Nikon F3 Tribute

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96082

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96082

redisburning said:
the f3hp I have has a film advance better than any other Japanese camera I've ever used.

The Film advance is better, smoother, softer than any camera.
My M3, well worn, soft as butter, feels like a coffee grinder compared!
Have to watch rewind that it is actually advancing..

A wonderful camera, joy to use, specially with "Pro" feature, the "A" symbol, forerunner of the Green thing on DSLR.:D
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I went on an F3 buying kick loved the camera that much. Two are F3/T's one is in user condition the other is pristine. The other F3's are normal F3 HP's.
I use the F3/T the most with the 50/1.4 Zeiss with the P focusing screen.
Personally I think that's the best screen ever in a camera. Love the 40deg split image range finder.


agricola said:
mllanos1111
great shot! give us the history on each of them?
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mllanos1111 said:
I've never looked through the standard VF on the F3. How is it? What do you compare it to?
I may have to lick one up.
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The Non-HP VF'er has about 5% more magnification.

The HP VF'er has more eye relief, but I see a slight difference in contrast when A-B'ing a non-HP and a HP finder on the same body. It seems that the higher magnification of the non-HP finder has a slight edge for critical focusing and for focusing under dim lighting.

It seems that the cost of the added eye relief of the HP finder comes with the penalty of some contrast loss that is a great aid in getting the focus to snap. Think of the HP finder as being like projecting a slide at a greater distance to make the projection bigger. As a result the projected image gets washed out a little as the distance is increased.

Next buy a DK-17 and mount it on a HP finder and get pretty close to 100% magnification. The DK-17 on a F3HP finder is very much like the advantage of the added magnification of a M3 over other Leicas. Focus accuracy is mucho improved, but scanning may be involved, especially if you wear glasses.

I wear glasses, but I highly-highly recommend using a DK-17 on a HP finder. It kinda makes a F3 the ultimate SLR for manual focus lenses. BTW I owned a Noct-Nikkor and used it extensively on a F3P with DK-17. None better.

Cal
 
I wear glasses but prefer the non-HP finder - more comfortable fit for my face, plus I still easily see 100% of the screen. The higher magnification doesn't hurt either.
I use the DK-17 on the D700 but haven't tried it on the F3 yet
 
Shac said:
I wear glasses but prefer the non-HP finder - more comfortable fit for my face, plus I still easily see 100% of the screen. The higher magnification doesn't hurt either.
I use the DK-17 on the D700 but haven't tried it on the F3 yet
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Be aware that the DK-17 will not fit the DE-2 non-HP finder.

John above in another post tried to figure out an elegant way to mount a DK-17 on a F2 which has the same size thread as the non-HP finder.

Before I discovered the combination of HP finder and DK-17 I also prefered the non HP finder.

Cal
 
My mod of a damaged angle finder attachment ring is still going strong! Slight blanking in the corners but I scan with my eye anyway. The combo of original finder and DK17M makes it a big view and very easy for older or challenged eyes to focus.
It's still not in the Leicaflex SL league but it's close.
I'm amazed that there is regional variation in prices. Here in Europe they are readily available from €75 (well used) to €100-150 average for good, little used ie not much brassed cameras.
 
Coopersounds said:
Hey Cal,

you guys n gals sure are!
If it makes you feel better I am happy for you to send me one to easy any guilt ;)
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As far as world population goes to be an American translates into being about one in twenty-five.

Add onto that I'm a New Yorker. :)

I know that I am a very lucky-lucky guy. BTW I only have two F3's. LOL.

Cal
 
Coopersounds said:
really.... 1:25? wow, i didn't know it was that high a ratio!
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That number was accurate about a decade ago and is likely a bit dated. Surely the world population has increased a lot, and today perhaps Americans are more rare as the ratio likely got greater.

Still a powerful number, and I am lucky to be an American.

Cal

UPDATE: I performed the math and was surprised: first I was surprised that the U.S. is the third most populated country; and that the ratio actually decreased instead of increased like I thought. Anyways I divided 7,149,841,220 by 318,892,103 and got one in 22.42 as the ratio.

BTW these numbers were off the U.S. Census website, and on March 12, 2012 it was estimated that on that date the world population hit 7 billion.
 
Does anyone know how much a near mint black F3/T go for these days? I'd like to pick one up and although the standard version will stand the test of time, but having the titanium version seems a bit more appealing for me.

Plus I intend to use the battery grip so even a little bit of less weight is always welcome. :)
 
edmelvins said:
Does anyone know how much a near mint black F3/T go for these days? I'd like to pick one up and although the standard version will stand the test of time, but having the titanium version seems a bit more appealing for me.
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the prices are all over the place... Here is one example (no connection to seller and this is not a recomendation, just fyi).

http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h183463741

Casey
 
So yesterday I visited my friend's shop, and somehow these F and F2s began to find their ways to my hand. I am seriously tempted to get them, to pair with my pre-AI Nikkor. Did your love for F3 introduced you to the older brothers or was it the other way around?

Here is said friend, said shop, and the Fs on the top shelf.
 
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