Nikon F3 Tribute

Hey, I got one for all you F3 tributors, anyone else got an F3 that has blue numbers on the frame counter? Just noticed this on the F3HP I just got from B&H. The frame counter numbers aren't silver or chrome or white, they're blue. Freaky.
Click to expand...

Hello,

I've owned three F3s, all of them had blue numbers.

Gil.
 
Timmyjoe said:
Warren, mine's in the 176XXXX range.

Gil, that is bizarre. Anyone have any idea why Nikon made the numbers blue?

Best,
-Tim
Click to expand...

Ahah! The are blue to differentiate from the white numbers: 12, 20, 24, 36, which correspond to the number of frames available in most film cartridges.

Here's a quote from the F3 manual:

Frame counter

"To keep track of the number of exposed frames, the frame counter is graduated from two frames below 0 up to
40. Blue numerals appear every 5 frames (0, 5, 10, etc.) with dots in between. White marks at 12, 20, 24, and
36 indicate the number of frames available on most film cartridqes. When making blank shots with the shutter
speed dial set to "A," the shutter will fire at 1/80 sec. until the frame counter reaches "1." In addition, the LCD
shows 80 in the finder. Or if you set the dial manually between 1/125 and 1/2000 sec., the shutter will still fire at
1/80 sec. In the finder, an "M80" is displayed. However, if the speed is manually set to 1/80 sec. (X) or below,
the shutter will fire at the speed set and the speed will be displayed by the LCD. Therefore, to speed up film
loading, set the dial to "A" or to 1/80 sec. (X) or above. "T" should not be used when making blank shots as the
shutter will remain locked open."


--Warren
 
Timmyjoe said:
This just arrived, from B&H. Same price as the F3T with the broken shutter and badly worn body. No complaints.

NoComp1.jpg


NoComp2.jpg


LCD is plenty contrasty, thing is pristine, and the shutter functions. Has had film through it, but not much.

Best,
-Tim
Click to expand...

Very nice Tim, looks new! Regards J
Ps did you manage to find a 28 2.8 AIS ? Best wide angle manual focus lens for any F camera!
 
Hi John, Yes I have the 28 f2.8 AIS and you're right, it's stellar. Just finished shooting a test with the "new to me" F3HP and the negs are drying. Exposure is spot on, just need to scan for focus once the negs are dry. Trying to rush this because if everything checks out, I may bring the F3HP on my project trip. Depart early Friday morning.

Best,
-Tim
 
Timmyjoe said:
Hi John, Yes I have the 28 f2.8 AIS and you're right, it's stellar. Just finished shooting a test with the "new to me" F3HP and the negs are drying. Exposure is spot on, just need to scan for focus once the negs are dry. Trying to rush this because if everything checks out, I may bring the F3HP on my project trip. Depart early Friday morning.

Best,
-Tim
Click to expand...

How do they look Tim? All good? J
 
Yeah, they look good. Need to find a Red Dot "B" focus screen. Not a fan of the split image rangefinder, and have an old Beattie Intenscreen, but I keep missing focus with that one. Otherwise, the camera is great, and whoever mentioned that the film advance is smoother than the old Leica M3, is spot on.

Best,
-Tim

PS: On the ironic side of things, the M3 is the only camera going out west with me tomorrow (long story).
 
Timmyjoe said:
Otherwise, the camera is great, and whoever mentioned that the film advance is smoother than the old Leica M3, is spot on.

Best,
-Tim
Click to expand...

Tim,

Because the F3 was specifically designed and built with the intent of maximizing the frames per second rate when used with a MD-4 motor drive friction was reduced greatly by the use of roller bearings for the film transport.

Cal
 
Picked up a Nikon "B" red dot screen for the F3HP, and though it's better than the Beattie screen, still wish it were higher contrast. Focus doesn't really "pop" as well as it does on other SLR's I've had.

Otherwise, really enjoying the F3HP. It's becoming my "carry" camera that I take with me when I go out. So solid feeling.

Best,
-Tim
 
Timmyjoe said:
Picked up a Nikon "B" red dot screen for the F3HP, and though it's better than the Beattie screen, still wish it were higher contrast. Focus doesn't really "pop" as well as it does on other SLR's I've had.

Otherwise, really enjoying the F3HP. It's becoming my "carry" camera that I take with me when I go out. So solid feeling.

Best,
-Tim
Click to expand...

You might find that improved a bit if you dropped an F4 screen in the F3 focusing screen frame instead. I use an F4 "B" dropped into one of my spare F3 "K" frames.
 
Been using it for a few weeks now, and I'm really liking the red dot "B" focus screen on the F3HP. And although I love the 28 f2.8 AIS lens, my go to on this camera is the 50mm f1.2 AIS. I'm really a 50 shooter at heart.

Best,
-Tim
 
Timmyjoe said:
Been using it for a few weeks now, and I'm really liking the red dot "B" focus screen on the F3HP. And although I love the 28 f2.8 AIS lens, my go to on this camera is the 50mm f1.2 AIS. I'm really a 50 shooter at heart.

Best,
-Tim
Click to expand...

Tim,

I understand. The focus pops better with the longer lenses. Right now I'm using a 55/2.8 Macro as my normal lens, but I want either an 85/1.4 AIS of 105/1.8 AIS. I use a Beatie Intenscreen on my F3P, but although bright as hell it definately offers less contrast. That's where the added magnification helps to make up for any loss of contrast. I generally focus on the ground glass.

My F3HP I rigged with a black 45/2.8P AIS to make a really compact SLR that utilizes a Red-Dot F3 "K" screen.

BTW with my Leicas I shoot a lot with a 28 Cron. Likely the best tool for the job.

Cal
 
Friends, I'm helping someone liquidate his film gear, including an F3, FM2, FE2, F2AS and a number of MF Nikkor lenses (20mm-135mm). It's not quite ready to go live in the RFF classifieds and elsewhere, but have a peek at gear in my Flickr here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9540373@N06/sets

PM me or contact me at rohilong@gmail.com if you have any questions. I hope to post the RFF ad this week, once the owner OKs the prices.
 
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