Extremely rare Nikon F with pellicle mirror for high-speed shooting, one of the rarest Nikon cameras in existence.
The Nikon F High Speed is a rare motorised variant of the original Nikon F professional SLR from 1970, modified with a pellicle mirror and motor drive for high-speed continuous shooting. The pellicle mirror eliminates the blackout between frames, enabling faster continuous shooting than conventional mirror SLRs.
The pellicle (fixed semi-transparent) mirror divides light between the viewfinder and film plane continuously, eliminating mirror movement and blackout during exposure sequences. This enables higher frame rates but reduces viewfinder brightness and light reaching the film by approximately half a stop.
Build quality is professional Nikon F with the motorised modifications. The High Speed F was produced in very limited numbers for press and scientific applications where maximum frame rate mattered more than the light loss and viewfinder dimming of the pellicle mirror.
The Nikon F High Speed is one of the rarest Nikon cameras in existence, commanding extraordinary collector prices. The pellicle mirror and motor drive modifications represent a unique approach to high-speed photography that preceded modern mirror-lock and mirrorless designs.