Question about Plain Prism Nikon F

madNbad

madNbad

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Years ago I had Nikon Fs' and used them a lot. They all had either a Photomic finder or an Action finder but not one with a plain prism. A few weeks ago I came across this one on the auction site and took a chance. When it arrived the camera was in pristine condition and came with a 50 1.4, hood and a never ready case. The foam was dried out and I took it to a local shop for an overhaul. The only negative thing mentioned in the description was the finder did not sit flat on the top plate. After cleaning and new foam it sits just about the same was as when I got it. The shop tried a couple of things but mostly it stayed the same. Tried a Photomic finder on the body and it snapped on and sat flush so it is the prism. I'll toss this out to the forum, live with it, fiddle with the springs or any other suggestions. It's the from the last production run before the Apollo but the strap lugs have the stainless insert. I'll post some better images in a few days.

IMG_1497 by Michael DeLuca, on Flickr
 
Like a steering wheel in my pants, that would drive me nuts.
As would the peeling leatherette. Fix both.
 
Mine sits mostly flush and tight, a tiny bit of wiggle if pushed.

Is that a standard eyepiece? Mine is more horizontally rectangular. Could that eyepiece be the cause of the loose fit?
 
I can handle the leatherette, it’s the lifting prism that’s annoying me. So far, I’ve tried moving the springs around and trying some adjustments to the springs themselves.
 
The prism springs press down on the screen so check what screen is fitted, that it is seating properly and not installed the wrong way up. Also whilst you have the screen out re-fit the prism and check the fit again, there should be a thin "pad" in the body cut-out where the eyepiece sits, check someone hasn't replaced it with foam or something too thick, also check the prism pins and the locating slider at the rear they snap into. It's easier if you have a good one to check against, all three of mine sit comfortably with a slight spring back when pushed down hard in those with fresh foam but they don't sit that far proud and are even in gap.
Looks a nice clean body BTW.
 
Notes:
  • There should be a gap between the finder and the body, though it should be small (~0.7-1 mm) and uniform. The finder's springs should push the screen down to keep it tightly seated. There should be some travel as you push down on the finder, compressing the finder's springs.
  • There were two "normal" eyepieces on F prisms. Originally, the rectangular eyepiece was used and eyepiece accessories slipped on. Later the Photomic series finders introduced the round eyepiece as the new Nikon standard. Sometime in the mid to late '60s the plain prism's eyepiece was changed to the type seen in the OP's pic. This allowed the use of the round style accessories without an adapter.
 
F Prism

F Prism

The problem may be under the prism chrome housing. If you remove the leatherette there are 4 screws holding the housing in place. Remove them and gently lift off the housing. Where the screws go into the prism frame there should be 4 flat washers which act as spacers to give a slight gap for the prism chrome cover to the main camera body. They may be missing, they may have used 2 on one screw mount or they may be just too thick. Someone may have lost the originals which are very slim. As you have to fix the leatherette it's worth having a look.
 
Thanks for the tip. Everything else I've tried has yet to yield any improvement. Yesterday I tried moving the springs around and noticed marks that look like at some point someone had installed a screw that was too long. I'm fortunate to have a skilled repair shop close by, I'll discuss this with the owner. The prism is in beautiful shape and it would probably be a good time to check out the foam.
 
6082182885_afaab6171b_z.jpg


Could not resist.
 
I once owned a mint Nikon F still in the box with an FTn metering finder. It was a fine camera but that metering head made the thing look like Elephant Man. Kind of ugly. Certainly ungainly. (Its biggest problem though was that it was mint and I was scared to use it - so eventually I sold it.)

So I have long craved a Nikon F with early non metering finder. But those I have seen always have one or more of the following issues:
Desilvering of the prism.
Severe dents in the peak of the prism housing.
Hard to find.
Or expensive as all get out. (Though on checking, prices seem relatively less than they once were - at least I recall a good one being $200 or more back 15 or more years ago and they still are around that)
If you can find one in good condition at a reasonable price you are one lucky dog. As for me I settled for a late Nikkormat in very clean condition and since I no longer shoot much film that and my F8001s will have to do having sold my Nikon F.
 
When the camera arrived it looks like someone bought it and maybe used it a couple of times a year for a few years then put it away. There are none of the usual marks on the baseplate and I don't believe it ever had a strap attached. I'm not sure if this was the original prism but the name plate only shows light marks from a Photomic finder. The lens is in really nice shape but the meter coupler shows some wear at the top edge of the ears. The prism show no signs of separation or fungus but I have a feeling someone had it apart. So this one is a keeper, just a few more adjustments.

IMG_1499 by Michael DeLuca, on Flickr

Huss, the 40 2.0 VII is on my wish list!
 
In my quest for plain prism set up for F2, I purchased cameras just for the prism. While not perfect prisms, they are at least Ex +. So good enough to use.

Final count is 3 silver and one black body. DP 1 & DP 2 metering heads. Bulky, but working. One silver and one black prism finder.

None are collector quality, but generally Ex to mostly Ex+. They will be used. I replaced all the foam seals with black yarn which is what is used on movie cameras. Some areas are black felt like the mirror stop.
 
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