Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Been looking through 15 pages here and see little mention of the durable F3. Who here shoots a Nikon F3?
I own only three. Currently my favorite every-day-carry is a Non HP with a Md-4 motordrive, AH-4 handstrap, with a 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor mounted.
I live in NYC and perhaps carrying this rig is kinda loud, but I love the fast focus for street and the bright-bright viewfinder. Been shooting Pan F at 50 almost always wide open.
Generally I take the subway one stop to Madhattan and walk from 53rd and Third to 72d and York on my way to work. Today I emptied a new roll by the time I got to the 59th Street Bridge. Oh what fun. Very easy to shoot because its always ready.
BTW this rig is as aggressive as it is big. Kinda like carrying a lethal weapon in plain sight.
Cal
I own only three. Currently my favorite every-day-carry is a Non HP with a Md-4 motordrive, AH-4 handstrap, with a 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor mounted.
I live in NYC and perhaps carrying this rig is kinda loud, but I love the fast focus for street and the bright-bright viewfinder. Been shooting Pan F at 50 almost always wide open.
Generally I take the subway one stop to Madhattan and walk from 53rd and Third to 72d and York on my way to work. Today I emptied a new roll by the time I got to the 59th Street Bridge. Oh what fun. Very easy to shoot because its always ready.
BTW this rig is as aggressive as it is big. Kinda like carrying a lethal weapon in plain sight.
Cal
I have an F3AF, still operational- but I do not use it with the DX-1.
And two F3HP's, among the last made.
And two F3HP's, among the last made.
BSchall
Established
I had a F3, wonderful camera and so smooth. But I sold it and bought a F4. Still use my manual focus lenses but now have matrix metering. And the meter read out in the F3 just bothered the heck out of me.
FrankS
Registered User
F3 user here too. I have 3 of them. I gave a 4th to my daughter. They seem to be selling at or just under $200 these days on eBay. What a deal for what you get. The only other camera that I have 3 of is the OM1.
MRohlfing
Well-known
I have a F3 with a lot of accessories. It is still my favorite camera and I use it regularly.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Ball bearings for the film advance add a certain smoothness. The non Hp viewfinder has a higher magnification so it helps with critical focus over my HP versions.
I bought my Non HP with MD-4 for $185.00 in excelent condtion at Adorama about a year ago. Because they are so durable they seem to have flooded the market. Unbelievable how cheaply a Nikon Pro camera can sell for.
I replaced all the foam seals myself.
My F3P was a real press camera for the newspaper "Newsday." I bought it after it recieved a total overhaul, after it came back from Operation Desert Storm. The brassing is awesome. It was my first F3. Came with an E screen. A 105/1.8 AIS is permanently mounted.
Cal
I bought my Non HP with MD-4 for $185.00 in excelent condtion at Adorama about a year ago. Because they are so durable they seem to have flooded the market. Unbelievable how cheaply a Nikon Pro camera can sell for.
I replaced all the foam seals myself.
My F3P was a real press camera for the newspaper "Newsday." I bought it after it recieved a total overhaul, after it came back from Operation Desert Storm. The brassing is awesome. It was my first F3. Came with an E screen. A 105/1.8 AIS is permanently mounted.
Cal
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
I have a couple kicking around and have used them. The only thing that bugs me is having to turn it on/off. That was coming from the FM/FE family where you simply pulled the wind lever to the stand off position for the same result. Nice finder too.
Bob
Bob
Steve Bellayr
Veteran
1 F3hp. With careful selection of lenses is comparable to Leica.
FrankS
Registered User
The F3 on/off switch is a weak point and sometimes breaks. I leave mine on all the time. The meter times off so there is no battery drain.
mw_uio
Well-known
Greetings, I have two F3hp's and one MD-4 and a waist level view finder!
I bought my 1st F3 in 2004. I love this camera with the waist level viewfinder, it is small stealth like, and keeps going! It is just great fun shooting this camera!
Cheers
Mark,
Quito [UIO], Ecuador
I bought my 1st F3 in 2004. I love this camera with the waist level viewfinder, it is small stealth like, and keeps going! It is just great fun shooting this camera!
Cheers
Mark,
Quito [UIO], Ecuador
JayGannon
Well-known
I love my F3 (Non HP) but have been told I should try the HP viewfinder as I wear glasses, what does RFF think.
mllanos1111
Well-known
ymc226
Well-known
I started my photo B&W hobby with a F3, still have 6 (5 that I don't touch including 2 F3HP black in mint condition, 1 F3HP/T black mint and 1 F3HP/T champagne mint). The 6th is a user HP that is still going strong with its motor drive. Captured alot of good shots of my son playing hockey (he was around 10)
gavinlg
Veteran
I love the f3 - particularly the f3hp. Lovely looks, smooth as hell, simple and so tough. I like it so much more than the often highly rated fm2n.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
True, but if you dump it into a camera bag and something holds the shutter button down you could be in for a surprise. Anyway it is a small niggle that takes some getting used to.
Bob
tomnrides
Established
Just sold mine. Also sold an FE2. It will be either RF(VC R4A) or auto focus from here on out.
Pastor Chris
Well-known
I have an F3HP with MD4 and a tripod centering plate just to add the needed "heft". I usually have a Nikkor 50mm 1.4 AIS lens mounted. Overall it is inelegant, brutish, loud, and borderline anti-social; all reasons why I love it. It is perhaps the anti-barnack camera and, as such, has it's place. It also happens to take wonderful photos.
Mister E
Well-known
I never liked the F3. The FE2 bests it in every way that matters to me.
FrankS
Registered User
Everyone has different tastebuds. That's okay.
CK Dexter Haven
Well-known
I hate you guys.
I have an FE2 that i THOUGHT i was happy with, but now, who knows?
I have an FE2 that i THOUGHT i was happy with, but now, who knows?