Nikon F restoration

sanmich

sanmich

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Hi all

i have this old F of mine that I would like to restore for purely sentimental reasons, and I have several questions:

1- I have removed the self timer that didn't work (if someone wants the parts, just shoot me an email and they are yours). Now I would like to recover the camera with new material since there are holes instead of the ST.
Any advice about the material I should get?
I would need a full piece (not precut) or at least a precut set and an additional piece to custom cut the right-front part...

2: the hard part: The prism meter is iffy at best (tried to clean the resistor to no avail). It may be rescuable because I think it's a matter of usage and the camera was not heavily used. At any rate, I want to buy a plain prism, and I would like your advises about these: which one (there seems to be several types), and how to get one in decent condition not for an obscene price (and I really don't mean a beauty pageant winner)

Incidentally, my prism will also be up for grabs for free at the end of the process.

Thanks! 🙂
 
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The snag with plain prisms is that they are rather vulnerable to edge de-silvering, and some people seem to have a craving for them regardless of optical and functional condition which drives the prices up to insane values. Most ugly plain prisms aren't only ugly, but downright broken, and they nonetheless go for the price of a working body with electrically dead but optically flawless Ftn finder...
 
sevo said:
The snag with plain prisms is that they are rather vulnerable to edge de-silvering, and some people seem to have a craving for them regardless of optical and functional condition which drives the prices up to insane values. Most ugly plain prisms aren't only ugly, but downright broken, and they nonetheless go for the price of a working body with electrically dead but optically flawless Ftn finder...
Click to expand...

Thanks Sevo,
Would you know if the prism optics from my photomic fits in such a plain prism, just in the case I buy a lemon?
 
sanmich said:
Thanks Sevo,
Would you know if the prism optics from my photomic fits in such a plain prism, just in the case I buy a lemon?
Click to expand...

The prism block on TTL metered prisms is wider to guide some light to the photo cells, and positively does not fit. But I don't know about earlier F's, all mine were from the seventies. There also were the earlier external metering prisms, where the prism did not need to have a different shape - these could at least theoretically fit their contemporary plain prisms (the plain prism parts aren't all mutually interchangeable either).
 
The prism from the early Photomic F Bullseye prism is the same as the standard prism. Finding a non-working one should be easy and cheap- try KEH. The Bullseye uses the same square eyepiece as the earlier Plain prisms.

On the covering: I would also advise checking KEH for As-Is cameras. The covering on the F is th same as the S2 through to the very early F2's.

On the resistor: I used Radio Shack TV Tuner cleaner on mine with good results.
 
Thank you all for the answers.

For now I will be looking for a clean DE1 finder (later model for F2).
I kind of assume that being a later model, the chances of desilvering should be lower (Am I right??)

Brian, about the cover, I will need to cut it myself, because all these cameras have holes in place of the Self Timer that I removed.

At the end of the process, with a plain prism, no ST, and hopefully some kind of nice leather cover, I hope to have a great SLR to grab from time to time...
 
On the covering, Michael: I had the same problem with my M3. I put gaffer tape over the hole from the back and filled the hole with "liquid weld" (epoxy). When hard, I cut the excess off. Regarding covering, I asked Aki for a covering sans self timer hole. He cut it for me very nicely. He offers S2 coverings as well, so should be able to do what you want (http://aki-asahi.com/store).
 
mynikonf2 said:
KEH has 2 chrome diopter ready prisms in bargain condition for $119. This is not bad considering it is the later F prism. They also have a black DE1 in bargain condition for $179. Now the good thing about this is that if you get a loser you can send it back. 🙂
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike, I've seen them. Only problem is that I am outside the US, so the "return whatever is no good" doesn't work too well.
I have found the name of Sover Wong, that apparently is well known for working on F2's and holding part stock and sent him a mail. I received an automated answer that he is on a vacation. I'll wait for his coming back.

ferider said:
On the covering, Michael: I had the same problem with my M3. I put gaffer tape over the hole from the back and filled the hole with "liquid weld" (epoxy). When hard, I cut the excess off. Regarding covering, I asked Aki for a covering sans self timer hole. He cut it for me very nicely. He offers S2 coverings as well, so should be able to do what you want (http://aki-asahi.com/store).
Click to expand...

Great idea Roland. I know Aki Asahi, but didn't know it could be done...
As soon as I have a prism, I'll send him a note so I can get the whole camera recovered. Thanks!
 
ferider said:
On the covering, Michael: I had the same problem with my M3. I put gaffer tape over the hole from the back and filled the hole with "liquid weld" (epoxy). When hard, I cut the excess off. Regarding covering, I asked Aki for a covering sans self timer hole. He cut it for me very nicely. He offers S2 coverings as well, so should be able to do what you want (http://aki-asahi.com/store).
Click to expand...

Roland,

The hole isn't that big. I planned to simply recover it with the leatherette.

Do you think it's better to have it filled??
 
Update from Aki Asahi:
He doesn't do the F's.
I can buy the material from Micro tool, but I think I'll cover the thing with something a bit more funny. I don't use to pimp my cameras, but for some reason, this project inspires me ..🙂
 
sanmich said:
Thanks Mike, I've seen them. Only problem is that I am outside the US, so the "return whatever is no good" doesn't work too well.
I have found the name of Sover Wong, that apparently is well known for working on F2's and holding part stock and sent him a mail. I received an automated answer that he is on a vacation. I'll wait for his coming back.



Great idea Roland. I know Aki Asahi, but didn't know it could be done...
As soon as I have a prism, I'll send him a note so I can get the whole camera recovered. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I can't vouch for Aki Asahi, but Sover is tops! He rehabed my F2as to perfection.
 
Try cameraleather for the covering, and when you apply any covering just cover the hole with a piece of shim stock. Brass,copper,tin the camera doesn't care. A bit of tin from a film cartridge will work. Use contact cement or even nail polish to set it in place, the leather does the real work.
 
Landshark said:
Try cameraleather for the covering, and when you apply any covering just cover the hole with a piece of shim stock. Brass,copper,tin the camera doesn't care. A bit of tin from a film cartridge will work. Use contact cement or even nail polish to set it in place, the leather does the real work.
Click to expand...

Actually, the holes are quite small, and I was thinking of just covering them with the leatherette. Is there any reason for me not to?

(I have ordered the leatherette from micro-tools)
 
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