Nikon F Repair Places and Costs?

[chuckroast]

What would the difference between a 1961 F and a 1971 F, I thought the internals were the same? If you dont have parts for a 61 why would have parts for a later year? I have a 1973 F, non metered viewfinder, I inherited it from a long time friend who had passed away. Although pretty battered film advance and shutter seem to work just fine. I had planned on sending it to Blue Moon for a CLA, I can wait until they get to it.

There should almost none. Serial numbers starting with 72 and beyond were likely "Apollo" models that had slightly different cosmetics and overlapped with the release of the F2.

But an F from '61 and '71 should be substantially the same and servicing them should be similar if not identical.

I have routinely had camera equipment much older than this serviced without issues with quality service providers. The oldest was an early 1950s Leica IIIf.

That's a no on my 1961 F at Camera Clinic. Talked with the guy who kept going on about not being able to get parts. It doesn't need parts. He says if it's from 1961 he won't even touch it. I could open that camera up myself and have it working just dandy, by simply cleaning it and retiming the shutter. But I don't want to.

Talk to APS in Morton Grove, IL. I am almost sure they'll take it. I just talked to them about my 1974 Apollo Photomic FtN and they told me that if it doesn't need any significant repair just cleaning and adjustment, they can get the work done in a few weeks.

As far as parts go, anyone doing Nikon F work probably has a box or two of donor bodies since they're so cheap to get. APS specifically told me that they keep donor bodies and lenses around for all things Nikon from old film cameras to the later digibodies.

 

[F4U]

There's a little difference on the early ones, but nothing of great consequence. If you can rebuild a Chevy 289 you can do a 327. Bore/stroke may be different, and differences in how parts may mount to the block, but it's basically the same. As I recall you can't just pop an FTN finder on a 1959 F without modifying the F mirror frame, or something like that.

 

[chuckroast]

There's a little difference on the early ones, but nothing of great consequence. If you can rebuild a Chevy 289 you can do a 327. Bore/stroke may be different, and differences in how parts may mount to the block, but it's basically the same. As I recall you can't just pop an FTN finder on a 1959 F without modifying the F mirror frame, or something like that.

In full disclosure, I should probably point out that my Apollo F is the first thing I've ever sent to APS, so I have no direct experience with them. However, they come fairly highly recommended by people I trust.

 

[F4U]

In full disclosure, I should probably point out that my Apollo F is the first thing I've ever sent to APS, so I have no direct experience with them. However, they come fairly highly recommended by people I trust.

If you will, let me know how much it cost. Some of these places seem to have an open-ended price structure where you pay $50 or something up front, just to tell you they'll need $450 or some crazy sum, just for a simple CLA I could do myself. None of my 3 F's are going to need parts. The cameras work fine, just a little sluggish. There's not much to "evaluating" an F. The strap eyelets are brass. If they're all wormed out that is your clue the camera has been used a lot and likely may need parts. I've worked on a lot of cameras and so far a Hasselblad is the only one where needing parts is practically guaranteed. I had a Medalist II that was in beautiful shape, but the top plate of the escapement was so wormed out the shutter couldn't even run. No parts for that. You'd have to machine a new top plate. Needing parts for these F's is the least of my concern. I'm trying to dicipline myself to photography, not repair. But if I have to throw $1200 at these 3, I'll fix one and unload the other 2. That Revox A77 build last fall kind of burned me out on always having my nose buried in some restoration project.

 

[BrianShaw]

Not that it changes the intention of post #27 at all, but enquiring minds would like to know more about that Chevy 289. I know of a Chevy 283 and a Ford 289.

 

[chuckroast]

If you will, let me know how much it cost. Some of these places seem to have an open-ended price structure where you pay $50 or something up front, just to tell you they'll need $450 or some crazy sum, just for a simple CLA I could do myself. None of my 3 F's are going to need parts. The cameras work fine, just a little sluggish. There's not much to "evaluating" an F. The strap eyelets are brass. If they're all wormed out that is your clue the camera has been used a lot and likely may need parts. I've worked on a lot of cameras and so far a Hasselblad is the only one where needing parts is practically guaranteed. I had a Medalist II that was in beautiful shape, but the top plate of the escapement was so wormed out the shutter couldn't even run. No parts for that. You'd have to machine a new top plate. Needing parts for these F's is the least of my concern. I'm trying to dicipline myself to photography, not repair. But if I have to throw $1200 at these 3, I'll fix one and unload the other 2. That Revox A77 build last fall kind of burned me out on always having my nose buried in some restoration project.

They told me if all it needed was a Clean/Adjust it would $150-ish.

Funny you should mention the A77. I used to work on studio equipment and Nagras. Small world

 

[F4U]

They told me if all it needed was a Clean/Adjust it would $150-ish.

Funny you should mention the A77. I used to work on studio equipment and Nagras. Small world

Thanks. I believe I'll try APS. What do you do, fill out the repair form and send it in with the camera with no notification and hope for the best? I don't see anything mentioned about up-front fees. They don't seem to have a website and I don't do the twitter and facebook nonsense.

 

[Paul Howell]

"Needing parts for these F's is the least of my concern. I'm trying to dicipline myself to photography, not repair. But if I have to throw $1200 at these 3, I'll fix one and unload the other 2."

Well you have 2 parts cameras, service the one in best cosmetic condition and reserve the other 2 for parts. In addition the the black 73 F I also inherited a chrome 68 with 86slalck I will have the Ftn finder. The meter works, off by a stop. I likely not go out of my way to have the chrome serviced, I use the Fs on occasion but generally use my A mount Minolta bodies or Konica Ts or Minolta 102.

 

[GregY]

"Needing parts for these F's is the least of my concern. I'm trying to dicipline myself to photography, not repair. But if I have to throw $1200 at these 3, I'll fix one and unload the other 2."

Well you have 2 parts cameras, service the one in best cosmetic condition and reserve the other 2 for parts. In addition the the black 73 F I also inherited a chrome 68 with 86slalck I will have the Ftn finder. The meter works, off by a stop. I likely not go out of my way to have the chrome serviced, I use the Fs on occasion but generally use my A mount Minolta bodies or Konica Ts or Minolta 102.

"86slalck" ??

 

[jimjm]

You can also try Kurt's Camera Repair in San Diego, I believe they're also a member here on Photrio.
I've had F2 bodies serviced by them and just recently had an AIS lens serviced. Reasonable pricing and turnaround time.
I can't imagine they wouldn't be able to handle F bodies also, they're a heck of a lot simpler than the F2.

 

[chuckroast]

Thanks. I believe I'll try APS. What do you do, fill out the repair form and send it in with the camera with no notification and hope for the best? I don't see anything mentioned about up-front fees. They don't seem to have a website and I don't do the twitter and facebook nonsense.

Call them and ask for Greg Rickard. He is the manager: 847-966-4091. There is no upfront fee that I know of. They take in the piece and get back to you a few days later on probable cost and how long to turn it around.

 

[ic-racer]

These Nikon mechanical cameras are really worth fixing. Probably nothing like them will be made again any time soon. I don't have the personal experinece but Sover Wong indicates they can stay in-tune for many years. I believe it, based on how the innards are designed; titanium shutter and ball bearings, etc.

There are a lot of cameras out there that are not worth fixing. Nikon F and F2 cameras are worth fixing.

I'd get on some waiting list.

 

[F4U]

There is a special tool to remove the ring around the shutter button. I ave some JIS screwdrivers and a spanner wrench. I wonder what other special tools you should have to keep from scratching or chewing up things? Nothing worse on a nice old virgin F than chewed fasteners from improper tools. I saw a video of a a Japanese tech taking down an F to lube. there was no English. He was using a cup of glue and a brush to stick the leather back down. Looked like it might have been contact cement from the color of it. Wonder if that's right? I wouldn't want the leather coming back up later. I wonder if there's somebody out there who could bore out the brass eyelets and insert steel liners, while it's apart? But that's just an aside.

 

[AnselMortensen]

IIRC, the later "Apollo" F models came with steel strap lug inserts.

 

[Paul Howell]

"86slalck" ??

Good question, I font think it was there when I posted.

 

[F4U]

I've thought about going on ebay to find a complete junker F to practice on before I get on my nice 1961 model. Ever tried going on ebay and typing in "Nikon F"?. Practically all Nikons had F in their model designation. And it brings up all 15,000 listings. Sure would like to dig up one that got banged around in Viet Nam and shot a trillion photos, or something.

 

[Paul Howell]

You can try Shopgoodwill.com, its an auction site, usually one or 2 Fs for sale. In most cases the various Goodwill stores do not test, bids can be reasonable or just crazy high. You might find a beater at a good price, just be sure to add in shipping and handling.

 

[AnselMortensen]

I've thought about going on ebay to find a complete junker F to practice on before I get on my nice 1961 model. Ever tried going on ebay and typing in "Nikon F"?. Practically all Nikons had F in their model designation. And it brings up all 15,000 listings. Sure would like to dig up one that got banged around in Viet Nam and shot a trillion photos, or something.

PM sent....got ya covered.

 

[IMoL]

IIRC, the later "Apollo" F models came with steel strap lug inserts.

The steel strap lug inserts came along a little before the Apollo cosmetics. I have a 729xxxx serial number F which has traditional cosmetics but does have the steel inserts.

 

[bdial]

I've thought about going on ebay to find a complete junker F to practice on before I get on my nice 1961 model. Ever tried going on ebay and typing in "Nikon F"?. Practically all Nikons had F in their model designation. And it brings up all 15,000 listings. Sure would like to dig up one that got banged around in Viet Nam and shot a trillion photos, or something.

As of a few days ago, usedphotopro.com, aka Roberts Camera in Indianapolis has some parts Nikon F’s. “inoperable” in their condition nomenclature.

 

[ic-racer]

Nikon F is a bargain today for what you get.

I'll admit I was no fan of the cumbersome "F" in the early 1970s and bought into the OM-1 'smaller is better' philosophy. Fast forward to 2020s. I have opened and repaired both OM-1 and Nikon F. The "F"is the clear winner in terms of long-lasting mechanical superiority.

Pre-AI lenses are also a bargain. Especially compared to Leica Thread lenses.

 

[AnselMortensen]

My first 'real' camera was a used Nikon F Photomic, bought around the time the OM-1 came out.
I handled them both, and agonized over the decision for about 30 seconds.
I chose the F over the OM-1 mainly because of its robustness.

 

[Paul Howell]

The Air Force, AP and LA Times all field tested the OM1, consensuses was that the F1 was more durable. The Air Force decided on the F2, but I think it was that all the photo shops had large numbers of Nikon lenses, most bases were allowed 24 to 200, some had longer and perhaps a zoom. so it was not just a matter of buying new bodies.

 

[chuckroast]

The Air Force, AP and LA Times all field tested the OM1, consensuses was that the F1 was more durable. The Air Force decided on the F2, but I think it was that all the photo shops had large numbers of Nikon lenses, most bases were allowed 24 to 200, some had longer and perhaps a zoom. so it was not just a matter of buying new bodies.

Back in ancient times, I sold my Nikon F system to a guy while I was in Alaska (he offered me compelling money). At some point thereafter, I found myself "down south" right after the OM-1 came out an I was just delighted by that little camera, so I bought that as a replacement. The Olympus optics were superb and the camera ran like a Swiss watch.

But to your point, none of the rental houses of the day had anything other than Nikon and Hasselblad available. As good as the OM was (and it was every bit the equal to the Nikon in my experience) limited access to glass and accessories was likely why the pros rejected it.

I eventually sold my OM-1 in favor of medium format. When I did decide to shoot 35mm again, I went back to ... Nikon and today have a Nikkormat Ft, FtN Apollo, F2, and F3, all of which I shoot and use with a bag full of AI and AIS lenses.

The truth is that any of these brands - Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Minolta, Konica, Mamiya - could- and did produce great images. It was mostly a matter of availability, what you local shop had in stock, and - of course - what was being marketed.

Having worked in a pro rental shop for some years, I will say that those old Nikon were- and are just bullet proof. The pain the pros inflicted on those F bodies was sight to behold and they just kept working.

 

[Paul Howell]

This is true, in the 70s until the very late 80s when Canon started to gain much of Nikon market share with the EOS system I would say over 90s of the PJs I saw in the field used Nikon, repair and rental was a major driver. In my case I owned my own gear, both U.P.I and Reuters used Nikon so I could memo out a specialty lens or a body if I had mine in the shop or annual servicing. I did seen Canon, a few Pentaxs and Olymnpus one guy who shot for a German newspaper chain had Swiss Alpa. I liked the Olympus, light, in the body meter, lens are very good. I had a waist level finder for the F but never used it, I did not need an interchangable finder. I read an artical in the Rangefinder that proposed that becuase Olympus started with a 1/2 frame system, the Pen F, their lens had be able to reslove as well as or better than Leica, that design expertise carried over to their full frame bodies.