Vintage Black Nikon F with serial 6408997 w/ lenses in metal attache

[TBOTZON]

I acquired a camera and it looks like it is somewhat rare by looking it up on Ebay and Collectiblend. I want to sell it but it also comes with three lenses, and a holder type of devise for the camera. It is in a very heavy silver attache case. I am not sure that it came that way or it was a set up that someone did after they purchased the camera. Any ideas on how I should go about selling it?

 

[jcdeboever]

Nice. Sell it on here. I am interested in buying it. Go to the buy and sell, upload some detailed pics and what your asking for it.

 

[TBOTZON]

I acquired a camera and it looks like it is somewhat rare by looking it up on Ebay and Collectiblend. I want to sell it but it also comes with three lenses, and a holder type of devise for the camera. It is in a very heavy silver attache case. I am not sure that it came that way or it was a set up that someone did after they purchased the camera. Any ideas on how I should go about selling it?View attachment 153509

Yikes! That is part of the problem as what to ask since it is not just the camera

 

[webestang64]

From a employee at a camera store we would only take trade on old film cameras like that and maybe give you $40-75.
I would say the Body and any Nikon lenses are worth what somebody is willing to pay (I'm guessing that body is worth $100-400 depending on condition). The case and all the other stuff is worthless. I say that because here at my work we get cases of stuff like that all the time for free and all that stuff won't sell on the sales floor.
All that said I'd sell the lot on here for best offer.

 

[Derrel]

This is an old, black meterless prism Nikon F, what looks to me like a 135mm f/2.8, maybe a 35mm f/2.8, and a newer 50mm, plus an inexpensive flash bracket, a filter, and a couple small accessories; this is _not_ a "really valuable" camera set-up. On the used market, the lenses at retail, if they are what I think they are are worth $40, $49,and $85. The F is not super-valuable, since it is in well-worn condition. As webstang64 mentions, the case is a clunker.

 

[TBOTZON]

This is what I read:

Collectiblend:
CollectiBlend Average Index
Average Very good Mint
Body only $580-600 $700-800 $1400-1500
With lens $1800-1900 $2400-2600 $4400-4600
Estimate value accuracy:

1959. 35mm film, SLR camera. The first Nikon SLR. 64* s/n black models are rare. Black bodies with 66* serial numbers are most likely fake. Bodies with early s/n and early features are more valuable. Right now all 64* sales are listed here notwithstanding the features, so estimate value is not correct. Please do your due diligence on the features.

This was the other mention:
Nikon F Collector's And Buyer's Guide
The Nikon F is a user-collectible classic par excellence, but it can also be a great investment if you happen to snag a rare early model. As many Nikon aficionados know, the first 1000 or so Fs had cloth shutter curtains before titanium curtains became available, and these are worth at least a few grand even in this era of bargain-basement 35mm SLRs. Other early F identifiers include a self-timer with slanted serrations and sharp edges, a machined film-wind lever with two hollow cavities on its underside, a prism engraved (not silk screened) "Nippon Kogaku," six patent numbers listed on the back, and "Made In Japan" on the back-closing lock, not on the baseplate near the tripod socket. Other rare Fs to look for are early black bodies with serial numbers beginning with "64."
Read more at The Savvy Consumer’s Guide To Pre-Owned, Collectible, And Vintage Cameras; The Legendary Nikon F: What Makes It The Camera Of The Century? Page 2

 

[Derrel]

This is what I read:

Collectiblend:
CollectiBlend Average Index
Average Very good Mint
Body only $580-600 $700-800 $1400-1500
With lens $1800-1900 $2400-2600 $4400-4600
Estimate value accuracy:

1959. 35mm film, SLR camera. The first Nikon SLR. 64* s/n black models are rare. Black bodies with 66* serial numbers are most likely fake. Bodies with early s/n and early features are more valuable. Right now all 64* sales are listed here notwithstanding the features, so estimate value is not correct. Please do your due diligence on the features.

This was the other mention:
Nikon F Collector's And Buyer's Guide
The Nikon F is a user-collectible classic par excellence, but it can also be a great investment if you happen to snag a rare early model. As many Nikon aficionados know, the first 1000 or so Fs had cloth shutter curtains before titanium curtains became available, and these are worth at least a few grand even in this era of bargain-basement 35mm SLRs. Other early F identifiers include a self-timer with slanted serrations and sharp edges, a machined film-wind lever with two hollow cavities on its underside, a prism engraved (not silk screened) "Nippon Kogaku," six patent numbers listed on the back, and "Made In Japan" on the back-closing lock, not on the baseplate near the tripod socket. Other rare Fs to look for are early black bodies with serial numbers beginning with "64."
Read more at The Savvy Consumer’s Guide To Pre-Owned, Collectible, And Vintage Cameras; The Legendary Nikon F: What Makes It The Camera Of The Century? Page 2

Read also: "If you're willing to take a gamble it's possible to score a Nikon F, FT, or FTN with a 50mm f/1.4 on eBay for as little as $150-$200, but as the saying
Read more at The Savvy Consumer’s Guide To Pre-Owned, Collectible, And Vintage Cameras; The Legendary Nikon F: What Makes It The Camera Of The Century? Page 2"

The body you have is what's called "a thrasher". it's in crap condition...it's got finish that's worn right thru to "WHITE" metal...makes me think it's not a genuine black F, but that perhaps it had been painted 30 years ago...if it had brassing showing...it would be another story.

ANYBODY telling you an "Average" black F is worth $580 is full of fertilizer. I PASSED a few months back on a NEAR-mint (and I mean nearly mint-mint) black F for $149.

You seem to be under the impression that all old camera stuff is "valuable"; we've seen this here hundreds of times. Condition is huge, and the condition of the body and F-prism and that mounted lens shown is below-average, and what is called UG or BGN, meaning Ugly, or Bargain-level. The 50 and the 135mm lens look fine however, but are not high-dollar lenses, and were at the time of manufacture, 'cheap' lens models, not high-end stuff.

This is not "somewhat rare" stuff. Still...gear is worth whatever somebody is willing to PAY for it, so if you want to, write a great description and put the set up for sale. Depending on the buyer, you might get lucky and get a good sale result!

 

[SCraig]

Old used camera gear is just like any other so-called "Collectable". It's only valuable if you can find someone willing to pay your price.

 

[compur]

This is what I read:

Collectiblend:
CollectiBlend Average Index
Average Very good Mint
Body only $580-600 $700-800 $1400-1500
With lens $1800-1900 $2400-2600 $4400-4600

 

[jcdeboever]

People want way to much for the Black Nikon F's. I've been watching for a black one with a eye level view finder for over a year. I have still 10 to 15 in my "watching" eBay list, the oldest one is over a year and still listed at a ridiculous price of $300. I watch them because sometimes they list unsold items at deep discounts. Not these though. I think they are the most beautiful looking camera on the planet but I want to use it, not display it.

I recently picked up a well used silver one for like $25 bucks that has a wrinkled shutter curtain but shoots fine.

 

[Dave Colangelo]

Black F/FT's take the same pictures as their silver counterparts....

I bought a Cannon AE-1 for $20 at a flea market with 2 lenses then traded it for a MINT Nikon FT with the single K Japanese branding a few months later. You can get most Nikon SLR's for under $200 (usually with a lens) if you are willing to look around. I bought an almost unused minty F3 for ~$150 not all that long ago.

This kit is pretty beat but its worth selling as a kit (people are usually into that). To help with the value we would need more info on the lenses as well as pictures of the glass its self, anything thats been sitting for a while runs the risk of mold etc.

One thing thats interesting is that camera is from the first year of production but based the number you have the 8997 camera made (assuming they started at 0001). So you do NOT have a cloth shutter camera (which would be valuable). The lighting makes it hard to tell if thats white paint showing or brass showing which as @Derrel points out is an important difference.

Based on the wear and tear and the setup you have this camera saw USE and lots of it. It may have even been a reporters or the such which means it most likely needs to be serviced. How are the seals looking? Any Major body damage? Any light leaks?

 

[cgw]

I'm sensing just a bit of wishful thinking about a potential windfall, particularly in light of the OP's farcical valuation range that's feeding it. There's really nothing collectible there given the condition and variety presented. Kits like that sell for more $$$ at prop shops that supply Toronto's film/TV industry than they do at camera stores. "Beater" grade gear usually gets politely refused. But then there's always eBay...

 

[Dave442]

Thats a camera to take out and use, if it is in working condition. The case was typical for the 60's and 70's. My grandfather had the black Halliburton case with the Nikon FTn, three lenses and flash with custom cut foam. I followed by buying a cheap plastic pistol case and cutting the foam myself for my Minolta. You would fit in back in the day when everyone carried briefcases.

My grandfather also had the Nikon F Photomic from the early 1960's, but stopped using it when he picked up the FTn in the late 60's. I suppose if I was a collector I would want the earlier non-metered F - hope you can find someone that needs this to fill out their collection.

I think the $200 to $400 range is not too bad for a camera like this, especially as the Minolta/Pentax and other similar cameras from the era are all well under $100. Would be interesting to know if it is worth more.

Also, the first thing I do with an old camera is check if there is film in it. I have bought cameras that had partially exposed rolls of film - if you shot film it would just be natural to check before opening the back of the camera.

The accessories aren't bad, nobody liked having a flash sitting over their rewind knob so the flash bracket was common for an F model, also the cable release is typical of Nikon making something different and costing more while everyone else used a common thread-in style cable release.

 

[compur]

That's the trouble with black painted cameras. They really show the wear and tear. But, they're gorgeous if you don't use them.

Back in the day the black versions didn't really cost all that much more than the chrome ones. They were thought to be "more professional" looking but few were sold. The chrome cameras were for tourists and the black ones were for the pros, or so some people thought.

I used to worry that the black color would make interior temperatures higher which may be more likely to to cause undesirable effects on the film if left in sunlight.

 

[Gary A.]

Back then, black F’s were hard to get. The scarcity of black increased their value, law of supply and demand. Derrel’s observations and comments seem accurate. The camera may have been painted as it appears to be slivering instead of brassing.