Nikon F100 Metal Latch Replacement

Plutonius · Mar 14, 2022

I want to share my attempt at creating a long term solution to the Nikon F100 and the plastic latches that fail on the film backs. This started a couple months ago with a F100 that I won at a estate auction with a broken door. My primary F100 served as a reference to lock in the dimensions of the metal latch that would be needed to fix the issue. After my initial prototype proved to be successful, I placed a order for 100 of these metal latches to be machined out of 1018 mild steel. I also designed a 3d printed filing guide that makes removal of the plastic quick and easy. It essentially masks off the plastic so you only remove what you need. So far I have installed (2) of these and another individual as successful installed one. Since I am new member I cannot PM or receive PMs but please feel free to e-mail me at Olympus9595@yahoo.com if you would be interested in a kit.

Hopefully I can help save more film backs so they do not end up in the trash.

Installation Guide:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PHCOfFn2Nd9eryspyNycU5GSYIOSD3eg/view?usp=sharing

MattKing · Mar 14, 2022

Welcome to Photrio.
Given the tendency for linked images and files like this to disappear over time, perhaps you would consider re-sizing and then uploading directly to the site.

MultiFormat Shooter · Mar 14, 2022

Thanks for this service, and good luck! I suspect your metal latch will save many otherwise functional F100s from the trash can.

Paul Howell · Mar 14, 2022

Nice save.

beemermark · Mar 14, 2022

Love it. Mine is going strong and I have a data back as a backup. How difficult is it to replace the latch?

Plutonius · Mar 14, 2022

beemermark said:
Love it. Mine is going strong and I have a data back as a backup. How difficult is it to replace the latch?

It took me about 5 minutes and I designed it to be pretty straightforward and easy. Biggest thing to remember is make sure you file enough of the plastic so that latch fits on the two ribs flat. The instructional manual should have you covered. As long as you can use a file and use superglue it is a piece of cake. The filing guide really takes the guess work out.

250swb · Mar 15, 2022

Clever work Plutonius! You could consider adding your contact details to the installation guide so people can link it with all the information included.

George Mann · Mar 15, 2022

Yes. It's good to hear that this issue is finally being addressed. I believe that there are other late Nikon bodies that share this shortcomming as well.

To help save the remaining backs and make them easier to purchase, could you offer them on eBay in order to reach a wider number of owners?

NB23 · Mar 15, 2022

Now please create a metal rewind Fork to replace the plastic one, in case it breaks. That’s another F100 issue.
The F100 is a great camera.

Plutonius · Mar 15, 2022

NB23 said:
Now please create a metal rewind Fork to replace the plastic one, in case it breaks. That’s another F100 issue.
The F100 is a great camera.

It is doable although I am not sure if there is as much market for these as the plastic latch. Having production pieces made only really make sense if I can get a bunch made.

NB23 · Mar 15, 2022

Maybe try an ebay auction with a promise of delivery “if and if”...

Plutonius · Mar 17, 2022

George Mann said:
Yes. It's good to hear that this issue is finally being addressed. I believe that there are other late Nikon bodies that share this shortcomming as well.

To help save the remaining backs and make them easier to purchase, could you offer them on eBay in order to reach a wider number of owners?

I did post this on eBay. I am charging a little more there due to eBay fees.

Huss · Mar 17, 2022

Excellent! If I had an F100 I'd buy this as insurance.

bdial · Mar 18, 2022

^^
Exactly the reason I bought one. The back on my F100 is fine, but I don’t want it to become a brick because of a broken latch.

xtolsniffer · Mar 18, 2022

Genius! Well done for that!

Michael Teresko · Mar 21, 2022

I just installed one of these on my F100, and it worked great. What a fantastic solution! The only issue I had was that there was still a piece of the broken plastic latch in the body latch recess that was preventing the door from fully closing. Once I got that out, it worked like a charm. Thanks!

Plutonius · Mar 21, 2022

Michael Teresko said:
I just installed on of these on my F100, and it worked great. What a fantastic solution! The only issue I had was that there was still a piece of the broken plastic latch in the body latch recess that was preventing the door fully closing. Once I got that out, it worked like a charm. Thanks!

Excellent. I love to get feedback either way on these so I appreciate it. When those latches go they deposit remnants everywhere.

neilt3 · Mar 21, 2022

Plutonius said:
Excellent. I love to get feedback either way on these so I appreciate it. When those latches go they deposit remnants everywhere.

Hello .
I have an F100 which is in full working order .
I wouldn't mind getting one of these for some piece of mind , it's great that you've come up with this .
Would you be happy to ship it to England ( United Kingdom ) ?
If so how much would one be with shipping ?

Plutonius · Mar 21, 2022

neilt3 said:
Hello .
I have an F100 which is in full working order .
I wouldn't mind getting one of these for some piece of mind , it's great that you've come up with this .
Would you be happy to ship it to England ( United Kingdom ) ?
If so how much would one be with shipping ?

I have no issue shipping internationally. Total for the UK would be $48 Shipped

neilt3 · Mar 21, 2022

Plutonius said:
I have no issue shipping internationally. Total for the UK would be $48 Shipped

Thanks , I'll send you an email tomorrow to sort out the details .

Plutonius · Mar 21, 2022

neilt3 said:
Thanks , I'll send you an email tomorrow to sort out the details .

Sounds Good!

neilt3 · Mar 31, 2022

Plutonius said:
Sounds Good!

Arrived this morning , thanks .
It's nice to have on the off chance my back goes .

Plutonius · Mar 31, 2022

neilt3 said:
Arrived this morning , thanks .
It's nice to have on the off chance my back goes .

Boy, that did not take long to get over the pond. Glad to hear you got it in a timely fashion.

Sirius Glass · Apr 1, 2022

The problem is that a bunch of grumpy old guys here are going to have to find something else to bitch about. Grrrr

jwd722 · Apr 1, 2022

Bought my F100 when they first came out and my door latch has held firm but the AF area mode switch fell off somehow several years ago. Used fully functional doors are pricey to say the least but last week I found a deal on ebay for two non-working F100's w/doors, one with a broken latch. Bought the metal latch, installed it in less than 10 minutes and now have two doors for less than the price of one on ebay. I highly recommend the metal latch, a stroke of genius.
Color me happy!

Nikon F100 Metal Latch Replacement

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