Early Nikon F Characteristics
These are characteristics of early Nikon F cameras that can be used to identify them.
- The nameplate has sharp corners, and there not cutouts on each side of it to accomodate later Photomic
metered finders.
- The mirror housing is uncut, as seen from the rear of the camera, just above the eyepiece. This cut was
made on later cameras, starting around serial numbers 658xxxx, to accomodate the button-type Photomic F
metered finder. Cameras that were modified in the factory after they had been manufactured the old way were given
a red dot to the left of the serial number on the left side of the top cap.
- There is one screw on the top of the shutter speed selection dial.
- The tip of the rewind crank is fixed. Later tips rotate to make rewinding easier.
- The Nippon Kogaku logo is engraved on the top, right side of the top plate. Later cameras had "Nikon"
engraved on the top plate.
- The lettering on the ASA reminder on the bottom plate was colored black, red, and white. Later models
had only black and white lettering.
- The advance lever is hollow as viewed from the bottom. Later advance levers were solid.
- The self-timer lever has slanted grooves. Later levers have vertical grooves.
- The finder release button does not have a slot on each side of the button to make it easer to release
the finder. Later models had a slot on each side of the button to make it easer to press it.
- The insulator around the flash foot connection is round. Later models have a "D" shaped insulator.
- Patent numbers are engraved on the inside of the back. Later backs have no patent numbers inside the back.
- "Japan" is engraved on the Open-Close tab on the bottom of the camera back.
- The mirror is held by two-clip mounting points.
- The finder has triangular locking pins. Later finders have "D" shaped locking pins.
- The eyepiece is rectangular.