Want to Buy Nikon F Prism Finder

[Ariston]

I would like to buy a prism finder for my Nikon F, but eBay prices are out of control. If anyone wants to sell one at a reasonable price to a user instead of a collector or reseller, please let me know.

 

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[guangong]

Scotty, can’t help, but the prism makes the F a wonderful camera to hold. I always found the metered prism awkward and bulky.. Good luck on your search.

 

[Huss]

I have found it is cheaper to buy the prism finder already attached to an F than buy itself. So perhaps search for an F body and see what u find.

 

[mshchem]

I have found it is cheaper to buy the prism finder already attached to an F than buy itself. So perhaps search for an F body and see what u find.

This is true, I paid $400 for a MINT plain finder it's beautiful . If I put a mark on it cut that price in half. If you want one to use not collect, there's still a lot out there. The young folks I know want beat up cameras that work. I sold a friend a beater that I got somehow, body, lens and prism 100 bucks. The prism cover was held in place with aluminum tape. He's shot hundreds of rolls with it.

 

[Ariston]

I have looked for bodies with it... really they are charging a lot for the finder and giving the body away. The price of a finder is the same as the price of a body with a finder, as fsr as I can tell. And I can't afford either.

I actually biught an extra "as-is" F body from KEH to have extra parts because I had to pay $40 for a winder knob once. Ridiculous.

 

[Ariston]

Sorry for the typos. I am terrible at typing on a tablet.

 

[mshchem]

Sorry for the typos. I am terrible at typing on a tablet.

And KEH won't sell you parts. If you want anything you either pay a ridiculous "set fee" or you buy a as is.

The F is remarkable, and it's in all it's glory with the plain prism.

I can't type on these damn things either.

 

[Ariston]

I wonder how much more expensive the metered finder was than the prism finder when it was being sold... things change.

 

[mshchem]

I wonder how much more expensive the metered finder was than the prism finder when it was being sold... things change.

I have old price lists it was a significant cost increase probably 20% more. All the press guys were used to working with Leicas, Graphic Press cameras. Those didn't have a meter. And the F photomic heads needed to be turned on and off with each use. Used up a lot of Mercury batteries.

 

[StepheKoontz]

I was given an F with the metered finder, it really did feel awkward. With the plain prism, it's lovely. I got one with the round threaded eye piece that accepts diopters.

 

[Huss]

I have looked for bodies with it... really they are charging a lot for the finder and giving the body away. The price of a finder is the same as the price of a body with a finder, as fsr as I can tell. And I can't afford either.

I actually biught an extra "as-is" F body from KEH to have extra parts because I had to pay $40 for a winder knob once. Ridiculous.

How much are you looking to spend? And black or chrome? I’ve noticed black ones are more expensive.

 

[Ariston]

I honestly think $50 is what one should cost. I think there are a lot out there, but a lot of the camera shops are hoarding them, though I have no proof of that. I know there are a lot of F bodies out there.

I'm willing to pay more than $50 for a decent one, but I can't bring myself to pay current asking prices. My photomic finder works just fine if I must stick with it, it's just heavy and clunky.

 

[Huss]

I honestly think $50 is what one should cost. I think there are a lot out there, but a lot of the camera shops are hoarding them, though I have no proof of that. I know there are a lot of F bodies out there.

I'm willing to pay more than $50 for a decent one, but I can't bring myself to pay current asking prices. My photomic finder works just fine if I must stick with it, it's just heavy and clunky.

Unless the market's prevailing rates crater, you're out of luck. Your description of your photomic finder is exactly why people are paying a premium for the plain prism.

 

[Ariston]

Unless the market's prevailing rates crater, you're out of luck. Your description of your photomic finder is exactly why people are paying a premium for the plain prism.

I am just checking. I will keep an eye out at garage sales and estate sales in the meantime. I've sold trendy cameras I have found at garage sales in the past to fund gear I need. Trends come and go... it is possible that the prism finder will come back down to earth.

 

[macfred]

When I was looking for a plain unmetered prism finder for my F2 I made the same experiences - these stuff is out of price ...
Found another battered (but working) F2 with the plain prism for less than a single finder. Good luck with your search.

 

[Cholentpot]

I honestly think $50 is what one should cost. I think there are a lot out there, but a lot of the camera shops are hoarding them, though I have no proof of that. I know there are a lot of F bodies out there.

I'm willing to pay more than $50 for a decent one, but I can't bring myself to pay current asking prices. My photomic finder works just fine if I must stick with it, it's just heavy and clunky.

I had the same issue for my F3. My HP finder had separation or fungus growing in it and the prices on Ebay are insane. Someone found me on Reddit after I moped about it and I got a decent deal on an HP finder. Even for a CLA on the finder it would have been almost the cost of the body.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Easier and less expensive to buy the F with plain prism already. Mine get used and the black one shows honest wear. Once you get one, you'll keep it forever. It truly does handle beautifully.

 

[Ariston]

Easier and less expensive to buy the F with plain prism already. Mine get used and the black one shows honest wear. Once you get one, you'll keep it forever. It truly does handle beautifully.

View attachment 220848

Theo, if you find a body with a prism that is cheaper than just the prism, please let me know. All the ones I find cost the same, whether there is a body with it or not.

 

[Devin@RFCo]

I remember just a few years ago there was slews of plain prisms on eBay. Typically beat to hell or needing attention to the prism coating. Average prices were 40-150$ depending on condition and color. Today it seems only slightly more. Cheapest I’ve found is 68$ Shipped is in pretty fair/good condition from Japan. That’s not a bad price at all! And they show up in EBay Japan just about daily.

I have been lucky. My earliest F was a 59’ with plain prism. Purchased for 50$ off Craigslist.

I purchased a black F with plain prism for 40$ off eBay because it was wrapped like a mummy in paper tape and black shoe polish. A very extensive cleaning and new leather saw it sell for around 200$

There are deals out there, but I’ve had many more lemons than bargains, it’s a gamble.

I actually like the Photomic Flag and Ftn finders myself.