Two flagships and rivals of the 1980s:
Canon New F-1 with Motor Drive FN and Nikon F3 with MD-4 and MK-1, which is mounted below the motor drive.
The Nikon F3 and its exclusive motor drive MD-4 are a perfectly matched pair.
The MD-4 not only cocks the shutter and transports the film, but also makes the F3 more comfortable to hold.
In continuous (C) mode, the MD-4 speeds up the film to 5.5 fps (frames per second), powered by eight AA batteries.
Nikon MK-1: Speed control and shutter release in portrait format
However, you don't always need that much speed, so the Nikon MK-1 firing rate converter is the third in the group.
It reduces the film transport speed to either 1, 2 or 3 fps or leaves it at 5.5 fps. It also offers a second shutter release with which the F3 can be conveniently fired in portrait format.
The MK-1, which is fixed to the underside of the MD-4 using two screws, does not require additional batteries.
A look inside and repair of the trigger
Now available in sufficient numbers on the used market, the MK-1 is an accessory that is made of metal just as solidly as the F3 and MD-4.
Nikon MK-1, control wheel with shutter release in the middle:
Set the motor speed to 1 frames per second (C1), 2 fps (C2), 3 fps (C3) or film transport at full speed of 5.5 fps (C/S).
OFF locks the shutter release, the film transport speed remains at 5.5 fps provided by the MD-4.
I own a few of these, some of them heavily used, which do their job perfectly.
However, the shutter release on one of them no longer works reliably.
A good opportunity to take a look inside the MK-1 and familiarize yourself with the Nikon Repair Manual for the MK-1.
I was able to acquire the only one (original, no reprint) that was offered on eBay and it is currently on its way to Vienna
As soon as it arrives, it starts.
Stay tuned
Nikon MK-1 firing rate converter at mir.com.my:
Nikon MK-1 firing rate converter instruction manual, PDF user manual
Nikon MK-1 firing rate converter instruction manual
www.butkus.org
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