Sell the flash, buy the F3?

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MarkoKovacevic

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I've been having battery problems with my F5. I put new batteries in a week ago, and only shot a roll or two, and its saying that my battery is too low to shoot. Therefore I'm thinking sell the flash [SB600] to my friend that shoots digital, as it works wirelessly with his D200, and get a nice reliable, not too battery dependent Nikon F3. Good course of action?
 
Both those cameras mentioned are far above the cost of a F3. I'm fine with the F3 using batteries, as the batteries last forever, and I can keep replacements in my wallet. I don't like carrying AAs around, and having to change them every month or so(In a non-erratic battery camera). I also prefer the simpler manual controls vs the AF and everything.
 
F3 is a very good choice. I may be wrong, but it feels lighter than the FM2. The meter is awesome. But you need the extra flash attachment to use flash and the sync. speed is a poky 1/60th only.

When you want or need to inspire confidence, couple it with the MD4 motor drive, that's one of the most impressive piece of photo-gear I've used. 🙂
 
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MarkoKovacevic said:
However, I do like Aperture priority AE, which the F3 has.
About prices, in BGN condition:

Nikon FM2: $170
Nikon F3: $130
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The F3, anyday.
F3hp if you wear glasses.
brilliant view, more bulk but better feeling than the FM/FE series.

Now, if you mention flash...
for fill in the F3 sync is pretty lame at 1/80, while the fm2 is 1/250...
F3 needs a hot shoe adapter.
and you don't have access to lots of nikon TTL flashes (for TTL)
 
sanmich said:
The F3, anyday.
F3hp if you wear glasses.
brilliant view, more bulk but better feeling than the FM/FE series.

Now, if you mention flash...
for fill in the F3 sync is pretty lame at 1/80, while the fm2 is 1/250...
F3 needs a hot shoe adapter.
and you don't have access to lots of nikon TTL flashes (for TTL)
Click to expand...
I'm using a PC cord anyways, so flash isn't a problem. I hardly ever use my Metz flash anyways. Whats the difference between the F3/F3HP?
Does the HP finder have a smaller image area [best way I can describe it] or like looking through the Barnack leica VF vs the M VF, where barnack is the HP?
 
The F3 is a great camera, but not the most flexible for use with flash. If daylight fill flash is one of your applications, the F3 is not the best choice. Look at an F4 for that.

I have doubles of some cameras because I like them so much (and got good deals on) but I have 3 F3's.
 
MarkoKovacevic said:
I'm using a PC cord anyways, so flash isn't a problem. I hardly ever use my Metz flash anyways. Whats the difference between the F3/F3HP?
Does the HP finder have a smaller image area [best way I can describe it] or like looking through the Barnack leica VF vs the M VF, where barnack is the HP?
Click to expand...

Mhh... yes, I guess the image is a bit smaller in the F3hp.
In any case, more eye relief, and you can easly see the whole thing.
 
The F3 is a great camera, well balanced and much more trusty than the FE/FM series imo (can't speak for the FM3A though).
Lovely thing. And my favorite at the moment. It feels that the horizontal shutter in combination with the dampened mirror give me lot less vibrations than my FE2 or Fm cameras.

Lovely lever wind as well. As smooth as a Leica...
 
The F3 is a great camera to use but it is battery dependent. You only have 1/60 shutter speed without batteries. Spares are easy to carry but what if it is an internal problem with the electronics? For what they cost now they are still a good choice despite being battery dependent.

Bob
 
I've never used the F3 but I bought an all mechanical FM2 for less than $200 and it's a great, great camera. I have a battery dependent aperture priority capable FE as my second Nikon body. IMHO this is a wonderful combo to take out shooting as both are very light and compact as far as SLR's go.

And the best part is you can buy BOTH for less than $400 combined if you poke around.
 
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Nikon Bob said:
The F3 is a great camera to use but it is battery dependent. You only have 1/60 shutter speed without batteries. Spares are easy to carry but what if it is an internal problem with the electronics? For what they cost now they are still a good choice despite being battery dependent.

Bob
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Electronics are more durable than most photographers assume, especially in a body like the F3.

Merkin: I haven't. I'm not sure if I even want to get it repaired, as its way to huge and heavy for me. The price of the F3 is almost certainly less than repairing the F5 too.
 
MarkoKovacevic said:
Electronics are more durable than most photographers assume, especially in a body like the F3.

Merkin: I haven't. I'm not sure if I even want to get it repaired, as its way to huge and heavy for me. The price of the F3 is almost certainly less than repairing the F5 too.
Click to expand...

My only point was that it is no less battery dependent than the F5, just different batteries. The F3 is in the same class as the F5 as both are pro models. Just out of curiosity, are you using disposable batteries or the rechargeable type? If rechargeable there is a limit to the amount of recharging cycles they will take.

Bob
 
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