The Nikon F: The Professional SLR
The Nikon F, introduced in 1959, was not the first single-lens reflex camera, but it was the first to offer a complete, rugged professional system. It quickly became the camera of choice for photojournalists, travelled into war zones and onto the covers of magazines, and established Japan as the leader in professional cameras.
A system camera
- Interchangeable finders. The prism could be removed and replaced with a waist-level finder, a sports finder or metering heads.
- Motor drive. A motor could be attached for rapid sequences, invaluable in news and sports photography.
- The F mount. Nikon's bayonet lens mount, introduced with the F, remained in use for decades, so many lenses fit both old and modern bodies.
- Durability. A titanium-foil shutter and a solid body made it famously reliable.
The F's distinctive angular prism, with its name across the front, is one of the classic shapes of industrial design.
Photomic finders
From the early 1960s, Nikon offered Photomic finders with built-in light meters, culminating in through-the-lens metering. Many of these meters no longer work, but the camera itself remains fully mechanical and usable without them.
Successors
The F2 of 1971 refined the design with a smoother advance, faster top speed and better ergonomics. The F3 of 1980 added electronic shutter control and a design with a red accent line by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Each model has its own following, and the F, F2 and F3 are often collected together.
Black or chrome
The Nikon F was made in chrome and black finishes. Black bodies were more expensive and are rarer, and well-used ones show brass through worn paint, a look many photographers love. Unworn black examples command the highest prices.
What to check
- Fire the shutter at all speeds and listen for consistency. Slow speeds are the first to stick.
- Look through the finder for haze, separation or deterioration of the prism silvering.
- Check the light seals and mirror foam, which perish with age and are easy to replace.
- Compare the serial number with known ranges. Early serials are especially collectable.
- Test the meter if fitted, but price the camera as if it does not work.