Vintage 1988-1991 Nikon F-801 35mm SLR Film Camera With Two Nikon Zoom Lenses

Description

Introduced in 1988 as a high end "prosumer" (eg. with similar features to the top of the range models but lacking the all-weather sealing), the Nikon F-801 very quickly found fans among professional photographers as well as serious amateurs, largely because of its excellent autofocus - a huge improvement over the F-501 released two years earlier, it was fast, accurate and reliable, making the F-801 the first Nikon film SLR with autofocus that really works.

In addition, it boasted several features usually found only on the top end models: 30 seconds to 1/8000th of a second and bulb shutter speed range, depth of field preview, multiple exposure mode for up to 9 exposures per frame, Evaluative 2D Matrix and 75% centre-weighted average metering, 6 to 6400 ISO range (with DX or manual throughout), programmed auto, aperture priority, shutter priority and fully manual modes, two-shot timer, 1/250th second flash sync and full compatibility with the professional use Nikon Multi-Control Back MF-21. As with all the high end Nikons, it's also a superbly well-made camera and designed to stand up to the rigours of heavy use.

With two integral microprocessors and eight individual integral circuits, the F-801 was among the most complex cameras ever designed when it was released and this put some potential buyers off, even towards the end of its three year production run. However, Nikon has always had an excellent reputation for manufacturing standards and, 35 years after the model appeared, most F-801s are still in full working order.

This one, once we'd cleaned out some of the crusty battery leakage so that it could make a connection, proved no different: it switched on, lit up and eagerly wound on the film ready for action. It's a used camera and as a result it has some minor cosmetic faults - some light scuffs and scratches, but no cracks or deep scratches, ands mentioned and as seen in the photos a battery leaked inside the camera at some point but this has caused no damage to the camera itself whatsoever - though it has left some crustiness on the battery caddy (one of the plastic spars has broken, too, which isn't an issue) - however, after a light clean, it worked without any problems and with everything doing what it should - all buttons and switches are intact and in good order, the tripod mount shows normal wear but is good for plenty more use, the hotshoe shows almost no wear at all, all features and functions do what they should and autofocus and all modes do what they're intended to do. The mirror has a couple of minute specks which are too minor to affect use and it rises without any trouble, allowing the shutter to fire reliably every time. The light seals are excellent with no evidence of leakage.

One of the best things about Nikon is they've stuck with the same tried-and-trusted F mount system ever since it appeared on the first camera in the F range right back in 1959, which means there's a massive number of lenses available to suit all purposes, and nearly all of them will work to at least a degree with nearly all Nikon SLR cameras. However, the system has been updated over the years so as to accommodate new features as cameras have developed: with the F-801 you'll get full functionality with any lens in the AF range (which have a microprocessor fully compatible with the camera) and AI and AI-S lenses will work in aperture priority mode, AF-I and AF-S lenses will work as manual focus only and G-type lenses will work in program and shutter-priority (and in aperture priority and manual but only at their minimum aperture).

We've included two, both Nikon zoom lenses: an AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1:4.5-5.6 and an AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5. The 70-210mm is an excellent lens noted for the sharpness of the images it produces thanks to 12-element/9-group optics; this one is in near mint condition with almost no wear to the flanges and the optics have been protected by a skylight filter (which we'll leave on) and cap, so the objective lens is spotless. In this condition, it would sell on its own for around £120.

The 28-85mm is also known as an excellent lens, but this particular one is a little temperamental: every now and then the autofocus doesn't work, though it seems happy enough if you leave it for a minute and then try again. Used, fully working examples usually sell separately at around £50-£80; it may start to work properly once it's been used a few times and the mechanism has had chance to free up so we'll leave it on the camera - but as it also might not, we won't include it in the price.

Finally, because we're the total legends that we are, we'll throw in a good quality camera case for free - you'll have to buy the 4 AA batteries the camera needs yourself, though 😁

Due to the nature of this item it is not always possible for us to identify any missing parts.
For this reason we ask that you please check the pictures carefully, as these show everything that is included.

Further Details & Enquiries

This item has been very kindly donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Our ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

100% of the money raised from this sale will go to the charity.

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