Got an F3 again !

[_goodtimez]

I got my first F3 for the Gulf war in 91, I was an active participant at that time and I used my M6, my F4s and a newly acquired F3 at that time.
I used that camera later on with a lot of pleasure during several trips in the USA.
I had to sell it a few years later because I needed cash.
Today I bought one again ! I love this camera and I am really longing for it to arrive through the postal services.
This is a later model S/N 19700320 and it looks in pretty fine condition.


Joan's F3 by Wegothim, on Flickr

 

[Mark C]

That looks lovely. I've been thinking of one of these again. I started on Nikkormats and F's, then F2's at newspapers. Missed the F3 entirely but had some FE's and an FA.

I finally tried an F3 when an heavily used ex-newspaper body with motor showed up for next to nothing. I liked it, but it was not really set up to my liking and not worth putting money into. Right now I only have F's, but I'd like to find a nice body like that without motor and give it a try.

Really though, I have too much other gear, so probably won't ever do it, but fun to think about.

 

[Thardy]

Very nice looking camera. I was seriously looking at those a few weeks ago. This just brings up that feeling again.

 

[Paulbe]

Wow! That's a beauty! You will really enjoy it.
Thanks for posting.
Paul

 

[B-9]

The F3 is a real great camera, find a nice action finder or waist-finder and you've got a quick rig for snapshotting.

A great compliment to a rangefinder kit, enjoy your new camera!

 

[nikon_sam]

The F3 feels different than all the others...

 

[Roger Hicks]

Great! You now have the 3rd best Nikon.

Now you can work up towards an F2 and then an F...

Cheers,

R.

 

[presspass]

You may have already tried this with your earlier F-3, but adding a motor makes it a whole different camera. The motor powers the camera, so no need for button batteries. It also makes the camera easier to hold with larger lenses. On the down side, it adds considerable weight and bulk. I have three, all with motors, and when I'm in an SLR mood, take all three with prime lenses. Heavy, hard on my shoulders, and worth every bit of the weight.

 

[Barnackdriver]

Great! You now have the 3rd best Nikon. Now you can work up towards an F2 and then an F... Cheers, R.

You made me smile Roger, as I was thinking the same thing.

 

[Stuart John]

Looks great, I wouldn't mind an F3 myself one day.

 

[Roger Hicks]

You made me smile Roger, as I was thinking the same thing.

Good. I'd hate for a comment like that to be taken too seriously!

Cheers,

R.

 

[mllanos1111]

Love mine and it's always with me

 

[z.bruce.li]

After I saw the Nikon DF, I went out and bought a F3 instead.

 

[willie_901]

This looks to be an excellent example. Congratulations.


I enjoyed both F3s I owned. When I returned to photography in 2005, I started with the F3.

Have fun!

 

[Rangefinder 35]

I got one as well, about a month ago. Doesn't look like it was ever used. Came with a brown leather everready case. $185 all. I'm more used to F5 sophisticated metering, but I'll keep it as a light backup for F5. Balances well with CZ ZF lenses...

 

[rbsinto]

Great! You now have the 3rd best Nikon.

Now you can work up towards an F2 and then an F...

Cheers,

R.

Third-best????
Close but no cigar.
Perhaps fourth best among the manual focus film bodies, because in my opinion the FA is also a better camera than the F3, lacking only the F3's industrial-strength build.
And had Nikon built the FA to that same professional standard as the big-F bodies, it easily could have been the the successor to the F2.

 

[mw_uio]

Goodtimes, you scored on the late serial number!
What is your lens set up?

Cheers,
Mark.

 

[Pete B]

Good times, goodtimes.
Pete

 

[Paulbe]

Roger--sorry, Dude--I love your books--but the F3 is MUCH easier to handle than an F..
I mean you know--what do you do with the back of the F when you are...F2--maybe.
Thanks to you and Frances for some great books...
Paul

 

[Frank Petronio]

After I saw the Nikon DF, I went out and bought a F3 instead.

;-)

The F3 is simply the best of the manual Nikon bodies, not much larger or heavier but way better built than the popular FM/FE series (which often sell for higher prices than the F3 which is silly).