NIKON NIKKOREX F

Name: Nikon Nikkorex F
Brand: Nikon

The Nikon Nikkorex F is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera that Nikon sold from 1962 to 1965 as a cheaper alternative to the high-end Nikon F. It was meant to get photographers into the F-mount system at a lower price. It has core Nikon functions, simpler mechanics and fewer features.

Overview

Introduced in 1962, the Nikkorex F was Nikon's first try at a budget SLR that still worked with the fast-growing Nikon F lens lineup. It was sold mainly in North America and Europe. Nikon didn't build it. Mamiya did, under contract, and the mechanical design and construction show it. The camera kept the full F-mount, so Nikkor lenses fit, but metering and aperture control are more limited than on the flagship Nikon F.

The Nikkorex F was aimed at amateurs and students who wanted Nikon's professional-grade optics without paying for a Nikon F body. It has a vertically traveling focal-plane shutter with speeds from 1 second to 1/1000, a fixed pentaprism viewfinder with a split-image rangefinder, and a non-coupled selenium-cell light meter. Unlike the Nikon F, it has no interchangeable focusing screens, no mirror lock-up, and no fully mechanical shutter at all speeds. Those gaps mark it as an entry-level model.

The Nikkorex F didn't last long, but it widened Nikon's market reach while Japanese and European SLR makers were competing hard. It was a forerunner of later mid-tier Nikon models such as the Nikkormat series, which replaced it in the lineup by 1965. The Nikkorex F was succeeded by the Nikkorex 3 and Nikkorex 5, and was finally phased out as Nikon moved to in-house production of sturdier, feature-rich intermediate SLRs.

Key Features

Full Nikon F-mount compatibility: Enabled use of existing Nikkor lenses, a major selling point for photographers invested in the system.
Vertical metal focal-plane shutter: Offered high-speed performance up to 1/1000 sec, uncommon in budget SLRs of the era.
Integrated selenium-cell light meter: Required no battery and provided exposure guidance via a needle in the viewfinder, though not coupled to aperture.
Split-image focusing screen: Improved manual focusing accuracy, a feature often omitted in entry-level models.
Self-timer and flash sync (X and M contacts): Included standard accessories for creative and studio photography.

Historical Context

In the early 1960s, Japanese makers were pushing hard into the 35mm SLR market against established European brands like Contax and Leica. Nikon had launched the professional Nikon F in 1959 to critical acclaim and wanted to reach beyond photojournalists and professionals. The Nikkorex F was its answer - an affordable way into the F-mount system.

Despite the Nikon name on it, the Nikkorex F was engineered and assembled by Mamiya, who used their experience with mechanical SLRs to cut production costs. This let Nikon keep quality up while offering a lower price. The camera still faced stiff competition from contemporaries like the Pentax Spotmatic (introduced in 1964), which had through-the-lens (TTL) metering, and the Topcon RE Super, which offered advanced optics and build quality. The Nikkorex F's uncoupled meter and lack of aperture-priority or shutter-priority modes hurt its appeal as metering technology advanced.

Reception was mixed. Critics praised the solid build and Nikkor lens compatibility. They noted the non-removable back (film loads through the front), the lack of a hot shoe, and a viewfinder dimmer than the Nikon F's. By 1965, Nikon discontinued the Nikkorex line and introduced the Nikkormat F, a fully Nikon-designed intermediate SLR with improved ergonomics and metering. It effectively superseded the Nikkorex F.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Nikon Nikkorex F is a niche collectible, valued more for its history than for practical use. Fewer than 30,000 units were made during its three-year run, which makes it fairly scarce. Well-preserved examples with working selenium meters and original lenses (such as the 50mm f/2 Nikkor-S or f/1.4 Nikkor-S) can fetch between $400 and $800, depending on condition and provenance.

When buying a Nikkorex F, check the selenium meter for degradation, a common problem in vintage cameras. The meter is uncoupled, so the camera still works if the meter fails. Also check shutter accuracy at high speeds, mirror movement smoothness, and the light seals, which often need replacing after decades. The camera needs no batteries (the meter is selenium-powered), so it is fully mechanical and suitable for film use with proper servicing.

Because Mamiya made it, parts don't interchange with Nikon F or Nikkormat models, which complicates repairs. Intact, working examples are preferred. Nikon historians and collectors of transitional Japanese SLRs seek it out, since it marks a brief chapter in Nikon's shift from professional-only to mass-market appeal.

Similar Cameras

Pentax Spotmatic (1964) – TTL metering, M42 screw mount, highly influential amateur SLR.
Canon FX (1964) – Canon’s first 35mm SLR with through-the-lens metering.
Topcon RE Super (1963) – Advanced Japanese SLR with TTL metering and high-quality lenses.
Yashica Pentamatic (1959) – Early Japanese SLR with M39 and M42 mounts.
Praktica FX3 (1965) – East German SLR with M42 mount and robust mechanical design.

Repair & Maintenance

The Nikkorex F needs no batteries for shutter operation. The selenium-cell light meter works without external power but may lose sensitivity over time due to oxidation. Shutter maintenance is critical. Common problems include inconsistent speeds at 1/500 and 1/1000 sec, often from dried lubricants or lost blade tension. The cloth focal-plane shutter is prone to wear, especially if the camera was stored improperly.

The self-timer mechanism and film advance lever tend to get stiff and may need disassembly and cleaning. The non-removable film back makes loading awkward and raises the risk of dust getting in, so handle it carefully. For regular use, replace the light seals and have a technician experienced with vintage SLRs do a CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust). Parts are hard to find and the camera is a semi-orphan, so keep original components.

Market Value

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ NIKON NIKKOREX F                                                Nov 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $410                                    Latest            $120 │
│ Median    $100                                    Trend                — │
│ Low       $28                                     Volume           ~4/mo │
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│   $500 ┤                                                                 │
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│        │                                                     .           │
│   $286 ┤                                                                 │
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│        │.    .     .       .     .              .                 ....  .│
│     $0 ┤  .        .         .             .        ...            . .   │
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│    vol │▂ ▂  ▂     ▄       ▂▂▂   ▂         ▂   ▂▄   ▂▂▂  ▂   ▂   ▂▄█▂▆▂ ▂│
│        └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│         2026-01                      2026-05                      2026-08│
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