Nikon F "Apollo"

jszokoli said:
Cal,

It's funny how stuff just drops in your lap sometimes.

From what I can find on the web the second type of flash terminal found its way on to cameras mid '72. So even if this camera has had a replacement top it's quite late in the run. From the limited wear on the camera and that both left, and right tops, as well as that the rest of the camera shows constant wear patterns, the only way I could see this being a replacement top was if the camera was damaged very early on in its life. How else could a top with a a number so low get on it. As noted in an earlier post there is no proof that it's original but with more than 860k F's made at that point what would the chance of such a late camera being the one to get a replacement top with such an early number. (or is that a late number?? Depends how you look at it seems)

I know I had said no more film cameras, but I'm glad I had a moment of weakness, caused by a 15% off web offer from KEH.

I had expected that there would be something a little crude about the F compared to the F2 I have, but it's so nice...

Joe
Click to expand...

Joe,

The F has boxier lines and is the start of a legend. Still a great camera. For me the F2 is an improved F that also offers sex appeal. As far as a fetish goes the F2 is the sexiest camera ever made. Perhaps because I was young and in college at the time my F2 helped get me laid, and was often used. I had no such sexual experience using a F.

Anyways the 1975 SL2-MOT I presently own is my "Macho" mechanical camera. Sherry says it is the most overbuilt camera that Leica ever built. I love that it was only made for 2 years (spanning three years), cost more than twice of my beloved black F2, and the fact that Leica lost money on every one they sold.

Consider getting a BEOON to make copies of your negatives. Impressive results.

Cal
 
In case it's of interest, I recently acquired a chrome "Apollo" from Japan with S/N 7303xxx. So according to Richard de Stoutz's site, it was made btwn Nov 1971 & Aug 1972.
It has all the F2 characteristic modifications as the "Apollo" type including a threaded PC contact.
 
Love my chrome "Apollo" but there is that lust for a solid black one.

NikonF.jpg


Though I've had to do some work on my chrome one, and being the age these cameras are, I hesitate in buying another one as having time to service it isn't in the cards right now.
 
Tim - I would not worry too much about potential repairs - of the various "Apollos" I've bought (5) only one needed repair and that was for the film counter. Most do need new seals of course.
 
While I find this thread interesting, I have a question. Does Nikon still stock the "Apollo" style strap lugs ? One of my F's has lugs that are getting very thin.
 
I'd talk to the folks at Authorized Photo Service in Morton Grove Illinois. They still service these old cameras and have a pretty good stock of some of the parts. I think if anyone would have them, they would.
 
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