dimitris
Established
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?
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
Member
Have you put a new battery into it? I only ask because you did not say one way or the other.
Bob
Bob
newsgrunt
Well-known
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
Established
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
Well-known
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 ?
edit: just saw that you get no metering. how about the light ?
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Bob W
Member
Is the camera switched on? There is a switch at the base of the shutter release and film advance.
Bob
Bob
dimitris
Established
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.
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.
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newsgrunt
Well-known
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
Dinosaur
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
Well-known
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.
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dimitris
Established
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
Well-known
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
Well-known
could be. do you have a battery tester ? got a friend with known good batteries that will work ?
Beemermark
Veteran
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
Member
Yes it is easy to forget about this switch.
Bob
Bob
dimitris
Established
I don't have a motordrive. I have switched the camera on and I have used 2 new sets of batteries.
Fred Burton
Well-known
Have you advanced the camera to frame one? The meter doesn't work until the counter reaches frame 1.
dimitris
Established
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!