Nikon’s very first flagship SLR, still beloved after more than 50 years.

The Nikon F was Nikon’s first ever SLR camera and was the first to feature the Nikon F mount. It was developed in the fall of 1956. Boasting a nearly 100% viewfinder field of view, the viewfinder is also interchangeable. And with other features including a mirror lockup mechanism and automatic aperture it was built to meet the needs of professional photographers. Additionally, peripherals like interchangeable lens sets, as well as other attachments and accessories were specially designed to work as a modular system, allowing the user to adapt to different shooting scenarios.

The back cover is removable. Widely used by professionals, including for coverage of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, it secured its position by delivering spectacular images thanks to the many super-telephoto lenses available. There are two types of Nikon F, the early model, and the late model. Among enthusiasts, the early model is especially prized and is rarely available on the used camera market, making it difficult to obtain. To distinguish between the two variants, when looking from above, “NIPPON KOGAKU” is printed on the right-hand side of the early model, while on the late model simply, “Nikon”.

- The SLR era began with the Nikon F

Developed before Nippon Kogaku changed its name to Nikon, the Nikon F is a legend among legends. At a time when rangefinder cameras were the mainstream, it served as the catalyst for the shift to SLR. Unlike the rangefinder models that can only use single-focus lenses, SLRs can handle a wide variety of lens types including macro and zoom, greatly expanding the range of shots that are possible. Additionally, with other robust and versatile features like a lightweight and durable titanium shutter it was long reigning champion among professional-use SLR cameras.

- Removable sliding back cover

The back cover must be removed completely for film loading. Ordinarily, back covers feature hinged designs, opening and closing like doors, but the back of the Nikon F comes off completely. There’s also a film setting window over the winder, so you can set the film length and then start shooting.

- Standard F mount

The Nikon F lens mount is the same as the F mount still in use today on Nikon’s modern digital SLR cameras. The first ever camera to be equipped with an F mount was the Nikon F.

Technical Specifications:

- Model type: Mechanical 35mm film SLR camera

- Film type: 35mm

- Frame size 24 × 36mm

- Lens mount: Nikon F mount

- 100% viewfinder field of view

- Viewfinder magnification: approximately 0.7×

- Shutter type: mechanical plane shutter

- Shutter speed: 1/1000 to 1s

- Size: 147 (W) x 98 (H) x 54 (D) mm

- Weight: 685g (body only, no batteries)

- Release date: June 01, 1959

Condition:

- Included anti-shake shutter switch

- Included 50mm F2

- Excellent, complete product (finder superior)

- No problems with winding or shutter operation

- Serial no. 6838240

No longer in production