2.1cm f4 nikkor f type , modified f body

[enasniearth]

This is the 2.1 cm f type - same optically as the rf type .
The nikkor is original , the finder was modified for a standard accessory shoe.
The f body was modified for a low deck height to keep the outfit to a minimum size .
The f body was an ebay item , shutter and advance were nice , finder had
Bad separation problems and meter was dead .

 

[direwolf101]

very interesting...

 

[enasniearth]

Photo comparison

Photo comparison

I have added this as a comparison in size , next to a nikon s2 with 2.8cm nikkor, the finder on the s2 is a late leitz plastic body brightline

 

[Roger Hicks]

Lovely lens. Mine was stolen in India 30 years ago. One of the best 21s I ever had.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Stefcuoz]

This is the 2.1 cm f type - same optically as the rf type .
The nikkor is original , the finder was modified for a standard accessory shoe.
The f body was modified for a low deck height to keep the outfit to a minimum size .
The f body was an ebay item , shutter and advance were nice , finder had
Bad separation problems and meter was dead .

Interesting camera...probably just seen on Ebay, just removed mirror box? so it became more light.... meter is not dead... in this modified camera meter don't exist...
But this is the perfect 21mm shoter.. i have a similar one!😀

 

[enasniearth]

Modification

Modification

The f body was purchased with an ftn finder .
The meter was in poor condition and the prism was deteriated with separation .
The mirror box is still in the camera , mirror is locked up and fixed in place.
The area above the lens mount is reduced to the level of the cutout for the prism eyepiece on camera rear . Front trim plate cut to fit . New brass plate reduced deck installed with finder / standard accessory shoe .
Through the finder view is complete , however with lens cap on you can see edge of chrome rivet on stock lens cap . So this is lowest deck height possible .
Wanted to use this lens - with the stock meter finder and the finder raised over rewind the camera is very large . So I thought about modifying it to a viewfinder type camera . The f body already has the proper pin lug to mount this lens so it will not cause problems .
Other than the modified finder area the f is straight nikon f .

 

[Tom A]

If you can find them, Cosina used to make a "shallow" plastic prismcover that had the shoe on it (for use with the 12f5.6 and the 15f4.5).
Years ago I modified an F to handle the 21f4 in a similar manner. Mirror was shot - so i simply ripped it out. I had a groundglass with bad marks on it and used that as a "template" for a wooden "plug" with a shoe on it. Worked fine.
At the moment I have a $50 F2 housing that I am considering making a similar modification too and dedicate to a 12f5.6. I can machine a small block in alloy and integrate the shoe on it. Just take a dead ground glass and remove the screen - machine a flange that will fit where the screen was and build it up sufficiently to raise the finder to correct level. With the new 12f5.6 finder it would be a very small, compact "super-wide" too.
Both the F and the F2 are very smooth cameras with the mirror removed and the assembly set to "Mirror Up" position. Just like a late SP with titanium shutter!
Of course, if you ever decide to motorize the kit - on the F2 you can stick the MD1 and the heavy battery pack - and with that weight - it is even more stable (and heavy!).