Odd variant of a Nikon F?

tjaded · Dec 6, 2015

I have a bunch of Nikon F cameras that I picked up over the years, but I just came across one that is slightly different. I am hoping there is someone here that knows more about Nikons than I do (shouldn't be hard) and might be able to tell me if this is odd or if it's normal and I just never saw one before. This is a black body F, serial number 684***. The Nikon name on the top plate has a green dot above the letter i in Nikon. It is a very clean, original camera and the green does appear to be factory done. Any thoughts (other than the obvious "get a life, dude." that is)??

summicron1 · Dec 6, 2015

"get a life dude."

hey someone had to say it.

Sorry, no clue about the dot. Could be something as simple as discoloration of the paint used to fill the engraved space there -- or perhaps someone re-filled it at some point in the past with paint that has discolored.

Or maybe a leprechaun used the thing. I dunno.

Ricardo Miranda · Dec 6, 2015

It is a very clean

No, it isn't. It is dirty inside the shutter button and the film advance leaver is also dirty.
Go and clean them, please.

tjaded · Dec 6, 2015

Clean as in not beat up, paint chipped etc. I will be cleaning the dust and dirt out soon. As for the repaint, it really doesn't look like it.

jimjm · Dec 6, 2015

Definitely not a modification by Nikon or a distributor, probably just an owner wanting to personalize their camera.

I have a Nikon F body with a non-factory modification to the shutter release. Press shutter button halfway and the mirror flips up, press further and the shutter trips. It works great for macro work and night photography with a cable release since I don't have to use the kludgy MLU lever and waste a frame. I contacted Uli Koch and he confirmed that this wasn't a factory modification, but he had heard of independent repairmen doing this to F bodies at the owner's request.

NikonDude · Dec 6, 2015

I'm sure you can find a website somewhere listing every model ever made, but this is hard to do with cameras like the F and I haven't found it yet myself. Note that Nikon makes limited special editions at times, and there could be rare versions that most Nikon shooters will not know. As for the variations in the Nikon F I have personally seen in Tokyo camera shops...it is mind boggling. I don't own an F yet (I mostly shoot F4 and F5), but I really want to...but given the huge variety out there I don't even know where to start. One of them is going to catch my heart one day, and I'll be helpless...

John_Nikon_F · Dec 6, 2015

That doesn't look stock to me... None of the multiple black F bodies I've owned have had that. So, probably customized.

-J

gone · Dec 6, 2015

Don't clean it. It adds to the antique collectible value. I watch a lot of the Antique Roadshow TV programs :] Besides, it will only get dirty again.

Never saw that sort of mod before.

Richard S. (rich815) · Dec 6, 2015

It's fungus!

Sirius Glass · Dec 6, 2015

:eek: There is a fungus among us!

Kirks518 · Dec 6, 2015

Looks like dirt to me. I see white around the edge.

summicron1 · Dec 6, 2015

Kirks518 said:
Looks like dirt to me. I see white around the edge.

like i said -- leprechauns!

bdial · Dec 6, 2015

The green dot means you are logged into APUG, log off and the dot will turn grey.

:munch:

tjaded · Dec 6, 2015

I asked the original owner about it (he bought it new) and he said he didn't do it. He also never noticed it before. Just thought it was odd.

Jeff Bradford · Dec 6, 2015

Does it have a working Photomic FTn meter? THAT would be a rarity.

MattKing · Dec 6, 2015

Maybe a previous owner was a golfer, and he or she personalized their camera the same way they personalized their golf balls.

GarageBoy · Dec 6, 2015

Jeff Bradford said:
Does it have a working Photomic FTn meter? THAT would be a rarity.

I found my dad's Nikon f collection the other day... About 6 are FTns in near mint condition... Dead meters on 4

leicarfcam · Dec 6, 2015

I've seen the white lettering on both the Nikon F and F2 with this green tint before. It's nothing more than the greenish gunk you sometimes see on cameras and their leather cases.

A Q-tip dipped in alcohol and gently rubbed will clean it up.. You don't want to leave it since it is acidic...

Odd variant of a Nikon F?

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