F3; expert advise, please

[Sparrow]

Well, it seems my nikkormat is no more, I'm told it's uneconomical to have it repaired.

So a replacement is needed and I've found an f3 in remarkable cosmetic condition, and working perfectly, a bit plastic inside for my liking but completely unmarked.

Now the question, is the foam on the f3 likely to be the same stuff that's on, and inside the nikkormat? if I buy the f3 am I heading for the same problems in a couple of years as the foam rots away deep inside the mechanism?

I don't mind replacing door and prism seals, it's internal ones that concern me.

 

[former member]

My 1983 Nikon F3HP seems perfectly good so far. You can get a much newer F3HP than that one. I'm not sure what's inside it, though. I've never opened it up.

I picked up an F3HP from KEH for under $100, SN puts it at 1996.

What happened to the Nikkormat?

 

[Gumby]

... a bit plastic inside for my liking ...

I don't understand this statement -- what is plastic? The internal parts that are suceptable to problems are the DRE and the LCD.

Re: foam... yes it is basically the same. No matter, foam only last so long. That should not be a major decision factor. The foam on my F3 needed replacement, but only after 20 years.

 

[Roger Vadim]

My F3 is from about '82 (that makes 27 years now...) and is still going strong, the foam on the mirror bumper needs replacement though... but no great deal.
No "plastic inside" as far as I know. To me the Nikon which comes next to a true Leica experience.
A stunning and truly great camera. Go for it.

 

[Sparrow]

My 1983 Nikon F3HP seems perfectly good so far. You can get a much newer F3HP than that one. I'm not sure what's inside it, though. I've never opened it up.

I picked up an F3HP from KEH for under $100, SN puts it at 1996.

What happened to the Nikkormat?

The mirror was sticking without a lens on the body for a while and the finder was full of dust off the decomposing foam, when I got sick of the dust I cleaned out the prism and replaced the seals.

When I put it back together it would only fire at f11 and 16 or if the lens was pointing down, beyond my skill level so I took it to the tech and 7 weeks later got the bad news, I'll pick it up later in the week and get the full story.

 

[shadowfox]

Stewart, I don't know if you had considered this:

If you switch to F3, your pre-AI lenses will only work in "DOF preview mode" metering. I had to do this for a while and it's not very fun.

I finally cave in and sent my two pre-AI Nikkor lenses to John White to be converted into AI.

The lenses came back last week and I've ran a test roll on it, but it's a world of difference in the way of shooting.

 

[Sparrow]

I don't understand this statement -- what is plastic? The internal parts that are suceptable to problems are the DRE and the LCD.

Re: foam... yes it is basically the same. No matter, foam only last so long. That should not be a major decision factor. The foam on my F3 needed replacement, but only after 20 years.

perhaps it just looked like plastic, I thought the inside of the film compartment, the sprocket and take-up spool were plastic

there are many types of foam-rubber some don't age, and they should use those, especially within the mechanism

 

[Steve Bellayr]

If foam needs replacement check with KEH very reasonable. I agree foam lasts about 20 years depending on where you live. John White? Please elucidate.

 

[Sparrow]

Stewart, I don't know if you had considered this:

If you switch to F3, your pre-AI lenses will only work in "DOF preview mode" metering. I had to do this for a while and it's not very fun.

I finally cave in and sent my two pre-AI Nikkor lenses to John White to be converted into AI.

The lenses came back last week and I've ran a test roll on it, but it's a world of difference in the way of shooting.

I only use it for the 105, I keep meaning to get a longer one to go with it.

this one, I'm fairly sure this is an AI one, yes?


the old Nik and 105 in happier times 🙁

 

[FrankS]

I think it is AI Stewart, because the metal tab at the rear of the lens looks like it has a hole on either side of the aperture arm engagement notch. (Not sure if that is the proper term.) Anyway, that is an indicator that it is an AI lens. Auto Indexing is performed by an extended ridge part way around the aperture dial, towards the camera body.

info here:
http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/007XKp
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm#ai
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html

 

[BillBingham2]

Go over the Nikonians.com and check there to get some interesting feedback. The F3 has proven itself (much to my surprise) to be as good as a Nikkormat in most respects. You might want to check out F2 (any model) or FTn if you like the feel of heavy metal. I myself prefer it but that's me.

B2

 

[BillBingham2]

BTW, there are folks who specializzze in Nikkormats.

Drop me a PM if you would like recomendations.

B2 (;->

 

[Sparrow]

I think it is AI Stewart, because the metal tab at the rear of the lens looks like it has a hole on either side of the aperture arm engagement notch. (Not sure if that is the proper term.) Anyway, that is an indicator that it is an AI lens. Auto Indexing is performed by an extended ridge part way around the aperture dial, towards the camera body.

info here:
http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/007XKp
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm#ai
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html

Thanks Frank, and yep it's defiantly an AI

 

[Sparrow]

BTW, there are folks who specializzze in Nikkormats.

Drop me a PM if you would like recomendations.

B2 (;->

I did think about an F or F2, but the F3, the one I was looking at anyway, seems such value for money, it's not like it's career move,

I just need it to support that lens and not need a repair for a few years. I'd be surprised if I put 15 rolls a year through it, just portraits

 

[Chris101]

... because the metal tab at the rear of the lens looks like it has a hole on either side of the aperture arm engagement notch. (Not sure if that is the proper term.)
...

I believe the proper term is "ears". One would say "It's AI because the ears have holes."

 

[FrankS]

Thanks, Chris.

 

[shadowfox]

I only use it for the 105, I keep meaning to get a longer one to go with it.

this one, I'm fairly sure this is an AI one, yes?


the old Nik and 105 in happier times 🙁

Yep, that one is okay.

I'm speaking from my own experience. I got a hold of two old pre-AI lenses and I like their results so much that I ended up sending them out to be modified into AI so I can use it on my F3 properly.

There are those who think that pre-AI lenses has that special quality (more elements, and heavy as a tank, those are the obvious ones 🙂 ) that makes them more desirable compared to those replacing them.

Personally, I've used a modern 35/2 AF Nikon and compared to the old pre-AI 35/2.8, I like the latter more.

 

[brachal]

My wife has used an F3 since '85 or so and never had a problem with it. She loves that camera.

I haven't used them but Lezot camera offers a Nikkormat restoration service for about $200 ... supposed to return the camera to "just left the factory" condition. Probably not economical, but maybe worth it if the camera has sentimental value. I also saw a BGN condition FTn at keh.com for $25 the other day. Hard to go wrong at that price.

 

[former member]

The mirror was sticking without a lens on the body for a while and the finder was full of dust off the decomposing foam, when I got sick of the dust I cleaned out the prism and replaced the seals.

When I put it back together it would only fire at f11 and 16 or if the lens was pointing down, beyond my skill level so I took it to the tech and 7 weeks later got the bad news, I'll pick it up later in the week and get the full story.

Firing only at F11 or F16: That does not make much sense! The camera would only work with the lens at F11 or F16? I wonder if a little squirt of Ronsonol in the actuator arm would help??? Can't make it worse.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I really like the F3. Not particularly the tiny LCD readout in the upper left of the finder, though. I've had a couple of them since they went on the market. Never had a problem with them.