Chrome or Black Finish of the Nikon F Body

The exterior of the camera is finished in satin chrome metal and black leatherette. An black enamel finish camera (the satin chrome portion being finished in black) with less imposing appearance was also available. The engraved letters, numbers and symbols are either black-filled on chrome-plated bodies or white-filled on black-painted bodies.

Copyright © Richard de Stoutz 2007.

Satin Chrome Finish

The following parts are finished in chrome:

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Copyright © Richard de Stoutz 2007.

Black Enamel Finish

The following parts are finished in black:

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Copyright © Richard de Stoutz 2007.
On used black Nikon F bodies we find paint wear and the edges of the covers often have become «brassy».

A professional photographer once told me that they used to treat new black cameras with sand to have them brassy as soon as possible - they didn't want anybody to think they were greenhorns.

Copyright © Richard de Stoutz 2012.