Nikon MF-10 Exposure back for Nikon F2

Specifications for MF-10 Exposures Back for Nikon F2 series models)

Type of device: 35mm SLR camera with data superimposition mechanism
Type of camera : Specially-prepared F2 Nikon camera body
Type of camera Back: Nikon Databack MF-10 for 36-exposure operation
Usable film: All black-and-white films from ASA 25 to ASA 1600; colour films (both transparency and negative type) from ASA 25 to ASA 640
Flash unit: Short-duration output type powered by two 1.5V AA-type batteries mounted in the rear of the MF-10; maximum flash operation rate approximately one flash per second
Optical system: 10mm f/1.8 lens provided in MF-10 lens construction of 4 elements in 4 groups; aperture control provided for exposure adjustments to match film in use; lens reproduction ratio of 1:5.56 employed
Data superimposed: Time via timepiece unit built into body of MF-10 (maximum 24 hours operation); date via built-in dating unit (year settings of 11 years, month settings of 1 - 12, day settings of 00 - 99); additional miscellaneous data (handwritten) via slip=in memo plates (area of 12x21mm provided); ten memo plates provided; data area of 3.5 x 10mm recorded on left side of frame
Number of flashes: Approximately 250 when fired every 1 second at normal temperatures and using alkaline-manganese batteries
Battery: Four 1.5V AA penlite batteries
External power: Via socket provided at rear of MF-10; stable 300 - 330V DC input required
Dimensions: 176.5 (W) x 69 (H) x 60 (P) mm
Databack weight: Approximately 400g (without batteries)

Specifications for MF-2 (750 Exposures Back for Nikon F2 series)

Usable camera in combination: Nikon F2, Nikon F2 Photomic, Nikon F2 Photomic or Nikon F2SB Photomic, with, camera back and in place with Motor D: MD-1 or MD-2 attached
One charge of film: Up to 750 picture frames
Loadable length of film: Up to 100ft (30.5m)
Picture taking speed: Picture frames 4 (precisely 3:7), 3, 2 or 1 per second for successive exposures. Single exposure is also possible
Usable shutter speed: 1/125 - 1/2000 sec. for successive exposures; X setting (without mirror-up); 1 - 1/2000 sec. and B for single exposure
Camera attaching: One-touch lever system. Camera detachable only when the film feed side O-C knob is set to "Open"
Picture frame counter: Additive system, indicating the advance of picture frames one by one. Can be changed-over to manual operation at any position
Film-end detecting mechanism: Provided, permitting detection of film end and stopping operation of Motor Drive
Film cutter: Enable cutting off the film at any position for taking out exposed length of film
Film magazine: Double-magazine system adopted. Using Magazine 30FA99L
Magazine ejecting lever: Facilitates taking out the magazine
Remote control: By using the remote control socket on the rear side of Magazine Back
Power source: AC/DC converter MA-2 or MA-4. No battery used.
Dimensions: 425mm x 144mm x 129mm
Weight: About 2.8kg , without magazine; Magazine weight: about 300g each

Specifications for MF-4 (250 Exposure Back for Nikon F3)
(New) Instruction Manual for 250 Bulk Film Back MF-4

Camera fitting: Nikon F3; Clamp-on type connection
Motor Drive Fitting: MD-4; corrected to magazine back terminal
Power source: AC/DC Converter MA-4
Number of Frames: 250 (max.)
Winding: By MD-4 in combination with built-in micro motor
Film-loading: Double magazine
Shooting modes: Choice of single frames (s) or continuous (c) firing via S-C mode selector of MD-4
Shutter speeds fitting: Whole range of shutter speeds. available
Shutter release: By electromagnetic trigger button; also switches on camera meter when depressed halfway; meter remains on for 16 secs after finger is lifted off button; which has a lock (L) position to prevent inadvertent release
Firing speeds: 6 fps with mirror-up shutter speed higher than 1/125 sec./MN-2 NiCd Battery Unit
Frame counter: Additive and subtractive types which advance one calibration per every five frames; additive counter is automatically reset when camera hack is opened; subtractive counter is preset to the certain number of frames and automatically shuts off motor.
Automatic winding stop: Through the winding torque detection of MD-4; in operation regardless of the preset number of subtractive counter
Remote control: Connected to Remote Cord MC-14; counter signal terminal, which turns on when preset subtractive counter reaches '0', provides a detection of completion of preset exposures.
Dimensions: 303.2 (W) x 98.5 (H) x 84.0mm (D)
Weight: 1.16 kg

Third party Film Back:

NPC Proback II instant film backs: For those who need an instant film proof, an instant film back is available from a third party film back manufacturer. The NPC Proback II, designed by NPC Photo pty Ltd, USA uses a free-floating fiber optic lens to transfer the image from the camera film plane to the Polaroid film plane.

	The Proback II lets you make two independent contact size images on each sheet of Polaroid film. By so doing, you can do a side-by-side comparison to evaluate varying composition, lighting changes, or compare results produced by lenses of different focal lengths.
	<-- The image on the left shows a NPC Proback II mounted on a Nikon F5. This serves to give an idea of the relative size of the the ProBack II in comparison to the camera. The NPC Proback II for F3 is very similar in construction and probably a tad smaller in size.

This gadget is not inexpensive; at USD 750 new and around USD 475 used, it is only for those who can't live without it. (We welcome contribution from reader with pictures of the NPC Proback II mounted on a F3 for inclusion in these pages.) -MCLau-

Update: Mr Jonathan Bengtson <jbengtson@mac.com> recently highlighted to me that Kodak produced a DCS Digital Film Back for the Nikon F3 in 1991, where the Kodak site mentioned "....The KODAK Professional Digital Camera System (DCS) was introduced, enabling photojournalists to take electronic pictures with a Nikon F-3 camera equipped by Kodak with a 1.3 megapixel sensor... ". He also pointed me to a source at Ebay where there is a gentlement from Igor Camera Exchange was auctioning a Nikon/Kodak DCS Film Back camera system. This kind of information can be very useful as previously no one has got to know existence of such a Digital Film Back for the Nikon F3. Note: The said Nikon F3 Digital system include the Kodak DC-3 camera back and Kodak DCS camera Winder. Thanks, Jonathan.

Credit: ALL Images courtesy from management of IGOR Camera Exchange® <Web URL: http://www.igorcamera.com> where the Company also operates a popular Ebay Store trading new/used photo equipment. Image copyright © 2003. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.