The Nikon F, chrome — 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”.

Nikon F, chrome, shown with the Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SL IIs — The Nikon F shown with a Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SL IIs

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, when 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. Its form factor and basic layout 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 I know that the F series cameras are solidly constructed and renowned as workhorses. The Nikon F has been 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 seeing and feeling how it all started for the F series was interesting.

I find the Nikon F's design 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 plate. 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 ensure it is securely in place. It was a bit tricky for me to slide the back/base plate in place without catching the film, but with more practice, I am sure this would be a non-issue.

There is an A/R switch on top of the camera, by the shutter button. Use A for advance and R for rewind.

How to load film with the Nikon F showing the slide down back/base plate — Loading film with the the Nikon F. Please read above and click to view larger.

Nikon F - In Action

First, I want to mention the viewfinder, which has 100% coverage and is free of distracting information. This version did not 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, and I can customize it to a certain degree.

The Nikon F had no information whatsoever, which made for a clear view of the world. I could concentrate solely on the scene in front of me, which was refreshing.

Top view of the The Nikon F, eye level finder, shown with a Voigtländer 40mm f/2 SL IIs — The Nikon F, eye level finder, shown with a Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SL IIs

With its brighter f-stop, I found it easier to focus with my Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SL IIs, which I used for all the photos in this review, despite the classic Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 that Syed had provided me with the Nikon F.

The shutter sound of the Nikon F is just fantastic. It gives an assuring clunk without being too loud.

Winding the film also feels satisfying, 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.

Nikon F, eye level finder, chrome, shown with the Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SL IIs — The Nikon F, eye level finder, shown with a Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SL IIs

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 camera's lack of a light meter. I have a Sokonic L-358 hand-held meter, but I often carry another digital camera to get a ballpark exposure. I have heard of light meter apps but have not tried them.

Final Thoughts

I loved using the Nikon F. The camera oozes nostalgia. Try 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 passed, 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.

People are waiting for the bus on West Georgia Street in Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon F on Ilford Delta 100 — Downtown Vancouver, Nikon F, Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SLIIs, Ilford Delta 100

I would not mind having a Nikon F in my collection, but I will not rush out to get one. Mint copies are getting somewhat pricey, although they could be viewed as bargains compared 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 doesn’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.