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How to Identify an Early F

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Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2002 10:34:52 +1000
From: sover.wong@alcatel.com.au
Subject: Re : Help Identifying an early Nikon F

There are many fake black Fs on the market, and some of their finish is actually very good. There was a 'mint' one on eBay recently and it finished at over $6000, but I noticed the chassis was from a much later camera. (The buyer didn't go through the purchase after he heard about this.) Here is a list of things you shuld check for an early F.

1) The two lower film rails are equal length.

2) The shutter speed dial cover has only one screw

3) The rewind knob is smaller than the later ones

4) The chrome finish is rougher and brighter than the later ones

5) The camera back ASA dial has red and white letters engraved. There is no made in Japan stamped near the tripod hole, but has Japan stamped on the O/C lever. The inside back as patent numbers on the top left

6) The mirror housing has two taps holding the mirror at the back, instead of one as later ones.

7) The screen has four notches instead of two.

8) The winder is pear shape and hollow.

9) The self timer lever is cross hatched and has sharp edges. Rounded edges start at #6409xxx.

10) The film counter numbers are engraved.

11) The prism has Nipon Kogaku Japan engraved on the inside plate and triangle locking pins. Later ones are round locking pins

12) A-R collar's top part is larger than the later ones.


Happy collecting,

Sover

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