Roger Vadim
Well-known
My F3 arrived a week ago, and although I alreay got 5 Nikon bodys I really enjoy the camera. It feels indestructive and slightly more modern than the FM series say. and there is less mirror slap, the trigger is really well done. Don't like the LCD readout too much (but thats what AE is for - ouch...).
My F3 came with the H2 screen (all microprism, no marks), its quite interesting to have a total uncluttered screen, and its really bright, but i feel a bit nervous while critical focusing without the split screen thingy. How does the P screen compare to the H screens?
Enjoy your cameras, Michael
Range Loser
Established
F3t
F3t
I picked up this slightly scarred F3T a couple of years ago from eBay. It had a minor fault which my repairer sorted, so it only cost me £120 with MD4. Sold the drive, as I don't like the weight now I'm middle aged.
Probably my favourite film camera, but it hardly gets used any more, curse the convenience of digital.
F3t
I picked up this slightly scarred F3T a couple of years ago from eBay. It had a minor fault which my repairer sorted, so it only cost me £120 with MD4. Sold the drive, as I don't like the weight now I'm middle aged.
Probably my favourite film camera, but it hardly gets used any more, curse the convenience of digital.
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
F3 phenomenal camera. owned one or two 15 yrs ago. Rugged, nice way to get into some good nikon glass, especially superwides. Or backup camera. Thanks.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Occasionally when reading Nikon F threads I get gas to own one of these good looking manual focus F's ... then I look at my beautiful OM-1 wearing it's 50mm f1.2 Zuiko and the urge goes away! 
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
All the silly talk, then Keith comes along and makes perfect sense!
Richard G
Veteran
I'm not so sure Keith. I meant to fix up my father's OM2n to give to my daughter for her 16th birthday. I wasn't organized enough so the day before her birthday I had to scour inner Melbourne for a suitable film camera. A built-in motor drive Canon nearly finished off the idea altogether. Then I saw a slightly scratched Nikon case and asked to see what was in it. A mint F3HP, very late model (2001). I added a 50 1.4 AIS and she is very happy. I fixed up the Olympus and now I am using an SLR for the first time. But I am really still in love with that Nikon. So solid. So beautiful. The concentrated mass of it feels more Leica-like to me than my OM2n.
gavinlg
Veteran
Nikon f3hp is my fave nikon by a massive margin. Such a cool camera.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I think the two cameras in question here are an interesting comparison!
As you said, the concentrated mass of the Nikon is impressive and it's looks are pretty macho IMO ... in the camera world it's a rugged handsome broadsword.
I see the the OM as a fine elegant rapier!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Congrates on your recent aquisition.
Last week I just got my third F3. Now I have a F3P; a F3HP and a F3 non-HP. Only two are rigged with motor drives. I don't find the F3 with MD-4 to be too much heavier than my F2AS and for all the hand held-available light photograpy the added weight steadies the camera IMHO.
The LED's of the F2AS and the meter I love, but the F3's all have less mirror bounce and superior damping, the film advance is more buttery, all in a smaller lighter package without sacrificing any durability.
There is a Nikon hand strap, AH-4, which I use with a neck strap. It prevents a sore neck and the ergonomics with or without a motor drive are wonderful. (With the MD-4 you have to use a AH-2 or AH-3 tripod base plate.) The only downsides are the can be hard to find and they are expensive. Made of real leather. Now I am spoiled.
The best of luck with a great camera.
BTW a F3 with a 24/2.0 AIS and a DA-2 action finder makes the ultimate point and shoot. Of course it has the AH-3 wrist grip. This is part of my justification for a third F3.
Calzone
Last week I just got my third F3. Now I have a F3P; a F3HP and a F3 non-HP. Only two are rigged with motor drives. I don't find the F3 with MD-4 to be too much heavier than my F2AS and for all the hand held-available light photograpy the added weight steadies the camera IMHO.
The LED's of the F2AS and the meter I love, but the F3's all have less mirror bounce and superior damping, the film advance is more buttery, all in a smaller lighter package without sacrificing any durability.
There is a Nikon hand strap, AH-4, which I use with a neck strap. It prevents a sore neck and the ergonomics with or without a motor drive are wonderful. (With the MD-4 you have to use a AH-2 or AH-3 tripod base plate.) The only downsides are the can be hard to find and they are expensive. Made of real leather. Now I am spoiled.
The best of luck with a great camera.
BTW a F3 with a 24/2.0 AIS and a DA-2 action finder makes the ultimate point and shoot. Of course it has the AH-3 wrist grip. This is part of my justification for a third F3.
Calzone
Tuolumne
Veteran
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Case? what? we're not talking about some fragile RF camera here ...
"Battletank":
Frank, are you going to find an MD4 for it? I used to laugh at the size of that thing, but once I've used it. I realized my mistake.... quickly.
"Battletank":
Frank, are you going to find an MD4 for it? I used to laugh at the size of that thing, but once I've used it. I realized my mistake.... quickly.
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FrankS
Registered User
Will,
The second F3 I'm looking at comes with an MD4, but I'm thinking to sell it off as well as the 28mm lens and Nikon flash in order to bring down the cost of the body. I'm not really into high speed sequence photography.
The second F3 I'm looking at comes with an MD4, but I'm thinking to sell it off as well as the 28mm lens and Nikon flash in order to bring down the cost of the body. I'm not really into high speed sequence photography.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Fully understand that.
I am not into high-speed stuff either
, but I kinda like the heft with the MD4 attached, and of course, that thing comes with the NiCad battery and charger, so it won't cost me too much in batteries.... plus my wife told me I look cool lugging the battletank around
Gumby
Veteran
I've been shooting aF-3 with MD-4 since 1981 or 82. Every once in a while I take the MD-4 off to lighten the load. Every time I have the same reaction... it iss lighter but I prefer the grip of the MD-4. So back on it goes.
The high-speed capability is certainly there, but I can honestly tell you that it isn't the primary benefit of the motordrive. I've played with "C" mode before but only without film. In all of these years I've not had the need for it either.
Re: batteries. It is surprising that the MD-4 doesn't really suck batteries dry. I get good battery life using DuraCell, etc. Never used rechargables, but generally carry a spare set of 8 AAs. THAT is where the weight of the MD-4 really is!
The high-speed capability is certainly there, but I can honestly tell you that it isn't the primary benefit of the motordrive. I've played with "C" mode before but only without film. In all of these years I've not had the need for it either.
Re: batteries. It is surprising that the MD-4 doesn't really suck batteries dry. I get good battery life using DuraCell, etc. Never used rechargables, but generally carry a spare set of 8 AAs. THAT is where the weight of the MD-4 really is!
Frank Petronio
Well-known
The non-HP F3 is a pretty nice compact camera, not much larger/heavier than an FM/FE but much better built.
I used to carry two F3HPs w motors; 24/2; 55/2.8 Macro; 85/1.4; 180/2.8 AIS lenses; and a FM-2n w a NPC Pola back; Vivitar 283; 20 rolls of film and twin pack of Pola... and a brick like 1989 cell phone (yikes!)
All in a Domke F2! Somehow it fit. Shoulder still has a groove and my back sways a bit to one side....
Foolishly sold it. I should still be using it if I had half a brain.
I used to carry two F3HPs w motors; 24/2; 55/2.8 Macro; 85/1.4; 180/2.8 AIS lenses; and a FM-2n w a NPC Pola back; Vivitar 283; 20 rolls of film and twin pack of Pola... and a brick like 1989 cell phone (yikes!)
All in a Domke F2! Somehow it fit. Shoulder still has a groove and my back sways a bit to one side....
Foolishly sold it. I should still be using it if I had half a brain.
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