F3hp help!

[dimitris]

Hello,

My F3hp stopped working last week. I haven't used it for 3 years and was perfectly fine before then. I must admit I haven't been giving it a workout lately after I built up a digital setup. However ever since I have been here I tried going back and shoot some film last week. Unfortunately I don't get any metering or any speeds. The only way to make the shutter move is by using the manual speed lever. Any ideas or is my F3 fried?

 

[Bob W]

Have you put a new battery into it? I only ask because you did not say one way or the other.

Bob

 

[newsgrunt]

asking the obvious but the batteries are ok and the contacts in the battery compartment are clean ? I have an F3p that sees infrequent useage with no ill effects.

 

[dimitris]

Sorry, forgot to mention. I tried 2 new different sets of batteries but in vain. I tried a pair of LR44 and CR-1/3N but none worked. Both are supposed to be compatible with the F3. Anyone any ideas or can you check your batteries?

 

[newsgrunt]

are you getting any info display in the viewfinder ? does the aperture light work ? these could help indicate if you even have power going to the camera. maybe try cleaning the battery contacts and try again. I've got at least a three or four year old CR-1/3N in mine.

edit: just saw that you get no metering. how about the light ?

 

[Bob W]

Is the camera switched on? There is a switch at the base of the shutter release and film advance.

Bob

 

[dimitris]

Unfortunately no metering and no light from the red button at the viewfinder. Also i am using the button at the shutter release. It has been my camera for 5 years so I know the thing inside out. It looks like it has no power but no idea what else to try. Also I tried cleaning the contacts with swabs and alcohol but didn't help.

 

[newsgrunt]

you're not getting power so I would try cleaning the contacts first and go from there. never heard of this problem before with f3's.

 

[Bijesh]

Is the camera switched on? There is a switch at the base of the shutter release and film advance.

Bob

This is what happened for me when I used my F3 after a long time. Forgot that there is a switch, and was cleaning the battery contacts again and again.

 

[dnk512]

Are the batteries fresh? They do have a limited self life. If you can, test the batteries with a volt meter or another body. I hope it is the batteries or the switch ON lever at the winder. I recall folks claiming that it is easy for that switch to go bad.

 

[dimitris]

Hmm i tried cleaning the contacts but that didn't work either. I don't know what else to try. Could it be that my new bought batteries are bad?

 

[dnk512]

Oh one more thing: The FM2 does not meter when shutter is set to 'B'. Gives the feeling that the batteries are dead. I do not have my F3 near to test that with it.

 

[newsgrunt]

could be. do you have a battery tester ? got a friend with known good batteries that will work ?

 

[Beemermark]

Is the motor drive attached? With the motor drive attached the batteries in the camera bodies are bypassed. Other than that it sounds like an internal corrosion problem preventing a completed circuit.

 

[Bob W]

Yes it is easy to forget about this switch.

Bob

 

[dimitris]

I don't have a motordrive. I have switched the camera on and I have used 2 new sets of batteries.

 

[Fred Burton]

Have you advanced the camera to frame one? The meter doesn't work until the counter reaches frame 1.

 

[dimitris]

Wooo hooo! I checked the online manual and it turns out I had the batteries in the wrong way. Also one of the brand new batteries i bought didnt work! Now I am ready to burn some film after so many years!

 

[mw_uio]

In the past, when I have changed the batteries, I have installed them incorrectly, could this be the case with your F3?

Mark
UIO

 

[mw_uio]

dimitris, good stuff! Glad you are ok now!
MArk
UIO