Nikon F Review
The Nikon F - a legend
A Quick Look at the Nikon F
Why would you consider a camera from 1959? In the case of the Nikon F, we are talking about a sixty-three-year-old camera. Sixty-three years is a long time. You may even call it a lifetime, and yet I was interested.
I was discussing the Nikon F series with Syed at Beau Photo in Vancouver and he casually mentioned; “Have you ever tried the original Nikon F? I have one you can try if you’d like”.
There was little if any hesitation on my end and I thanked Syed for his generous offer. I had the Nikon F for a few days but the rainy spring days here in Vancouver resulted in only one outing where I decided to shoot a roll of Ilford Delta 100.
Nikon F History
I deliberately did not dive into too much history for this review. I wanted it to be more about the experience of actually trying it. The Nikon F was an original trend-setting camera of its era. The form factor and basic layout of this camera can be seen in countless SLRs of the sixties, seventies eighties, and even nineties and later.
I had a Nikon F3 back in the mid-eighties and know F series cameras are solidly constructed and renowned as workhorse cameras. The Nikon F was available through the years with several different viewfinder options. The camera I tried out has the traditional eye-level finder.
The Nikon F shown with the Micro-Nikkor Auto 55mm f/3.5
Nikon F - Design and Feel
I have gone through a streak of Nikon F, FE, and FM cameras so it was interesting to see and feel how it all started for the F series. I find the design of the Nikon F to be rather striking, with bold edges and the classic finder prism we have come to know so well. Even the latest digital Nikon Z fc has a similar prism design.
You recognize features, like the hot shoe, by the film rewind which was continued to the Nikon F3.
How To Load a Roll of Film With the Nikon F
The Nikon F has a removable back/base place. Turn the knob counterclockwise and then pull the backplate down. Insert the film as you would in any other SLR camera.
Attach the film to the spool on the right, fire the shutter, wind the film, and make sure it is securely in place. It was a bit tricky for me to slide the back/base plate in place without catching the film. With more practice, I am sure this would be a non-issue.
On top of the camera, by the shutter button, there is an A/R switch. Use A, for advance, and R, for rewind.
Loading film with the the Nikon F. Please read above and click to view larger.
Nikon F - In Action
The first thing I want to mention is the viewfinder which has 100% coverage and is free of any distracting information. This version did not even have your typical split-image micro-prism type but an all-clear focusing screen.
This was such a relief. If I start counting the types of information I can read in the viewfinder of my digital X-Pro3 I think I will need fingers and toes to add it all up. I realize some of the information is handy to have and I can indeed customize it to a certain degree.
The Nikon F had no information whatsoever which made for a clear view of the world and I could concentrate solely on the scene in front of me. Refreshing.
With its brighter f-stop, I found it easier to focus with my Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SL IIs and used this for all the photos in this review despite the classic Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 Syed had provided me with the Nikon F.
The shutter sound of the Nikon F is just wonderful. It gives an assuring clunk without being too loud.
Winding the film feels satisfying also but I do have to mention that I had several overlapping frames at the beginning of my roll of film. I have had this happen with several other film cameras and it could have been a one-off. From about the eighth frame onwards, I had no issues with this.
Everything Is Manual
You will not need batteries to operate the Nikon F. It is an all-mechanical camera at all shutter speeds. Focusing, of course, is manual but note also that the camera does not have a light meter.
There are several ways to work around the lack of a light meter in the camera. I have a Sokonic L-358 hand-held meter but often just carry another digital camera with me to get a ballpark exposure. I have heard of light meter apps but have not tried them.
The Nikon F shown with the Micro-Nikkor Auto 55mm f/3.5
Final Thoughts
I loved the time I spent with the Nikon F. The camera oozes nostalgia. Try to Google: Celebrities using Nikon F.
Lately, I spotted Linda McCartney in the Beatles’ “Get Back” documentary using a Nikon F. It really puts perspective on how much time has gone by, and yet you can still use the Nikon F and get great results.
A back-to-basics approach is certainly needed using a Nikon F but some days that can be rather endearing.
I would not mind having a Nikon F in my collection but will not rush out to get one. Mint copies are getting somewhat pricey although they could be viewed as bargains in comparison to Leica film cameras from the same era.
If the history and nostalgia of the Nikon F appeal to you and the manual approach to photography don’t scare you off, you owe it to yourself to try one. It may very well win you over.
Nikon F - Sample Images
The negatives in this post were copied using a Fujifilm X-Pro2, an AF Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D lens, and Skier Sunray Copybox 3. RAW files were imported to Lightroom and I used the Negative Lab Pro plugin to convert the files.
Please click to view larger images.
Nikon SLR and F-Mount Lens Reviews
Nikon F3 HP
Nikon F3
Nikon F
Nikon FM3a
Nikon FM2n
Nikon FE2
Nikon EM
Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S
Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SL IIs
Voigtländer Nokton 55mm f/1.2 SL IIs
See all of my reviews at a glance: Camera Reviews - Archives
