Q: what should I pay for a Nikon F from Feb. 1967 – what is a fair price ??

Hi,
I’m looking for a Nikon F that is as old as I am for quite some time. I have 2 Nikon F bodies already, but one is from about 1964 and the other somewhere from 1970 or so. And I thought it would be fun to photograph with a camera that is as old as I am, therefore build/sold in Feb. 1967. I decided on a Nikon F camera with a serial # 679xxxx or 780xxxx (i.e. Feb. 1967, see: http://www.destoutz.ch/typ_production_data_f.html)
I would also like a Photomic TN finder for this camera too – even i fit isn’t working anymore - and a matching 50 mm 1.4 lens.
(BTW: I know I don’t need this camera but I just want one for fun & shooting film )

Someone offered me a chrome Nikon F with serial # 6796048, that is in very good cosmetical condition and is working too. He also has a TN finder (not working) that is cosmetical very good. Here are the images he sent me:


My probem is to decide what is a “fair” price for such a camera. I know it’s a demand-supply market and prices can go up and down. And this is (to me) a “special” serial # like I’m looking for. But he’s asking $330 including shipping and I also want to buy a 50 mm 1.4 lens from this era too.

F body s/n 6796048 (beautiful & working) + Photomic TN finder (beautiful but may not be working) selling as a set at US$330 inclusive of registered air mail from Hong Kong to Europe, safely-packed. If you want a beautiful & matching Eye-Level finder instead of the TN finder, please add US$70. Body only is US$260 body including shipping.

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So: what do you think? Is this a normal price nowadays for this model and condition, or should I wait for another deal? I had in mind to pay $200 for a “perfect matching set” that is in working condition, but maybe that is not realistic? This camera is looking very nice with almost no signs of use. He also said he has another body with more signs of use that is much cheaper, but I haven't received images/price yet.

Pleas advice ...

Does it include both prisms? If so the price seems around the right mark. The F sells for between £120-800 dependent on condition.

If it includes that plain prism and the photos accurately reflect the cameras condition, then it sounds like a fair price. You could try offering an even $300.

The Nikon F body isn't worth much but the plain prism is. So I think the price is fair if it comes with both prisms.

F body prices seem to be fading a bit. The plain prism is real icing though. Is it the original rectangular eyepiece or the square-ish diopter capable? I can't remember when the transition was made. BTW, the '67xxxxx = 1967' thing doesn't work for the F. I believe they were about a year off in one direction or another. The hard coding started with the F2. I have a '67 plain F and it sounds much better than my '72. They both sound tinny compared to an M3, but this isn't about mechanics.

s-a

The way I read the ad, the body alone is $260, which is a very good deal. The body with EITHER a meter prism or a plain prism is $330 (get the plain prism, for a very, very good deal), and the body with both prisms is $400. I would buy the complete set at $400, but whatever, get the plain prism.

Nikon Fs are plentiful and cheap but most are pretty well-worn. A really nice example is going to command a premium, and it looks like that's what you've got there. Assuming no other problems (de-silvered prism, etc) $330 is probably fair.

Thank you all for the help. I might make an offer for body + Photomic TN + plain prism and will see if he will accept a lower bid of $300 + shipping.
I like the looks of a Photomic finder better than the plain prism, but since the meter isn't working a plain prism is more compact to shoot with.

About some of the questions:
- I believe the images are of the actual camera.

- The asking prices: body alone = $260, body + Photomic TN = $330, body + plain prism = $400. I don't know the asking price for all three the items together, but if I add up all the prices it could be 260+70+140= $470 or less. All prices including shipping (about $25).

- Serial # 67xxxx doesn't equal 1967 in itself, I know, but I checked the list for my time frame at http://www.destoutz.ch/typ_production_data_f.html. Thats why I chose the range of # 67xxxx to # 68xxxx. It's not exact science but close enough.

- "Is it the original rectangular eyepiece or the square-ish diopter capable?" I don't know, I'll ask. Does it make much difference (period wise and price wise)?

resummerfield said:

The way I read the ad, the body alone is $260, which is a very good deal.

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I've seen F bodies much cheaper, often under $100 USD. Though I may be ignorant not owning one as I have two F2 already and an F3 I'm more than happy with. Is there something unique with this F body in particular that makes $260 a "very good deal"?

BTW, he also said:

"The metering can be revived by professional repair technicians in Hong Kong for about U$50 but I'm not sure how long they will work. I've never bother to repair them."

Does any of you know if it is doable and if it will give a usable meter again? A hand held meter is always better, but I can't always bring one and my "guestimation system" isn't fool proof yet.

TheToadMen said:

Does any of you know if it is doable and if it will give a usable meter again?

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Yes, possibly using another Photomic finder for parts. Easiest to fix: Leaky battery has caused corrosion in a wire. Hardest: Galvanometer is faulty/open-circuit. I don't know of a way to repair the latter except by replacing using parts from another finder.

Richard S. (rich815) said:

I've seen F bodies much cheaper, often under $100 USD. Though I may be ignorant not owning one as I have two F2 already and an F3 I'm more than happy with. Is there something unique with this F body in particular that makes $260 a "very good deal"?

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I much preferred my F to the F2AS. In plain prism form the Nikon F is one of the most aesthetically pleasing SLRs ever and a mechanical jewel. The plain prism F2 is also very nice. The photomic heads hamstring the Fs visually, and are too much of a lump just to add in camera metering for a modern user. They also make the cameras hang weirdly.

The relative unpopularity of unmetered Fs adds to their rarity and value, the plain prism F2 is even thinner on the ground, and sells for even more.

After almost half a century, both working cameras and working people show some wear. A camera in near new condition seems out-of-place unless it sits in a showcase or on a shelf. I bought my first Nikon F early in 1967, and it was long ago beat to death. Only a scruffy 200mm lens from that time has survived. The FT meter proved more accurate than a Weston Master II, but I eventually preferred to use the less cumbersome prism finder.

Last year from KEH I bought a mint condition F with plain prism (no signs of wear at all) for around $385, I think. It works perfectly and sounds great.

Agree that that the plain prism is not only aesthetically pleasing, but makes the camera nicer to use.

From the photos you posted, $330 with plain prism sounds fair.

TheToadMen said:

BTW, he also said:

"The metering can be revived by professional repair technicians in Hong Kong for about U$50 but I'm not sure how long they will work. I've never bother to repair them."

Does any of you know if it is doable and if it will give a usable meter again? A hand held meter is always better, but I can't always bring one and my "guestimation system" isn't fool proof yet.

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Got an iPhone? I've been using this for a while and it works great:

Light Meter Free
https://appsto.re/us/-D5Cy.i

If you get the plain prism I've get it in a heart beat but, I like the old F's and have three but, no standard p-just the FTN.

My finest one...

BlackFTN by David Fincher, on Flickr

The prism in the photos you have don't show an Ftn prism but the OLDER photomic T prism. Two easy tells are the battery check button in front of the power switch and the lack of the retaining lever at the left side.
See colcolt's picture.
In my opinion the Tn's not worth shipping anywhere since you should be able to pick up an Ftn finder for about the same money. Still
body & standard prism will sell for the $300. range in clean shape.

If you're wanting a metered prism the FTN was the last and best of the bunch before the F2 came out.

Theo Sulphate said:

From the photos you posted, $330 with plain prism sounds fair.

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But he says above its $400 for that doesn't he?

Oops. Misread it. Well, the body shows minor wear, but I would hope it's in excellent mechanical shape.

Theo Sulphate said:

Oops. Misread it. Well, the body shows minor wear, but I would hope it's in excellent mechanical shape.

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I've collected a lot of 40-50+ year old cameras through the years. Hate to say it but the most pristine ones I've come across were often the most problematic as they were hardly ever used and mostly sat around somewhere. Look great after the seller dusted them off but frankly my less problematic ones are the ones that were lovingly used, and show it. But were taken care of too.

semi-ambivalent said:

... The plain prism is real icing though. Is it the original rectangular eyepiece or the square-ish diopter capable? I can't remember when the transition was made.

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Here is an extra photo of the prism. I guess this is what you called "the original rectangular eyepiece"?

He has a second body available for me with # 6791633 with more signs of wear, but still a nice looking camera.
"This set for US$300 inclusive of an Eye-Level Finder, a TN finder (may not measure light) and air mail from Hong Kong."

I think I prefer the "minty one" for its serial number is closer to Feb. 1967 (I guess), but it depends on the price difference for the complete set.And I asked him to check which one is technically in best order.

Here are some images of the second (not minty) body:

I got a reply:

Both cameras are mechanically fine to my sight, hearing and 40 years' experience of using the Nikon F & F2 but I don't have a precision instrument to test them. The minty full set will remain at $400 inclusive of shipping.

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If both are equal technically sound, it's only a matter of cosmetics, money and serial number.

- Nikon F (minty) with serial # 6796048 + Photomic + eye level finder = $400
- Nikon F (signs of wear) with serial # 6791633 + Photomic + eye level finder = $300

About the serial #, I found this:
- 679xxxx DEC 1966 to MAR 1967
- 680xxxx FEB 1967 to APR 1967
(source: http://www.destoutz.ch/typ_production_data_f.html)

I'm told there were two production runs at one time, thus the two series of serial numbers for an overlapping period.
So I'm guessing that # 6791633 is closer to December and # 6796048 is closer to February as a production date?

This would plead for the # 6791633. (the minty one). The other one is cheaper but probably made in 1966? It has also more signs of use. In the end that's not a big deal to me, but the minty one does looks nicer. Or should I get the "user look" since I'm not minty myself anymore? Getting both bodies is ridiculous, not?

Something to think about (input welcomed).

get both;it's only money and you can't take it with you.Then decide which to keep