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.
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.
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 400 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37290) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel black
Description:
body in excellent condition, minimal brassing on the finder, with Nikkor-S Auto 1,4/50mm no.1118422 (cond. A/B, cap) Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 5,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_36291) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel black paint
Description:
very early black paint Nikon F with eyelevel finder in like new 100% original condition, with motor plate, body cap - ex Jim Jannard collection Estimate: EUR 2,500 - EUR 3,000 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 950 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 30 (Lot AI_30_34547) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel black
Description:
near mint black body with eyelevel finder in fully working condition, it comes with the rare focusing screen type E with crossing lines, with Nikkor-S Auto 1.4/50mm no. 408821 with clear and clean glass, front cap and matching hood, strap and leather case Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 950 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_31894) Title: Nikon 'Nikkor' F Eyelevel black
Description:
rare Nikkor body type 69/3 R with black eyelevel finder Type 5, good condition, minimal crack in the top plate, Nikkor front plate and Nikkor-S Auto 1.4/50mm no.689363 with cap Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| Nov 2015 | EUR 3,800 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 28 (Lot AI_28_33087) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel black outfit
Description:
early black paint body with all correct features, eyelevel finder engraved 'NIKON F JAPAN' with rare Nikkor-S 1.4/5.8cm, Type 1, no.149560 (clear lenses, matching hood engraved 'NIPPON KOGAKU JAPAN', NK - Logo, the camera comes with F-36 motor drive no.97012 (cond.C) - this is the most early motor drive for the Nikon F known to exist (production started with number 97001), illustrated in 'Ulli Koch, NIKON F, Volume III, The Accessories', page 94, with matching separate battery pack in grey with correct grey cable and shoulder strap (cond.B), additional and correct regular back type 3, camera & motor drive in perfect working order, both original caps for the lens and cap for the body, all matching, engraved 'NIPPON KOGAKU JAPAN' and NK - logo. Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 5,000 |
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| Jun 2015 | EUR 900 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 27 (Lot AI_27_31654) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel black
Description:
very early black painted Tokyo body with all original features, matching clean Nikkor-S Auto 2/5cm no.576478, front cap Estimate: EUR 1,800 - EUR 2,000 |
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| May 2012 | EUR 2,400 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 21 (Lot AI_21_13874) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel Black
Description:
extremely early black painted Tokyo Nikon F in good condition with Nikkor-S 2/5cm no.540694 Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 5,000 |
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| May 2012 | EUR 750 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 21 (Lot AI_21_13878) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel Black
Description:
Tokyo body in fine condition with 'Tick Mark' Nikkor-S Auto 2/5cm no.521844 (cap), F-36 motor drive type 6 no.123530 and very rare cordless battery pack jpi Powercon Model 36C Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_11862) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel Schwarz
Description:
body in good working order with film-advance lever like Apollo, F-36 motor drive no.141646 type 9, brown battery pack with cable, Nikkor-S Auto 1.4/5.8cm no.171723, hood Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 1,900 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_11876) Title: Nikon 'Nikkor' F Eyelevel Schwarz
Description:
rare Nikkor body type 70/1 R with matching Nikkor eyelevel finder type 4R, Nikkor front plate, in near mint condition and working condition, Nikkor-S Auto 1.4/50mm no.1030273. Black bodies in this excellent condition are extremely hard to find. Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 600 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_11858) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel Schwarz
Description:
Tokyo body with eye-level prism in very fine condition and in good working order, Nikkor-S Auto 1.4/50mm no.393227, cap, everready case, strap, yellow plastic bag, maker's box Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 420 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17825) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel black
Description:
early black Tokyo Nikon F in perfect working order, custom engraved on back door: Carl O Dossin Jr Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| May 2007 | EUR 1,400 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 11 (Lot AI_11_16161) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel black
Description:
late Apollo body with eyelevel finder in near mint condition Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400 |
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| May 2006 | EUR 480 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 9 (Lot AI_9_26835) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel Black
Description:
in nice original condition with Tokyo logo, motor plate, Nikkor-H 2/50mm no.957871, cap Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| May 2006 | EUR 600 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 9 (Lot AI_9_26836) Title: Nikon F Eyelevel Black
Description:
Tokyo camera in top condition with eyelevel finder, Nikkor-S 1.4/5.8cm no.173765 (clean lenses) Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2005 | EUR 500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 8 (Lot AI_8_25860) Title: Nikkor F Black
Description:
very rare 'Nikkor' F (export camera for Germany) with Nikkor Photomic TN finder (only few TN finders with Nikkor engraving are known to exist) Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,400 |
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| Nov 2005 | EUR 350 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 8 (Lot AI_8_25861) Title: Nikon F Black
Description:
with Photomic FTN (chrome), Nikkor 3.5/28mm no.242041, hood, in good condition, original instructions for camera and Photomic Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| May 2005 | EUR 660 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 7 (Lot AI_7_25071) Title: Nikon F black
Description:
in mint condition with Photomic FTN type 2 Estimate: EUR 700 - EUR 800 |
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