Features similar styling to the iconic F3. Here is the problem. Then I crossed my fingers and hoped it was working. Your safety is also at risk, you may get shocked and cause something fatal if you have a condition may not be aware of. Here is a link to its user manual. There was a problem subscribing you to this newsletter. I put a spot of duct tape to as a precaution and have not had an issue since. The L35 was a 35 mm P&S camera and should not have cost you more than $10. That equates from 1/8 sec. The potentiometer you see here adjusts the rangefinder, never alter it unless you know what you are doing. The viewfinder according to the manual is a Reverse-Galilean Albada-type bright frame viewfinder (what a mouthful!). Powered by Invision Community. I put the two batteries in the camera (with no film)and turned it on and the light meter seemed to work. This is the meters cell, you should wipe it clean when you see fungus inside of it. Maybe I am spoiled, I am used to taking photos with Nikkors. For me though, it really adds to the look. Do those features still hold up? As well as I understand it, the battery test for these cameras is, if it works the battery is good. It is a matter of preference as some people prefer the small form factor, or like me, others prefer something a little substantial to hold. The L35AF is a very beautifully built camera. The exposure is set automatically by the camera. It isthatimportant! once in my experience) a dodgy connection between the flash and the rest of the circuitry caused an erratic shutter. Nikon's first AF, AE 35mm (135) format lens-shutter camera, offering 35mm f/2.8 lens and 9 fully automatic features. 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. Hi Richard, thank you for providing this guide. NIKKOR Lenses. It is terrible, some of the worst Ive seen. I am not against this, in fact, its a sign of a healthy market. The L35AF was Nikon's first compact camera with autofocus. Ive found the trusty yellow filter too. This is the only reason to choose the Nikon FE over its successor, the Nikon FE2. His excellent review spurred me to write a few notes on some simple but sometimes effective things to try if you find yourself with a less-than-top-notch Pikaichi. The only advantage to the 17-35mm AF-S is a lack of corner falloff (darkening) and closer focusing. This led the camera to think the flash was up but didnt actually engage the flash charger so locked down the shutter. The meter appears to be center-weighted and heavily-biased towards the center, too. And if you do decide that you need to open one up make sure you pause to admire the innards. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. |Nikon L35AF | Kodak Portra 400 Run a test-roll with it if youre allowed to test it before you buy it. Ive not film tested it, but it seems to be working ok. Would an AD without the button cells fitted work just the same as an AF? Change). Content contributor - become a part of the worlds biggest film and alternative photography community blog. Top 10 Last-Minute Gifts for Photographers - 2022 Edition. 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. I used to have one of these. The Sony E Mount is a popular line of compact mirrorless cameras with virtually endless options, features, and price points. It then recovers after a little while to try again. Seriously, even a little barely visible corrosion on the battery contacts or any variance in the voltage from cheap or rechargeable batteries that wouldnt affect most cameras is enough to make it grumpy. See which one is the best in this guide! The Canon Rebel T5i is a budget-friendly entry-level DSLR. Going back to its conception, this was made in order to give Nikon something to sell in this part of the market. Ric. I wish I could say the same about the batteries. Use this guide to determine which of these options is best for your needs. It usually only does this for the first shot after you turn it on. with f/2.8 through to 1/430 sec. Most of the original L35s are very persnickety about power supply. If my ISO is at 100 and I'm in a dark room, it won't go off. Nikons from that era (D40, D50, D60, etc) have a couple of things that are fairly well known to cause the dreaded 'Shutter Error" and/or locked up mirror. A Nikon L35AF warming up under a halogen light. batteries are hard to get." Ok, so grab your TV remote, pull out the two AA's in there and plug'em into your Nikon . It has a real hinge and a ballpoint pen is needed to open it. Lets change topic while were looking at this. Not something you can fix yourself. This is a 3-step-sequence that many people who program user-interfaces are familiar with (like Qt and ScriptUI). Also, under a very handy thumb grip is a little window with a red stripe which moves when film is advanced. It has subsequently become a cult classic among collectors. By pressing the self-timer and the flash-mode button at the same time, you'll turn on the spot mode. Apart from the battery door (which is a known weak point), I do not see an issue with the on/off switch. 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. Just in case it was a partially cocked shutter wind on problem. Also, if you're in a dark area the flash will pop up.</p>. I am also glad the article inspired you to take the L35AF out again! f youre having problems with your shutter or motor the chances are youll have to open the camera up for prodding/adjusting/cleaning etc. The original L35AF lens used five elements in four groups, while the AF2 and AF3 used four elements in three groups. That was one of the days where my ex Mrs could be such a lovely person. It does have a couple of weaknesses, but overall you can tell it has had some decent workmanship put into it. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. More Nikon Manuals . Thats where the contacts and levers for rewinding is located, at least parts of it. Its difficult to adjust it but I will show you how its done later. 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 L35AF was Nikon's first compact camera with autofocus. The lens appears to be lovely, with a lot of character but I wont rate it close to the Nikkors. These are nice cameras. Copyright 2005 - 2023 PhotographyTalk, Inc. All Rights Reserved, www.japancamerahunter.com/2016/05/camera-geekery/, Canon Rebel T5i Review: An Oldie But a Goodie. It appears that it performs much better when focused closer compared to infinity. You are right, the second (and third) versions of this camera were good upgrades on an already good camera and address some of the issues. You can view it through the hole for the lens and nudge anything so things will align properly. Since its viewfinder similar to the older bro, Is there any way to clean it? It was released in 1983, a few years after Nikon's competitors had opened up the point and shoot market. It exposed this quite well, I am impressed by how it was only off by a bit, maybe around 0.7 stops. The viewfinder has a scale with icons to display which distance the camera is focusing at. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Even the later, improved models will do. I would appreciate it if you just leave out your nameordetails like your countrys name or other information so that the donations will totally be anonymous. Leica M11 Review: A Superb Digital Rangefinder Camera, A Beginner's Guide to Sony E Mount Mirrorless Cameras, A Simple Buyer's Guide for Custom Size Canvas Prints. My L35AF had a lot of corrosion around the area where the rewind mechanism is located, so it got stuck. 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. Apply the contact cement to the end that doesnt move. The L35AF looks like a brick, and I love it. Then rewinding process never stops until the battery isnt off. The Nikon L35AF, commonly known as Pikaichi, is a compact autofocus camera. Glad that i came across one. It's all due to the reliable Copal shutter inside these cameras. To clarify, there was a run near the end of production of the original L35AF that had the ISO increased to 1000, but kept the Sonnar lens/filter thread and L35AF name. Contrast, color, and all the rest are excellent in these well-lit situations. It uses 2 AA batteries, a fresh pair will last you 100 rolls when not using the flash and merely 10 rolls when its fired every frame according to the user manual. Its easy to misplace, Id advice applying a bit of contact cement to it so you wont lose it. Rubbing the battery contacts with vinegar. Thank you for the kind words on the review. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Nikon produces camera, camera lenses, microscopes, binoculars, measurement instruments, spotting scopes, and rifle scopes. Why has this camera become one of my primary ones? So the problem is that i can't press the shutter / the shutter button is totally stuck. Hamish had a frustrating experience with a Nikon L35-AF. Thanks! It's a compact point and shoot rangefinder, originally released in 1983. . For that visually pleasing, yet imperfect analogue look, collectors of mechanical rangefinder cameras, like myself, can pay dearly for Leica and L39 mount glass based on similar lens designs. It appears that the camera will retain what it saw at the time you half-press the button, locking focus and exposure settings. If it wont rewind, look at the bottom-right part of the camera and see if anything is jammed. The lens is super sharp, too, especially for a camera that's nearly 4 decades old. The fully automatic CdS light meter also resides inside the filter thread, which allows for metering with a filter attached. Press the film rewind button and rewind the film back into the cassette. nikon,lens repair,lens maintenance,nikon repair, Review: Lomography LomoChrome Purple100-400, Review: Lomography LomoChrome Metropolis 100-400 (TokyoEdition), Repair: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f/2.8(Zebra). The battery compartment is also on the bottom, with the camera powered by two AA batteries. 46mm UV Protection Filter Available Here - https://amzn.to/3y2Jx3CIn this video I cover the specs of various models of the Nikon L35AF camera, some tips on h. Manage Settings Bas, you are correct that they moved to a tessar, but like Ed I understood there was a run of L35AF2s with the Sonnar. If youre in the market for a rangefinder camera, there is no better choice than Leica. While my copy has a bit of a hazy lens, I actually like the look and i. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. By Get some insight in this guide! The flash also pops up when its needed. 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. That, along with the Nikon & a Minolta AFZ, are probably my favourite point and shoots. The L35AF made an appearance in 1983 and was the first of a line of cameras coined the L series. 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. You can also support this site, it helps me offset the cost of maintenance and hosting. 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. Sometimes theres a built-in battery that can give quite a shock. Either way later models seem much more forgiving. What is nice about the third version is that the automatic flash can be cancelled just by pushing a button, it also has macro (70cm) and the autofocus has many more steps then the original. The L35AW feels dense and solid, and mine has survived a few drops, but it's impossible to ignore the fact that the camera's core is based on the L35AF2. My guess is they knew there was an issue though because the manual has an atypically specific section on battery selection. I dissembled the camera (thank you again for your work) but didnt find any loose parts or something on a glance. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. What I dont understand is it shows a barrel-type profile in some of my photos but some exhibit a slight pincushion-type one. Press the lever for the ND filter to move the tiny, smoky film over the slit to alter the meters reading. It is not the smallest. Not having to think about any settings is also great, especially when I take it out for a walks during my lunch break. The lens is something really special on the L35AF and has it own look. NIKON L35AF One-Touch 35mm Point & Shoot Film Camera PARTS/REPAIR ONLY Powers On (58) C $168.58 C $23.22 shipping SPONSORED Nikon L35AF 35mm Point and Shoot Film Camera - Missing Battery Door - READ C $148.38 C $22.73 shipping SPONSORED READ [MINT] Nikon L35 AF Pikaichi Point & Shoot 35mm Film Camera From JAPAN N363 C $404.73 C $47.22 shipping The flash is located on the left side and is fixed in place. I am actually amazed by how many youngsters are into film photography these days. It's 2020 and the price of the Nikon L35AF is rising. is it something that i can fix by opening the camera up? Digital Camera Camera Lens Camera Accessories Microscope Camera Flash. For a review of a camera which is a direct and close descendant of the L35AF readMike Eckmans review of the Nikon One.Touch AF3. Theres another one underneath the front cover. The only way to get it to fully depress and take a shot is if you hold the flash down and press it. Maintaining this requires resources and a lot of time. Mirrorless Cameras. Its this version Im referring to and is identical to the original camera including the Sonnar lens and the ability to take filters. It seems to behave a bit like the Nikon F3 in this respect. It flares terribly but thats expected, I dont think it has any of the advanced coatings applied to it. Its not easy to discharge this without peeling the capacitor off from the chassis. But when last time I was shooting it it was working! Loosen the screws of the lens and adjust its focus. Also used a L35AW AF and that one is much better built and nicer to use, its lens is not 5 elements though Actually most impressed by another brand first compact AF camera from 1983: the Fujica DL100, which has a sturdy battery door, better on/off switch, and a flash that doesnt automatically pop up all the time. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The first roll I used was Kodak Pro Image 100, a film at the time I had to specially order as it was only available for the South American market but still inexpensive. ISO range available is 50 to 1000. I opened up the battery compartment and allowed the battery to come out slightly and put it back in a gain and hey-presto! You may destroy it and waste your camera. And the L35AD model is a Nikon L35AF with a quartz date imprinting back. The camera has a 35mm, five element lens. What are the problems youre experiencing? 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. It was the first Touch camera for Nikon and was followed by many, like the Action-Touch (waterproof), Fun-Touch (really . Continue with Recommended Cookies. Cookie Notice I came across this copy online where the seller was selling a Nikon F65 (N65 in North America) with a kit lens for the ridiculously low price these sell for now. It was unscientific trial and error and on a beater of a camera that was more or less unusable probably wouldnt have done it otherwise. A textured panel is on the other side of the camera, framed by the very classy red stripe. Cover the meters window to deploy the flash and see if the ready-light works. The reputation the L35AF has gained though, is through the quality of the lens. Wonderful article. It was modified and adapted to a wide angle. 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 Heres another example that implies that the autofocus, focusing and metering modules communicate. Luckily, both cameras work perfectly. Chromatic and spherical aberration can be easily-seen in this photo. Theyre cheaper not because many people desire the Nikon L35AF more due to name-value. Likewise, the programmed leaf shutter is automatic and serves as diaphragm blades as well. Help support this site by donating to richardHaw888@gmail.com over at Paypal! Where the Nikon L35AF tends to be uniformly excellent, image quality with the Canon ranges from great to substandard, depending on shooting conditions. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Cheers again and I hope you have some luck with your camera. This is how the iris looks like, an elongated-diamond. Quick question for you. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The next generation of the L35AF, the L35AF-2, was known in the US as the One-Touch. I shot this scene because I knew that it would look exactly like this and I was right. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The Panasonic Lumix GH5 might be nearly six years old, but when it arrived in 2017, it had incredible features, particularly for video. Im actually impressed by it, the results remind me of older Nikons or maybe a bit better in some cases. With that said, I think it is good-enough for quick snap-shots of moving subjects so long as youre careful. In my case it was corrosion all over the place under the flash itself and around the electrical connections. Don't let the "Nikon" brand deceive you. Best of all, you can get gorgeous prints without breaking the bank! But, sadly, it's true. Nikon L35 AF 2 35mm Film Compact Camera Working Flash Issues In Black Case 29.99 1 bid 4.99 postage 5d 22h Click & Collect FILM TESTED Nikon L35AF2 OneTouch Film Compact Camera 35mm 265.00 Click & Collect Film Tested Nikon L35AF Compact Camera 1000 ISO 310.00 Click & Collect When the shutter is stuck in the down-position one thing you should look at is the part behind the depressor. One of my favorite cameras. 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. Trigger the flash by covering the meters window with your finger and see if it fires once the ready-light is lit. On the good side, I dont see any blobs, not even under the worst situations but this doesnt mean that its immune to it. Custom size canvas prints are a great addition to your home or office. 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. Do this a few times until the button works as expected. Im pretty excited. Some of it has to do with celebrity usage, but in reality, it is the convenience factor which drives the popularity. Will post here if I remember the site name or have a link saved somewhere. at the best online prices at eBay! The theory being that the temperature change is just enough to slightly expand and contract the components to release microscopic grubbiness. The reputation the L35AF has gained though, is through the quality of the lens. And while its a few years old, it still has excellent capabilities, especially for entry-level and enthusiast photographers. Its plastic chassis is tough and the back is made from metal. Learn how your comment data is processed. 2012-2022 ManualsLib. Richard Haw's Classic Nikon Repair and Review. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This is a labor of loveand I intend to keep it that way for as long as I can. In the end it is the lens which produces the results, and why this camera is fully recommended. Useful focus confirmation, a filter thread and manual iso rating mean this will probably be my nightlife camera with pushed Kentmere 400. The ergonomics are fantastic and this model (rather than the AF2 which succeeded it), doesnt feel as plastic/fragile as a lot of P&S camera of this era. The battery door is a bit flimsy on most plastic-bodied cameras from the 1980s and the L35 is no exception if your shutter is temperamental even with new and powerful alkaline batteries try pressing on the battery door and retesting if that makes a difference either shim the batteries with a bit of folded tinfoil or build up the contacts themselves with a few drops of solder . Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. So the solution to work around the problem is take picture, hold the shutter button, then release the . This is not to say that it is bad, its just not at the same level as what we are used to seeing in this website. I started getting these "shutter error, press shutter release" messages. Frame advance is automatic after each frame is taken. 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. Here is the problem. Here is the problem. Can I ruin my shots by moving the film? The internal mechanisms were where cuts in quality were made, plastic drive train gears, membrane shutters, etc. This is a simple camera but its not easy to diagnose it. So the problem is that i can't press the shutter / the shutter button is totally stuck. Disengage the flash by its lock, it should charge the capacitor if its exhausted. How to turn off the grid on the Nikon D3100? This makes Nikons a lot easier to switch-on because the position is so intuitive. I just got a very nice condition Nikon L35AF for $1 at an estate sale with the original case. Could the power off/on switch be dragging on it some how? Theres a small spring at the bottom-right corner that is connected to the lever for rewind. I try to live with a camera for an extended period rather than run a quick film through it, to get a real feeling for it and this helps me cut away from the hype. That's some serious engineering for a point and shoot. I recently took the Nikon One Touch L35AF2 on a trip overseas, and it has revealed itself to be a worthy companion. Hi Eddy, I got the younger brother L35AD 2 from a flea market a month ago. The flash does pop up when pointed at something dark, so there's that. . Privacy Policy. 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. If it doesnt charge quickly, sounds weak or doesnt charge at all then thats another that needs to be looked-into. There is no direct influence on shutter speed and aperture. It is a very easy camera to use. There are many factors that go into pricing, including the products and packages offered. Just focus on something and see the tiny display in the viewfinder to confirm if you got it right. Heres another example of a tricky situation. jammed? Change the seals with new ones if theyre dry or corroded. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. It has 2 eyes for its infrared rangefinder, this theoretically means that it will work better in the dark. It feels like there is something solid blocking its path because it will go down a little bit and then stop. Here is the problem. Before you continue you should read my article on how to adjust a lens focus and how to make a tool for it. Maybe it will help you, but the chances are something stick got into the shutter release button and has caused it to stick. The side-effect to this is prices of used gear is on the rise, even cameras that used to be less-desirable now cost more than they should. This Point and Shoot Camera lets you focus on your subject better, and click crisp and sharp images. "Pikaichi" L35AF 35mm f/2.8. The viewfinder is bright and has quite a bit of room around the frame marks. This place has the most compact cameras in every condition found in Tokyo. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This site promotes the use of film so were all in this together. In recent years the Nikon L35AF has gained a bit of a cult status. When I am wanting a compact camera, where I do not want to think about process much, it tends to be on top of my list. Later models have ISO up to 1000. 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. There are 2 springs here. The L35AF always gets a bit dark at the corners, regardless of aperture. There was even a waterproof version in 1986, the L35AWAF. I put the two batteries in the camera (with no film)and turned it on and the light meter seemed to work. The Nikon L35AF/AD was sold from 1983 to about a few years after that since newer, improved models were introduced frequently to keep the market interested. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. If the distance youre focusing at doesnt correspond to the distance you see in viewfinder this is where it can be adjusted. This is how it looks like with the flash on-and-off. The sharpness is fantastic, though it does have some drop off as you move from the centre of the frame. Be sure to find those that will work with higher-ISO so you can push your film or shoot with a higher-ISO stock. . <p>I subsequently bought an 50mm AI-S Series E, figuring that the program mode problem was due to the 35-135mm zoom included with the camera not being an AI-S lens, but while dry firing the camera before loading a roll of film it seemed to ignore my shutter speed setting in all modes but manual, just like the zoom.</p> 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.