Is a Nikon F Nippon Kogaku worth more?

H

Huss

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Than a later Nikon F that just has the Nikon logo on the top plate by the shutter dial?
I have one of each, purely by chance. They both work exactly the same.
(Plain prism models)
 
The big money goes for the first 100 F's or so with cloth shutters,
from 6400001 to about 6400100.

Not everyone knows that, like a famous big name photo dealer that sold one for $36 or thereabouts a few years ago.

6401001 to 6402000 are the next most valuable.

Collectible value falls off quickly thereafter for most of them,
unless mint in the box, or some rare variation.
 
I'd agree that the serial number is more important than the logo. That said, the old Nippon Kogaku logo is quite gorgeous to my eye. Some may agree and pay a little more for it than a later Nikon logo - condition being equal.
 
I would say the 64 and also the apollos, plain prism and ones with motor drive plate are worth a bit more
 
The ones which haven't been modified to take the Photomic prism are more sought after, as are the red dot ones which were made to accept the prism before it was released. If you can find a 66XXXX black red dot, the world, is your oyster
 
The early cameras have features that separates them from the later examples.
The early cameras have the NK logo in addition to hollow advance lever, distinctive self timer lever and some other little things. The back is different than later cameras too.

As Stephen mentioned, the real early cameras command higher premiums because of the collector market, there are also much more difficult to find in black. Early Black cameras bring 5-10 times the value of chrome units. So, if you find a black unit within the first 1000, you win the jack-pot.

Example from upcoming westlicht auction:
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Nikon F black '6400656'

The most early black paint Nikon F with eyelevel finder known to exist in absolutely original and perfect working condition with all early features. The camera comes with the matching 'tick mark' typ 1 Nikkor-S 2/5cm no.520544, matching hood and cap. Uli Koch (Nikon F The Camera) lists body no.6400676 as the most early known camera - very important camera for sale in Nikon's 100th Anniversary!

Jahr: 1959, No. 6400656

Startpreis: EUR 12.000
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Kiu
 
I know some people make a great deal of money buying and selling "collectible" cameras, but that's not why I have my old plain-prism F. A friend gave it to me after it sat in a damp basement for years with the lens off, lost and gone. I had it overhauled (a relatively inexpensive $170 job!) and keep it around for nostalgia's sake: a Nikon F Photomic FTn in 1969 was my first 35mm SLR. This one is substantially older, serial number 6437157, and is now in excellent working condition.

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The light meter attachment needs an overhaul too and there's an outfit in Hollywood that will replace the selenium cell if I choose to do it. The Nippon Kogaku - Tokyo logo is indeed quite pretty.

I have the bottom half of the never-ready case (black) so I'm looking for the upper half to complete the outfit. It's nice to have a true classic like this, and even nicer that it is in excellent working order and can still be used as it was intended to be. :)\

And it didn't cost me the earth, moon, and sky...

G
 
I paid $10 for the body with the Photomic prism...traded a Minolta AF lens for the plain prism...I had this lens...
Serial #64650xx

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The old logo was much nicer and heart-warming to look at.

It oozed "serious professional photo gear company", and top shelf price as befits a serious camera.
 
I have a later one myself from 1973 I think (an 'Apollo'). With the AR-1 release it works quite well. I really do enjoy that camera a lot. Don't really care if it's collectible or not, I just like that it's a piece of photographic history (more or less).

PS - Who do you guys recommend for overhauling these should the need arise?
 
agoglanian said:
I have a later one myself from 1973 I think (an 'Apollo'). With the AR-1 release it works quite well. I really do enjoy that camera a lot. Don't really care if it's collectible or not, I just like that it's a piece of photographic history (more or less).

PS - Who do you guys recommend for overhauling these should the need arise?
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Abram -

Since you're in SoCal, I'd recommend our head bartender Stephen for Nikon F service - details at https://www.cameraquest.com/repairs.htm

I love my Nikon F bodies also. They have their quirks, but they're such classic machines. I've only had one F body that needed service, a chrome '61 that started getting erratic slow speeds. Otherwise, they're incredibly dependable cameras.
 
Huss said:
I like the way you think!
Just shot a roll through it yesterday and man it's a nice camera. For me the AR-1 soft release really helps.
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I agree about that soft release. So what's the story behind the EP engraved on the rewind spool?
 
kshapero said:
I agree about that soft release. So what's the story behind the EP engraved on the rewind spool?
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Cameras sold in Japan in the Army and Navy Base Exchange Post have that engraving from a certain time period after the war. It kept the Post from buying from non-approved wholesale vendors.

PF
 
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