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.
Satin Chrome Finish
The following parts are finished in chrome:
- A-R Ring (part 20FB1-389)
- Frame Counter Cover (part 20FB1-428)
- Rewind Knob (part 20FB1-551)
- Bottom Arrow Mark (part 20FB1-609)
- Apron (part 20FB1-2002)
- Left Top Cover (part 20FB1-2003A)
- Right Top Cover (part 20FB1-2003B)
- Accessory Shoe (part 20FB1-2017)
- Name Plate (part 20FB1-2033)
- Synchro Selector Ring (part 20FB1-2303)
- Bottom Cover (part 20FB1-2602)
- Photomic Front Plate (part 20FD3-52A)
Black Enamel Finish
The following parts are finished in black:
- A-R Ring (part 20FB1-389)
- Frame Counter Cover (part 20FB1-428)
- Rewind Knob (part 20FB1-551)
- Bottom Arrow Mark (part 20FB1-609)
- Apron (part 20FB1-2002)
- Left Top Cover (part 20FB1-2003A)
- Right Top Cover (part 20FB1-2003B)
- Accessory Shoe (part 20FB1-2017)
but not on late black 72x, 73x and 74x bodies! - Name Plate (part 20FB1-2033)
- Synchro Selector Ring (part 20FB1-2303)
on very early black bodies only! - Bottom Cover (part 20FB1-2602)
- Photomic Front Plate (part 20FD3-52A)
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.
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