Joe AC
Well-known
Cal, I saw the pics and have to say that F2 is just as sexy as the F3.
I'm on the hunt.
Thanks
Joe
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
nobbylon
Veteran
Attention F3 users. I have a 1980 F3 which seemed to be having the dreaded LCD fade.
Out taking some pics today I noticed the cross bars in the 2's and 5's missing and the last digit of 1000 and 2000 gone with everything else a bit more faded.
Last night I remembered
a/ changing the ASA and
b/ moving the exposure compensation dial +1 stop and then returning it to zero
I've just got back and changed the ASA around a bit, no effect however after exercising the compensation mechanism around the rewind....hey presto, all the digits work and are back to full strength!
If you have one doing the same it may just help doing the above.
Out taking some pics today I noticed the cross bars in the 2's and 5's missing and the last digit of 1000 and 2000 gone with everything else a bit more faded.
Last night I remembered
a/ changing the ASA and
b/ moving the exposure compensation dial +1 stop and then returning it to zero
I've just got back and changed the ASA around a bit, no effect however after exercising the compensation mechanism around the rewind....hey presto, all the digits work and are back to full strength!
If you have one doing the same it may just help doing the above.
mw_uio
Well-known
Nikon USA service F3?
Nikon USA service F3?
For those F3 owners living in the USA, does Nikon USA still service F3´s?
cheers
Mark
Nikon USA service F3?
For those F3 owners living in the USA, does Nikon USA still service F3´s?
cheers
Mark
NY_Dan
Well-known
No. Nikon really gets annoyed about requests to service older cameras. They say they don't have parts. You should see their faces when people come to the service counter and ask.
nobbylon
Veteran
It's got to the point with the F3 that it's cheaper to find another body than get one serviced!
Flat Twin
Film Shooter
Hi John,
I had an F3 that had parts of the numerals missing in the LCD as you describe above. It drove me bloody mad! It was a shame because it was a spotless example! I think I even tried your ASA dial trick too, I seem to remember trying everything... I found a repairer here in the U.K. (recommended by Gray's) that could replace the LCD though, and he said that he still had parts available.
I didn't go down the repair route, I sold it instead and bought another which is faultless.
They are great cameras, misunderstood by some perhaps, but if you get it then they are fantastic. I love mine! I hope thats an end to your LCD episode.
Cheers,
Simon
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
nobbylon
Veteran
Simon, the digits are ok now but it's still faded. This one is from 1980.
I just picked up another which looks slightly more worn, not much but the lcd is superb. Serial number 191####. Body markings show manufacture was 8/91.
They are so cheap now that it's just not worth repairing them.
I just picked up another which looks slightly more worn, not much but the lcd is superb. Serial number 191####. Body markings show manufacture was 8/91.
They are so cheap now that it's just not worth repairing them.
De_Corday
Eternal Student
One F3, shot with another.
Sparrow
Veteran
Tejasican
Well-known
No. Nikon really gets annoyed about requests to service older cameras. They say they don't have parts. You should see their faces when people come to the service counter and ask.
They were short with me on the phone last week when I asked. I also noticed that although they still list the F6 as current camera that it does not appear in the service section of the website as a camera choice. Only digital SLR's need apply for service, I guess.
De_Corday
Eternal Student
I've been trying to learn how to self-CLA mine for a little while now... how to clean the LCD to cure dim spots (have had a little luck on that), how to work around the flex-board to lube the shutter curtains... We should just build a DIY database for the F3
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I posted in the repairs "sticky" the mod that performed on my F3P, where the light for the LCD comes on anytime the meter is activated.
Since I used a Noct-Nikkor for night shooting this mod was deemed manditory, but I found that without the power from a MD-4 motor drive that the power drain on the small in camera battery was too excessive.
Anyways this mod is a good reason to have at least two F3's: one with the mod and MD-4; and a second F3 without the mod and MD-4. LOL.
Cal
nobbylon
Veteran
Every F3 I've had has reverted to 1/80sec speed until frame counter reads 1. This is how it's supposed to be.
This one I picked up today however does not. It uses the manual speeds I set or if in A it chooses a metered speed. Personally I prefer it this way. Does anyone know if this was an option or a mod done by Nikon or is it just not doing what it should?! Everything else is working as it should be, thx j
This one I picked up today however does not. It uses the manual speeds I set or if in A it chooses a metered speed. Personally I prefer it this way. Does anyone know if this was an option or a mod done by Nikon or is it just not doing what it should?! Everything else is working as it should be, thx j
shimokita
白黒
I have only seen that with the F3P... but I guess anything is possible. Enjoy it as it's a very useful feature ;-)
Casey
Note: the F3P has no multiple exposure lever, an elevated shutter release button, and different power switch
funkydog
Well-known
maitani
Well-known
the F3P I saw the last day, is still cruising my dreams.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
John,
I can second that your F3 is operating just like my F3P. Interesting to note that small things like not having a lock on the back door release makes for faster reloading. After a while the small differences of a F3P add up to be signifigant and one gets spoiled.
BTW I added a soft release to my F3HP to raise the height of the shutter release so it feels like my F3P.
Cal