Nikon F3 Tribute

[shimokita]

NPS - Nikon Professional Services (Japan) use to do a modification to the F3 where they added an on/off switch for the viewfinder light. I have seen it on a F3P, but I guess it could be done on other versions of the F3... Maybe "Kiitos" in Tokyo does the same modification ... have to check.

Casey

 

[menos]

I didn't use my F3 in a long time - checking up on it this morning turns out, I have to change gooey mirror damper (and the other foam as well) + it developed a strange effect, I am not sure yet:

When focussing, I see a strange double image around the sharp image in focus, not sure yet, where this comes from (finder or mirror ?).

Any hint, what could be the cause of this?


Nikon F3HP + coffee by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

[Uncle Bill]

I got two F3HPs, one with a motordrive and another without.

 

[Calzone]

What about some pics of the final battle setup, Cal?
Also, are you selling the 58 Noct?

I'll try and have one on my fellow camera nerds from the NYC Meet-Up take a digital shot and post it. After nearly 24 years of use I can say I really bonded with this particular F3P. At this point it has become part of me, and the camera has mojo. Over the decades it has taken mucho good photographs.

I'll be sure to also have some shots taken of my F3P with the MD-4 and Noct-Nikkor mounted. This setup is largely responsible to why my right arm is more highly developed because the AH-4 hand strap always kept the camera in my right hand.

For low light the Noct-Nikkor and 75 Lux were it for many years, but I ordered a Leica Monochrome and I am going to have to shed the Noct-Nikkor. The MM will be my high ISO low light rig, and I imagine it will become my dream camera, especially for a lucky guy like me who not only lives in NYC, but also Madhattan. The black 50 Lux ASPH is a spare because I upgraded to the extra heavy chromed brass version that almost weighs as much as my 75 Lux.

The Noct-Nikkor is a very unique lens with a very distinct signature, very-very smooth OOF, and pretty bokeh. Its really optimized for the first four F-stops IMHO, and wide open you do not get the light fall off in the corners like a Noctilux.

There is this dreamy softening of the focus in the corners instead that makes the Noct-Nikkor a great-great portrait lens. I once owned a Nikon 105/2.5 AIS and the 105/1.8 AIS and I sold both because the Noct-Nikkor worked so well as a portrait lens. Also because of the close focus abilities the Noct-Nikkor offered many more possibilities as far as exploring its versitility. The Noct-Nikkor easily became the go to lens and almost seemed like the lens was permanently mounted to my camera since I owned it.

I know I will be sorry, but I think the Leica Monochrome is the perfect camera for a B&W shooter like me. It is as if Leica especially designed the MM especially for me. I think it will be my dream camera.

Cal

 

[mfogiel]

I have bought two F3's, both with MD4. the second one was NEVER USED. It had a plastic wrap on the shutter. I just can't believe, how good these cameras are for so little money. I use them mostly for portraiture, because I have been able to combine different screens with different lenses I have, and finally I can shoot my lenses wide open with confidence. The feel they give you, when you shoot with MD4 is comparable to using a 1898 Mauser. when I think, that nowadays people pay 20 times the price for a piece of plastic with disposable circuitry, like a D800, it makes me laugh.

 

[jwicaksana]

Cal, thanks for making me drool over the Noct hahaha..
Never saw one in life though, I only see it on reviews and such.
I own a 55 1.2 pre AI, and I find it suitable for BW rendering. Used in color, I have to do a lot of post processing to get the look I wanted. But that was before, I never tried to do anything too much with my PP, I take it each lens has its own signature, right?

 

[menos]

Cal, I am sure, you will just love the MM!

… but regarding selling the Noct-Nikkor - don't do it, really don't!

There is not other such lens than the Noct - you described it perfectly - it is an absolutely unique lens, never been challenged by any other lens around.

I don't shoot my Nikon SLRs except for long lens usage with motorsports.
Even though, I swore to myself, never to sell the Noct.

I still hope for the day, when Nikon makes the ideal digital camera, to shoot the Noct again, that lets me focus it as fast, as a Noctilux on a Leica M.

I really wish for a Nikon F in digital form (or better a FM3a sized body with a laaaarge viewfinder, as the F3HP finder and exchangeable screens).

I tried out every Nikon DSLR since the Nikon D3 and didn't like any of them, to use the Noct with - the Nikon F3HP really is still the best body, to use this lens on (with a full matte H2 screen).

You shouldn't sell the Noct.

 

[Calzone]

Cal, I am sure, you will just love the MM!

… but regarding selling the Noct-Nikkor - don't do it, really don't!

There is not other such lens than the Noct - you described it perfectly - it is an absolutely unique lens, never been challenged by any other lens around.

I don't shoot my Nikon SLRs except for long lens usage with motorsports.
Even though, I swore to myself, never to sell the Noct.

I still hope for the day, when Nikon makes the ideal digital camera, to shoot the Noct again, that lets me focus it as fast, as a Noctilux on a Leica M.

I really wish for a Nikon F in digital form (or better a FM3a sized body with a laaaarge viewfinder, as the F3HP finder and exchangeable screens).

I tried out every Nikon DSLR since the Nikon D3 and didn't like any of them, to use the Noct with - the Nikon F3HP really is still the best body, to use this lens on (with a full matte H2 screen).

You shouldn't sell the Noct.

Dirk,

Thanks for your advice. It is well taken. The F3P already has been optimized for use with the Noct-Nikkor, and you are right I will definitely have seller's remorse.

I think my friends at RFF forum have me profiled as the sometimes crazy passionate type. Thanks for looking out for my best interests.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

NPS - Nikon Professional Services (Japan) use to do a modification to the F3 where they added an on/off switch for the viewfinder light. I have seen it on a F3P, but I guess it could be done on other versions of the F3... Maybe "Kiitos" in Tokyo does the same modification ... have to check.

Casey

Casey,

Thanks for the post. The battery drain without the MD-4 is kind of excessive, but batteries are cheap. Even during the day the added light makes the LCD easy to read, but originally I performed the mod for use with the Noct-Nikkor at night.

Cal

 

[hamradio]

 

[Paulbe]

hamradio--nice kit!
What is that strap?
Looks very well made.
Thanks!
Paul--W9PR

 

[hamradio]

Paul-

Thanks! As far as the strap goes, I make and sew them myself. I had been seeking a strap like that for a while, was unable to find something, so I made my own. It's evolved to a couple different varieties, which I sell one or two of every now and then.

Devan
(kc0kbh)

 

[Chris Lange]

I have an F3 (non HP) with an MD4 which I bought when I was living in Helsinki at the age of 17. It used to belong to a Finnish photojournalist, according to the very nice old man who owned E-P Kamera in the center of Helsinki. It had been in his shop for a while, and the motordrive was missing a lot of paint. I wouldn't change the way it looks for the world, and I've beat it up even more.

My other F3 is an F3/T that one of my professors gave me. He had switched to digital for his own work, and decided to bestow his former kit on me, a black F3/T, 35/1.4 Ai-S, and 105/1.8 Ai-S. All in fabulous condition, although I've taken a decent amount of paint off the body by now.

They're my favorite 35mm SLRs as far as versatility and ease of use goes. I have an F4 that I love, but I use it more in the studio, or with flash. The F3s are for prowling the streets late at night.

 

[agoglanian]

I had picked up an MD-4 for my F3, snagged it for $9 from KEH and it works perfectly haha, but I just never seem to use it. The F3 really feels perfect in the hand with it mounted, but I just like how compact it is without it. I've been tooling about with the Hexar AF on one shoulder and my F3 with a 50 f/2 on the other shoulder and that's worked quite nicely for me. I did eventually wind up getting an AI 50mm f/2 so I could compare to my older H type and I think I like the newer one better. Not really sure why yet.

I do love this camera though, the film advance lever is just SOOOO buttery. Love it.

 

[Calzone]

I did eventually wind up getting an AI 50mm f/2 so I could compare to my older H type and I think I like the newer one better. Not really sure why yet.

I do love this camera though, the film advance lever is just SOOOO buttery. Love it.

The newer lens has better Multicoating. Also know that over the decades there were constant improvements.

Cal

 

[nobbylon]

As far as I'm aware all the 50 f2 had the same optical formula. I've had H, HC, K series and the last AI and they were all the same. Super sharp and a quality lens. The difference from the multicoated, ie the H.C, the K and the AI from the original H lens was the colour produced. I shot all on both film and FX digital and the H lens always produced a warmer result. The other 3 were identical.
I sold them all apart from the original H.

 

[Lord Nikon]

Cal was kind enough to bring his 58F1.2 and his (very cool) F3p to the NYC area meet a couple weeks ago. I snapped some pics of his camera.

All of these were shot with the Nikon 58F1/2

The following photo was taken with my Ricoh GRD-IV

A few taken with the very impressive Noct Nikkor wide open, or close enough to wide open for our purposes.

Ok, so I like to buy stuff over the internet. Far too many people with no clue like to post FS ads clearly shot at F2.8. This was shot at F1.2, so my sale is better than yours.

You're selling a Leica 75F1.4, you can clearly afford a tripod and F11...

I like how this has a very very "toy car" look, but without the obvious banding of the instacrap joke.

Ooh, its also a BMW 2002.

Another one taken with the Ricoh GRD-4. I think its pretty sexy.

 

[JuJu]

Ari, here's the shot from my side of the table. I bugged Cal to bring his Noct Nikkor to the next meet up again, so I can try it on my D600 :angel:

 

[mw_uio]

Lord Nikon - where did you obtain your F3 grip? Very cool looking!

Mark
Quito, EC

 

[menos]

Refreshing to see some faces ;-)
Cal's F3-P looks sweet indeed!

The Noct rendering is famous - the way it does colours and how it renders from in focus to out of focus areas is simply unique - love that lens for that.

Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Anyone of you guys has a tip, where to buy online proper material for renewing the mirror damper and light seals on my F3 ?