Nikon F nameplate-mounting

[rbsinto]

I recently got a nameplate for my beater F and would like to install it.
Up to now I've had a DE-1 meterless prism installed,(purchased from Doug Napier about 30 years ago) but would like to use my meterless F prism instead, and without the nameplate it looks strangely unfinished.
When I tried to screw the nameplate on. the screws don't "grab" into anything .
There does seem to be something behind the holes on the frontplate, and I wondered if there was a piece behind the front plate that was somehow mis-aligned so the screws aren't going into the screw holes.
Also on the front plate there are two screws in place directly below the empty holes, and if I removed those screws I believe the nameplate would align with it, but I don't want to risk it, in case they serve some different purpose. Are these the holes for the nameplate to be attached to the body?
Can anyone give me some insight, and perhaps even some advice as to what needs to be done to fix this so the plate can be mounted?
And is it possible to do this myself?
Please and thanks,
Robert

 

[nikon_sam]

Look on page 33 of 104 in this manual you'll see there's a plate (Part #2035 name plate nut) behind the apron...
http://cameraobscura.zenfolio.com/nikonfrepair.pdf

 

[rbsinto]

Look on page 33 of 104 in this manual you'll see there's a plate (Part #2035 name plate nut) behind the apron...
http://cameraobscura.zenfolio.com/nikonfrepair.pdf

Sam,
Thank you so much!
Having the exploded diagrams to work from made the job simplicity itself. Turns out I was missing a small bar with screw holes for the name plate screws to go into.
I grabbed one from an old parts body and made the switch, and now the camera looks complete.
I'm going to copy the manual for future reference.
Do you know if the manuals for the S3 and SP are also available on line?
They would also be very useful to have.
Again, thank you very much for your help.
Robert

 

[nikon_sam]

Robert...you're welcome...
Here's where I found that manual...
http://cameraobscura.zenfolio.com/downloads

 

[ruby.monkey]

I recently got a nameplate for my beater F and would like to install it.
Up to now I've had a DE-1 meterless prism installed,(purchased from Doug Napier about 30 years ago) but would like to use my meterless F prism instead, and without the nameplate it looks strangely unfinished.
When I tried to screw the nameplate on. the screws don't "grab" into anything .
There does seem to be something behind the holes on the frontplate, and I wondered if there was a piece behind the front plate that was somehow mis-aligned so the screws aren't going into the screw holes.
Also on the front plate there are two screws in place directly below the empty holes, and if I removed those screws I believe the nameplate would align with it, but I don't want to risk it, in case they serve some different purpose. Are these the holes for the nameplate to be attached to the body?
Can anyone give me some insight, and perhaps even some advice as to what needs to be done to fix this so the plate can be mounted?
And is it possible to do this myself?
Please and thanks,
Robert

Forgive the impertinence, but would you be interested in selling the DE-1?

 

[rbsinto]

Forgive the impertinence, but would you be interested in selling the DE-1?

Never really thought about selling it, even though I've got a meterless F prism as well.
If you are looking for a pristine, black DE-1 then the one I've got isn't what you're looking for. I care more about performance than looks with my gear so while the prism is not the prettiest, it has always worked just fine for me.
While there is no separation in the prism glass there is an inverted "vee" shaped chip in the glass that appears dead center at the top of the field. I don't even notice it when I'm shooting, but a collector might.
Also, the prism was originally chrome and I re-painted it black as I hate chrome cameras, my one aesthetic affectation. And the leatherette on the top has been glued down at least once.
It was very good deal ($35.00 because of the chip in the glass as I recall, when I bought it from Doug Napier about 25 or 26 years ago) so I grabbed it .
Based on my full disclosure I don't think you'd buy it, and truthfully, I don't know if I'd sell it anyway.