Tim Murphy
Well-known
Dear Board,
Today I received a Nikkormat FT purchased from an auction. The camera is cosmetically in even better shape than I expected. The viewfinder is clean, the mirror foam is still spongy, and quick testing of the shutter speeds indicates that they definitely change.
I added a fresh 625 alkaline battery and the meter responds to light. Unfortunately, as you will see in the pictures, what it doesn't do is couple to the lens.
As you view the camera head on, the coupling pin is stuck on the far left of the prism. I can see a sliding tab hanging down that looks just like the sliding tab on a Nikkormat FT2 that I have with the exception that I cannot get it to move so that I can get the lens to couple.
My question to the board is this, can this be fixed easily by a ham handed mutton head like myself, or would it be best to send it away?
If send it away is the answer I'd appreciate suggestions for possible repairs here in the USA. I've heard good things about Garry's Cameras, would he be a good choice?
Nikkormat FT 003 by Tim Murphy, on Flickr
Nikkormat FT 002 by Tim Murphy, on Flickr
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Today I received a Nikkormat FT purchased from an auction. The camera is cosmetically in even better shape than I expected. The viewfinder is clean, the mirror foam is still spongy, and quick testing of the shutter speeds indicates that they definitely change.
I added a fresh 625 alkaline battery and the meter responds to light. Unfortunately, as you will see in the pictures, what it doesn't do is couple to the lens.
As you view the camera head on, the coupling pin is stuck on the far left of the prism. I can see a sliding tab hanging down that looks just like the sliding tab on a Nikkormat FT2 that I have with the exception that I cannot get it to move so that I can get the lens to couple.
My question to the board is this, can this be fixed easily by a ham handed mutton head like myself, or would it be best to send it away?
If send it away is the answer I'd appreciate suggestions for possible repairs here in the USA. I've heard good things about Garry's Cameras, would he be a good choice?
Nikkormat FT 003 by Tim Murphy, on FlickrNikkormat FT 002 by Tim Murphy, on FlickrRegards,
Tim Murphy
Steve M.
Veteran
You have to do the Nikon shuffle.
Take the lens off and turn the indexing prong on the front of the camera all the way to the other side. Then mount the lens, making sure the prong on it engages with the prong on the camera, and turn the aperture all the way to the left (counter clockwise when looking at the front of the camera). Then turn it all the way back clock wise. You have now properly indexed the meter.
Wait till you try to set the ISO. That is always a lot of fun.
Take the lens off and turn the indexing prong on the front of the camera all the way to the other side. Then mount the lens, making sure the prong on it engages with the prong on the camera, and turn the aperture all the way to the left (counter clockwise when looking at the front of the camera). Then turn it all the way back clock wise. You have now properly indexed the meter.
Wait till you try to set the ISO. That is always a lot of fun.
Tim Murphy
Well-known
That's the problem, the indexing pin won't move
That's the problem, the indexing pin won't move
Dear Steve,
I did as you suggested and try as I might unless I force the indexing pin it won't move past 10:00 o'clock. There is a tab hanging down from the bottom of the prism between the letters N and i on the camera prism that is stopping it's progress.
I double checked my FT2 and I can swing the indexing pin from 10:00 o'clock to 3:00 o'clock without any trouble. You can move the indexing pin counter-clockwise on the the FT2 all the way to the far left. As you bring it back towards the right that little hanging tab just clicks out of the way.
On the FT the indexing pin seems to be stuck on the far left, as it won't move past the letters N and i on the prism because of that goofy hanging down tab.
I'm sure I'll get this figured out. Thank you for trying to help.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA
That's the problem, the indexing pin won't move
Dear Steve,
I did as you suggested and try as I might unless I force the indexing pin it won't move past 10:00 o'clock. There is a tab hanging down from the bottom of the prism between the letters N and i on the camera prism that is stopping it's progress.
I double checked my FT2 and I can swing the indexing pin from 10:00 o'clock to 3:00 o'clock without any trouble. You can move the indexing pin counter-clockwise on the the FT2 all the way to the far left. As you bring it back towards the right that little hanging tab just clicks out of the way.
On the FT the indexing pin seems to be stuck on the far left, as it won't move past the letters N and i on the prism because of that goofy hanging down tab.
I'm sure I'll get this figured out. Thank you for trying to help.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA
Livesteamer
Well-known
You actually have a late model Nikkormat FTn. Try removing the two screws that hold on the name plate and look underneath. The problem may lie there. Good Luck. Joe
Spavinaw
Well-known
Yes, remove the nameplate to expose a complex of levers. Take care as the screw nearest the "T" has a spacer on it. The other screw does not need one. Perhaps you can get these levers loosened up and solve your problem. Best of luck.
Tim Murphy
Well-known
Aw hell, I was afraid of that!
Aw hell, I was afraid of that!
Dear livesteamer and Spavinaw,
I suspected the answer laid under the face plate.
I'll give it a try tomorrow.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA
Aw hell, I was afraid of that!
Dear livesteamer and Spavinaw,
I suspected the answer laid under the face plate.
I'll give it a try tomorrow.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA
farlymac
PF McFarland
Okay, just looked at my "Apollo" version like yours, Tim (winding and delay timing levers from F2, and A focus screen, but had nothing to do with the moon landing program as it is not an official Nikon designation).
That is definitely a lever from the auto indexing mechanism in the prism housing. Try lifting it up with a small screwdriver so the pin on the aperture ring will clear it. It could be a spring has popped loose, letting it fall down into the path of the aperture ring drive pin, or has been bumped past its stop.
It normally hangs down just a little bit, until the aperture ring goes past it, then it locks up into the prism housing.
PF
That is definitely a lever from the auto indexing mechanism in the prism housing. Try lifting it up with a small screwdriver so the pin on the aperture ring will clear it. It could be a spring has popped loose, letting it fall down into the path of the aperture ring drive pin, or has been bumped past its stop.
It normally hangs down just a little bit, until the aperture ring goes past it, then it locks up into the prism housing.
PF