Nikon F3 Tribute

Pastor Chris said:
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.
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You need to 'add heft' to an F3 with that gigantic motor drive? Seriously? 😱
 
JSU said:
Thirty years ago I only used F3's with motor drives. Only in the last couple of weeks have I realized how well the camera handles without the MD-4.
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I agree, the F3 by itself is a wonderful camera. Its actually pretty compact. Bigger than the really little ones like the Olympus OM cameras but smaller than the plasticky motorized computerized monstrosities that dominated the 35mm SLR world in the late 80s till now (where that ethos still prevails in the digital SLRs made now).

I gave my digital SLR to my son since I rarely touched it, and he never uses most of the lenses I have for Nikon since he mostly uses the 50mm Sigma macro lens I had for it. So, I got an F3 to shoot with my Nikon lenses. I like it a lot, though I agree with those who hate the metering display in the finder. It sucks. I have an F4 I got new in high school, and it has a nice finder but I can't stand carrying that heavy thing.
 
Bought one for my daughter for her 16th birthday. F3HP with AIS 50 1.4. Serial number 1997....so very late, mint condition. I've been allowed to hold it but I've never been allowed to use it.
 
I bought a mint second hand 2002 F3HP, never used and boxed. First thing I did was replace the prisim with the DE-2 (non-HP), a P-focus screen and added a small anodised grip. The extra magnification of the DE-2 I find is much better, and that smaller prism allows the body to fit into bags much better.

For lenses I have the VC 40mm f/2 version 1 & 75mm f/2.5, Nikkor 15mm f/3.5, 20mm f/2.8 & 85 f/1.4 - all are AIS. I tend to always use the rangefinders so it doesnt get a lot of work. If it did I might even consider one of the Zeiss 35mm lenses
 
My F3HP press edition's serial no. is P9022381. Any idea when it was made? Recently got it 2nd hand, but it looks virtually unused. It shares slr duty with an FE2, 2 F4s, and a brace of Canon A1s.

It really is a lovely camera, especially with the MD4 attached.
 
JayGannon said:
I love my F3 (Non HP) but have been told I should try the HP viewfinder as I wear glasses, what does RFF think.
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Jay,

I also wear glasses, and I have both HP and non HP finders. The non HP finder besides having a lower profile also has a higher magnification. For critical focus, especially notacible under dim lighting conditions the non HP finder offers higher contrast for more acurate focusing. This is why I use the non HP finder with my 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor. For low light/ shallow DOF work you have the best finder IMHO.

The HP finder is kinda like when you project slides from a further distance; the image is projected larger, but the contrast and colors become diluted and slightly more washed out.

On my third F3 I use a DA-2 Action Finder. With the huge image in the viewfinder the focus becomes vauge; but since I have a 24/2.0 AIS permanently mounted, and I scale focus, this camera, even though its a SLR is used like a point and shoot. I call this rig my "Street Machine." Here in NYC. I have no problem getting close to my subject because of all the crowding.

I use to also own two F2AS's that were great examples of a savagely overbuilt all mechanical cameras. The body alone weighed about as much as a F3 with motordrive WITHOUT BATTERIES. I loved the highly sensitive LED metering, but the mirror slap, shutter release that required a firm push, and the need for service led me to sell the F2AS's. IMHO the F3's have a smoother shutter, smoother film advance, lighter shutter release, and overall better durability. I chose not to pay to get them serviced and decided to move on.

Also because the metering is in the body in a F3 the viewfinder is brighter in a F3 non HP than a F2 (Magnification is the same in these two finders). This is another reason I sold my two F2AS's.

I'm thinking of getting another F3 body with MD-4 because they are so inexpensive. I will have it modified so that the light switch is always closed to be used for shooting exclusively at night. The severe battery drain is not an issue because power is supplied by the MD-4. This will intergrate nicely with the current activation of the meter with the shutter release.

Cal
 
reubelim said:
My F3HP press edition's serial no. is P9022381. Any idea when it was made? Recently got it 2nd hand, but it looks virtually unused. It shares slr duty with an FE2, 2 F4s, and a brace of Canon A1s.

It really is a lovely camera, especially with the MD4 attached.
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Check the CameraQuest link. Stephen has an article on the F3P. As I remember F3P's were only available for about 5 years and initially for the first three years or so F3P's were only available to pro's with Press Credentials.

Moose Peterson's book "The Nikon System" can give you an accurate date of manufacture. Prices on F3P's are all over the place. Currently B&H has one for around $600.00, but minty collectable ones go for thousands.

My F3P is nicely brassed, but not hammered. Very aggressive and tough looking. Funny thing is that in NYC over the years I've seen very few F3's on the street, although when I did see them it was generally one photographer carrying two F3's. Haven't seen anyone else but me carry either one or two F3's with motordrives. Its not a subtle camera and is not descrete like a Leica.

Cal
 
Calzone said:
Check the CameraQuest link. Stephen has an article on the F3P. As I remember F3P's were only available for about 5 years and initially for the first three years or so F3P's were only available to pro's with Press Credentials.

Moose Peterson's book "The Nikon System" can give you an accurate date of manufacture. Prices on F3P's are all over the place. Currently B&H has one for around $600.00, but minty collectable ones go for thousands.

My F3P is nicely brassed, but not hammered. Very aggressive and tough looking. Funny thing is that in NYC over the years I've seen very few F3's on the street, although when I did see them it was generally one photographer carrying two F3's. Haven't seen anyone else but me carry either one or two F3's with motordrives. Its not a subtle camera and is not descrete like a Leica.

Cal
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Wow, I didn't know the press editions were so dear! Mine came with the MD4 and the film-leader-out back. It really looks virtually unused save for a tiny dent in the memo holder. Got it for a song. Actually, even, for just a stanza...
 
F3 rocks.

A lot of FM2s and FEs came and gone through trading, but I hung on to one F3. Beat up, but working flawlessly, just the way I like it.

It shares lenses with the Fuji S3 that I got for cheap:

Nikon AF 24/2.8
Leica Telyt 200mm + Adapter
Ai'd Nikkor-S and Nikkor-Q

And when I want attendees to know that I'm covering the event, I just switch on the "Battleaxe-mode" 😀 :

3216674580_e271e312aa.jpg
 
shadowfox said:
And when I want attendees to know that I'm covering the event, I just switch on the "Battleaxe-mode" 😀 :

3216674580_e271e312aa.jpg
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Clearly a deadly weapon that commands attention, especially with a hand strap I rigged together with a modded AH-2 tripod base plate.

Its a camera... its a blackjack... its a pair of brass knuckles...

Also loud and obnoxious in a very New York kinda way. LOL.

Cal
 
Oh guys, you crack me up!
Cal, you really mouth watered the F3 to me!

A nice, black FM3a has brought me to film a bit over a year ago - I never liked the tiny viewfinder much, especially after having to revert to left eye shooting with fast glass.
I like the MD12 though, when being loud is not an issue.

I like, to use the Leicas a lot better, but now, that I got that Noct and it is so much easier to focus on a MF film body, I lust after a few F3s in different outfits - IS THAT NORMAL - lust after a few of the same bodies?

The bad thing is, they go a lot more expensive here in Shanghai and do not particularly look very trustful, half beaten up for high prices.

@ Will, love that "Battleaxe" of yours ;-)
 
menos said:
Oh guys, you crack me up!
Cal, you really mouth watered the F3 to me!

A nice, black FM3a has brought me to film a bit over a year ago - I never liked the tiny viewfinder much, especially after having to revert to left eye shooting with fast glass.
I like the MD12 though, when being loud is not an issue.

I like, to use the Leicas a lot better, but now, that I got that Noct and it is so much easier to focus on a MF film body, I lust after a few F3s in different outfits - IS THAT NORMAL - lust after a few of the same bodies?

The bad thing is, they go a lot more expensive here in Shanghai and do not particularly look very trustful, half beaten up for high prices.

@ Will, love that "Battleaxe" of yours ;-)
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Dirk,

Come to New York and load up the truck with F3's. $185.00- $200 will get you a clean one at B&H or Adorama, and they have a huge selection. For about $240.00 get one with a MD-4 motordrive. Very handy for a left eyed shooter like yourself. I'm thinking of getting two more bodies so that I won't have to ever change lenses. How spoiled and entitled is that? LOL.

BTW I figured out a name for my F3 non HP Noct-Nikkor rig. I now will call it my Subway Rig. I've been shooting HP5 shot at 320 wide open. The shots happen so fast that I know the people around me know I took a picture, but they wonder what I shot. The prelude to shooting is metering off the back of my hand, but generally I'm always ready for a shot.

It takes a certain personality to get away with what I do. I've never been challenged or confronted BTW.

I find the MD-4 steadys the camera and negates any mirror slap. I favor the HR-2 rubber hood for the Noct-Nikkor- looks awesome.

Your other thread with your Noctilux also has me shooting Pan F at 50 wide open. The back that leaves the leader out comes in handy BTW when shooting partially exposed rolls of film. Highly recomended.

Cal
 
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About two years ago I bought a F3HP and a 2nd FM2 to complement my existing FM2. The plan was to try the F3HP and see how I liked it, and to pair the 2nd FM2 with the one I bought back in '86. My wife claimed the 2nd FM2 as soon as it came in.

I love the feel of the F3HP. Mine looks like it has been through a warzone, but it works like a champ. It is amazingly smooth compared to my FM2. Having said that, I tend to prefer the FM2 for two reasons, one is the size, and the other is I prefer the LED meter readout. I don't care for the LCD in the F3.

I figured I'd pretty much retire my FM2 and F3 once I got the Leica M6 TTL, but this last weekend I was out shooting with the F3HP as it seemed the better fit for what I was doing. While it is a MF camera, I use a lot of AF lenses on it, but do have a MF 50mm f/1.4 and a 135mm f/2.8 from the early 60's that has been AI'd. Later today I plan to pick up two of the rolls of Velvia 50 I shot on Sunday with the camera, and I can't wait to see the results, as it was my first time shooting with a 24mm lens. 🙂

If I were to find one for the right price, I would pick up a FE2 or FM3a. I'd also like to eventually add a different finder to the F3 for Macro work.
 
healyzh said:
I tend to prefer the FM2 for two reasons, one is the size, and the other is I prefer the LED meter readout. I don't care for the LCD in the F3.
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I loved the meter on a Nikon F2AS (LED) which is kinda unbeatable are far as sensitivity is concerned. Another bonus of the F2AS meter is that the shutter speeds are infinately variable where as in the F3 they are not unless in auto mode, but the metering pattern is only 60% center weighted on the F2 vs. the 80% center weighting on the F3.

The light to view the LCD display under dim lighting conditions has very bad ergonomics, but a work around is to have the swithch shorted by a repaiman so that the light comes on anytime the meter is activated. Do this only on a F3 that has a dedicated MD-4 because the battery drain otherwise is too severe.

I figure F3 bodies are so inexpensive that I am considering getting a fourth one to do the above modification as my "Night Stalker."

Cal
 
I prefer my Leica or my FM2 for low-light photography, so the LCD light isn't a huge issue for me. Besides I quite honestly wouldn't want to have to use the motor drive on the F3.
 
Calzone said:
The light to view the LCD display under dim lighting conditions has very bad ergonomics,
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The entire LCD is the weak point in the F3 ergonomics - the more so compared to its predecessors (dual match needle on the FE, mechanical time display plus LED or match needle on FM, F2) which conveyed the same information in a far neater, more reliable and legible way. The LCD got used in a more sensible way in the F4, but even there it still is somewhat cryptic and the Achilles heel of the camera.

Sevo
 
I've had my F3HP since I bought it new in 1986. It's a fantastic camera, even with the dookie meter display and everything. Speaking of the meter, it does a fantastic job with really, really long exposures. Set it on "A" and even with transparencies I was confident the shot would be good.

Here's mine, with my usual lens (28mm) of the last twenty years or so:
Nikon F3 And 28mm f/2.8 Nikkor Lens, January, 2010 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr

In action with the 105:
Maggie, Lincoln, Nebraska, May 11, 2010 by Michael Berch, on Flickr
 
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