C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile35mm SLR
Nikon Nikkormat ELW1976
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- Nikon F
- Years
- 1976–1977
- Shutter
- 8s – 1/1000s
- Meter
- coupled-silicon-cell-center-weighted
The Nikon Nikkormat ELW (1976) is a direct variant of the Nikkormat EL (1972), differing from its predecessor by the addition of a motor-drive coupling socket on the base plate. Like the EL, it offers aperture-priority AE via a silicon-cell TTL meter with a stepless electronically-controlled shutter spanning 8 seconds to 1/1000s. The photographer sets the aperture on the lens ring; the camera selects shutter speed automatically. Without a functional 6V battery the shutter fires only at a fixed mechanical speed of approximately 1/90s, making the camera effectively battery-dependent for correct AE operation. The ELW was produced for a short window - approximately 1976 to 1977 - before Nikon reorganized its consumer SLR line around the new FE and FM bodies.
Reference
Find film for your Nikon Nikkormat ELW
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ISO 400
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Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
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Kodak Gold 200
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
- **Battery** - the 4SR44 (6V) cell type can be hard to source new; verify that a modern equivalent (4x LR44 stacked in an adapter, or a PX28 equivalent) delivers correct voltage and fits the chamber.
- **AE shutter range** - with a known-good battery, confirm the camera selects a range of stepless speeds in AE mode; a failing battery or meter circuit typically locks to the ~1/90s fallback speed.
- **Non-AI coupling prong** - check that the aperture-indexing prong swings freely and springs back correctly.
- **Motor port** - examine the base-plate socket for bent contacts if the camera was previously used with a winder.
- **Shutter curtain** - horizontal cloth; inspect for pinholes with the back open in bright light.
- **Viewfinder** - inspect the focusing screen for haze, fungus, or deteriorated coatings.
- **Distinguish from EL** - the ELW and EL look nearly identical from the top; confirm the model designation on the body top plate and the presence of the base-plate coupling socket.
About this camera
The EL with a motor-drive port - aperture-priority AE on the F mount, now winder-ready.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Nikon Nikkormat ELW use?
- The Nikon Nikkormat ELW shoots 35mm film.
- What battery does the Nikon Nikkormat ELW take?
- The Nikon Nikkormat ELW uses a 1x 6V 4SR44 or equivalent battery.
- What lens mount does the Nikon Nikkormat ELW have?
- The Nikon Nikkormat ELW uses the Nikon F mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Nikon Nikkormat ELW offer?
- The Nikon Nikkormat ELW's shutter speeds range from 8s to 1/1000s.
- What light meter does the Nikon Nikkormat ELW use?
- The Nikon Nikkormat ELW meters with coupled-silicon-cell-center-weighted.