Nikonos V - Review + photos 

"Remember to grease up the o ring on the back door" That's a quote to live by. Awesome review man! I've been wanting to get a Nikonos for a while now. Also cool to hear you're in Perth, may catch ya in the water some time!

got one ‘Nikonos-V’, only tested it once to make sure everything is fine when I bought it, then took out battery and stored the camera in a nice bag. Have spare O-rings, original grease and spare shutter cover all original parts; no scratch -> nothing, just like new. Are 35 films still being sold, everyone is using digital cameras. Great review. This camera is being used in expeditions (North-Southpole, mountain climbing since all is metal, no plastic !!!

thats so rad. I found a Nikonos IV, can't wait to try it out-

Thank you for this review, so many people tend to show just the images they take but very few show what needs to be done with a very complex camera like the Nikonos V. Again thank you very much.

This is a great review. Really great. Thanks for posting @Shootswithcoops

Great video thanks Coops! best breakdown of the Nikonos V I have found!

Thanks to you I just purchased one and will be getting more into surf photography!!

I have two Nikonos Vs. I discovered the model has two variants. The most noticeable difference is the battery compartment. It was thought this was a point where leaks occurred. This was fixed in the second version. The battery compartment of the first version does not have ring around the compartment, the second version has a noticeable ring around the compartment and better sealed. I could not tell exactly, but it looked like yours is the first version. It sounds like you are not having any problems, you may want to keep an eye on that part of your camera. It is one hell of a dive and all weather camera. I've seen a fair number on ebay at incredibly affordable prices that look like they've never seen the water. Considering the cost of a dive housing for dslrs the Nikonos delivers a real bargain. The metering is just a guide line with experience you'll be able to out guess it in time. There are also two versions of the 35mm lens one (the earlier version) has two chrome knobs (I think it's called the silver wing version) and I think it was issued with all the nikonses from the first generation through the third; the second version of the lens is the one with the black and chrome knobs.

Great review & great camera ! 🤙🏼

thanks so much for this, exactly what I was looking for as I begin researching the right waterproof model for me

Great shots dude

I lived in Perth for a couple of years in the late 80's. I bought and dived with the Nikonos 3. Full strobe setup and shot mainly with Ektachrome. Never could afford the V as back then they cost around 1400 aussie $. Maybe you could do a quick run on the film cameras you collected, Cheers.

Great review. I just ordered one. Thanks for posting this -- really helpful! BTW: shoot that Delta 3200 at 1000 using your Meyer and develop normal. Looks great!

Coop, I picked one of these up a few weeks ago, but haven't gotten a chance to use it yet. While I'm terrified to submerge it fully (it'd be a pricey experiment if it went wrong), but my primary use case will be for street photography on rainy days. Loved your surf photos. I'll send you my rainy street photos once I've taken and developed them. Cheers!

I took a nikonos 2 with me to Europe in 1982. Took fantastic street shots with that 35 mm 2.5 prime. Camera was knicked in Venice italy. Pick one up on eBay for $100 it's totally mechanical. Small and built like a panzer tank. I just nabbed an 80mm for it for $45.

Great review! If you don't mind me asking, how do you attach your bodyboarding leash to the camera? I'm looking to get one to tether myself but am not sure where to look!

Thank You for the video, great information.

Great video man, you're very well spoken! Do you use the spit and rub technique to avoid water droplets?

Legend! Thanks mate. Had been thinking of splashing out on housing for my DSLR, but after watching a couple of your videos I ordered a Nikonos V on Ebay from Japan last week. Arrived today! Frothing to get out in the surf

What is the name of the song which starts at 8:27?? thank you for your answer

Still a great reference video, given how I only use it a few times a year while on holidays.

Cool video, I bought a Nikonos II, in very good condition, with two lenses for $50.00 US dollars, where did you say I can buy the lubricant?

Hey! I was wondering if you or someone could help! Ive just found a hairline crack in the battery chamber of my nikonos v which now am unable to crank the film advance lever and shutter release button presses completely down and no capture... I'm struggling to find anything on this or even someone wanting to take a look at it... hope you can help and really appreciated the video!

Thanks for this! Just got one for $30 at a garage sale!!!

Hey great video! Quick question, at 7:33 you mention the lens is "flimsy", from your experience has this been an issue with the water seal? I have one too, with the same "flimsiness" and I'm just not finding the confidence as much as I have for the back film loading door. The back door seems like it'll hold water hundreds of feet below surface, but the lens part just feels like it is splash proof.. Nikon says these are rated for about 150ft, but will the flimsiness of the lens mount keep the water out at 150ft? Just wanted to hear your experience! Thanks,

How did you carry it on your surfboard? I know they make floaty straps. But when trying to surf yourself. Keeping it out of the way.

What does it sound like when you fire the shutter? I just got one and when I fire the shutter it sounds like a quiet clunk and before I shoot off the whole roll I want to make sure it is functioning properly.

Great !! i started to follow you some time ago, i really like your videos. and also i like you wear Patagonia clothe haha im from Bariloche Patagonia Argtentina ! by the way i have a question for you, i have a Nikonos III with the same lens as you have wich is a 28mm 2.8 and iv never been sure wich frame inside the eyefinder i shoot look at. i know those squares are for differents lens, do you know about that ? keep doing good videos as they are ! Cheerss !!

Would it be possible to fully submerge this camera for something like scuba diving?

Hi thanks for the video! I got a near mint condition nikonos v for diving 20-30m, do you think i need a service to replace all 11 o-rings or is it ok if I just replace the 4 that come in a kit? would that post a flooding threat if i only replace the 4?

how eazy is to focus with this camera ? and can it take double exposures ?

could you shoot diving photos/ actual under water photos?

Would you know much about the Canon AS-6 and if it's any good? It seems to be a good bit cheaper than the Nikonos. Cheers Coops!

Its not a series E It only fits on nikonos cameras. And is built of metal. Series E lenses were cheaper lenses with out indexing slot

Have you ever had to completely change the gaskets on your camera?

Can you fit regular non-underwater Nikon lenses on the Nikonos body?

What film did you use for the 6th photo of the single fin upside down in the water

It is not an "E Series", the lens design pre dates the "E" lenses by some decades. Nor does it need to be an "AI" or "AIS" as it is not an SLR so does not need auto indexing of the aperture for light metering which is TTL as is flash metering. The lens is the classic 35mm Nikkor design which is remarkably sharp and has great contrast. It is a classic.

Kanagawa in the background

What kind of battery does it need?

I keep wanting to get one of these. I never pull the trigger.

sorry didn't catch what did you use to grease it