C41
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View profile35mm SLR
Nikon Nikkormat EL Black1972
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- Nikon F
- Years
- 1972–
- Shutter
- 4s – 1/1000s
- Meter
- ttl-silicon-center-weighted
The Nikkormat EL Black is the matte-black body variant of the Nikkormat EL (1972), Nikon's first Nikkormat to offer aperture-priority automatic exposure. Where the earlier FTn and FT2 were fully manual, the EL introduced an electronically-controlled shutter capable of stepless speeds from 4 seconds to 1/1000s, with the camera setting shutter speed automatically in aperture-priority mode. The black-finish variant is mechanically identical to the chrome EL, sharing the same silicon TTL center-weighted meter, the same Nikon F-mount with pre-AI rabbit-ear coupling, and the same battery dependence - unlike the purely mechanical FT-series, the EL's shutter requires battery power and has no mechanical fallback. Black-body EL cameras are less common than the chrome versions and carry a modest collector premium.
Reference
Find film for your Nikon Nikkormat EL Black
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Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
- **Battery dependency** - the EL has no mechanical fallback; a dead or wrong battery means no shutter at any speed. Test with fresh batteries before purchase.
- **Electronic shutter accuracy** - in aperture-priority mode, verify that shutter speeds step smoothly across the range (listen for correct 4s to 1/1000s response); common failure is an inaccurate or hunting shutter at slow speeds.
- **Capacitors** - electronic Nikkormat bodies of this age may have aged electrolytic capacitors that cause erratic shutter behavior; budget for a CLA.
- **Black finish** - same caveats as other black Nikkormat variants: check for brassing and assess whether finish is original.
- **Silicon cell integrity** - silicon cells are more durable than CdS but can still degrade or show contact corrosion; verify meter linearity.
- **Mirror foam** - degraded foam is universal on bodies of this vintage; residue contaminates mirror and finder.
About this camera
Nikon's first Nikkormat with aperture-priority auto-exposure, offered in a less common all-black dress.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Nikon Nikkormat EL Black use?
- The Nikon Nikkormat EL Black shoots 35mm film.
- What battery does the Nikon Nikkormat EL Black take?
- The Nikon Nikkormat EL Black uses a 4x SR44 / LR44 or 1x 6V 4SR44 battery.
- What lens mount does the Nikon Nikkormat EL Black have?
- The Nikon Nikkormat EL Black uses the Nikon F mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Nikon Nikkormat EL Black offer?
- The Nikon Nikkormat EL Black's shutter speeds range from 4s to 1/1000s.
- What light meter does the Nikon Nikkormat EL Black use?
- The Nikon Nikkormat EL Black meters with ttl-silicon-center-weighted.