Nikon F KS-80A (U.S.Navy)
The Nikon F KS-80A is a military-contract variant of the Nikon F 35mm single-lens reflex camera, produced for the United States Navy. Externally marked with its U.S. military designation, it is a specialist collector's item rather than a general-market consumer model, and examples surface only occasionally.
Hammer prices at UK auction for the F KS-80A have ranged from around £900 to £2,800, with a median of roughly £1,300 across the recorded wholesale salesroom results. The strongest figures were achieved around 2010–2011, when a clean example sold for £2,800; more recent results in the £900–£1,000 band suggest the market has softened somewhat heading into today, though the small sample size means any single well-documented example can still sell for a premium.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| civilian | — | — | 1 | £2,200 – £2,200 |
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
Prices updated: June 2025
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2025 | EUR 2,200 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | civilian | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 46 (Lot A01943) Title: Nikon F KS-80A civilian
Description:
Extremely rare and interesting civilian version of the KS-80A U.S. Navy motor, in almost mint condition, including a modified Nikon F black body no.6543875 with prism finder, special back without any U.S. NAVY details, originally a modified F-36 motor, ordered by U.S. Navy as aerial camera, custom made grip with electric release and attached large battery, with Nikkor-P 2.5/105mm no.164104. Estimate: EUR 2,400 - EUR 2,800 |
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| Jun 2017 | EUR 1,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 31 (Lot AI_31_35629) Title: Nikon F KS-80A Kit 'U.S. NAVY'
Description:
black body no.6557534 with prism finder, special back with all U.S. NAVY details (serial no.100286), modified F-36 motor with special plate with U.S. Navy order details, custom made grip with electric release (engraved 'U.S. NAVY' on front) with attached large battery Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
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| Jun 2015 | EUR 900 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 27 (Lot AI_27_32084) Title: Nikon F KS-80A Kit 'U.S.NAVY'
Description:
black Tokyo Nikon F no.6543294 engraved 'U.S. NAVY' with eyelevel finder, back with removed U.S.-Navy sticker, matching Zoom-Nikkor 3.5/43-86mm no.442157 engraved 'U.S. NAVY' and modified with infinity lock Estimate: EUR 1,800 - EUR 2,000 |
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| Nov 2012 | EUR 1,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 22 (Lot AI_22_14492) Title: Nikon F KS-80A 'U.S.NAVY'
Description:
black Tokyo Nikon F no.6543595 engraved 'U.S. NAVY' with prism finder, raised rewind knob, back with all U.S. NAVY details, modified Tokyo F-36 motor, hand grip with electric release - ex Tad Sato Collection Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,500 |
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| May 2012 | EUR 6,400 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 21 (Lot AI_21_13877) Title: Nikon F KS-80A 'U.S.NAVY'
Description:
black Tokyo Nikon F no.6544176 engraved 'U.S. NAVY' with prism finder, raised rewind knob, back with all U.S. NAVY markings, modified Tokyo F-36 motor, hand grip with electric release, matching Zoom-Nikkor Auto 3.5/43-86mm no.443885 engraved 'U.S. NAVY' Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 5,000 |
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| Nov 2011 | EUR 1,300 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 20 (Lot AI_20_13624) Title: Nikon F KS-80A Kit 'U.S. NAVY'
Description:
Nikon F black Tokyo no.6857239 with modified F-36 Motor, hand grip with electric release Estimate: EUR 2,500 - EUR 3,000 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 1,300 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12575) Title: Nikon F KS-80A 'U.S.NAVY'
Description:
black Tokyo Nikon F no.6543595 engraved: U.S. NAVY with prism finder, raised rewind knob, back with all U.S. NAVY details, modified Tokyo F-36 motor, hand grip with electric release - ex Tad Sato Collection Estimate: EUR 2,500 - EUR 3,000 |
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| May 2010 | EUR 2,800 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 17 (Lot AI_17_11186) Title: Nikon F KS-80A Kit 'U.S.NAVY'
Description:
black Tokyo Nikon F no.6557283 engraved: U.S. NAVY with prism finder, raised rewind knob, back with all U.S. NAVY details, modified Tokyo F-36 motor, hand grip with electric release, Zoom-Nikkor 3.5/43.-86mm no.442966 engraved: U.S. NAVY - in much better condition than usually Estimate: EUR 3,500 - EUR 4,000 |
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| Nov 2005 | EUR 2,100 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 8 (Lot AI_8_25859) Title: Nikon F KS-80A Kit 'U.S. NAVY'
Description:
Nikon F black Tokyo no.6557534 engraved: U.S. NAVY with prism finder, raised rewind knob, back with all U.S. NAVY details, modified F-36 motor Tokyo no.121969 engraved U.S. NAVY, hand grip with electric release, spare back Estimate: EUR 3,000 - EUR 4,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Nikon F KS-80A worth today?
Recorded UK auction hammer prices span roughly £900 to £2,800, with a median value of about £1,300, so a typical verified example is worth in the low four figures.
How much does a Nikon F KS-80A sell for at auction?
Most examples sell for between £900 and £1,300 at the hammer, with exceptional, well-documented bodies having reached £2,100–£2,800.
Why is the KS-80A priced above a standard Nikon F?
The price premium reflects its U.S. Navy contract provenance and rarity rather than any mechanical upgrade; a standard civilian Nikon F of comparable condition typically sells for substantially less.
Does condition strongly affect the value of a KS-80A?
Yes — authentic, unmolested military engravings and a working shutter are the main value drivers, and bodies with questionable markings or mechanical faults trade well below the median.