NIKONOS II Help I'm Drowning In Questions!

[Annie]

The rainy season is fast approaching here in the Pacific Northwest so just for fun I picked up an old Nikonos II with accessories at a garage sale.... Now I am embarrassed to say I cannot even figure out how to open it. So can any of you Neptune types help me out... Also are batteries still available for the Sekonic Marine Meter II? Also..... Which way does that view finder mount on the bracket....... Also why would there be a tripod socket on an underwater camera? Also.... yikes, the questions are adding up fast perhaps some patient underwater photographer could answer some questions for me via PM. Thanks Annie.

 

[Eric Rose]

PM me. I do a lot of UW photography and have used most of the Nikonos cameras. But alas the II is even a bit old for my tired bones!

 

[Flotsam]

It has been a while but:

Those metal pieces that the strap attach to are used as levers. They hook under wings on each end of the top plate and can be used to gently pry the camera straight upward out of the body shell. REMOVE THE LENS FIRST!! When you look at the camera with this in mind, I think that it you will see how it works. Pretty Cool. You got a camera and a puzzle for the same price

I have a Sekonic Marine Meter II that I have never used but I removed the batteries long ago and have no idea what they were.

 

[Flotsam]

Oops, I just noticed your other questions.

The viewfinder attaches with the wide end towards the front When you hold it far enough from your face that you see neither the outside or inside surfaces of the finder and the center circles are lined up, it will approximate the field of the 35mm lens. It's for viewing with a diving mask.

The tripod socket is for underwater self-portraiture and taking long exposures of extremely slow moving fish. Just kidding , I'm sure that it is used for attaching flash brackets and hand grips and such.

I have Nikonos V now and I've never scuba dived [dove?, diven?] in my life. I use it in the rain, backpacking, boating, beach, any circumstance that would trash any of my other cameras. That 35mm lens gives really beautiful results above water.

A tip for shooting in the rain: try to find a lens hood that is as deep as possible without vignetting to shield the lens from rain drops and carry some photowipes to wipe them off immediately. Keep it pointed down until you are ready to shoot. A big blurry drop of water on the lens will ruin any shot.

 

[Annie]

What a cleverly designed camera it is..... got it open and the camera works beautifully..... even did a few test shots holding it underwater in the sink... no leaks & that is indeed one sweet little lens the negs look great.. Neal thanks for all the information I appreciate it.
.... Annie.

 

[Flotsam]

That's the old Jaques Cousteau, U.S. Divers design and it is truly bizarre and uncamera-like. How do you like that shutter/wind mechanism? Go out in winter and you never even have to take off your mittens to use it.

I remember when I bought my old used Nikonos II . I filled my sink, held my breath, immersed it, and let out my breath in relief, when saw that there wasn't a stream of bubbles coming from it.

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[Jorge]

Well, Neal probably can add better instructions but from my experience with the Nikonos IV and V I remember that you need to remove the gasket seals every so often and lightly, and I mean very lightly coat them with silicone grease to prevent them from drying out and leaking. Also remember that just because it did not leak in the washtub, it does not mean it wont leak at higher pressure. So if you are taking it diving then better check the seals and coat them before you do.

 

[Annie]

Jorge,
It came with it's own tube of Nikonos 'goo' and extra set of O rings... I'll pop the new ones in and get it pressure tested if I take it diving. Tough little camera.... part clam... part 'gator!

 

[Flotsam]

There's nothing like a scale focuser for candid people photography. Prefocus, then just quickly frame and shoot. Doing it in a driving downpour is even better.

 

[Flotsam]

D'OH!

Sorry, double post.

 

[jhastie]

Wait, if you are using the II for above water photography, save your seals for when you want to use it underwater.

I have been using the II for years for outdoor inclemnt weather photography. I love it.

If you have any firther questions, contact me.