Nikon F Specifications

Note: These are very similar to the F2 specifications.

• Type of camera: 35mm single-lens reflex
• Picture format: 24mm x 36mm standard 35mm film format
• Lens mount: Nikon bayonet type
• Lenses: Lenses with Nikon F mount; AF lenses
• Shutter: Mechanically governed, horizontal-travel, titanium foil focal-plane shutter
• Shutter release button: Threaded collar accepts Nikon F and F2-type cable releases
• Automatic exposure control: Depends on experience of photographer
• Manual exposure control: Mechanical control for 11 shutter speeds from 1 sec to 1/1000 sec, including X (1/60 sec); B and T also provided; separate gear trains for slow (1 sec to 1/30 sec?) and fast shutter speeds
• Exposure metering: Provided with metered prism assemblies (four available)
• Metering range: EV 1 to 18 (i.e. f/1.4 at 1 sec to f/16 at 1/1000 with 50 mm f/1.4 lens and ISO 100 film)
• Film speed setting: ISO 6-4000 (Model III Meter), 10-1600 (Photomic?, T, and Tn), or 6-6400 (Photomic FTn)
• Film advance lever: Single stroke type; 30 degrees stand-off angle and 150 degrees winding angle; automatic film advance possible when motor drives F36 or F250 are used.
  
• Self-timer: Slow-shutter-speed gear train-controlled approx 3 to 10 sec delayed exposure; lever-type indicator
• Viewfinder: Nikon F; Eyelevel finder as standard; interchangeable with 7 other types, including 4 metered prisms
• Focusing screen: Split-image Type A provided as standard; interchangeable with 15? other types
• Finder coverage: Virtually 100%
• Finder magnification: 0.8x? (with 50 mm lens set at infinity)
• Viewfinder illuminator: Via accessory light for metered prisms
• Multiple exposure control: Via shutter release collar and a bit of care/ technique
• Reflex mirror: Automatic instant-return type with kludge-y lockup facility
• Depth-of-field preview: Via lever
• Frame counter: Additive type; frame numbers from 0 to 40; automatically resets to S when camera back is removed
• Film rewind: By crank provided after shutter release collar is switched to R; automatic film rewind provided with motor drive F36?
• Flash synchronisation: Possible at all speeds up to 1/60 sec with electronic flash; sync terminal provided for off camera or multiple-flash photography; sync terminal is switchable to work with flashbulbs at speeds of up to 1/1000 sec (type 6 flashbulbs)
• Accessory shoe: Provided; special Nikon F-type located at base of rewind knob; adaptors available to convert to ISO or F3-type shoes
• Power source: Two PX-625 1.3V mercury batteries in Photomic, T, Tn, and FTn prisms; Model III Meter is self-powered by selenium cell
• Motor drive coupling: Requires modification to base-plate of camera to add firing and winding couplings; couplings provided for automatic film advance, shutter release, film rewind?, and back opening for motor drives F36 and F250
• Camera back: Slip-off; opens by turning O/C key to Open position and taking back off; interchangeable with 250 exposure magazine back (and motor) F250
• Body finish: Black or chrome available
• Body dimensions (W x H x D): approx 146.1 x 101.6 x 95.3 mm (5.75 x 4.00 x 3.75 in) with Tn or FTn finder
• Body weight: 1049g (2.31 lb) approx with Tn or FTn finder
• List price:

  $329.50 US with 50f/2 lens and eyelevel finder (1959),
  $375 US with 58f/1.4 lens and eyelevel finder (1960),
  $375 US with 58f/1.4 lens and eyelevel finder (1961),
  $417 US with 50f/1.4 lens and Photomic finder (1962),
  $417 US with 50f/1.4 lens and Photomic finder (1963),
  $388 US with 50f/1.4 lens and eyelevel finder, $89.50 US for Photomic finder (1964),
  $433 US with 50f/1.4 lens and T finder (1965),
  $368 US with 50f/1.4 lens and eyelevel finder, $79.50 additional for Photomic finder (1966),
  $ US with 50f/1.4 lens and finder, $119.50 additional for Tn finder (1967),
  $443 US with 50f/1.4 lens and Tn finder (1968),
  $ US with 50f/1.4 lens and FTn finder (1969),
  $458 US with 50f/1.4 lens and FTn finder (1970)

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  Acknowledgements

  I borrowed the design for this page from Dr. Pietsch's Nikon pages. Information comes from B. Moose Peterson's book (see my bibliography page), the Amphoto book, several December issues of Modern Photography, the August 1959 issue of Popular Photography, and the kind corrections of various internetters.

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  Take me back to The F and F2 page