - can you recommend me something? Thanks.

Chan Tran · Jan 6, 2018

Sorry but if you want a Nikon 35mm SLR that doesn't have that problem (which you could prevent by storing your camera in cool and dry place) is to go back to the 80's era. Camera like the F3, FE, FM seires etc...
I know the F5 could develop the same problem and even the F6 could too.

guangong · Jan 6, 2018

My experience is limited to the F and F2 (both with plain prism), owned F cameras for 50 years with absolutely no problems. Bought a used F2 a couple years ago. An F3 is available but I have more than enough cameras. Can’t speak about later models, but prefer to keep non battery dependent computer in my head. Small compact design is very important for me. I feel all Nikon cameras are first rate but it seems all electronics have a shorter lifespan than purely mechanical. So get whatever features are important to you. At least with Nikon all of your presently owned lenses are usable.

Chan Tran · Jan 6, 2018

I think around the 1990 Nikon changes their camera to the design that has the bulky grip and sticky covering. The reason is really if you were to hold your camera by the grip it can't be slippery but like the old F or F2 F2 which you don't hold them by the grip but rather cradle them with your left hand then a sticky cover isn't needed. These sticky covering material would become a sticky mess.

Scott Micciche · Jan 6, 2018

I cleaned mine with 1Z's deep plastic cleaner and it took care of it both on my sister's N80 and the F100. Talc helps a lot once you get it cleaned.

https://www.amazon.com/nextzett-92441015-Plastic-Deep-Cleaner/dp/B004B8EUI0

neilt3 · Jan 6, 2018

That's the nasty coating they used in the late 90's for you .
I've very easily cleaned off the same sticky stuff off a Nikon F80 and some Minolta Dynax 7's with Isopropyl Alcohol and a bit of rough cloth .
They come up a treat after about 10 to 15 minutes cleaning .

Sirius Glass · Jan 6, 2018

The sticky feeling can be removed with rubbing alcohol or other solvents which have been described in several recent threads. This problem is curable. Use the search tool to find the thread.

pentaxuser · Jan 6, 2018

What Sirius said A user on another forum used stuff called Isopropanol (Isopropyl alcohol 99%) with a lint free cloth. Once cleaned and dried he then used what in the U.K. is called E45 cream which is a white skin cream to polish it. Problem cured.

I do not have a Nikon F100 but it would appear there is a permanent solution or at least one that will last for some time

pentaxuser

neilt3 · Jan 6, 2018

pentaxuser said:
What Sirius said A user on another forum used stuff called Isopropanol (Isopropyl alcohol 99%) with a lint free cloth. Once cleaned and dried he then used what in the U.K. is called E45 cream which is a white skin cream to polish it. Problem cured.

I do not have a Nikon F100 but it would appear there is a permanent solution or at least one that will last for some time

pentaxuser

As noted above , I use IPA to clean mine , they came up great .
As it removes the coating that has degraded it leaves the camera rather smooth .
Try it before you apply anything else to it .
As it is mine are fine for getting a firm grip on , but if I applied any form of polish I think it would cause the camera to be a bit slippery and not recomended .

ic-racer · Jan 6, 2018

Yes, in my experience, this 'sticky' is cleaned right off. I wonder why people make such a big deal of it. In fact, I even put 'grip tac' on my Yashica to make it less slipery.

RalphLambrecht · Jan 6, 2018

Chan Tran said:
Sorry but if you want a Nikon 35mm SLR that doesn't have that problem (which you could prevent by storing your camera in cool and dry place) is to go back to the 80's era. Camera like the F3, FE, FM seires etc...
I know the F5 could develop the same problem and even the F6 could too.

that's true; aside from the light seals ,the FMs,and Yes don't have that problem.

tokam · Jan 7, 2018

As per Neilt3 above I removed the sticky coating completely on a Minolta Dynax 7 with solvent and a cloth. Can't remember if I used isopropanol or naptha - think it was the latter. Have to be careful around any buttons or other controls on the back door - the Minolta has an LCD screen to complicate matters. Also take take care on the edges of the door. At the end of the exercise you are left with the bare moulding of the camera back. I haven't applied anything to this. I still have one more example of this camera to cleanup so one miserable winter evening I'll get stuck in.

pentaxuser · Jan 7, 2018

[QUOTE="tokam, post: 2032056, member: 29402" I still have one more example of this camera to cleanup so one miserable winter evening I'll get stuck in.[/QUOTE]

So in about 6-7 months when the temperature drops to that miserable temperature of a pleasant very late Spring day in the U.K.? I have a brother-in-law In Durban at a similar latitude who also cleans his camera on similar miserable winter evenings while he shivers at about 16-18 degrees C

pentaxuser

Odot · Jan 7, 2018

Thanks alot you guys, i actually do have Isopropyl at home so i will clean it with this. Just to be clear, clean only the sticky outside of the door, right?

darkosaric · Jan 7, 2018

yes, only outside.

sepiareverb · Jan 7, 2018

There was a thread on RFF about this, a tire cleaning or conditioning product was recommended. A search there would turn it up. Armor All protectant IIRC?

BMbikerider · Jan 7, 2018

Odot said:
So my F100 started to get sticky and smell bad so i wonder what model should i get to replace it? I really liked the weight, size and weather proof of the F100 - can you recommend me something? Thanks.

I recently bought a Nikon F100 which was advertised as having a 'sticky' back. Because it was sooooo cheap it would have been rude to turn it down. When it arrived by post, yes it was quite sticky around the hand grip on the back, but after treatment with Isopropyl Alcohol (99%) by means of soaking a cloth in the alcohol and with moderate rubbing the sticky feel had gone. I left it for about 4 hours in a warm room then treated it as before and allowed the alcohol to evaporate. the back was now restored almost like the same as a new one.

The final treatment was a small amount of water based skin moisturiser (non scented) (In UK it is called E45 cream available over the counter at a pharmacists) which was rubbed into the surface and then wiped off. The sticky feel has totally gone and the back has the appearance of a new one.

The back of a F100 is a molded plastic with the same pattern as the rubber covering on the rest of the body but is it NOT RUBBER. This is the only part that goes like this. The alcohol did NOT attack or degrade the appearance of the door at all. This was about a month ago and the problem has not re-appeared. Save your self the cost of a new body for the price of a $5 can of alcohol and a $3 tub of cream. It really is that simple.

mgb74 · Jan 7, 2018

Odot said:
Thanks alot you guys, i actually do have Isopropyl at home so i will clean it with this. Just to be clear, clean only the sticky outside of the door, right?

I recently did this with a N90s; worked great. Just be aware that Isopropyl alcohol comes in varying dilutions. I used 90%, but I've seen it in stores as low as 50%.

BMbikerider · Jan 8, 2018

Yes outside of the back only. The inside is never affected. It seems the problem may be a reaction between acidic sweat from hands and face with the plastic which may be the cause and the moisturising cream helps to neutralise this to stop it coming back.
The higher dilutions 90% and almost certainly 50% of Isopropyl Alcohol will contain too much water to be really effective.

The 50% solution however will make a damn good optical glass cleaner though. Add a few drops of wetting agent per 100cc and the results are superb.

Nikon body without being sticky?

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