whats this beast?

I want that so much...
 
I get the motivation for having a 250 exposure back, but how on earth do you process the film?
 
chwhitaker said:
I get the motivation for having a 250 exposure back, but how on earth do you process the film?
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Using a continuous processing machine similar to those used in the film industry I believe (a standard 4 perf 35mm load is 1000' which equals ~10 minutes at 24 fps).

Its not just in 35mm where you could use extra long rolls or bulk film with certain backs - 70mm film was very popular at one time for use with 120/220 cameras that took a 70mm back such as the RB/RZ67 and Hasselblads as one roll could take over 100 images, and as so they were useful for events like individual school pictures, weddings etc without re-loading as frequently.

Sadly the format has mostly fell out of use and although some films are still available in the stock (Kodak's aerial film division do still occassionally coat it as do Rollei), even fewer places now have the capability to process it (there is one lab that I know of that does it but I can't quite remember which one it is at the moment)
 
Ok, so does anybody know where or how much for an original back for this camera?
 
I would suggest contacting the big repairers and seeing if they've got any scrappers going for spares. Backs tend not to develop faults so one from a body that's been stripped of prism, shutter, mirror box etc. should still work fine and cost peanuts. Maybe even e-bay.
 
Nod said:
I would suggest contacting the big repairers and seeing if they've got any scrappers going for spares. Backs tend not to develop faults so one from a body that's been stripped of prism, shutter, mirror box etc. should still work fine and cost peanuts. Maybe even e-bay.
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Thanks, I have sent an email to nikon today with the serial number in the hope they may have one.

The serial number dates it to 1959-61. Over 50 year old, great condition considering.
 
Gosh, I'd be surprised if Nikon had any spare and if they did, they'd probably charge you an arm and a leg for it.

Repairer spares are definitely a much better idea.
 
Sods law - a couple of months ago I sold a spare F back I had on ebay, for about £15. Won't be too difficult to find one on there, if you're prepared to wait a little while.

Alternatively, you could try someone like Sover Wong who is an F2 specialist but also works on the F. He may have a spare back knocking around, and if you want anyone to service the camera, there is none better, though he comes at a price.
 
You know what, when I was a kid, a holiday camp photographer used a camera that looked like this. He would be taking pictures of people all day long and then the next day the pictures would be for sale at his kiosk. They would all be displayed on boards and you pick the ones you wanted. His assistant (wife) would take the money.

Two of his snaps, C1960.

TPSNAPSWEB.jpg


Rhodese.
 
Classic stuff, I remember the same thing on the seafront at various seaside towns where photographers would stalk the promenade taking photos, they'd then hope that folk would turn up at his kiosk the following day and buy prints.
 
freecom2 said:
Gosh, I'd be surprised if Nikon had any spare and if they did, they'd probably charge you an arm and a leg for it. Repairer spares are definitely a much better idea.
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Well I didn't get an email back today but I will wait until the end of the week.


TheGreatSoprendo said:
Sods law - a couple of months ago I sold a spare F back I had on ebay, for about £15. Won't be too difficult to find one on there, if you're prepared to wait a little while. Alternatively, you could try someone like Sover Wong who is an F2 specialist but also works on the F. He may have a spare back knocking around, and if you want anyone to service the camera, there is none better, though he comes at a price.
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Damn! And thanks, I will google that guy.

Rhodese said:
You know what, when I was a kid, a holiday camp photographer used a camera that looked like this. He would be taking pictures of people all day long and then the next day the pictures would be for sale at his kiosk. They would all be displayed on boards and you pick the ones you wanted. His assistant (wife) would take the money. Two of his snaps, C1960. Rhodese.
Click to expand...

RaglanSurf said:
Classic stuff, I remember the same thing on the seafront at various seaside towns where photographers would stalk the promenade taking photos, they'd then hope that folk would turn up at his kiosk the following day and buy prints.
Click to expand...


Nice pics and story's guys :)
 
Olympus did bulk film backs too.

HERE
 
Canon did one as well for the special New F-1 High Speed they sold for the 1984 Olympics, that could do an incredible 14 frames per second! I think that a bulk film back would be kind of necessary at that speed as it could zip through a 36 exposure film in 2.57 seconds!
 
Yeah well Nikon did a 750 exposure back for the F2 and F3 so there :D






PS

I hope you manage to get a back for the old F :)
 
mattd85 said:
Is there a market to sell this?
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Somewhat, depends on the condition and if the motor drive is working. A dealer should be interested, although the F-250 back isn't as desired as the 250 exposure backs for the later Nikon F cameras.
 
freecom2 said:
Somewhat, depends on the condition and if the motor drive is working. A dealer should be interested, although the F-250 back isn't as desired as the 250 exposure backs for the later Nikon F cameras.
Click to expand...

Cool, looks to be in great condition but sensor needs a clean lol, not sure how to operate it though lol
 
mattd85 said:
Is there a market to sell this?
Click to expand...

The back? I can't see many people who still shoot film with Nikons wanting it, but a collector probably will. I also wouldn't risk it on auction sites, since it would need the right person(s) looking at the auction at the right time. If I had one of those I'd give somebody like Grays of Westminster a ring to see if they want to buy it. They are a shop and will want to make money out of it, but are in a position to hold onto it for a while until the right buyer comes out of the woodwork. It is a tough thing to put a value on, being so rare and pretty pointless to modern film shooters.

An F with a standard back, on the other hand, will sell easily, as a completed transactions search on the bay will show.
 
kenm said:
The back? I can't see many people who still shoot film with Nikons wanting it, but a collector probably will. I also wouldn't risk it on auction sites, since it would need the right person(s) looking at the auction at the right time. If I had one of those I'd give somebody like Grays of Westminster a ring to see if they want to buy it. They are a shop and will want to make money out of it, but are in a position to hold onto it for a while until the right buyer comes out of the woodwork. It is a tough thing to put a value on, being so rare and pretty pointless to modern film shooters.

An F with a standard back, on the other hand, will sell easily, as a completed transactions search on the bay will show.
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I will give them a try, I would prefer to get an original back for it and maybe keep hold of it for the kids when they grow up, or for a rainy day, but I haven't a clue how much the standard back will cost or what this is worth.
 
Maybe I wasn't clear, don't sell the F to Grays, keep it and use it, or sell it here with a normal back. But the bulk back is an odd old thing that will only interest collectors - Grays will give a price and you can sell it to them or use their offer as a guide to selling it elsewhere.

Grays might also be able to sell you a standard back to make your camera a sellable item.
 
kenm said:
Maybe I wasn't clear, don't sell the F to Grays, keep it and use it, or sell it here with a normal back. But the bulk back is an odd old thing that will only interest collectors - Grays will give a price and you can sell it to them or use their offer as a guide to selling it elsewhere.

Grays might also be able to sell you a standard back to make your camera a sellable item.
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Sorry I must of mis read your post lol, I will ask them in the morning, see what they come up with.

Thanks
 
Yes, that's the one. Just to be picky, there were a couple of different very minor variants of the Nikon F back, though they are all compatible with all the bodies. The reason I had a spare one was because Sover Wong was servicing my F and pointed out that it had the 'wrong' back on it, and offered me a 'correct' one consistent with the exact age of the camera, that he had in his workshop for an additional £15 on the servicing cost. He then sent me back my original one too, so I sold that on.

If you're serious about using this camera and passing it on as a working heirloom, I would very much recommend getting it serviced by Sover Wong. Perhaps give him a call or email first, or send him a link to this thread. He serviced my F about a year ago, and he does the most thorough job imaginable, including sending you pictures of the inside of the camera as he's servicing it, and before/after shutter speed reports. It might cost you £150, but if you consider it more of a restoration of one of the most iconic cameras ever made, making it functional for years (decades?) to come as an heirloom, you might think that's a price worth paying.

If you don't fancy going to such lengths, you could still email him and ask if he has a back door for your F he could sell you, then you could run a film through it and see what you think before spending more.

Other people (such as Miles Whitehead) could service it more cheaply, and probably competently too, but none would do such a thorough restoration job as Sover. His website details the lengths he goes to in putting these cameras back in tip-top condition (he does the same for Fs as he does for F2s). Things like full dismantling, cleaning, replacing the internal foams, re-lubing, and calibration of shutter speeds to the tightest of tolerances.
 
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Yes, that's the one. Just to be picky, there were a couple of different very minor variants of the Nikon F back, though they are all compatible with all the bodies. The reason I had a spare one was because Sover Wong was servicing my F and pointed out that it had the 'wrong' back on it, and offered me a 'correct' one consistent with the exact age of the camera, that he had in his workshop for an additional £15 on the servicing cost. He then sent me back my original one too, so I sold that on.

If you're serious about using this camera and passing it on as a working heirloom, I would very much recommend getting it serviced by Sover Wong. Perhaps give him a call or email first, or send him a link to this thread. He serviced my F about a year ago, and he does the most thorough job imaginable, including sending you pictures of the inside of the camera as he's servicing it, and before/after shutter speed reports. It might cost you £150, but if you consider it more of a restoration of one of the most iconic cameras ever made, making it functional for years (decades?) to come as an heirloom, you might think that's a price worth paying.

If you don't fancy going to such lengths, you could still email him and ask if he has a back door for your F he could sell you, then you could run a film through it and see what you think before spending more.

Other people (such as Miles Whitehead) could service it more cheaply, and probably competently too, but none would do such a thorough restoration job as Sover. His website details the lengths he goes to in putting these cameras back in tip-top condition (he does the same for Fs as he does for F2s). Things like full dismantling, cleaning, replacing the internal foams, re-lubing, and calibration of shutter speeds to the tightest of tolerances.
Click to expand...

Yep, I've got a Sover'd F2, it's a joy. Well worth it.
 
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Yes, that's the one. Just to be picky, there were a couple of different very minor variants of the Nikon F back, though they are all compatible with all the bodies. The reason I had a spare one was because Sover Wong was servicing my F and pointed out that it had the 'wrong' back on it, and offered me a 'correct' one consistent with the exact age of the camera, that he had in his workshop for an additional £15 on the servicing cost. He then sent me back my original one too, so I sold that on.

If you're serious about using this camera and passing it on as a working heirloom, I would very much recommend getting it serviced by Sover Wong. Perhaps give him a call or email first, or send him a link to this thread. He serviced my F about a year ago, and he does the most thorough job imaginable, including sending you pictures of the inside of the camera as he's servicing it, and before/after shutter speed reports. It might cost you £150, but if you consider it more of a restoration of one of the most iconic cameras ever made, making it functional for years (decades?) to come as an heirloom, you might think that's a price worth paying.

If you don't fancy going to such lengths, you could still email him and ask if he has a back door for your F he could sell you, then you could run a film through it and see what you think before spending more.

Other people (such as Miles Whitehead) could service it more cheaply, and probably competently too, but none would do such a thorough restoration job as Sover. His website details the lengths he goes to in putting these cameras back in tip-top condition (he does the same for Fs as he does for F2s). Things like full dismantling, cleaning, replacing the internal foams, re-lubing, and calibration of shutter speeds to the tightest of tolerances.
Click to expand...


Thanks, the person selling this will not ship to UK anyway :(, Decisions Decisions
 
Moving this to the classifieds tonight for sale, needs must I'm afraid. Heads up if anybody is interested in making offers later.

Matt
 
OK, I'll go first, we told you what it was, but I don't see any of us putting a price on it. The lens doesn't suit that camera and the back is a bit of a collector's thing. May I ask where you got the £600-£1100 from?
 
Maybe you have mis read the classified thread? I've never stated that the valuation was from anybody on here? The valuations I have given are from various collectors I have contacted through searches on Google.

But feel free to give your own valuation if you wish? I really don't mind......at all.

;)

Matt
 
The body seems in really good condition despite it's age, a few paint flecks here and there but nothing major. The sensor will almost defo need a clean and the camera will need to undergo a service.

thats the trouble with these old cameras ,,its just too difficult to clean the sensors ,,no-one will touch them ,,,
but i'll do it for £50 :)
 
TheGreatSoprendo said: ↑
Yes, that's the one. Just to be picky, there were a couple of different very minor variants of the Nikon F back, though they are all compatible with all the bodies. The reason I had a spare one was because Sover Wong was servicing my F and pointed out that it had the 'wrong' back on it, and offered me a 'correct' one consistent with the exact age of the camera, that he had in his workshop for an additional £15 on the servicing cost. He then sent me back my original one too, so I sold that on.

If you're serious about using this camera and passing it on as a working heirloom, I would very much recommend getting it serviced by Sover Wong. Perhaps give him a call or email first, or send him a link to this thread. He serviced my F about a year ago, and he does the most thorough job imaginable, including sending you pictures of the inside of the camera as he's servicing it, and before/after shutter speed reports. It might cost you £150, but if you consider it more of a restoration of one of the most iconic cameras ever made, making it functional for years (decades?) to come as an heirloom, you might think that's a price worth paying.

If you don't fancy going to such lengths, you could still email him and ask if he has a back door for your F he could sell you, then you could run a film through it and see what you think before spending more.


Thanks, the person selling this will not ship to UK anyway :(, Decisions Decisions

now im confused who's selling what here ??
 
Frankly, posting this should earn me commission... but I digress:

Nikon F with plain prism - £100-160 depending on condition - considering you wrote about the "sensor will almost defo need a clean", most people won't trust your condition assessment one bit (sorry, but it's true). In general, poor description and a complete lack of information on whether it actually functions as a camera blunt the price significantly.

n.b. for the benefit of the other F&C guys - the F tends to go for less than the F2, and the gap is even bigger with plain prism models; a Nikon F2 plain prism in good condition holds its value extremely well!

Nikon F-250 back - the two recentish eBay auctions I can find, the back went for $170-200, which is about £105-125. Again, those were items that were well described, and one of them was tested and confirmed fully functional.

Even with the lens (£25-30) and the motor drive (some value, but a big question mark because there's absolutely no indication of what the battery pack is like, if it functions etc.), we don't even begin to touch your evaluated price - even if we assume all the high end of my estimations, and if the item was well described, and if there were pictures of the internals (outside cosmetic condition only tells half the story - the F-250 back, for instance, is a separate item that has its own constituent parts).

It's an interesting item, and it has some value, but it isn't the first time the F&C has helped value a camera for a non-film user and then they try to sell it for 4x as much - and the market is not huge for an item like this.
 
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Ok, I've asked for the thread in classifieds to be removed.

But for the record, I haven't had an evaluation from a F&C person and then tried to sell for 4 times as much?!? Not sure where that has come from.

I'm not one for getting into arguments on this forum, it happens all too often and quite frankly it brings this forum down.

So I will leave it like this, to all the members who helped me with the camera I thank you and I'm very gratefull for all the offers to help and the links provided. The camera will be put back on the shelf until I can afford to get it up and running and a correct evaluation done.

Thanks

Matt
 
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