Nikon F - "Apollo" Tune-Up.

[ic-racer]

 

[ic-racer]

Brothers...

 

[Paul Howell]

Here is an image of NASA's Apollo which was rated for lunar orbit.

 

[F4U]

I have a question for ic-racer, since shutterfinger is no longer active apparently. You seem to be the new resident expert on the F and F2 models. I've been experimenting with my new $46 ebay tester, which was not even meant for focal plane shutters. In fact i don't see how a single sensor tester could possibly be of much use on a 35mm focal plane shutter camera. But that sidetracks my more important question. you've tested a good many shutters before. My mint condition F2 tests out quite well up to 1/250 quite well. After that I'm getting 1/335 and 1/740 respectively for the 500 and 1000 speeds. The 2000 speed checks out at 1/450 which meas nothing. I'll never use i anyway. So my question is: is it safe to assume that my 250 and 500 readings would be in line with what would be expected for a 1973 F2 in excellent condition that has never been serviced? My Three F models check out a good bit more disappointing. Thank you.

 

[mshchem]

Here is an image of NASA's Apollo which was rated for lunar orbit.

View attachment 394586

That's the one for me!

 

[reddesert]

Ok. So this one has shutter speeds all messed up. There is an orderly method depending on speeds above the X synch speed or below.

Above X-synch the speeds are controlled by curtain timing which varies slit width. Below X synch the escapement times the shutter. The escapement; usually 3 or 4 steps both with and without the pallet (which slows it considerably) giving a total of 6 to 8 slow speeds.

I recently acquired a well-used F + lens at a local camera show. The shutter clearly operated, but on a brief test of it, 1/8 and 1/15 were really slow, like 3 stops slow. 1-1/4 were fine and the faster speeds were decent. Yes, that meant that 1/8 and 1/15 were slower than 1/4. I think that 1/8 and 1/15 are governed by a slightly different mechanism of the slow speed governor (I think that's what you refer to about engaging the pallet or not). I opened up the bottom cover of the body and it didn't seem dirty (I don't think you can really see the slow speed governor from there), so I blew on it, gave it a stern glare, and closed it back up. After exercising the shutter through many speeds and firings, the 1/8 and 1/15 are almost up to speed. The rest of the speeds are within 1/3 stop.

OTOH, my first F that I've had since 1985 - so it hasn't been abused, or serviced, for several decades - has speeds that are dead-on today using a photoplug-type tester. I got it because I wanted a reliable SLR after my first one broke. Unlike a lot of things I do, that worked out.