Nikon F100 Leader Out Modification

moranjr · Jul 21, 2015

I recently had the leader out modification done by Nikon on my F100. They did it quickly, effectively and without charge. I am curious if anyone with hands-on Nikon repair experience knows exactly how this is done or has observed the process. I can probably shorten this thread by an order of magnitude by stating up front that yes I am aware "they just updated the firmware". Thank you.

Alex Muir · Jul 21, 2015

This is of interest to me. Did you contact the Nikon service centre in the area where you live? Thanks,
Alex

Lamar · Jul 21, 2015

One of my F4's had the leader out mod when I bought it and I like it. I need to have it done on my F100. No rewind knob on the F100 makes getting that film out mid roll tough.... at least if you want to easily use the rest of the roll.

ic-racer · Jul 21, 2015

Loading my plastic reels is so much easier with the film canister dangling (otherwise the film can coil up too much and the spool can too close to the entry spiral of the film reel). However, I had to stop that practice when I started using Nikon motorized cameras that did not leave the end of the film showing. I'd be interested if this were an easy modification.

MartinCrabtree · Jul 21, 2015

I believe you'd need to extract and copy the firmware from a camera that has the modification for it to be a home modification. Risky business.

gorbas · Jul 22, 2015

That was just one of the custom functions on F100. I remember doing it myself (with help of cheat card).

Russ - SVP · Jul 22, 2015

If like to know too? It's not something that can be done through the custom functions in the camera.

pentaxuser · Jul 22, 2015

Either Gorbas or the Kidon Kid has got it wrong here surely. The reference to the K Rockwell cheat card suggests that it can be done by the user, doesn't it?

Might be helpful if the OP responded again in terms of details of which Nikon service centre, etc

pentaxuser

gorbas · Jul 22, 2015

Guys, we are talking about leaving film leader in or out of the cassette after rewinding?! Right!
No need for visit to service, update firmware, etc. Just simple custom function as explained in Nikon F100 user manual and linked in my previous post.

Russ - SVP · Jul 22, 2015

Here is the manual

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/lit_files/42036.pdf

MartinCrabtree · Jul 22, 2015

I just looked at the custom settings menu in the referenced manual and did not see that function listed.

Lamar · Jul 22, 2015

There is not a way to do it in the menu. You have to send it in for the leader out mod unless there is a trick with the firmware.

pentaxuser · Jul 22, 2015

gorbas said:
Guys, we are talking about leaving film leader in or out of the cassette after rewinding?! Right!
No need for visit to service, update firmware, etc. Just simple custom function as explained in Nikon F100 user manual and linked in my previous post.

I take it that you have tried and succeeded in altering the function so as to leave the leader out when the film rewinds? The reason I ask this is that my reading of the custom function is that we may be talking of two different things. The manual allows you to either manually start the film rewind at the end of the film or the camera can be automatically set so that it detects when the film is at the end and it automatically rewinds it without the need to press any buttons However in either case the film is rewound totally into the camera

It does not appear to have a Leader-in/Leader-out custom function.

pentaxuser

Russ - SVP · Jul 22, 2015

That is correct. You CANNOT set the camera to leave the leader out upon rewinding, in the custom function settings.

gorbas · Jul 22, 2015

I stand corrected, sorry Guys! If you no not like leader rewinded in cassette then Film picker/ leader retriever can save the day

MartinCrabtree · Jul 22, 2015

Or you can just hand rewind and enjoy some nostalgia.

Lamar · Jul 22, 2015

Not on the F100. No RW knob. You have to time it and based on the sound pop the back before it finishes. Risky business if your early but it can be done.

MartinCrabtree said:
Or you can just hand rewind and enjoy some nostalgia.

pentaxuser · Jul 22, 2015

Lamar said:
Not on the F100. No RW knob. You have to time it and based on the sound pop the back before it finishes. Risky business if your early but it can be done.

I think that a manual rewind is possible with a F5 and I think there is a custom function on the F5 that allows the leader out option as well. It might explain among other reasons the F5 is a more expensive camera

pentxuser

MartinCrabtree · Jul 22, 2015

Yes I only have an F5 for reference. Yes manual rewind is easy. I use it to save battery power. Not that familiar with the F100 I guess. If there's a custom function on the F5 it's one of the one's only accessible via Photo Secretary.

moranjr · Jul 22, 2015

Leader Modification is not a user settable Custom Function

It is not one of the Custom Functions. From the Nikon website:
Some Nikon cameras can be modified for a nominal charge by a Nikon service center to stop the rewind with the leader left out. This service is available for the following cameras: F5, F4, F100, N90, N90s, N80, N65, N8008, N8008s, and N6006. For more information, please contact Nikon Service Relations at 1-800-645-6678.

moranjr · Jul 22, 2015

Nikon Service Center

pentaxuser said:
Either Gorbas or the Kidon Kid has got it wrong here surely. The reference to the K Rockwell cheat card suggests that it can be done by the user, doesn't it?

Might be helpful if the OP responded again in terms of details of which Nikon service centre, etc

pentaxuser

I contacted Nikon Service Relations at 1-800-645-6678 and online and mailed F100 to California.

pentaxuser · Jul 23, 2015

Unless Nikon service centres in each country follow their own rules such that a rule for the U.S. bears no relationship to the rules for say the U.K./Europe then it should be possible to get the modification done and at no charge in U.K. Europe as well based on moranjr's last post.

I take it that there were no special circumstances that made Nikon offer a free modification in the U.S.?

pnetaxuser

moranjr · Jul 23, 2015

No special circumstances. I just sent the message on the customer support form and later spoke to them by phone. Just contact them and see what they say.

analoguey · Jul 23, 2015

pentaxuser said:
Unless Nikon service centres in each country follow their own rules such that a rule for the U.S. bears no relationship to the rules for say the U.K./Europe then it should be possible to get the modification done and at no charge in U.K.

Nikon India doesn't even look at film cameras, let alone service or modify their firmware.

Nikon F100 Leader Out Modification

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