Pacific Rim Camera
WE BUY CAMERAS
Nikon SLR
Nikon F
The first Nikon SLR, it was an overwhelming success. It became the standard of professional photographers everywhere. Produced for 15 years, about a million units sold. Serial numbers start with 6400001 and end 74xxxxx. Black or chrome.
Early cameras under serial 6401000 $$$-$$$$
Early cameras under serial 6410000 $$$
Cameras with a red dot next ot the serial number $$$
Cameras with serial number 66xxxxx $$$$ (all have red dot)
US Navy cameras $$$
Cameras marked "Nikkor" instead of "Nikon" for the German market. $$$$
Others, black or chrome $$
Nikon F2
Successor to the F. Introduced in 1971, this camera is only beginning to attract collectors. Only cameras of interest to collectors would be exceptionally clean cameras, preferably with original boxes, or the following variations:
F2AS, camera with DP-12 finder $$$
F2SB, camera with DP-3 finder $$$
F2 Titanium, body made of titanium, rather than brass. Identified by a "92" in front of the serial number. Black, with non-meter eye level finder. $$$$
F2 Titan, "Titan" engraved on front, black or chrome. A titanium camera for the home market. $$$$
F2 25th Anniversary, an F2A with a plate on the front that says "25th Anniversary". $$$$
F2 High Speed Motordrive camera, identifiable by the fixed mirror (it does not move when the camera is firing). Rare and very valuable $$$$$
Most others $$
Nikon F3
This camera replaced the F2 as their top-of-the-line professional camera. A couple of variations are collectable
F3AF, an early autofocus camera, it was a marketing failure. Marked F3AF on front, must have the DX-1 finder. $$$
F3P, a professionals professional version. Sealed better against dirt and moisture, hot shoe on the prism, Taller knobs were designed for use with gloves. All were fitted with special back MF-6 that stopped motor rewind with a tail of the film outside the cassete. $$$-$$$$
The following are Nikons that are valued more for use than collectability.
F3 $$$
F3HP, Hp on lower corner of prism $$$
F3T, titanium version, marked F3T on front. $$$$
FE, FM marked on back, preceeding serial number $$
FE2, FM2, FM2n marked on front, the FM2n has an "N" in front of the serial number. $$$
FM2T, a titanium camera. Marked FMS/T on front. $$$
FA, marked on front $$$
FG, FG-20, EM, budget cameras. Fg, FG-20 marked on front, EM is marked on prism. $$
Nikkormats
These cameras were marketed as lower cost models, as a less expensive way to enter the Nikon system, or as a backup camera.
Nikkormat FS
This camera is available in chrome only, and has no built in meter. FS engraved before the serial number on top. $$
All of the other Nikkormats
Models include FT, FT2 and FT3, identified in front of serial number on top. Model FTN is marked as a FT, but with an "N" in front of the meter window. The EL series all have an "EL" logo on the front of the prism. EL2 has it's model designation engraved in front of the serial number on the back. ELW just has a "W" engraved before the serial number. The ELW accepts power winder AW-1.
Not terribly collectable, they are available in chrome, or some also in black. $$
Nikkorex
Nikkorex cameras were bottom of the line cameras, presumably manufactured by Mamiya. They are usually found in not working condition. You may identify them as follows:
Nikorex 35 has meter grid above lens, squared off prism, fixed lens, and "Nikkorex" engraved on top.
Nikkorex 35-II is similar, but "Nikkorex" in silver letters on top of the meter cell above the lens.
Nikkorex Zoom-35 is like the 35-II, but with a fixed 43-86 zoom.
Nikkorex Auto 35 is marked as such on the front of the camera.
Nikkorex F is the only Nikkorex with interchangeable lenses. It has an "F" engraved on the prism.
The Nikkorex F was also available as the Nikkor J for german market.
Nikkorexes are generally worth $-$$, excepting the Nikkor J, or the black Nikkorex F $$$