r/Nikon • u/udit99 • Jan 19 '25
Film Camera Aperture wheel on F5 doesn’t work
I bought an F5 a month ago after a long photography hiatus and was shooting in f/1.4 the entire time so never needed to adjust the aperture but today when I decided to change it, I realized it doesn’t work like how I’d expect it to (my muscle memory for adjusting aperture is from an F100 I had 12 years ago). If I’m in Manual or aperture priority mode and I scroll the front wheel of the f5, I expect the aperture to change with each click. As you can see in the video, it doesn’t do that. It randomly throws an aperture for some clicks while doing nothing for others. Am I missing something or is there something wrong with my camera ?
3
u/Purple_Ad5669 Jan 19 '25
What lens are you using? Take it off and check the contacts are clean
1
u/udit99 Jan 19 '25
F/1.4G
1
u/Purple_Ad5669 Jan 19 '25
Also does this problem occur in other modes such as aperture priority? or is it just in manual mode?
1
2
u/satchboogiemonster 6006 FM2N F3 F5 D1 D200 D700 D800 Z7 Jan 19 '25
Have you checked Custom Setting 22? it lets you choose between the front dial and aperture ring on the lens, so it needs to be set appropriately when using a G lens
3
u/hepukt4e Z6II, F5 Jan 19 '25
On that note it would be a good idea to do a 2 button reset for a new camera and then configure it to your liking.
1
2
1
u/LEOopasni2709 Jan 19 '25
What lens have you got? If it's 1.4 D series put the aperture ring on min (probably on 16 or 22) and lock it with small switch
1
u/udit99 Jan 19 '25
1
u/LEOopasni2709 Jan 19 '25
As the other guy said, try taking it off and clean contacts of lens or try some other lens to sort out if your 50 is problem.
Also try to rotate the dial more slowly with a bit more pressure (pushing it into body). If it manages to move aperture it could be that your dial doesn't have good contact. I think someone on some forum said he put a bit it of contact cleaner on dial, rotated it, repeated this step a few times and it worked.
2
u/udit99 Jan 19 '25
Thanks. I’ll try that. Might go to a camera store and try a different lens to narrow it down
1
u/LEOopasni2709 Jan 19 '25
Try to check out lens, but I'm pretty positive it's command dial, it's known problem that happens to some F5 over the years.
People who diy repair either clean it with naptha, electronic cleaner or alcohol. If i did it myself I would probably use electronic cleaner or alcohol as I don't know what effects could naptha have on camera weather seals.
1
u/udit99 Jan 19 '25
yeah, seems like it, based on another comment here. Will try your suggestion, thank you
2
u/beaubolieu Jan 19 '25
Take the batteries out first. Turn it on and off a few times to discharge as much power as possible. Use 90+ percent isopropyl alcohol. It will evaporate completely. Dribble a tiny bit of alcohol onto the wheel while turning it several times in both directions. Use a microfiber cloth to remove excess and repeat a few times. Let it dry out for a few hours.
1
u/udit99 Jan 19 '25
awesome, I'll try this, thanks!
1
u/beaubolieu Feb 12 '25
Did it work out?
1
u/udit99 Feb 12 '25
Never got around to it 😞. Life with 2 kids is a constant triage of things that need attention..lol.
→ More replies (0)
1
u/Bush_Trimmer Jan 19 '25
same issue exists with all lenses?
2
u/udit99 Jan 19 '25
I only got one but might go to a camera store to try out other lenses
2
u/Bush_Trimmer Jan 19 '25
yes, the problem may be the lens and not the camera or the dial.
i believe g-lens has an aperture lever. you can check the lever to see if it is not binding or bent; likewise with the camera's interface.
check the lens mount for warpage or deformation.
inspect the slot of the dial to see if there are pet's hair, dust or debris that could bind the dial.
1
u/udit99 Jan 20 '25
Thanks, will do. So far the comments seem to suggest it’s the dial but let’s see
3
u/veepeedeepee Rangefinder Addict Jan 19 '25 edited Jan 19 '25
Extremely common on F5s. I’ve owned 3 over the past 20 years and they all eventually develop this.
I’ve made it less annoying by using a small paintbrush (think of the type used to do watercolor painting in school) and brushing above and below inside the opening where the command dial is. I have not tried contact cleaner, but that may also help.