Problem with shutter speeds on Nikon F

[gerbilthemistake]

With all the recent threads about the Nikon F and never having handled one, I decided to buy one locally off craigslist. It had the clunky FTN prism on it and looks a bit dirty in the viewfinder, but I thought it'd be a decent deal since it came with a 50 1.4, 35 2.8, 85 1.8, and 135 2.8 Non-AI lenses all for under 200.

After getting home I quickly realized there are some issues with the camera itself. The FTN seems to be missing a couple screws because it is quite wobbly and having compared with photos of it online it seems like two screws underneath it on the side of the viewfinder are missing which is causing the wobble.

Next, the camera seems to work at shutter speeds from 1/8 on up, but anything below the mirror ends up locking up and not coming back down until i turn the rewind knob. Also mirror lock up does not correctly work, the shutter will not fire and then i have to resort to turning the rewind knob to get the mirror back down. Is there anything I'm doing wrong or any remedy to the issues with the body other than a CLA? It looks like many on ebay are going for 150 and under for just the body so I wonder if it's worth CLAin or just getting another body. Either way I'm excited and hopefully can get the camera fully working soon, It is lighter than I previously thought without the prism and it's just kinda cool to be holding the first pro slr offered by nikon.

 

[Keith]

Due to the fact that P Lynn Miller is responsible for your Nikon gas with that outrageous Nikon F love fest he started recently ... he should be footing the bill for the CLA!

😀

 

[Mudman]

I'd say CLA. You never know if that camera you're getting off of Ebay will need one too in the near near future.

 

[photo_fred]

Now,if you don't feel the love with this system,I could take a couple of lenses off your hands.

 

[Livesteamer]

It sounds like you got a great deal. I think the FTN prism is supposed to have two flat springs on the bottom that tension it; perhaps one is missing. The mirror lock up is a bit odd. You have to waste an exposure to use it. As I remember, turn the flat knob, fire the shutter and the mirror should go up and stay up till you turn the knob and fire the shutter again. Pete Smith is one of the best for Nikon repair and could sort it out for you or possibly swap for another body/prism. Good Luck and Congratulations. Joe

 

[gerbilthemistake]

Now,if you don't feel the love with this system,I could take a couple of lenses off your hands.

Haha, yeah I was excited to see those lenses and want to test them out. I hope to fall in love with this system, I'm collecting too many cameras and hopefully once this camera has been CLA'ed I'll be able to stop for a while.

Who would you guys recommend for a CLA and what's the ballpark price range for it?

 

[gerbilthemistake]

It sounds like you got a great deal. I think the FTN prism is supposed to have two flat springs on the bottom that tension it; perhaps one is missing. The mirror lock up is a bit odd. You have to waste an exposure to use it. As I remember, turn the flat knob, fire the shutter and the mirror should go up and stay up till you turn the knob and fire the shutter again. Pete Smith is one of the best for Nikon repair and could sort it out for you or possibly swap for another body/prism. Good Luck and Congratulations. Joe

Thanks Joe, I will have to email Pete once I get the funding for a CLA. Can't wait and thanks for all the help guys.