Nikon F5's are selling real cheap

Johnkpap · May 2, 2014

John_Nikon_F said:
That, and FM2 bodies. They seem to have gone up in price. Used to be able to pick up well-used examples for $50-$60. Ones that need work, for $30-$40. Now, the ones that need work go for $60-$75, and beaters usually end up being around $100-$120. Nice bodies, some are going for what they sold for new in the mid-late '80s. Suspect it's because the FM2/FM2n has become the new "K1000". Yet, a few days ago, I picked up a working, but somewhat beat up Nikomat FTn with 50/2 Nikkor-H for $21.50, plus shipping. A black FT3 that was pretty clean for $40.99, plus shipping. I remember looking at one that was in almost the same condition at a camera shop in '87. Was going for $369.00. Same with the FT2 I just bought. $45. Back in '91, there was one at Glazer's that didn't look as clean as mine, going for $329.00

-J

Yes I have noticed this trend, as well :- there was a time when no one wanted F2's or FM2's now they seem to be going up in price.
where F5's are available for $100 -300, mine is in really nice condition some very minor loss of paint on the corners of the prism that's about all.
Has the price bottomed out? or are they going to go lower !!! Its a funny world in camera land

Johnkpap

ArtO · May 3, 2014

I'd love to get another F5 that's in "mint" condition. It would be a great backup to the one I already have. I'm sure that I'll get an F6 as soon as I come across one in the great condition at a reasonable price. These are all fantastic cameras.

Christiaan Phleger · May 4, 2014

I like my F5 because it keeps working and works very well. It is heavy but sometimes I don't mind, I use the lithium cells and that helps; the only problem is that the lithiums last a very long time and when the go slightly low they die like- Instantly-.

vlasta · May 4, 2014

benjiboy said:
I don't want or need anything so mechanically and electronically complex for my needs, too many things to go wrong.

Well, this is not a Canon story.

MartinCrabtree · May 4, 2014

I'm a firm believer in Murphy's Law as well. In fact it's my opinion Mr. Murphy was an optimist.

However there are cases where the build quality exceeds Mr. Murphy's rules. And the Nikon F5 is one of them. It's reputation bears that out.

greenbank · May 4, 2014

I recently acquired an F2 Photomic and non-AI 105mm f/2.5 lens for £220 (about $360). Both in perfect mechanical condition, just a little paint wear (these babies have been well used and well maintained in their four decades of life!). Beautiful examples of classic camera and lens, at ridiculously low prices; this is photography in the grand tradition.

With prices like these, who needs d*****l?

blockend · May 5, 2014

My guess is classic, all-mechanical cameras will maintain their values and excellent examples will go up in price. Later cameras are at the mercy of period electronics and will go down in value as spares run dry. There are anomalies however, Nikkormats are absurdly undervalued, perhaps because their meters are becoming suspect with age. If battery technology can replace the behaviour of mercury cells, it will put life into the older camera market.

John_Nikon_F · May 5, 2014

The FT2 and FT3 already use readily available #357/PX76 batteries. An FT or FTn just needs to have a shottkey diode installed under the baseplate to bring it into spec. Use a metal ring around a PX76 silver battery and you'll get closer to having mercury reliability and performance. If someone can introduce a 1/2 CR 1/3N battery that's only 1.5 volts, I suspect we'd have the same performance, since I've noticed that lithium batteries seem to work strongly for a long time, then they die, like what RidingWaves said above. Part of the problem with the Nikkormats is that they're still very common, so they don't have much value. Same with the 1st generation FE/FM series cameras. The other problem with the Nikkormats is that the ring resistors are finally beginning to wear out on a lot of the cameras. Parts are getting scarce. A couple places still have them (one being Pacific Rim Camera in Salem, Oregon), but even their stock is beginning to go. With FM bodies, frequently, you won't pay much more than you would for a Nikkormat FT2 or FT3, so why bother getting a Nikkormat, unless you need to have the mirror lockup. And, with the EL series, the only really desirable model is the EL2 with the modernized electronics (flex circuit instead of hardwired and the meter cells are SPD, instead of CdS). Pay the same for an FE in the same condition. Or, an extra $30-$40 gets you a well-used, but decently working F3, which is pretty much the same size as a Nikkormat FTn. Same weight, too.

-J

GarageBoy · May 6, 2014

But the FE/F3s aren't vintage looking like the Nikkormats

John_Nikon_F said:
That, and FM2 bodies. They seem to have gone up in price. Used to be able to pick up well-used examples for $50-$60. Ones that need work, for $30-$40. Now, the ones that need work go for $60-$75, and beaters usually end up being around $100-$120. Nice bodies, some are going for what they sold for new in the mid-late '80s. Suspect it's because the FM2/FM2n has become the new "K1000". Yet, a few days ago, I picked up a working, but somewhat beat up Nikomat FTn with 50/2 Nikkor-H for $21.50, plus shipping. A black FT3 that was pretty clean for $40.99, plus shipping. I remember looking at one that was in almost the same condition at a camera shop in '87. Was going for $369.00. Same with the FT2 I just bought. $45. Back in '91, there was one at Glazer's that didn't look as clean as mine, going for $329.00-J

Luickily, FE2s have not gone up like the FM2 has

Xmas · May 6, 2014

I've two F2 a DP-1 & DE-1 each beaten up a bit but still functional.
Fabric paint on shutter curtain holes, chipped prism,...

TheToadMen · May 6, 2014

I'm still on the lookout (not very actively) for a Nikon F made in/around February 1967 with a lens from this time frame. I would like to photograph the world with a camera as old as I am. I'm looking for a camera serial number in the range 679xxxx and 680xxxx. It doesn't have to be mint condition, as long as it functions properly.

As a view finder, I'm looking for a working Photomic TN (1967). Or maybe a normal eye level finder.

As a lens maybe a nice 55/1.2 with serial number (about) 980XXX. And/or a 2.8cm/3.5 H Auto with serial number (about) 356XXX.

It's a nice dream that someday may come true. Maybe in a trade or so?

(In the meantime I can play with my Nikon F2, F3, F4s, FM3a and hopefully soon a F5 again)

Richard S. (rich815) · May 6, 2014

TheToadMen said:
I'm still on the lookout (not very actively) for a Nikon F made in/around February 1967 with a lens from this time frame.
I would like to photograph the world with a camera as old as I am.
I'm looking for a camera serial number in the range 679xxxx and 680xxxx. It doesn't have to be mint condition, as long as it functions properly.

As a view finder, I'm looking for a working Photomic TN (1967). Or maybe even a normal eye level finder.
View attachment 87468 View attachment 87469

As a lens maybe a nice 55/1.2 with serial number (about) 980XXX.And a 2.8cm/3.5 H Auto with serial number (about) 356XXX.
View attachment 87470 View attachment 87471

It's a nice dream that someday may come true. Maybe in a trade or so?

Ha ha! I love this! Along these lines one morning a year or so ago I woke up to an e-mail eBay alert for a saved search I have for bulk B&W film. One listing was for an intact bulk roll of Ilford HP3 date stamped on the tin from July 1963, my exact month and year of birth. Of course I bought it! Need to shoot it at ASA 12 to get any kind of image through the fog but fun nonetheless!

Back on subject: I'd have a hard time if an F5 fell into my lap for prices shown here. I have NO need for one at all since I rarely shoot with AF lenses and much prefer older Nikkor glass from the 60's and 70's for my B&W work. My two F2 bodies, my F3, FM2 and FE2 (last one I got for $20!) are more than enough. But the F5 is so gorgeous and such a flagship I'd still want it!

MattKing · May 6, 2014

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
I'd have a hard time if an F5 fell into my lap

Wouldn't that hurt?

vlasta · May 6, 2014

Ap507b · May 6, 2014

TheToadMen said:
I'm still on the lookout (not very actively) for a Nikon F made in/around February 1967 with a lens from this time frame. I would like to photograph the world with a camera as old as I am. I'm looking for a camera serial number in the range 679xxxx and 680xxxx. It doesn't have to be mint condition, as long as it functions properly.
View attachment 87472

As a view finder, I'm looking for a working Photomic TN (1967). Or maybe a normal eye level finder.
View attachment 87468 View attachment 87469

As a lens maybe a nice 55/1.2 with serial number (about) 980XXX. And/or a 2.8cm/3.5 H Auto with serial number (about) 356XXX.
View attachment 87470 View attachment 87471

It's a nice dream that someday may come true. Maybe in a trade or so?

(In the meantime I can play with my Nikon F2, F3, F4s, FM3a and hopefully soon a F5 again)

I had the same idea back for my 40th birthday but failed to find a 1968 F & settled for a 1969 one instead. The FTN finder was dead so I spent as much again as I had on the camera to add an eye level finder to it. Most of the time it has a 1966 vintage 35mm F2.8 Nikkor S attached, but I also have 135mm F3.5 & 200mm F4 Nikkor Q's to go with it. I have the same focal lengths in AI or AIS but also like to use period lenses with a camera.

I don't use it often & can't say that I have any plans to take it round the World (I would probably take either my F2 or F3 if I did that) but I do like it a lot.

Got an F5 too. I paid £240 for it about 5 years ago from a dealer as it has a bit of paint missing from the bottom & the back. Thought it was a steal at the price. They don't seem to have got any cheaper in the UK from dealers unless you want to dip your toe into ebay.

Richard S. (rich815) · May 6, 2014

MattKing said:
Wouldn't that hurt?

He he!

John_Nikon_F · May 7, 2014

Ap507b said:
I had the same idea back for my 40th birthday but failed to find a 1968 F & settled for a 1969 one instead. The FTN finder was dead so I spent as much again as I had on the camera to add an eye level finder to it. Most of the time it has a 1966 vintage 35mm F2.8 Nikkor S attached, but I also have 135mm F3.5 & 200mm F4 Nikkor Q's to go with it. I have the same focal lengths in AI or AIS but also like to use period lenses with a camera.

I don't use it often & can't say that I have any plans to take it round the World (I would probably take either my F2 or F3 if I did that) but I do like it a lot.

Got an F5 too. I paid £240 for it about 5 years ago from a dealer as it has a bit of paint missing from the bottom & the back. Thought it was a steal at the price. They don't seem to have got any cheaper in the UK from dealers unless you want to dip your toe into ebay.

Closest I've come is my Nikomat FT2. Dates from late 1975-early 1976 (#5153998 serial). The only other close call was the F2A that I sold to Ralph Javins recently. #7556442, which dates from January 1976. If it had been a low 755xxxx body, then it probably would've been from early December, 1975. My F is about 33 months older than I am, dating from 3/73 (7441577 serial). Lens-wise, most of my glass is chrome barrel pre-AI stuff that has been AI modified. I do have, however, at least one K-type Nikkor (85/1.8) and two AIS Nikkors (the 55/2.8 and the 180/2.8).

For me, it depends. I might take the F, if I went on a journey like that, or I might take one of my F2AS bodies. With respect to used camera prices, it does seem like you guys pay a premium compared to other countries. The most I've paid for an F5 was $399 in 2011. Traded a D2x for it, and got $201 in cash back. Strangely enough, said camera didn't look much better than my current one. Only thing it had that I wish I had on my current body was the MF-28, which I added later on.

-J

Xmas · May 7, 2014

John_Nikon_F said:
... With respect to used camera prices, it does seem like you guys pay a premium compared to other countries. The most I've paid for an F5 was $399 in 2011. Traded a D2x for it, and got $201 in cash back.

-J

Confirmed we call it rip off Britain!
Even Ilford film is cheaper in USA!
Importing a 2nd hand camera from US involves swinging tax.
We should have dumped our tea in Thames... like Boston did.

AgX · May 7, 2014

Xmas said:
Importing a 2nd hand camera from US involves swinging tax.

The fiscal idea behind this I assume is that a EU seller of second hand stuff once originally paid VAT too.

Xmas · May 7, 2014

AgX said:
The fiscal idea behind this I assume is that a EU seller of second hand stuff once originally paid VAT too.

Yes but

- the US person selling a Nikon will (normally) have paid import and state taxes for his kit
- and the VAT % is high (20%)
- and there can be additional charges

There would be no VAT from EU correct.

If it was a repair job you may need to recover the VAT, if they have levied it...

It still is or can be cheaper to import a camera or Ilford film though. But it is all too difficult so I'm still using Agfa survelliance film, Ilford cine film,... from another era, I've a large pot of KBr, if the base fog is difficult... and BZT.

The process does support local prices good for retailers, film tends to be cheaper in Germany as well, so you are not as badly off.

AgX · May 7, 2014

But the EU of course would not care about VAT paid in the US.
But of course if one assumes that any seller takes into account the VAT he once paid when establishing a 2nd hand price then of course any importing buyer in the EU would pay VAT twice. Which makes your original statement valid again.

John_Nikon_F · May 7, 2014

US camera buyers only pay state sales taxes on items, in states that have a sales tax. There is no other VAT paid. Case in point, I just picked up a Nikon F4s for $127.50 off of eBay. I'm paying exactly that. Nothing more. When I bought that F3P from the UK last summer, I paid only for the item and shipping. No duty fees, no VAT.

It probably still is cheaper for UK buyers to buy gear from the states, have it sent to someone in the states, then have it mailed to the UK.

-J

TheToadMen · May 7, 2014

Tomorrow I'm gonna get me an other F5 for €205.
It is supposed to be in good working order and in decent shape.
I'll bring a fresh set of batteries and my 85/1.8 AF lens to test it first....

jerrybro · May 7, 2014

benjiboy said:
I don't want or need anything so mechanically and electronically complex for my needs, too many things to go wrong.

I've got one of each generation FM, would love an F3HP again, and have been tempted by the F4. But I don't autofocus. And the F5 and F6 are just too dang complicated. I've been tempted to start going in the other direction, the F and F2, but have thus far resisted. Thus far.

Richard S. (rich815) · May 7, 2014

jerrybro said:
I've got one of each generation FM, would love an F3HP again, and have been tempted by the F4. But I don't autofocus. And the F5 and F6 are just too dang complicated. I've been tempted to start going in the other direction, the F and F2, but have thus far resisted. Thus far.

You MUST get an F2.

Nikon F5's are selling real cheap

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