Nikonos iii underwater use

Luana · Nov 29, 2020

Hello, i recently bought a nikonos iii camera and i wanted to use it specifically underwater but I've been reading that some of you don't recommend this? What can i do if i really want to shoot underwater. Are there shooting tests that i can do? Also, i live in Peru, i mention this because if i need to change something of the camera are these parts easy to get?
thank you very much!!!

narsuitus · Nov 29, 2020

Years ago, before I used my used Nikonos III underwater for the first time, I had Bob Warkentin of Southern Nikonos Service Center Inc. in Texas, USA replaced worn rubber "O" rings and test the camera to make sure it did not leak. I do not know if he is still in business but if you can find a similar service, I would advise using it.

http://www.southern-nikonos.com/index.html

Nikonos III by Narsuitus, on Flickr

summicron1 · Nov 29, 2020

the cameras were originally designed to go down to 300 feet or so, which is a LOT of pressure.

I'm hardly the expert but I'd say check the camera carefully, put some vaseline on the rubber o-rings, and make sure there are no cracks in the rubber. As long as you are not doing any deep diving -- if ur snorkeling, for example, and only a few feet under,-- it will probably be just fine.

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 29, 2020

Bob Warkentin passed away earlier this year. He worked on my Nikonos V.

Definitely get it checked out before putting it in the water. There are a lot of seals that can go bad.

There's a guy in California on eBay who sells and services Nikonos stuff. I haven't tried him yet. Just search for Nikonos, and you'll find him.

juan · Nov 29, 2020

I don’t know your situation being in Peru, but here’s what I use in the US
Lens o ring- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FMUTOA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Body o ring - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FN0XBI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sealant and lube - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CAWWSQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

maybe you can find a source there.

Sirius Glass · Nov 29, 2020

juan said:
I don’t know your situation being in Peru, but here’s what I use in the US
Lens o ring- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FMUTOA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Body o ring - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FN0XBI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sealant and lube - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CAWWSQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

maybe you can find a source there.

Are those also the sized for Nikonos II?

AgX · Nov 29, 2020

Welcome to Apug!

That you got the impression here at Apug that one better not use a Nikonos underwater I find puzzling. The Nikonos was the first camera designed just for underwater photography. Before only housings had been custom made to put existing, terestial cameras in. And the Nikonos never had a true competitor other than its reflex version.

Sirius Glass · Nov 29, 2020

Thank you I just order rings and grease for my Nikonos II. Now I have to get it apart, cleaned up, rings greased and installed.

MattKing · Nov 29, 2020

Luana said:
Hello, i recently bought a nikonos iii camera and i wanted to use it specifically underwater but I've been reading that some of you don't recommend this?

Welcome to Photrio.
I believe that you gained that impression because people here have warned that a Nikonos camera should not be used underwater unless it is first serviced and, most likely, the O-rings are replaced.
Those warnings are given because many people wrongly assume that they can buy a Nikonos and use it underwater without that service. Even when Nikonos cameras were in current production, they needed regular maintenance if they were being used underwater.

AgX · Nov 29, 2020

But the user-replacable O-rings, though most likely to be harmed by grains of sand, are not the only O-rings installed. With an old camera one really should consider replacing/having replaced all O-rings.

A site with a lot of information:
http://www.southern-nikonos.com/nikonosworkshopseries.html

Luana · Nov 29, 2020

AgX said:
Welcome to Apug!

That you got the impression here at Apug that one better not use a Nikonos underwater I find puzzling. The Nikonos was the first camera designed just for underwater photography. Before only housings had been custom made to put existing, terestial cameras in. And the Nikonos never had a true competitor other than its reflex version.

well, not all thought the same but i did read a few answers that said that but thank you, this is helpful!

Luana · Nov 29, 2020

ooh thank

MattKing said:
Welcome to Photrio.
I believe that you gained that impression because people here have warned that a Nikonos camera should not be used underwater unless it is first serviced and, most likely, the O-rings are replaced.
Those warnings are given because many people wrongly assume that they can buy a Nikonos and use it underwater without that service. Even when Nikonos cameras were in current production, they needed regular maintenance if they were being used underwater.

ooh ok, thank you very much!! this is really helpful. I didnt know thaat.

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 30, 2020

Ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikonos-II...-Rings-SET-KIT-repair-scubaphot-/254398024774

film_man · Nov 30, 2020

David A. Goldfarb said:
Bob Warkentin passed away earlier this year. He worked on my Nikonos V.

Definitely get it checked out before putting it in the water. There are a lot of seals that can go bad.

There's a guy in California on eBay who sells and services Nikonos stuff. I haven't tried him yet. Just search for Nikonos, and you'll find him.

I didn't know that, Bob worked on my Nikonos V a few times over the years, he did excellent work.

Is the California guy the Nikonos Project / narcosis101 one? I'll need to find someone to check my Nik V in the next year or two.

AgX · Nov 30, 2020

That kit only offers the prominent O-rings.

With "one really should consider replacing/having replaced all O-rings" I meant all there are, including the not visible ones. I do not know though how difficult it is to replace the not visible ones.

The advantage of the model III is that it seemingly takes generic nitrile O-rings, I do not know though whether they are of standard hardness (Shore 70).

ic-racer · Nov 30, 2020

I have the Nikonos V and I think there are about 20 or so O-rings. It might take some time to track them down by size and replace them. Plus, some probably don't need to be changed, like the one holding the fiewfinder glass in place and the one holding the window over the frame counter.
I suspect the 'repair guys' replace the easy ones, and then test it at progressively higher pressures. If no leaks, the send it back ready to go.

Very rough calculation 300ft x 0.4 = 120psi. Most air compressors go that high, but you would have to rig up a box.

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 30, 2020

ic-racer said:
I have the Nikonos V and I think there are about 20 or so O-rings. It might take some time to track them down by size and replace them. Plus, some probably don't need to be changed, like the one holding the fiewfinder glass in place and the one holding the window over the frame counter.
I suspect the 'repair guys' replace the easy ones, and then test it at progressively higher pressures. If no leaks, the send it back ready to go.

Very rough calculation 300ft x 0.4 = 120psi. Most air compressors go that high, but you would have to rig up a box.

Most divers don't go beneath 130 feet breathing regular air due to risk of getting nitrogen narcosis "rapture of the seas - drunk"
But the point is well taken that bad o rings will leak. I'd just pull them out and clean them and see if they're soft and flexible. Then add a light coating of o ring grease and reinsert them. If it leaks, well, you wouldn't have used it anyway. On the other hand, it makes a great camera for when it's raining, in the sand, etc. At least my Nikonos IVa is. The IV model has a special rectangular type ring that follows the contours of the camera. I haven't checked mine in years but then again I haven't dived in years either.

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 30, 2020

film_man said:
I didn't know that, Bob worked on my Nikonos V a few times over the years, he did excellent work.

Is the California guy the Nikonos Project / narcosis101 one? I'll need to find someone to check my Nik V in the next year or two.

Yes, narcosis101. I haven’t used him yet, but I did notice that he charges less than Bob did for an overhaul. If you send him your camera before I do, report back, and I’ll do the same.

ic-racer · Nov 30, 2020

I use my Nikonos as a poor-weather camera. I was just looking at some recent negatives shot about the same time with my Rollei 35/TRIOTAR and the Nikonos with the 35mm AIR/WATER lens. Wow, the Nikonos is so much sharper. (This is a comparison between two Zone-focus cameras). I keep having to re-learn that just because the Nikonos does not have a rangefinder, it still has a fantastic lens and makes negatives as nice as any other SLR Nikon.

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 30, 2020

Yes the Nikonos 35mm lens is an excellent lens.

Sirius Glass · Nov 30, 2020

By the way no one has Nikonos lenses other than the 35mm lens, eBay, KEH, KEH ebay, Adorama, B&H, Samys, Samys eBay, OC Cameras

ic-racer · Nov 30, 2020

My camera came with a 28mm that I will never use. I tried it out of water and the focus shift is massive.

Sirius Glass · Nov 30, 2020

ic-racer said:
My camera came with a 28mm that I will never use. I tried it out of water and the focus shift is massive.

The 28mm Nikonos lenses are only to be used underwater, never out of water.

ic-racer · Nov 30, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
The 28mm Nikonos lenses are only to be used underwater, never out of water.

At one time I wanted the 28 LW, but the 35mm is so nice

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 30, 2020

The 35mm is the only Nikonos lens that you can use under and out of water. The rest are for underwater only. Then problem underwater, it converts to 50mm due to refraction and a more wide angle works better to eliminate particle light reflected from a strobe. YOu have to get closer with the wide angles. The 35mm is a very sharp lens, although my scanner isn't the best for them.
https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort...&tags=nikonos&user_id=55760757@N05&view_all=1.

Nikonos iii underwater use

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