NIKON F

Name: Nikon F
Brand: Nikon

The Nikon F came out in 1959. It was Nikon's first 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, and it put the company squarely in the professional market. It had a rugged build, a modular design and the new Nikon F-mount. Photojournalists, scientists and NASA engineers all adopted it quickly.

Overview

SLR systems were starting to replace rangefinder cameras among professionals when the Nikon F was developed. It was released in March 1959 for press, scientific and industrial photographers who needed precision, reliability and interchangeable parts. It was a fully mechanical, modular system camera. Users could swap viewfinders, focusing screens, film backs and motor drives, which was revolutionary at the time.

Nikon aimed the F at professionals, and it offered a level of customization and durability nobody had seen before. The all-metal body was precision-machined from brass and aluminum to survive harsh conditions. The F-mount is a bayonet mount with a 44mm throat diameter and a 46.5mm flange focal distance. It remains in use in modified form in Nikon's digital SLRs over six decades later, so old lenses still fit.

The F's success made Nikon a dominant name in professional photography. It displaced German rangefinder systems like the Leica M3 and Contax in many fields. Major news agencies, including The Associated Press and Magnum Photos, adopted it quickly. It became the camera of choice for documenting the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement and the Apollo space missions. The modular system allowed specialized configurations, including use in NASA's Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, where modified Nikon Fs flew with Zeiss and Nikon lenses.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	35mm Single-Lens Reflex (SLR)
Film Format	35mm (135 film), 24 x 36mm frame
Years Produced	1959–1973
Lens Mount	Nikon F-mount (mechanical, non-AI)
Shutter	Vertically-traveling, focal-plane cloth shutter; 1–1/2000 sec, plus B (bulb)
Metering	None (body-integrated metering not available; optional external meters such as Photomic FT)
Exposure Modes	Manual only (shutter speed and aperture set on lens)
Viewfinder	Interchangeable pentaprism or waist-level finder; eye-level prism with 0.72× magnification (standard)
Dimensions	149 × 96 × 57 mm (body only); Weight: ~770 g (body with prism, no lens)

Key Features

Modular System Design: Interchangeable viewfinders, focusing screens, film backs, and motor drives (e.g., F Motor Drive, capable of 3.5 fps).
Nikon F-Mount Introduction: The original 44mm bayonet mount with mechanical aperture coupling, compatible with modern Nikon DSLRs (with limitations).
Precision Mechanical Shutter: Reliable 1–1/2000 sec + B shutter with flash synchronization at 1/60 sec (X-sync).
NASA-Certified Reliability: Used in space missions with modifications for zero-gravity operation and extreme thermal environments.
Professional Ecosystem: Supported by a wide array of accessories, including data backs, photomicrography attachments, and specialized lenses.

Historical Context

German optical firms dominated professional photography when the Nikon F launched, particularly with rangefinder cameras. Rangefinders had limits, especially parallax error and the inability to use long telephoto lenses accurately. That created demand for a sturdy SLR system. Nikon was already respected for its high-quality optics, developed initially for military use, and it used that engineering expertise to fix those shortcomings.

The F's debut at the 1959 Photokina exhibition stunned the industry. Its build quality, precision and system expandability far exceeded contemporary SLRs like the Asahi Pentax or the Exakta Varex. It outperformed them in durability, lens selection and ergonomic design. By 1962, Nikon had a strong foothold in the U.S. market, helped by aggressive marketing and support from distributors like Ehrenreich Photo-Optical Industries.

NASA adopted the F in the 1960s, and that cemented its reputation. Modified Nikon Fs were used aboard Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions, often fitted with 35mm f/1.4 or 55mm f/1.2 lenses for high-resolution images in low light. The space-flown units were often built without mirrors to prevent imbalance in zero-G.

Collectibility & Value

The Nikon F remains one of the most collectible 35mm SLRs ever made. The most sought-after are early models with the chrome "Nikkor" script and the original bayonet prism. Complete systems with motor drives, multiple finders and rare lenses command premium prices at auction. As of 2024, a fully functional Nikon F body in excellent condition typically sells for $800 - $1,500. Rare configurations (e.g., NASA-issued or press kits) reach $3,000 or more.

Collectors should look for originality, shutter functionality and matching serial numbers on interchangeable components. Common issues include degraded light seals, stiff shutter speeds (especially at 1/1000 and 1/2000 sec) and prism fungus. The camera needs no batteries, but the optional metered prisms (e.g., Photomic T, FT or FTn) use mercury or modern PX625-equivalent batteries. The mechanism is complex, so servicing should go to specialists familiar with vintage Nikon systems.

Similar Cameras

Canon F-1 (1971) – Canon’s first professional SLR, directly inspired by the Nikon F.
Pentax Spotmatic (1964) – Popular 35mm SLR with TTL metering, aimed at advanced amateurs.
Topcon RE Super (1963) – Japanese SLR with high-quality optics and interchangeable viewfinders.
Praktina FX (1952) – Early modular SLR from East Germany, technically advanced but less reliable.
Alpa-Reflex (1943–1960s) – Swiss precision SLR favored by studio photographers for its build and lens quality.

Repair & Maintenance

The Nikon F is fully mechanical and runs without batteries. The metered viewfinder accessories (e.g., Photomic FT) need 1.35V mercury batteries (original PX625), now replaced by zinc-air or adapter solutions. The shutter and film transport mechanisms are tough, but after decades of use they need periodic cleaning and lubrication.

Common issues include sticky shutter curtains (especially at high speeds), mirror bounce and worn film advance levers. The film advance mechanism wears if the camera has seen heavy use, and the internal light seals often degrade and cause light leaks. Servicing needs replacement seals and careful recalibration.

The system is modular, so check parts compatibility. Early and late production models have slight differences in prism alignment and film back latches. Repair is considered moderately difficult and should go to technicians experienced with vintage Nikon equipment. Replacement parts are available through specialty suppliers and salvage units. Original Nikon service manuals remain the best resource for restoration.