Nikon F

{"overview":"The Nikon F is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera introduced in 1959 as Nikon's first SLR system. Results are strongly condition-sensitive: tatty user bodies with worn plating and sluggish shutters sit near the bottom of that range, while clean examples with the plain prism or a working photomic finder, original leatherette and smooth film transport pull towards the upper end.","buying_guide":"Inspect the cloth focal-plane shutter for pinholes and capping at high speeds, check that the mirror returns cleanly and that slow speeds do not hang, and confirm the finder locks positively. Photomic metered finders often have dead or erratic cells and should be tested rather than assumed working; a plain prism is mechanically simpler and easier to live with. It was introduced in 1959 as Nikon's first SLR and was aimed at professional users, with interchangeable finders and screens."},{"q":"Does the meter in the Photomic finder still work?","a":"Often not reliably. The selenium and CdS cells in these finders age poorly, so any metered finder should be tested against a handheld meter before you rely on it."},{"q":"Are Nikon F bodies still serviceable?","a":"Yes.

Generated summary, 18 Apr 2026 — not checked by hand; prices on this page come from the sales, not from this text.