Nikon F shutter speed dial

GRHazelton · May 21, 2019

Nikon F shutter speed dial
I recently scored a classic Nikon F, chrome, leather insert on prism. In good cosmetic condition, considering its age - a few scuffs, two little dents on the prism housing. The shutter sounds good. A little dirt in the viewfinder.
But...the speed markings on the shutter speed dial have worn/flaked off. Since the dial has no stop positions this makes shooting difficult. Any suggestions for a fix? Other than the meter prism! I'd like to keep the cost down, of course!
Many thanks in advance!

bdial · May 21, 2019

The peg that couples to the meter is between 1000 and T, here is a pic;

GRHazelton · May 21, 2019

bdial said:
The peg that couples to the meter is between 1000 and T, here is a pic;
View attachment 224016

Right you are! I can use that as a work around. Thanks.

msage · May 21, 2019

If I understand you correctly the dial is worn away and no "click stops" when turned?

GRHazelton · May 21, 2019

msage said:
If I understand you correctly the dial is worn away and no "click stops" when turned?

Only the markings on the dial are worn. The click stops do work.

Theo Sulphate · May 21, 2019

So, looking at that generously provided photo, there's a technique you can use, possibly: if your most-common shutter speed were, for example, 1/250, simply note the position of the peg and consider that as the "home" position. Always place the dial there and then, when out making photos, you can count clicks up or down away from the home position. Perhaps that was your intent already.

MattKing · May 21, 2019

Copy the posted picture, resize it to match the size of the dial, print it life size, trim it to the right size and attach with glue?

Theo Sulphate · May 21, 2019

MattKing said:
Copy the posted picture, resize it to match the size of the dial, print it life size, trim it to the right size and attach with glue?

But then it wouldn't've been made by Nikon.

GRHazelton · May 21, 2019

Theo Sulphate said:
But then it wouldn't've been made by Nikon.

Ooooh! The horror, the horror......

John Koehrer · May 21, 2019

paint stick is the name of oddly enough paint in stick form. It's used by removing the old paint, rubbing the
paint into the engraved area and wiping the excess off.
It's also used to color lettering on tires.

***I have the colors you need and if you like I can send you a couple of inches of each. For detail work like this
I'd use a piece of plastic or hobbyists plywood. I'll throw some of that in the package too.

GRHazelton · May 21, 2019

John Koehrer said:
paint stick is the name of oddly enough paint in stick form. It's used by removing the old paint, rubbing the
paint into the engraved area and wiping the excess off.
It's also used to color lettering on tires.

***I have the colors you need and if you like I can send you a couple of inches of each. For detail work like this
I'd use a piece of plastic or hobbyists plywood. I'll throw some of that in the package too.

Thanks, John. I'd hesitate to use such with the disc attached to the camera.

Theo Sulphate · May 22, 2019

If possible, please post before and after photos.

Keith Pitman · May 29, 2019

There are several dials on Ebay with prices from $10 to $25.

Fin · May 29, 2019

GRHazelton said:
Thanks, John. I'd hesitate to use such with the disc attached to the camera.

It can be easily removed by undoing those 2 screws. Although, possibly, the engraved numbers might just be full of dirt. Have you tried going over them gently with a cocktail stick?

Nikon F shutter speed dial

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