Nikonos V

[ricpr]

Now I know these are not rangefinders, but it is a viewfinder camera. I just bought one Friday at an estate sale and was wondering if anyone here has used one. It has the 35mm 2.5 lens on it and came with the flash, bracket and custom bag for a $100. The thing looks new. Any info/instructions on use or example pic's would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[FrankS]

Great buy! You must remove the lens before you can open the camera!
I have the Nikonos III. The lens is excellent above water. Great camera for adverse conditions. Congrats!

 

[ricpr]

Funny thing, I have to return the flash back to Nikon for a 1998 recall. The flash is prone to explosion...I didn't make this up. At least I get a replacement.

 

[BillBingham2]

It's a great buy!! I am lurking for a III, but yours has some extra features that would be handy. Nikonos comes from a long line of built tough cameras that work as well above the water as they do under the water.

B2 (;->

 

[sienarot]

Wow, what a find! I have one that I've only used once during my trip to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Unfortunately I hadn't properly tested it so the roll I ran through it didn't latch on properly so nothing was exposed on film. D'oh! I'm debating whether I should sell it or not...

 

[Finder]

You do not have to remove the lens to open the back unless there has been an increase in air pressure since it was closed. Naturally, if the air pressure drops, then the back pops open. I store my lens and body separately with the body and lens caps attached.

I use my Nikonos V for mountain and canoe trips. It is a very nice camera. The lens is great above and below the water.

 

[micromontenegro]

Wonderful camera, great buy. The V does not need the to have the lens off to open, but the III does. If you want to use it as a really waterproof scuba camera, you should inspect and properly grease o rings. Your lens is one of the few (2?) that work well both underwater and in air.

 

[FrankS]

Finder and Micromontenegro (what are your real names?) thanks for that correction! I did not realize that the Nikonos V had been redesigned from the III that I have, with regards to removing the lens before opening the camera.

 

[spyder2000]

Yes, great camera. Clean the grooves and lube the o-rings with silicone and nothing else. Nikon sells small tubes of the 'official' lubricant, but silicone is all it is. There is one lens, FL lost in myhead somewhere, that only works in the water, as the water is part of the 'design.' Go figure.

 

[borrel]

Great camera. Of the standard lenses the 35mm and 90mm Nikonos both work just as well above as below the surface. The 28mm does not focus properly in air unless stopped down to f8. The lenses are also usually mounted "upside down" to make scale focus and aperture readable when the camera is hanging on your chest. Make sure the bottom openings for the flashsync and battery are plugged before taking it into the water. There are blind plugs for use without flash.
- Børre

 

[borrel]

Here is your manual: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/nikon/nikonos/nikonos.htm
- Børre

 

[ricpr]

Thanks for all the info. What are the the odds that someone can post a couple of sample pics from this camera?

 

[micromontenegro]

Thanks for your kind words, Frank. I be Santiago Montenegro, but it was too long a nickname... must get around to making a signature sometime

Cheers,

Santiago