This article was originally published in Nikon Historical Society Journal Issue 87 (NHS-87 31 March 2005) . I beleive this was the first ever article written on this rarely seen self-timer lever variation. The article is reproduced here with updated information. In the original article, I called this self-timer Type 1A. Since the article was published, this new type has been well recognised and confirmed with the other collectors. I will now officially rename it Type 2 in the article below

In the photos below shown the 5 commonly known self-timer levers for Nikon F. I am sure most of you are already very familiar with them. If not, you may refer to the excellent article in NHS-53 written by NHS member Richard de Stoutz or the now legendary Nikon F Books by Uli Koch for a more detailed descriptions.

       
Traditional Self-Timer lever TYPES 1 to 5
       
However, what is not commonly known is the existence of yet another ‘production’ type self-timer which I will call (new) TYPE 2 from this point on. (See fig.1) By production, I am excluding special self-timer levers found on models like ‘UPI’ or ‘High Speed Fs’ etc. The (new) TYPE 2 self-timer has diagonal grooves and horizontal step in the middle, similar to the conventional TYPES 1 and 3. The spacing between the diagonal grooves on the (new) TYPE 2 lever, however, is noticeably wider than either the TYPE 1 or 3. The base of the upper section, just above the horizontal step, of (new) TYPE 2 has round corners. This feature is unique to this type because all the others have a straight flat base extending from edge to edge. The hollow cavity behind the (new) TYPE 2 lever is the same as the TYPE 3 ’s, but not machined like the TYPE 1. (See photos below for a comparison)

Left photo: TYPE 1. Middle photo: The new TYPE 2. (Note the rounded corners on the bottom edge of the diagonal groove plate just above the horizontal step.) Right photo: TYPE 3

This type of self-timer has actually been reported once in a Japanese camera ‘mook’ (magazine) before. Since there weren’t any other recorded serial numbers to compare it with, this type of lever was regarded as just an ‘odd one out’, and had not been recognized as a production type at all.

I have spent much time doing some research about it. Whenever I knew of any Nikon F with a serial number between 6409000 and 6412000, I would try to find out the type of self-timer it was equipped with. It often meant I needed to obtain a photo from the owner or to inspect the camera in person. I even went as far as visiting a very well-known Nikon dealer in London just to verify what kind of self-timer was mounted on one of their early Fs. Apparently, even the shop was unaware of that unusual self-timer on that particular Nikon F they were selling!

This type of lever seems to exist only within a small range around serial number 6410000. I therefore believe the (new) TYPE 2 was actually a production type used by the Nikon factory as a TYPE 1 replacement. (see the table of numbers below).

 

    

 

The list of serial numbers confirmed to have the new Type 2 self-timer.

Updated on 13 Mar 2025

 
     
6409296 6410040 6410634
6409436 6410114 6410891
6409442 6410119
6409555 6410409
6409657 6410447
6409764 Black 6410474
6409900 6410482
6409913 6410491
6409933 6410495
6410015 6410625
 
At around #6410000, Nikon was clearly trying to give the F a facelift. The self-timer lever together with the advance lever and film speed reminder, were among the parts being replaced. I guess Nikon initially was planning to replace the sharp-cornered TYPE 1 lever with this new TYPE 2, but was later unhappy with its look. They then rolled out the TYPE 3 very quickly. I believe there are much less than 1000 Nikon Fs equipped with the (new) TYPE 2 self-timer, making it the rarest among the 6 production types. See photo below for two of my Nikon Fs equipped with (new)TYPE 2 levers.

Nikon F 6409436 & 6409900 both with new TYPE 2 self-timer lever
                     
         
         
               

Updated on 13 Mar 2025