Nikon F Shutter not Syncing

kq6up · Mar 10, 2011

I have just acquired a Nikon F. The flash is not syncing to shutter at 1/60th of a second even though the sync selector is set at FX. If I change the shutter setting it looks exactly the same. From my experience. I should see the whole frame open at 1/60, 1/2 frame at 1/125, and 1/4 a frame at 1/250 etc... My other F does this just fine. At 1/60th of a second I only see the flash through the left 1/3 of the frame. Any suggestions as to what the problem might be?

Thanks,
Chris Maness

CGW · Mar 10, 2011

What happens at 1/30?

Are you sure the lift+turn flash sync dial is actually working?

dpurdy · Mar 10, 2011

My F used to lose the synch sometimes. It's way of telling me to get servicing.
Dennis

kq6up · Mar 10, 2011

CGW said:
What happens at 1/30?

It syncs ok at 1/30th

Chris

2F/2F · Mar 10, 2011

Could it be that the shutter is just running too fast, not that the timing is off? What happens when you fire this body at the faster speeds? Same as with your other body (1/2 frame at '125, 1/4 frame at '250, etc.)?

kq6up · Mar 10, 2011

it is 1/3rd @ 60 and also 1/3rd at 1/125. It is narrows from there.

Chris

fschifano · Mar 14, 2011

Sounds to me that the shutter timing is off. Should be an easy fix for a competent repair guy.

Nicholas Lindan · Mar 14, 2011

Sounds like the M/X switch is always giving M synch. The flash is firing ~10 mSec before the shutter is fully open.

It might just be a dirty contact and wiggling the switch might rub it clean. Or not.

As Frank says, it should be an easy fix for a repair shop. Or not.

kq6up · Mar 14, 2011

Thanks guys. I have consulted with my local repair guy, and he says a CLA should clear it up. However, he wants $179 for the body only. There is a guy I was referred to on line that will do the body only for $125. However, adding 2 way shipping and where getting close to that $179.

Chris

aoresteen · Mar 14, 2011

Consider Pete Smith in Florida. He knows Nikons.

kq6up · Mar 14, 2011

Thanks, I am already in contact with him.

Chris

kq6up · Mar 15, 2011

Thanks for the tip.

Chris

tjaded · Mar 15, 2011

Since the subject of Nikon F CLA's is out there...any tips on a place near San Francisco? If not, is Pete Smith the best guy to go to?

kq6up · Apr 7, 2011

I got my F/FTn back from the shop. I had it CLA'd and the sync issue has cleared. However, now the bulb mode is not working. What the hey! What could have caused this?

Chris Maness

CGW · Apr 7, 2011

Is the "T" setting working?

kq6up · Apr 7, 2011

CGW said:
Is the "T" setting working?

Yes, it works fine. The B mode just fires at sync instead of staying open. I would just forget about save the fact that it would take a hit in price if I tried to sell it. I would have to disclose the fact that it is not functioning correctly. I am a little disappointed that the tech did not catch this issue before sending it out. This makes me feel like he is a little sloppy.

Chris

CGW · Apr 7, 2011

kq6up said:
Yes, it works fine. The B mode just fires at sync instead of staying open. I would just forget about save the fact that it would take a hit in price if I tried to sell it. I would have to disclose the fact that it is not functioning correctly. I am a little disappointed that the tech did not catch this issue before sending it out. This makes me feel like he is a little sloppy.

Chris

At least there's an open shutter option. Unless you have an old-style cable release, there's no way to hold the shutter open on "B" without a finger on the shutter button. With "T" it remains open until you twist the shutter speed dial. Unless it's exceptionally clean, your F isn't a great store of value. Enjoy it.

kq6up · Apr 7, 2011

Yes it is exceptionally clean. I am going to see if the tech can fix it for free, but I am not going to pay extra. I am a little OCD about my cameras. I just bugs me more than anything.

Chris

CGW · Apr 7, 2011

kq6up said:
Yes it is exceptionally clean. I am going to see if the tech can fix it for free, but I am not going to pay extra. I am a little OCD about my cameras. I just bugs me more than anything.

Chris

That's cool but I'd just focus on function and enjoyment of a nice old F. I snagged a one-owner late black F Photomic FTn a few years ago and know they're special.

Ralph Javins · Apr 7, 2011

Good morning, Chris;

Latte Land, Washington is a little closer to San Francisco than Florida. We have a guy here who has a camera shop that also does work on early Nikon SLR cameras. His technician who specialized in the rangefinder cameras has retired, but the young lady who is his Nikon SLR specialist is quite good. And, Doug used to work in the little camera shop diagonally across the street from EPOI back in the 1970s. He does have some interesting stories to tell about his lunches with the guys over at EPOI.

Call and talk with Doug Daily at Camera Clinic, 518 NE 165th Street, Shoreline, Washington 98155, telephone 206-367-2440.

My Minolta SR-3a is there right now for a CLA. Normally he is about $138 for a full CLA. And, I need to go over there today to see if I can get one of the Nikon lens aperture coupling lugs to fit with a Nikon Photomic Pentaprism on one of my NIKKOR lenses. And, John_Nikon_F on APUG is another one of Doug's patrons.

kq6up · Apr 7, 2011

Ralph Javins said:
Good morning, Chris;

Latte Land, Washington is a little closer to San Francisco than Florida. We have a guy here who has a camera shop that also does work on early Nikon SLR cameras. His technician who specialized in the rangefinder cameras has retired, but the young lady who is his Nikon SLR specialist is quite good. And, Doug used to work in the little camera shop diagonally across the street from EPOI back in the 1970s. He does have some interesting stories to tell about his lunches with the guys over at EPOI.

Call and talk with Doug Daily at Camera Clinic, 518 NE 165th Street, Shoreline, Washington 98155, telephone 206-367-2440.

My Minolta SR-3a is there right now for a CLA. Normally he is about $138 for a full CLA. And, I need to go over there today to see if I can get one of the Nikon lens aperture coupling lugs to fit with a Nikon Photomic Pentaprism on one of my NIKKOR lenses. And, John_Nikon_F on APUG is another one of Doug's patrons.

I am going to see if they will fix it first. If not, I am gonna be upset because I would have went some where else with my $180. The clerk (not the repairman) said that if the issue was there first it was on me because the problem was not discussed before the repair. That is lame -- a tech should be checking ALL functionality during a CLA and report to the client if he finds any additional issues. That way he/she covers his rear end if the camera is returned with problems. This is only for the sake of argument since I did check the cameras function completely before handing it over and I did find the B mode working correctly before I handed it over.

Chris

Pumalite · Apr 7, 2011

Get a CLA. These cameras are 60 years old. After the CLA you will have a great camera for 50 years more.

Rol_Lei Nut · Apr 7, 2011

Pumalite said:
Get a CLA. These cameras are 60 years old. After the CLA you will have a great camera for 50 years more.

You *might* actually consider reading the thread...

John Koehrer · Apr 7, 2011

With a $60. CLA they should all be checked. At $180 they should be checked at least three times.
As far as the clerk is concerned, it's not his/her position to tell you Jack. It came back with the problem and they should fix it.
If you paid by credit card, you have leverage by contesting the charge. With just a tiny bit of luck, they'll do the right thing.

kq6up · Apr 8, 2011

John Koehrer said:
With a $60. CLA they should all be checked. At $180 they should be checked at least three times.
As far as the clerk is concerned, it's not his/her position to tell you Jack. It came back with the problem and they should fix it.
If you paid by credit card, you have leverage by contesting the charge. With just a tiny bit of luck, they'll do the right thing.

I agree 100%. I got a response from Nikon Smith, and he said that the camera not working in bulb mode would be cleared with a CLA. He went on to quote me $125 for a CLA. I was considering sending it to him, but all the shipping seemed such a hassle, so I opted for my local tech who has been working at the local Ritz Camera for years. He has been good in the past. I have taken my Rolleiflex to him before, and had no complaints.

Thanks,
Chris Maness

Nikon F Shutter not Syncing

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