Nikon F desilvering prism. What to look for

[Huss]

So...i changed out the screen and the prism yet the black spots still remain. At this point i'm curious rather than anxious! Any ideas where these spots could be situated?

Did you check the mirror?

 

[megido]

Did you check the mirror?

I just did and yes, the spots are coming from the edge of the mirror. I'm not too bothered unless it gets rapidly worse. However, I think the seller was a little over generous with their description. Would this be an acceptable and fair reason to suggest a price adjustment?

 

[Flat Twin]

My Nikon F had a loose door latch also and the back moved/rattled a little. Just enough to be annoying. Its an easy fix. You can easily bend the latch back into shape. I can probably post pics over the weekend so that you can try it yourself if it would help?

Regards

Simon

 

[megido]

My Nikon F had a loose door latch also and the back moved/rattled a little. Just enough to be annoying. Its an easy fix. You can easily bend the latch back into shape. I can probably post pics over the weekend so that you can try it yourself if it would help?

Regards

Simon

Yes, that would be most helpful and informative. Thank you,

 

[Huss]

I just did and yes, the spots are coming from the edge of the mirror. I'm not too bothered unless it gets rapidly worse. However, I think the seller was a little over generous with their description. Would this be an acceptable and fair reason to suggest a price adjustment?

The bottom line is you're looking at a camera from the 1950s (?). There are going to be issues. What did you exactly buy? A chrome Nikon F with plain prism finder? I picked one up for under $200 a while back, in decent shape. I am completely happy with it. If you paid more than that then maybe you'd have a complaint.
But really the thing to do is post a pic of the spots so we can tell if they are out of the ordinary/too big/too many.

Or just go and use it.

 

[Peter Jennings]

Post a pic to your Flickr. Hit the share button and copy the BBcode link (medium size). When you post here, click the yellow box with mountain and sun on the toolbar and paste the link. Now you've posted a pic on RFF 🙂

 

[Peter Jennings]

Maybe the mirror just needs cleaning? The silvering in on the mirror is very delicate, but it can be gently cleaned. If the silvering is deteriorated then it cannot be fixed.

 

[megido]

The bottom line is you're looking at a camera from the 1950s (?). There are going to be issues. What did you exactly buy? A chrome Nikon F with plain prism finder? I picked one up for under $200 a while back, in decent shape. I am completely happy with it. If you paid more than that then maybe you'd have a complaint.
But really the thing to do is post a pic of the spots so we can tell if they are out of the ordinary/too big/too many.

Or just go and use it.

I am realistic about age related issues if I am made aware of them before hand. The camera in question is black with plain prism. I paid more than the equivalent of $200. It has a dent in the prism which was shown and I fine with for example. I will attempt to post a picture or two.

 

[Robert Lai]

I hate dents. It takes some force to dent metal, so this camera has had a hard knock in the past.

Nikon made thousands of F cameras. Catch and release this one, and go fish for another one that's a better prize at a better price. (Unless this is one of the first ones with all Nippon Kogaku labels, and cloth shutter curtains - then sell it to me).

 

[megido]

Ok, I didn't see the 'share' option but managed to upload as a thumbnail. You should be able to see the damage on the edge of the mirror. Hope thats evident.

 

[Peter Jennings]

this is "share"

[/url]Untitled by Peter Jennings, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Peter Jennings]

If the seller stated that the mirror was undamaged, then I would think you have a case. If the seller didn't mention the mirror specifically at all, then you were not misled. Lack of information isn't misrepresentation, but it should be a warning sign to the buyer.

I suggest you put a lens on the camera and use it for a day or two. If the mirror issue still bothers you after that, then I suggest you get another one.

 

[aizan]

would some chinese optical manufacturer please make new replacement prisms? PLEASE!!! for $80-100???

 

[Ranchu]

Sounds like dust to me. You wouldn't see it unless it was on the screen or the prism surface closest to the screen. You're not going to see spots on the mirror when looking through the finder, it's out of focus. Does the F have the rectangular lens between the prism and screen? Might be some dust on there. The mirror isn't new, but if it looks clear otherwise, I don't think there would be a functional problem.

 

[tunalegs]

Keep in mind that with a removeable prism, dust can easily get on the focusing screen, so it's not at all unusual for there to be a few dusts in view at any time. That's just the nature of the thing.

 

[richardHaw]

See Richard Haw's site...he has a pretty good write up on it although black electrical tape really??? Surely there is something better.

Thanks for the recommendation 🙂

this is basically monkey-see-monkey-do on my part 😱😱😱
I saw some people doing it and they told me that the tapes were applied decades ago and they still look OK and they do not disintegrate (just dried). The only thing that happens on humid climates or tropical countries, when these are exposed, the black tapes turn sticky.

I only use the tapes in place of the seals that block off light.

I do not know of any other flexible alternatives at the moment. cardboard might be OK but molds love it.:bang:

 

[richardHaw]

My Nikon F had a loose door latch also and the back moved/rattled a little. Just enough to be annoying. Its an easy fix. You can easily bend the latch back into shape. I can probably post pics over the weekend so that you can try it yourself if it would help?

Regards

Simon

Yes, I was supposed to do a write-up on that but got lazy😱😱😱

there are 2 latches, one on each side. I think the one to the right of the camera is intentionally made a little bit slanted for some reason 😱😱😱

one of the reasons why this gets bent is people putting in the backs without turning the knob. the people who are prone to do these are the sellers at the relatives of the dead owner, pawnshop clerks and junk shops as far as Japan goes:bang:

 

[megido]

I hate dents. It takes some force to dent metal, so this camera has had a hard knock in the past.

Nikon made thousands of F cameras. Catch and release this one, and go fish for another one that's a better prize at a better price. (Unless this is one of the first ones with all Nippon Kogaku labels, and cloth shutter curtains - then sell it to me).

Yes, I am slowly veering in this direction.

 

[megido]

Sounds like dust to me. You wouldn't see it unless it was on the screen or the prism surface closest to the screen. You're not going to see spots on the mirror when looking through the finder, it's out of focus. Does the F have the rectangular lens between the prism and screen? Might be some dust on there. The mirror isn't new, but if it looks clear otherwise, I don't think there would be a functional problem.

If you are referring to the photo, it's not dust, at least not at the edge of the mirror.

 

[megido]

If the seller stated that the mirror was undamaged, then I would think you have a case. If the seller didn't mention the mirror specifically at all, then you were not misled. Lack of information isn't misrepresentation, but it should be a warning sign to the buyer.

I suggest you put a lens on the camera and use it for a day or two. If the mirror issue still bothers you after that, then I suggest you get another one.

It was described as optically and mechanically perfect.