The Nikon F-601 is a 35mm camera. The model was introduced by the Japanese company in the early 90s. A slimmed down version was available under the name "Nikon F-601M". A version with data backplane was also available.
The lenses of the camera can be exchanged. Therefore a Nikon F bayonet was built into the camera. Most of the time you will meet the camera with the AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70 mm f/3.3-4.5. In 1959 the Japanese company presented the first camera with Nikon F bayonet. Despite the introduction of the autofocus (some years later), the bayonet was not changed.
Other manufacturers of suitable lenses are Sigma, Tokina, Tamron and Samyang. But beware, not all modern camera lenses can be used with the old cameras. The Nikon F-601 is equipped with an autofocus.
The 35mm camera has an exposure meter. The light meter is built for films with a sensitivity from ISO 6 to ISO 6400. The film speed is determined by the DX code. However, only a range of 25 to 5000 is covered. The exposure is measured through the lens. The aperture and exposure time are set automatically and cannot be changed. The exposure time can be set manually. The aperture is also freely selectable.
The SLR is equipped with an electromagnetically controlled focal-plane shutter with times from 30 s to 1/2000 s. You can choose between three recording speeds, S (Single), CH (Continuous High, 2 fps) or CL (Continuous Low, 1.2 fps).
The 35mm camera has a bulb mode. The shutter remains open as desired. The Nikon F-601 comes with a built-in flash. The power ranges up to 13 meters at ISO 100, and an external flash can be connected via hot shoe.
The 35mm camera has a built-in self-timer. It can be set in steps of 1 s from 2 s to 30 s. Additionally, there is a connection for a cable release and a thread for a tripod.
The dimensions of the Nikon F-601 are 15.4 x 10 x 6.6 cm. It weighs 650 grams. The power source of the camera is a CR-P2 6V battery (eBay / Amazon*). For the version with data backplane (F-601D) an additional CR2025 battery (eBay / Amazon*) is required.
Films for the Nikon F-601
The Nikon F-601 was built for the 35mm format. 35mm films are still easy to get today and are developed by most photo laboratories. A color film for 35mm camera is the Agfaphoto Vista 200*. A possible film for black-and-white images is the Kodak TRI-X 400*.
The colour film is a colour negative film and must be developed in the C-41 process. This development process is carried out by all photo laboratories offering the development of 35mm films.
The exposure area of the Nikon F-601 has a size of 24 mm x 36 mm. At this size, 36 images will fit on a 135-36 film. The film transport is automatic. The photographer does not have to wind it.
Nikon N6006
Under the designation Nikon N6006 this model was sold to photographers in the USA.
Nikon F-601 Quartz Date
The QD is a variant of the Nikon F-601 with a data back.
