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Nikon F frame counter not working

Kyle M.

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Aug 19, 2013
Messages
558
Location
The Firelands
Format
Large Format
Has anyone here ever worked on a Nikon F frame counter? I just picked one up and I pulled the cover off the counter mechanism, the spring that resets the counter is good. I think the issue is with the silver button on the bottom of the take up spool. Mine just barely moves, can anyone with a Nikon F tell me how far this silver button on the bottom of the take up spool should push in?

 
I managed to pull the bottom of the button apart. It pushes in as far as physically possible. I’m really not sure what the issue is.
 
I bought a used Nikon F two years ago which had this problem.
It was fixed under seller's warranty and I was told it was caused by a little piece of stuck film. Since I didn't fix it myself, I don't know where exactly it was stuck.
 
...and I just remember that I long time ago experienced intermittent issues with the counter on another F.
The bottom/rear plate did not push consistently firmly against the silver button.
It was caused by a cracked spring-washer under the bottom/rear plate lock mechanism - and therfore did not provide sufficient pressure on the silver buttom.
 
Kyle M. said:
I managed to pull the bottom of the button apart. It pushes in as far as physically possible. I’m really not sure what the issue is.
Click to expand...

I guess you've tried pushing the button in while cocking the camera, if this doesn't work my guess would be it's something higher up inside the top plate that's the problem. But if you pushed the button in and the frame advance starts to work is the camera back loose on the body? I've had Nikon F's with loose backs and the culprit is the locking tongue that has been bent upwards over the years, it stops the back pulling up snug and while it didn't affect the frame counter on mine the the locking tongue for the back is at the same end of the camera. In fact you could try pushing the back up while winding on and see if this confirms the possibility. If so you just need to bend the tab/tongue downwards with some snipe nosed pliers.
 

The counter did not work while pushing up on the silver button and advancing. I was able to take it back to the shop I got it from and swap it for a working body.
 
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