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Post by SeaRat on May 17, 2014 17:36:16 GMT -8
It's official, the camera repair store sent back my Nikonos II, saying that they could not get parts to repair it. I have two of these, and one leaked about a year and a half ago. I got the film processed by keeping it immersed in water, taking it to the photo shop who still develop film (Blue Moon Photography), and they dried it out in a darkroom, then developed it. But the camera repair shop in the Portland area cannot repair my Nikonos II...More later... ...It's later, and I wanted to add some photos from the last roll that this Nikonos took; they are natural light photos, as I could not get my strobe to work for the dive. They are below, of my dive with Sid Macken in 2012 (I think), on our dive in Big Cliff Reservoir on the North Santiam River, east of Salem, Oregon. I will try to get it back into service myself, or use it for parts for my other Nikonos II. Either way, it has been a wonderful camera, accompanying me on dives, hikes, parachute and parascuba jumps since the 1960s. John Attachment DeletedAttachment Deleted |
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Post by SeaRat on May 18, 2014 7:34:54 GMT -8
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Post by sitkadiver on May 18, 2014 11:45:14 GMT -8
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sidm
Pro Diver
Posts: 219
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Post by sidm on May 18, 2014 20:29:50 GMT -8
Hi John,
Devon is your best bet here in the US to get the camera repaired. If you want to try the repair yourself, I used to repair Nikonos cameras years ago and could give you a hand. There are a couple of places where special tools come in handy, which unfortunately, I sold when I closed the camera repair business. The beauty of the Nikonos cameras is that, unless parts are badly corroded, a flooded camera can be made good as new.
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sidm
Pro Diver
Posts: 219
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Post by sidm on May 18, 2014 20:33:09 GMT -8
I think you could say the Nikonos is obsolete the same way two hose regulators are obsolete. Parts are available. Some collector friends of mine have boxes upon boxes of NOS parts, and a little do-it-yourself knowledge can keep them working.
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Post by kgehring on Jun 1, 2014 4:00:53 GMT -8
Devon Tompkins at Pacific Hsg repair is great! If you need another Nikonos II, I have 3 of them. They have not been tested but I would guess 2 of them are working.
Let me know if I can help.
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Post by scubadiverbob on Jun 25, 2014 7:14:18 GMT -8
John,
My Nik II flooded through the frame counter display o-ring a few years ago. I found out to late as I still had a couple of frames to shoot. Bad thing, I had used it in the ocean ... and it never worked again. I was lucky, like you to get the film developed in Redding, CA. There was another diver who worked at a film booth in the parking lot of a shopping center close to the VA clinic who agreed to develop it. All other places said it would wreck their machines to develop it (salt water) ... they didn't know how to load film in a tank, dry it, then develop it. The camera was to corroded to repair; so, that camera is currently a dive store display ...
Somewhere I have a Nik II the shutter speed is really messed up on; but, it has never been flooded (to the best of my knowledge). It was given to me by a LDS owner who knew I used "old things" (LOL's). PM me your address, and if I can find it, I'll box it up and send it to you.
My Nik V and SB-105 strobe is being used by a commercial dive company to take photos in deep water (they had trouble finding a digital that would go to like 350 feet; or even below 150 feet. And, my Nik 4A, well ... it hates "Hecho en Chine" film on the market today and eats it up after two or three frames! Never did that with the older Kodak film. So, now I'm stuck with a digital, that will go to 35 ft, doesn't focus very well at times, and ... just won't do what a Nikonos would. I've told you about my back problems and diabetes and my doctor doesn't want me going deep anymore (actually sorta doesn't want me diving; just swimming; but, it's hard to break old habits ... wait, a way of life!) To bad Nikon doesn't make a replacement for the Nikonos line of cameras that's digital ... I'd be dreaming of owning one; just like I still dream about a Nikonos RS with a full range of lenses ... and plenty of attachments and ... oh well, have you tried buying decent film lately? I used to use Kodak 32 ASA film for portraits ... and slide film for going hiking; with my back messed up hiking even short distances is a thing of the past ...
I also have a manual (in japanese and sorta english) around for Nik II, if you want it.
Want a Nik 4A that doesn't like chinese film? I'd have to find it, also ... it's around; but, not in my storage locker.
Robert
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Post by scubadiverbob on Jun 25, 2014 7:21:07 GMT -8
John,
The Nik 4a was last serviced by Sub-Aquatic Camera repair ... I can't remember the owners name; but, was told he was from, and might live, in Paradise, CA. If I can find out I'll let you know. The Nik 4a was last serviced by them. You could try Dave's Camera in Paradise. He can service cameras; but, uncertain about underwater cameras. That was sorta a specialty; as, they had to be pressure tested after repair ...
Robert
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Post by SeaRat on Jun 25, 2014 10:09:12 GMT -8
Robert, I'm using Provia 100F film, and it is a great slide film at ISO 100. It uses the E6 process, and I'm having Blue Moon Photography develop it. I cannot get my Ikelite adapter to work with my strobes for the Nikonos II. I have two Nikonos II cameras, and one is still watertight. John |
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