Back to the F3

[Frontman]

I first became interested in photography in the late 80's, and my first "real" camera was a Nikon F3. I enjoyed shooting the camera very much, and took it with me everywhere. Unfortunately, as a starving student, I ended up selling my camera and small collection of lenses to pay my rent. I always regretted selling my old F3, it had pretty much become a part of my life at the time, and it was my excuse to go out and see things I might never have seen otherwise.

After a long break from photography (university, military service, new career) I finally got back into it after moving to Japan a few years ago. Strangely, in the land of Nikon, I haven't thought of picking up another F3 until this week.

I found this old beauty at one of Tokyo's numerous used camera stores. The F3 is no longer a particularly valuable camera, and here in Japan it is still easy to find new-in-the-box examples. But I have always preferred the look of a well-used camera.

This old F3 still works wonderfully well, and surprisingly enough I found that it's previous owner had installed a Beattie intenscreen. I had hoped to go out and shoot with it for awhile today, but the weather is cold and rainy, and I am more or less waiting the weather out indoors.

Compared to the F and F2, the F3 is remarkably smooth, the winder turns with almost no effort at all, even with film loaded in the camera. Compared to the OM3Ti I recently bought, the F3 is a pig, but it is a wonderfully fun pig. And it was a great deal, the camera, motor drive, and lens cost me less than what I paid for a used MD4 motor drive for my first F3.

This F3 will be in my bag next weekend, and I hope to put it to good use.

 

[Robert Lai]

I bought my F3 when I was a poor student back in 1983. I still have the camera, and an MD-4 also. The camera is intuitive to use, and built very sturdily. I still have the original meter readout LCD panel on mine. The one that Nikon thought would have to be replaced every 7 years has lasted 30 years and its still going strong! Even that panel display bulb that is so annoying to use works.

 

[Keith]

Nice camera and interesting to read your comparison to the OM3. Nikons have always exuded an air of brute strength to me ... and absolute durability.

 

[azzurri]

Nice camera and interesting to read your comparison to the OM3. Nikons have always exuded an air of brute strength to me ... and absolute durability.

can't deny that after looking at the f3 the ts posted 😛

i think the nikon f series are all serious workhorses. and i wouldn't discount the fm and fe line cameras too. have always enjoyed shooting the f, f2 and f3

 

[jwicaksana]

My F3 says hi! 😀


F4E and F3HP by jwicaksana, on Flickr

 

[L David Tomei]

IMO the F3 is by far the finest SLR ever made. Mine has been with me for 30 years and has been dropped on concrete, used in hot dusty environs, and has never failed to function flawlessly. How many DSLRs can say that? Nikon didn't build the F3 in anticipation that they would be replaced by new models continuously but rather last for years. Not a concern of manufacturers these days. David

 

[zuikologist]

I picked one up (non-HP version) for a very low price out of curiosity, as I had inherited some Nikkor lenses. Love the camera - real heft and smooth wind on and shutter. Not so enamoured by the lenses.

 

[Mystyler]

Looks great with a bit of wear.
I had thought about picking up an F4, just to see how the otherside works. Would be interested to hear a comparison between the F3 and the OM-3Ti, which is probably my most wanted 35mm SLR. I'm doing OK with an OM-1n MD at present, however. 😉