Which Nikon film camera is this?

Spotted this in a thrift shop. I didn't have time to ask to see it so I just took a picture and decided to look it up later. I own several SLRs and a TLR but I'd like to give Nikon a try.

Also, how much would it be worth assuming it is in good working condition?

What you found is a Nikon F, made between 1959 and 1973. Since it has a photomic head, Nikon speak for a head containing a built-in light meter, this is likely a later model F but heads are interchangeable so it could be an early body with a newer head as well. They can be dated by their serial number.

This is an iconic camera body that helped move the majority of photographers away from German rangefinders and towards Japanese SLR's. It's exceptionally well made and some would argue that it's craftsmanship rivals Leica. Indeed the F and F2's were hand-assembled Nikons which is unheard of today.

The problem with the F is that it's pretty impractical with a funky film loading system that requires you to totally remove the back of the camera similar to many old German cameras. The meters in these often don't work and you have to do what is called The Nikon Shuffle when mounting lenses in order to index them to the meter. Most people who shoot with a Nikon F don't use the photomic head. Early model F's can command around $500 or more if an exceptional copy. These later ones are in the $100-$300 range.

But look, finding a Nikon F in a thrift store under a pile of junk is cool and unusual but I can tell you with 90% certainty that the light seals will need to be replaced, 50% certainty that the meter won't work and maybe about 20% certainty that there's something mechanically or optically wrong with the camera.

Nikon F's tend to be either beat to heck from serious professional use or totally prestine from sitting on a collector's shelf. And when vintage cameras are prestine, they tend not to be 100% functional. So the F can be a diceroll as to what you have.

Personally, as someone who shoots 35mm film regularly as it sounds that maybe you do, the Nikon F2 is a better user. There are a number of different metered and unmetered heads allowing for a great range in price as well as functionality. What's great about the F2 is that it features the same rugged but elegant build quality with better ergonomics and a conventional hinged film door to make loading and unloading a more pleseant experience. Furthermore, you can get AI heads that mate up with AI lenses without having to do the Nikon Shuffle.

One of the main cameras I use regularly and have had numerous photos published from is my F2sb.

Now, that covers the body, let's talk about that great lens, a Nikkor 50mm 1.4 S. This is Nikon's first 50mm 1.4 for SLR cameras and it began production in 1959. It's an extremely enjoyable to hold and use lens with all metal and glass construction. No plastic anywhere. Very tough. Performance is nearly on par with modern Nikkor 50/1.4's but with more character; less flare resistance and more fall out at the edges but very sharp and usable. I prefer the slightly updated SC but I also own and use the S from time to time. This copy looks like its in good cosmetic condition. The lens itself is worth maybe another $100-$150 and would be worth more if digital shooters could use it but it's Pre-AI so they're out of luck without having it modified.

So anyway, overall a very nice find indeed. I would certainly recommend picking it up if it's not priced ridiculously. The lens is likely to work perfectly well even if the body has issues. And the issues with the body are likely to be minor. A beautiful item for your collection or possibly a reasonable regular, though not fast, shooter.

Why did you leave the store without it?! Go get it before someone else does! Happy shooting and please be kind enough to choose a Best Answer That's a Nikon F with an FTn photomic prism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/...ki/Nikon_F" class='ext_link'>https://en.wikipedia.org/...ki/Nikon_F The Nikon F with Photomic FTn viewfinder/meter has become a collectors item, so you may cost the same or maybe more than a much newer Nikon F4s. The F4s can't only use the same lenses used by the older Nikon 35 mm SLR cameras, but all the new autofocus lenses as well.

That's a Nikon F with an FTn photomic prism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_F

The Nikon F with Photomic FTn viewfinder/meter has become a collectors item, so you may cost the same or maybe more than a much newer Nikon F4s. The F4s can't only use the same lenses used by the older Nikon 35 mm SLR cameras, but all the new autofocus lenses as well.