Robin Guymer
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I have two Nikon FA's as inexpensive project cameras. Both are near immaculate but both have operational faults. Apparently FA's are expensive to service so I doubt they are worth taking to a technician.
The Silver FA (serial 506----) works perfectly except the aperture actuator lever does not move down to stop down the lens. Probably a simple mechanical fix if it was accessible, but the repair manual disassembly flow chart looks too complex for my limited ability. Way too much desoldering!
The Black FA (serial 537----) is electrically dead but it does do everything it should in M250 and Bulb.
I had an idea of making a custom Black manual stop down camera by swapping the top and bottom covers. To modify the Silver FA I am removing the tag on the AI meter dial. With the meter activator wheel redundant I should be able to fit older F mount, AI and AIS lenses and my Leica lenses on adapters using all these in manual stop down for correct meterage. I often do this with my user FA and a wide angle Leitz lens and it works well using Aperture priority or Manual setting.
But I may have to stick to making this custom camera in Silver. If you look at the two photos it shows that the Black FA has a different wiring loom with wires connecting the flash, where as the Silver FA uses sprung connectors. I read somewhere that the FA cameras had a wiring loom issue that was replaced with an upgrade under warranty. I now suspect that the Black FA may have the original faulty loom even though it has a later serial number. Does anyone recognise these wiring looms and can advise if I am correct about the Black FA loom? If so I wonder how I will go with a warranty repair -
Thanks for looking.
Robin.
The Silver FA (serial 506----) works perfectly except the aperture actuator lever does not move down to stop down the lens. Probably a simple mechanical fix if it was accessible, but the repair manual disassembly flow chart looks too complex for my limited ability. Way too much desoldering!
The Black FA (serial 537----) is electrically dead but it does do everything it should in M250 and Bulb.
I had an idea of making a custom Black manual stop down camera by swapping the top and bottom covers. To modify the Silver FA I am removing the tag on the AI meter dial. With the meter activator wheel redundant I should be able to fit older F mount, AI and AIS lenses and my Leica lenses on adapters using all these in manual stop down for correct meterage. I often do this with my user FA and a wide angle Leitz lens and it works well using Aperture priority or Manual setting.
But I may have to stick to making this custom camera in Silver. If you look at the two photos it shows that the Black FA has a different wiring loom with wires connecting the flash, where as the Silver FA uses sprung connectors. I read somewhere that the FA cameras had a wiring loom issue that was replaced with an upgrade under warranty. I now suspect that the Black FA may have the original faulty loom even though it has a later serial number. Does anyone recognise these wiring looms and can advise if I am correct about the Black FA loom? If so I wonder how I will go with a warranty repair -
Thanks for looking.
Robin.
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