Nikon F Photomic T Help

[blumoon]

I have a Nikon F with a Photomic T.
I put fresh 625A batteries in the meter, and the needle does move.

Looking at the camera from the back, the meter does not seem to be seated properly. The needle moves when I push on the meter.

Is there a way to get the meter to seat properly.

The camera and meter are in good condition. I would like to sell it, but want to get everything working correctly first.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

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[Tim Murphy]

Dear blumoon,

Is the tab on the bottom of the meter below the ASA dial lining up correctly with the corresponding tab on the top of the shutter speed dial. If the tabs are not lined up the meter will sit off kilter and not seat properly.

Regards,

Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA

 

[Dwig]

If the finder is not seating properly you should:

1. remove the finder
2. remove the focusing screen
3. place the camera's base on a level surface
4. reinstall the focusing screen being certain that it settles in properly
5. reinstall the finder being certain that it latching completely
6. turn the finder's shutter speed dial until it properly engages the dial on the body.

A focusing screen that isn't properly seated will prevent the finder from latching in place properly. This often happens when you press the finder release button while installing a finder if the body isn't near level at the time.

The early pre-FTn Photomic finders for the F were notorious to not seating quite level. There were occasional issues with them reliably connecting to the lens. This is the reason that the Photomic FTn finders have the added front latch that grabs the body's nameplate. BTW, they won't properly grab the nameplate on pre-FTn bodies that haven't been modified for the finder.

Regardless of how the finder is attached to the body, or even if it is attached, the meter's electrical function is unaffected. The meter should function even when the finder is off the body.

 

[blumoon]

Thank you guys for the quick reply.
I followed steps 1-6 a few times. I'm quite sure the focusing screen is seated properly, but the meter is still not seating right.
I do have the ASA dial lined up with the shutter speed dial.

 

[rybolt]

I've had this happen. Look at the back of the prism on the inside just below the viewfinder. there are two small pins there that have to seat into the sliding mechanism that is released by the button on the body. See if the flat part of both pins is pointing up. I've had them turn sideways and the flat part would not engage the locking mechanism.

 

[blumoon]

The pins on my meter look just like the ones in your pic.

 

[rybolt]

How is the sliding mechanism on the body. When the prism is off and you push the botton on the body does the slider move? Is it allowing the pins to be seated?

 

[blumoon]

The sliders move ok on the front and back

 

[rybolt]

Longshot question. The words NIKON on the focus screen should be facing the front of the camera.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Nosy observer here, sorry for butting in, just trying to learn about 'F's as I've always wanted one.
Is the button for releasing the finder shown on the second photo blumoon posted, just to the left of and below the finder?
Same for the front button shown in his third photo?

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Is the interface between the finder and speed dial a spring loaded affair or ?

 

[Dwig]

The finder looks like it has been serviced and not properly reassembled.

In the picture from the back the eyepiece frame looks square to be body while the outer cover of the main body of the finder seems askew. The eyepiece frame attaches to the cast metal frame of the finder and its being square with the body indicates that the finder is properly attached. This should result in the top of the finder being level and square with the eyepiece frame.

Judging from the unevenly glued leatherette around the eyepiece, the finder has been disassembled at some point to remove and possibly clear the eyepiece lenses.

BTW, the body is a rather late sample and is fitted to accept the FTn finder.

 

[blumoon]

The word Nikon on the front of the focusing screen was facing the back. I turned it to the front....not much difference.

AlwaysOnAuto asked:
Is the button for releasing the finder shown on the second photo blumoon posted, just to the left of and below the finder?
Yes. The button to the left and below releases the meter. It also releases the focusing screen.
The button you're referring to on the front is the depth-of-field preview button.

 

[blumoon]

Very frustrating.
I think I'll be listing the camera body without the meter in the RFF classifieds soon.
The camera seems to be in good working condition.

Thanks to all who tried to help me.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Thanks blumoon.
I can see the mis-alignment of the finder eyepiece to the finder body Dwig is talking about. Are the screws that attach them under the leatherette?

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I wish I could say I was in the market for one blumoon, but my mechanical Nikon desires were recently filled with an FM2 purchase. I know it's not the same, but it'll have to do for me know.

 

[Tim Murphy]

Dear blumoon,

Did the finder seat properly before you changed the batteries? If so you need to retrace your steps and find out what is causing the misalignment. You could also try mounting a lens and slowly seeing if mounting it starts to pull the finder into it's proper place?

I have an FTN finder and sometimes when I pull it to clean things it takes a bit of fiddling to get everything back to square.

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

blumoon - I see you have your ad up for your camera. The photos look like the meter is sitting better on the camera. Did you figure it out or are those old photos?

 

[DNG]

I was going to suggest send it to Sover Wong for a service, and get new CDS cells also that he has made for the photomic finders...


The sale images show the finder "leaning up" in the front... it should seat flat from front to back

 

[blumoon]

blumoon - I see you have your ad up for your camera. The photos look like the meter is sitting better on the camera. Did you figure it out or are those old photos?

I tightened a few screws on the bottom of the meter.
It seemed to help a bit.
I lowered the price.