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Site last updated: Thursday, May 15, 2008
The
Chronicles of Nikkorman (a/k/a Rawjamaican)
My first experience with a Nikon film camera was in the summer of 1975. My uncle, Carl Bremer, had an early Nikomat (the gray version of the Nikkormat) that was so much cooler than the Argus C-4 my parents had given me for my 16th birthday. Sure, the C-4 is a solid performer; in fact, I still own one. But it is, after all, still a rangefinder camera, that does not afford the user the ability to use interchangeable lenses.
Soon after drooling over Carl’s camera, my step-sister’s husband visited from Arkansas, toting a newer Nikkormat, the FT2, I believe. I was in love. So much so, that I feigned an illness so I could stay home and play with that camera. I shot a roll or two of film through it, then ran upstairs to process the results. Stunning! Even with just a stock 50mm f/2, the results were far and away better than what I was getting with my Argus. What I’m getting at is that there are probably millions of people like me out there. Those who really, really like the mystique of the Nikon. There are lots of camera manufacturers out there, but none of those cameras are the same to the legion of Nikon loyals. The lines of the Nikon are just different. They feel “right” when you hold them; they are just sexy.
I’ve owned countless Nikon cameras in the 30-plus years since the summer of ‘75. They are all I ever used during my time as a crime scene photographer. I’ve regretted it each time I sold one for something new. My worst camera decision was selling a Nikon F, and a set Nikkormat FS and FT’s to finance a Minolta 7000 in 1986. I thought auto-focus was worth it. Boy, was I wrong. Now, as I reach my latest mid-life crisis, I have taken on the task of building a collection of mechanical cameras. Enclosed within is a brief history of the items of my affection (or lust).
Current Collection Status ("How I'm Spending My Kid's Inheritance, $40 at a Time!")
Before my wife realized what was going on, I had amassed a collection of four Nikon and Nikkormat bodies, and a small handful of old, manual focus lenses. I believe her reaction was something akin to, "Where did those from from?". I figured she knew, after all, she had carried two or three of the cameras in from the mailbox.
Even though there are only eight types of mechanical cameras from the period I covet, there are at least 28 varieties. To date (mid-May, 2008), I am up to 20 Nikons, and always scouring eBay for good deals on others. At this point, my collections is comprised of no less than one Nikon F (1965 version), one Nikkorex F, two Nikkormat FS's (yes, the rare one!), four Nikkormat FT's, nine Nikkormat FTn's (hey, a couple are just parts cameras), and three FT2's. You can always check the counter above left for the number of mechanical Nikons in the house!
Latest Acquisitions - As the counter says, we're up to 20! The latest was a fantastic FTn, Type II, that came with a 13.5cm f/2.5 lens. The camera has no defects, and the lens is even better. Hard to imagine a 47 year old lens looking as good as this one. I've also invested in two other new lenses of late. One is a 200mm f/4, while the other is a 20cm f/4. A subtle difference for lenses made in the early to late 1960's.
Restoration and Preservation (TLC for our geriatric friends)
My goal is not just to amass all of the Nikkormat cameras every made, but to make those I do collect better than when I found them. Some that come my way are in decent shape, given they are usually at least forty years old, though some are, shall we say, a little rough. The idea is to bring those that I can back to life, and salvage a few parts here and there from those I cannot revive.
I ordered my first "parts" camera on March 15, 2008. It is described as a, "Nikomat FT, missing front cover, etc.". The photo (below) depicts a horribly disfigured soul, with no identity. While the name plate is pretty important (considering I was the only bidder, and took the camera for $9.99), photos showed there were lots of parts worth having on this camera. It could even turn out that this camera is in such good shape, all it needs is a faceplate from another camera.
Time will tell just how this camera turns out. Is it a "diamond in the rough", or just another hunk of metal? Photos will follow on various restoration attempts in future weeks.
Click on the photo to follow the journey of "No Face".