Nikon FA Grand Prix 1984 Gold Edition?

ToddB

Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2012
Messages
1,134
Format
Medium Format
Hey guys,

Just cruising the web on film cameras, and noticed the Nikon Made two gold edition cameras. The Grand Prix 1984 even had lizard skin on it. Has anyone seen one of these up close? What are these cameras worth today?

ToddB
 

Nick Merritt

Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2007
Messages
433
Location
Hartford, Co
Format
Multi Format
There is a Nikon coffee table book, published in Italy originally but available in English (I forget the name), but it has an example of this camera on the cover. That's as close as I've gotten -- way over the top I think. Value -- no idea.
 
OP
OP

ToddB

Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2012
Messages
1,134
Format
Medium Format
I think there probably ment for people that don't know what to do with thier money.

Todd
 

Oren Grad

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2005
Messages
1,619
Format
Large Format

benveniste

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 1, 2007
Messages
528
Format
Multi Format
I've seen a couple in person and even handled one briefly. Decidedly not my thing, but depending on condition I've seen them trade as high as $4500. A slightly used body only (no case or lens) just sold on eBay for $820 after going begging at a couple of higher listed prices. I'll keep using the FA I bought new in the late 1980's, thanks.

On the other hand, I've tempted several times to buy a Nikon FM2 half frame.
 

Newt_on_Swings

Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2011
Messages
2,147
Location
NYC
Format
Multi Format
Lots of companies seemed to love making these gold cameras. The Mir site linked above has a bunch. I think they look pretty awesome when done right, but I would never use one. For a little bit of time on ebay there was a whole slew to the fuji 690 rangefinders in gold paint and red lizard, touted as special edition, very poorly done and gaudy. There was one of these used ones popped up and the paint was just falling off to expose the original black.
 

gone

Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2009
Messages
5,504
Location
gone
Format
Medium Format
Yes, but you can get one of these gold babies for just 37 bucks. You just have to know how to price shop your gold cameras.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NICE-FED-3-...797?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item1c3a7e9a15


Or even better, there's this little seen Russian Leica camera. And, the case trims with a pith tree! How ya gonna beat that? It is, indeed, "a stylish acquisition for collectors". I wish I could write ad copy like that. The picture of the smiling Nazi is a nice touch too. He looks strangely like my neighbor.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RUS...210324389?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item2334d671a5
 
Last edited by a moderator:

dorff

Member
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
443
Location
South Africa
Format
Multi Format
elekm said:
I wonder why Nikon would waste its time making a special edition of a pedestrian camera. Not to say that the FA is a crappy camera.
Click to expand...

So what are you saying, exactly?

Why would Nikon? I think that is fairly self-evident, in the context of the time when they were produced. It is/was Japanese culture, and these cameras sold for enough to make Nikon a bit of money in the process. Collectors are strange people indeed. You should rather ask why do people buy these special editions only to put them in display cabinets?
 

benjiboy

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
11,975
Location
U.K.
Format
35mm
They to me are in the worst possible taste, and don't appeal to me in the slightest, given the choice even as a gift I would rather have the ordinary production one, because when I look at them they are like looking at a tarted up child prostitute.
 

chip j

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
2,193
Location
NE Ohio
Format
35mm
Nick Merritt said:
There is a Nikon coffee table book, published in Italy originally but available in English (I forget the name), but it has an example of this camera on the cover. That's as close as I've gotten -- way over the top I think. Value -- no idea.
Click to expand...

The book is "Nikon:A Celebration", the best Nikon book I ever read.
 

benjiboy

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
11,975
Location
U.K.
Format
35mm
What a thing to spend £ 81,000 of the taxpayers money on some Italian's shit when there's plenty of people in the U.K including me who would do them a much better deal, and at their own convenience
 

E. von Hoegh

Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2011
Messages
6,197
Location
Adirondacks
Format
Multi Format
benjiboy said:
What a thing to spend £ 81,000 of the taxpayers money on some Italian's @#!*% when there's plenty of people in the U.K including me who would do them a much better deal, and at their own convenience
Click to expand...

I'd be willing to deliver personally, at my own expense. For that price I'd even vary my diet (within limits) to suit the buyer's personal aesthetic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…