Don't let the "Nikon" brand deceive you. It loads the film and winds on after a photo. That post you see here should couple to the ISO-dial, it can be difficult to align it with the dial but Ill tell you how thats done at the end of the article. Im not familiar with how it meters but I knew I had to use that lever in this scene and this is what I got. Copyright 2005 - 2023 PhotographyTalk, Inc. All Rights Reserved, www.japancamerahunter.com/2016/05/camera-geekery/, Canon Rebel T5i Review: An Oldie But a Goodie. I havent investigated the option of converting the lens on my broken L35AF for use on another camera but from what I have read, there is an afterlife for this amazing Sonnar design. The camera youll see here is the Nikon L35AD but its also applicable for the Nikon L35AF, too. Essilor vs Carl Zeiss which one is better? As most compacts in that period utilised Tessar style lenses, the L35AF has a unique look to it. The Nikon L35AF, commonly known as Pikaichi, is a compact autofocus camera. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We have 1 Nikon L35 AF manual available for free PDF download: Instruction Sheet . It has subsequently become a cult classic among collectors. Overall the L series continued for about 6-7 years, but that does not take into account the overall .Touch series. The film-advance is the noisiest part of the whole cycle thanks to its loud motor. There are two ways to experience 35mmc without the adverts: Paid Subscription - 2.99 per month and youll never see an advert again! The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Is it possible to disassemble the lens of the Nikon L35af and clean it? Im actually impressed by it, the results remind me of older Nikons or maybe a bit better in some cases. Enter the 1980-1990s and you see the heyday of compact camera design, where there were a lot of high quality options, especially in the 90s. I just got a very nice condition Nikon L35AF for $1 at an estate sale with the original case. Maybe it will help you, but the chances are something stick got into the shutter release button and has caused it to stick. Nikon came to the automatic compact camera market quite late compared to most the other manufacturers. Putting all that together, I was quite excited to load it up and start using it. Features similar styling to the iconic F3. It even survived getting soaked in a rain storm. The front cover is a bit more tricky to remove since thee left-side is has 2 clips that has to be disengaged first. In the late 1970s the compact camera market started its trajectory into being the dominant camera form factor in terms of sales volumes. There are cases when it did not give me what I expected of it but that has more to do with difficult situations where I was using this at its near-limits. To clean the viewfinder extract this screw and remove the cover. You can also support this site, it helps me offset the cost of maintenance and hosting. Nikon L35AF shutter stuck Hey guys! But recently the shutter button jammed completely and I can't press down and I can't turn the camera on and of without a whole lot of force. Useful focus confirmation, a filter thread and manual iso rating mean this will probably be my nightlife camera with pushed Kentmere 400. Best of all, you can get gorgeous prints without breaking the bank! That is why even though it is not broken, I do use some tape on the battery cover to ensure it stays ok. . Was feeling upset to find that the camera wasnt loading the film and there wasnt even an advance after the shutter was released. It feels like a brick as well, in fact beneath the plastic exterior there is a sturdy metal structure that makes it feel very solid, it also weights a little bit more that you would expect which can be good or bad, it depends on your preference. It doesnt have a sleep-function so turn it off when youre not using it or the batteries will get exhausted easily. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Lens: Nikon 35mm f2.8 (5 elements, 4 groups, Sonnar derivative) Shutter: 1/8s - 1/430s ISO range: 50 - 400 / 1000 Minimum focus distance: 0.8m Size: 124 x 73 x 45.5mm Weight: 346g With the release button located on the top panel surrounded by the on/off switch and a hand grip on the right side of the camera, the Nikon SLR L35AF is comfortable to hold and maneuver. The L35AF rewinds the film, but leaves the little leader out, which is fantastic if you would like to try and do some double exposures. Trigger the flash by covering the meters window with your finger and see if it fires once the ready-light is lit. Hi I've recently got my scuba diving license. The Leica M11 is just one model worth considering for your photographic needs. It is terrible, some of the worst Ive seen. Closing the back, press the shutter button and watch the window show you the film is advancing. Free shipping for many products! Digital Camera Camera Lens Camera Accessories Microscope Camera Flash. I might go and do some refreshed detective work and look at clarifying in the article. When I clicked the shutter button down, the shutter clicked but the button stays down. Thanks again for your review and keep shooting/enjoying the Nikon. I love the little focus indicator at the bottom of the viewfinder, it is heaps more fun that a boring green light for focus. I mean 5 element the later versions used a 4 element Tessar design again, which are fine lenses just give a bit different character to the images. Removing this clip with allow you to free the power witch. IF, however, you wish to entertain yourself tampering and tinkering with it Go ahead and have fun. I knew of the forums where there is a following due to the rendering of the lens by being a wide angle Sonnar design. This manual will help you fix errors related to your Nikon camera's lens, memory, and power supply or system. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. When I shake it I usually get a few more, but never more than a quarter of the roll gets rewound. Read my article on how to change light seals so you will know how its done. Hi Sir Rick. Loosening the screws of the lens will enable you to adjust its focus. That equates from 1/8 sec. Now that the value of these vintage cameras are higher, can you guys provide a detailed instruction on how to fix it, instead of just brushing us off for trying to learn how to work and appreciate such timeless piece of machinery, 2023 All trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners, in particular of the Nikon Corp Nikon SLR Cameras - news, rumors, questions and answers | Terms of Use & Contacts | Privacy Policy. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. There is no direct influence on shutter speed and aperture. How Much Does Professional Photography Cost? The L35AF opened the door for Nikon into the world of consumer point-and-shoots, the way the Yashica T2 and then T4 did for that company. Thanks for following my work, if you liked this article please share this with your friends so it will get more views. The two issues I seem to be having with the L35AF are that it will pop the flash up when focusing regardless of whether or not the exposure calls for it and then refuse to press the rest of the way down and take the photo. I put the two batteries in the camera (with no film)and turned it on and the light meter seemed to work. That's some serious engineering for a point and shoot. But, sadly, it's true. It appears that the camera will retain what it saw at the time you half-press the button, locking focus and exposure settings. Glass photo prints are an unusual and beautiful way to display your photos. Yes, suddenly there was automatic operation in what felt like tiny cameras! There are 2 springs here. This is how it looks like with the flash on-and-off. Quick question for you. I'M trying to take professional homecoming pictures. It was the first Touch camera for Nikon and was followed by many, like the Action-Touch (waterproof), Fun-Touch (really . It has a lot of useful information, it will be beneficial for you to read this. It has a lever to the side of the front barrel, you depress it in backlit situations in order to force a +2.0 reading which is helpful. Its a handy camera for travel photography, Id imagine that this is the actual purpose of this camera. Powered by Invision Community. Does anyone know of any places that can fix this type of issue or any . Ive tried cleaning the contacts and using new batteries. Nikon L35AF ; Nikon Categories. 4. Pre-focusing by half-pressing the shutter release works quite well too. Carefully remove the top cover. Buy another one and make sure it's in good working order. Theyre cheaper not because many people desire the Nikon L35AF more due to name-value. Today i noticed I left the "On" switch turn on. Weak spots: battery compartement door, on/off switch and may I add also the pop-up flash. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Before you continue you should read my article on how to adjust a lens focus and how to make a tool for it. Shutter speed, focus and aperture are set automatically. The Nikon L35AF is a perfect example. Learn how your comment data is processed. Typically, a simple cleaning will help revive the camera but there will be times when you will have to replace, repair or adjust something. It is Nikon's first compact automatic camera with an autofocus. Operate it ang see if it works, the film should advance without problems and the viewfinder display should also indicate the correct distance. Releasing it will cause the film to advance. I can say that that this version is robust and has none of the issues that you describe. My guess is they knew there was an issue though because the manual has an atypically specific section on battery selection. Authorized Photo Service Reply Reply with quote Reply to thread Complain OP Missouri_Skies Forum Member Posts: 53 Any idea what may cause the camera to automatically advance through the film roll? Thanks again. Hello, everybody! I put the two batteries in the camera (with no film)and turned it on and the light meter seemed to work. Pressing down (very) hard on the flash for every shot worked (and gave me a hint about root cause) but was a total pain. Theres a small spring at the bottom-right corner that is connected to the lever for rewind. It will prevent you from firing it when the flash is deployed. This is the only reason to choose the Nikon FE over its successor, the Nikon FE2. I found mine stuck and it moved quite slow. If you like Photo Thinking please support us on Ko-fi. Operate the delayed action function. If anyone knows please let me know, thank you! Privacy Policy. Once theyre going they usually stay going as long as they see the light every now and then. Cult Classic! Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nikon L35AF 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera at the best online prices at eBay! Bas, you are correct that they moved to a tessar, but like Ed I understood there was a run of L35AF2s with the Sonnar. Got a broken l35af and thought i can fix it (have done a few repairs before) but in this case i don't really know how i can fix this camera. Need a quick gift to give your loved one this holiday season? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 2012-2022 ManualsLib. It was released in 1983, a few years after Nikon's competitors had opened up the point and shoot market. Even if you did, it doesnt look bad at all and is actually quite tolerable. You can also shoot with it in lowlight without the flash by depressing it so it wont pop-up but the results wont be as good because you are overriding what the camera thinks will give an optimal exposure. Then you can recompose and shoot. All models are nice cameras on a sunny day. For more articles on 35mmc about the subject matter discussed here, please click one of the following tag links: Contribute to 35mmc for an Ad-Free Experience. I know that you can only press the button when it gets power but i have new batteries and pressing down the batterie compartment didn't Help. Its an impressive camera considering that its Nikons first fully-automatic compact camera. For a buck, display it as an art piece if you can't get it working. It seems to behave a bit like the Nikon F3 in this respect. I don't hear any noise like from the flash charging. I am also glad the article inspired you to take the L35AF out again! The flash does pop up when pointed at something dark, so there's that. Privacy Policy. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. The shutter button refuses to go down even a halfway. Your safety is also at risk, you may get shocked and cause something fatal if you have a condition may not be aware of. This is respectable but you should assume that it will deplete the batteries faster since older cameras tend to suck power more than new ones thanks to corrosion. But when last time I was shooting it it was working! Easy to fix but does mean dismantling and being very careful around the flash capacitor. More Nikon Manuals . So when i put the batteries in the compartment nothing happens. Thank you for the great story behind your camera, I love to hear these. I can hear the flash power up if I hold it next to my ear; that's it.</p>. This is a very good point and shoot camera which has a fast f2.8 lens and is fully automatic. Mirrorless Cameras. I shot this scene because I knew that it would look exactly like this and I was right. Wonderful article. The original Nikon L35AF from 1983 was Nikon's first attempt at a fully automatic auto focus point and shoot camera. Your L35AF can probably be fixed, it depends how much money and time you want to apply to the problem. Cheers all.. The entire apparatus is powered by two AA alkaline batteries. If its old, expect issues. Check out this list of awesome gifts for photographers! Also read what I wrote about thetoolsthat youll need to fix yourNikkors. This is a well made camera. All the major manufacturers were selling them. It's a compact point and shoot rangefinder, originally released in 1983. . It is a good thing because it keeps the industry alive and the appreciation for older equipment ensures that the little mom-and-pop shops selling used cameras stay open. Broken Battery door on the Nikon L35AF The most common issue that arises with the Nikon L35AF camera is that the battery door becomes loose, this actually seems to happen with every series of L35AF cameras, One touch and the AF3 in different forms. It's all due to the reliable Copal shutter inside these cameras. There was even a waterproof version in 1986, the L35AWAF. It shows signs of use. Hi, I opened my camera and I am not sure what you mean by this: Inspect everything and be sure not to lose anything. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It accepts a pair of LR44 cells to power the date-back. You do a half press on the button to set focus, and then look through the viewfinder, which has a charming focus indicator with a swinging lever and little icons depicting . If the screen of your Shutter release disabled. Its possible that Nikon didnt fit a proper voltage regulator, maybe they didnt have the technical experience or opportunity to field test before release. The Fujica DL100 is also a nice camera, but it does not have the same lens, so does not stack up for my part. It is not specifically strong and has a subtle graduation, but if you are looking for edge to edge constant exposure, this may not be to your taste. So i picked up my Nikon L35AF up to shoot today and I haven't shoot it in a week! This is the meters cell, you should wipe it clean when you see fungus inside of it. The only advantage to the 17-35mm AF-S is a lack of corner falloff (darkening) and closer focusing. About Us . As time went by, though, the errors came more frequently than before. Less typically (ie. iKokomoJanuary 23, 2018 in DSLR & Film Cameras. I have an LF35AF and its remembered as the camera I used to shoot my 1st black and white film at the Emirates cable car going over the Thames to the London O2. I just got a very nice condition Nikon L35AF for $1 at an estate sale with the original case. If it didnt then the flash would have fired with more power and the lantern would look overblown. Thankfully, theres nothing wrong or at least it doesnt seem to exhibit any major problems. The flash also pops up when its needed. Flash exposure appears to be spot-on which suggests that the camera is intelligent-enough and it couples the autofocus module to the flash. Going back to its conception, this was made in order to give Nikon something to sell in this part of the market. The L35AF became a constant companion every day including business trips to New Zealand. The first is that the main drive wheel for the shutter/mirror cocking mechanism is dirty or needs lubrication. This led the camera to think the flash was up but didnt actually engage the flash charger so locked down the shutter. The potentiometer you see here adjusts the rangefinder, never alter it unless you know what you are doing. And while its a few years old, it still has excellent capabilities, especially for entry-level and enthusiast photographers. I found out that the power switch is pretty loose but I don't think that's the error because i opened it up and bridget the switch. There was never a run of L35AF2s with the Sonnar lens to my knowledge. *Please check photos . Apply the contact cement to the end that doesnt move. I dont know which spring this refers to. I bought the second version with the extended ISO range to 1000 but with the same Sonnar lens when it first came out in the early 80s and have used it for my fishing trips before digital. In bright light and at smaller apertures the Canon is comparable to the Nikon's stellar performance. The film ISO/ASA setting is controlled by a textured ring around the lens itself, which is inside the filter thread. The L35AF looks like a brick, and I love it. AD stands for Auto Date (currently referred to as QD) Digital SLR Cameras. This site promotes the use of film so were all in this together. Thanks Eddy, this is a camera Id always wanted to try out. The exposure is set automatically by the camera. More generally if you have the flash up it always wants to fire and wont let you shoot till its charged. . Its also coupled to the iris module, ensuring accurate exposure within the 4m-range. Content contributor - become a part of the worlds biggest film and alternative photography community blog. Which Sony Compact Camera is Best for Travel Photography? Continue with Recommended Cookies. If youre a Nikon shooter, that means investing in the right Nikon Landscape lens for your imagery. Just rewind the film in the camera and have it developed and printed. But the first version had an increase to ISO 1000 during mid-production. Its always hit-or-miss when it comes to repairing compacts because youll never know if it will work unless it has been tested in real-world use. Ive got a Nikon L35AD but the date display doesnt work. Do those features still hold up? Just in case someone else is fiddling with a stuck rewind button. Nikon Corporation, known just as Nikon, is a Japanese company specializing in optics and imaging products. The first results with that film reinforced what I had read. Now check the batteries after you have pressed the shutter release button again. You may destroy it and waste your camera. Chromatic and spherical aberration can be easily-seen in this photo. Why has this camera become one of my primary ones? In fact just give it a fire and shake whatever nothing to lose (as long as youre sensible about the vigour of your oscillations). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. . The meter has been able to handle most conditions including fog in the morning. Run a test-roll with it if youre allowed to test it before you buy it. In fact I put the phone down and spent 45 mins finding the 64 prints and went down memory lane for another half hour. Heres what you should do to check or fix the focus. use either dielectric grease sold in auto parts stores or high grade silicone grease sold in scuba shops and use VERY sparingly. It was coined due to the quality of the lens design by the Nikon team. When I clicked the shutter button down, the shutter clicked but the button stays down. I am actually amazed by how many youngsters are into film photography these days. It has 2 eyes for its infrared rangefinder, this theoretically means that it will work better in the dark. I shot this by focusing on the lantern and then recomposing my frame. If this is your first attempt at repairing a lens then I suggest that you see my previous posts regarding screws &drivers, greaseandother things. For more information, please see our I am not sure of what we see here is chromatic aberration or flare, just be aware that this happens when you have shiny highlights in your scene. This is a labor of loveand I intend to keep it that way for as long as I can. Two things will make a manual shutter stick, not winding the film on because you've reached the end of the film, and not replacing the two AA batteries. This has now given me an excuse to load up the LF35AF (Yep still got it), with some ORWO-UN54 and go and shoot some images. A textured panel is on the other side of the camera, framed by the very classy red stripe. Just recycle it and find another one. I now have probably over 60 film cameras, which all work. Nikon L35AF Film Camera automatically controls exposure level required for the scene. This place has the most compact cameras in every condition found in Tokyo. By pressing the self-timer and the flash-mode button at the same time, you'll turn on the spot mode. but do give these simple things a try firstif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'35mmc_com-box-3','ezslot_0',179,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-35mmc_com-box-3-0'); A stuck or unreliable shutter could be caused by any number of mechanical or electronic problems, especially if theres any evidence of past moisture damage, but it is worth a quick check of the battery contacts first. I went to go shoot the shutter and it wouldn't fire, the auto focus only went to the first icon in the viewfinder but . I dissembled the camera (thank you again for your work) but didnt find any loose parts or something on a glance.