Nikon F3 Tribute

[Calzone]

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

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I have an F3AF, still operational- but I do not use it with the DX-1.

And two F3HP's, among the last made.

 

[BSchall]

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]

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]

I have a F3 with a lot of accessories. It is still my favorite camera and I use it regularly.

 

[Calzone]

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

 

[Nikon Bob]

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

 

[Steve Bellayr]

1 F3hp. With careful selection of lenses is comparable to Leica.

 

[FrankS]

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]

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

 

[JayGannon]

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]

I LOVE my F3's

I LOVE my F3's

I use my F3/T with a Zeiss 50/1.4 ZF.2 and love it! Sure you can hear it a block away but who cares.

 

[ymc226]

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]

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.

 

[Nikon Bob]

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.

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]

Just sold mine. Also sold an FE2. It will be either RF(VC R4A) or auto focus from here on out.

 

[Pastor Chris]

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]

I never liked the F3. The FE2 bests it in every way that matters to me.

 

[FrankS]

Everyone has different tastebuds. That's okay.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I hate you guys.

I have an FE2 that i THOUGHT i was happy with, but now, who knows?