CameraWorth.com

Nikon F (eyelevel, black)

The Nikon F is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera introduced in 1959, built around the Nikon F bayonet lens mount and sold with interchangeable finders. This listing covers the black-paint body fitted with the plain eyelevel prism (no meter), which sat alongside the more common chrome finish during the model's production run.

At UK auction, hammer prices for black-paint Nikon F bodies with the eyelevel prism have ranged from around £400 to £5,000, with a median close to £900 — a spread typical of a model whose value today in 2026 hinges heavily on originality of the black finish. Clean, unretouched black bodies sell for a clear premium over chrome equivalents, while heavily brassed or repainted examples are worth considerably less. One outlier at £5,000 reflects the price an exceptional early black example can achieve in the saleroom.

I have one to sell

Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Prices updated: June 2019

Date Price Source
Jun 2019 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
Jun 2019 EUR 800 Leitz Auction
Mar 2018 EUR 5,000 Leitz Auction
Nov 2016 EUR 950 Leitz Auction
Nov 2016 EUR 950 Leitz Auction
Nov 2016 EUR 1,200 Leitz Auction
Nov 2015 EUR 3,800 Leitz Auction
Jun 2015 EUR 900 Leitz Auction
Jun 2015 EUR 700 Leitz Auction
Nov 2014 EUR 500 Leitz Auction
May 2013 EUR 4,000 Leitz Auction
May 2013 EUR 12,000 Leitz Auction
May 2012 EUR 2,400 Leitz Auction
May 2012 EUR 750 Leitz Auction
Nov 2011 EUR 650 Leitz Auction
Dec 2010 EUR 500 Leitz Auction
Dec 2010 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
Dec 2010 EUR 420 Leitz Auction
Dec 2010 EUR 1,900 Leitz Auction
Nov 2008 EUR 420 Leitz Auction
May 2007 EUR 1,400 Leitz Auction
May 2006 EUR 480 Leitz Auction
May 2006 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
Nov 2005 EUR 350 Leitz Auction
Nov 2005 EUR 500 Leitz Auction
May 2005 EUR 660 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 3,333 Leitz Auction
May 2003 EUR 3,958 Leitz Auction

Frequently asked questions

What is a black Nikon F with eyelevel prism worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer prices sit in the £400–£5,000 range, with a median near £900; condition and originality of the black paint are the dominant value drivers.

How much does a black Nikon F sell for compared to the chrome version?

Black-paint bodies consistently sell for a premium over chrome at auction because far fewer were made, and collectors price originality of the finish heavily into the final hammer.

Why do prices for this model vary so widely?

The value of a black Nikon F depends on whether the paint is original factory finish or a later repaint; genuine, honestly worn black bodies can reach several thousand pounds, while repainted or rough examples sell at the lower end of the range.

Is the eyelevel prism the same as the Photomic finder?

No — the eyelevel prism is a plain, unmetered pentaprism, whereas Photomic finders incorporate a built-in exposure meter and are a separate, interchangeable accessory.

Other Nikon cameras