Nikon F3 Tribute

[Calzone]

Cal, just for giggles, how do you compare the 45 pancake to the 50 1.8 E in terms of IQ?

While selling off a retired photographer's gear, I got unwillingly infected by the F bug during tests of lenses on his FM2, FE2, F3, F2as. Almost kept one but told myself that OM system is plenty, but persisted in selling them--yet now have an FE and F2 on the way, and am looking at one or the other of the pancake lenses.

Robert,

I can only offer my opinion on the 45/2.8P AIS as I have no experiance with the 50/1.8 "E" lens.

If you are looking for a compac F-mount lens the profile of the 45/2.8 AIS is less than 3/4's if an inch. One reviewer bashed the lens over ergonomics because the focus and F-stops are so close together. If you do not have sausage fingers this really is of no concern.

If you like the signature of a Tessar lens then you will like this lens. Wide open it is sharp, but perhaps not the best in the corners. At F5.6 it seems to be best.

One thing to know is that this is a very simple lens with only 5 elements. Combine the few elements with the modern Nikon Intergrated Coating (NIC) and you get Nikon's most contrasty lens. I generally tend to shoot with a 2x yellow filter, but not on this lens.

Understand that the 45/2.8 has a very quick focus rotation kinda like a 55/2.8 Macro AIS. A slight turn is all that is needed to go from infinity to 7 feet. This makes for a good lens for street. The 45/2.8 is also a chipped lens if used on a more advanced body than say my F3P.

I own no hood and the 45/2.8 is very flare resistant.

Now for the GAS: a 45/2.8P AIS on a F2 with DE-1 eye-level prism is shorter than a M-body if you discount the bump for the prism, and only a little longer. I've built and owned three of these (one chrome and 2 black versions).

Cal

 

[rhl-oregon]

thanks, Cal. I'm watching some flutter around the Bay.

FYI for an interesting retro-chipped 24 2.8 Ai on FM:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1338842

 

[Calzone]

thanks, Cal. I'm watching some flutter around the Bay.

FYI for an interesting retro-chipped 24 2.8 Ai on FM:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1338842

Robert,

Pricing can be all over the place. I suggest on being a paient buyer. At times KEH has many and then prices get really inexpensive. Presently I only buy great bargains on clean gear in great condition.

I found the black version I presently own at KEH.

Good luck.

Cal

 

[Corran]

Robert, there's the older 45mm f/2.8 "GN" and then the "AI-P" version which is newer. I believe the older 45mm is single-coated and the newer one multi-coated. The older lens also has a couple different versions, with I think the oldest pre-AI model having a (IMO) superior 9-bladed aperture.

I have the GN model as well as a 50mm f/1.8 Series E lens, neither of which I've shot much with. I need to do that. The GN is a tiny lens, a little ergonomically weird, but usable. I think I got it for $25 or something silly cheap at KEH looking for something to add to my cart to get free shipping (you know, over $99, that kinda thing).

Honestly I've just gravitated to my favorite 5cm f/2 Nikkor-S instead but maybe next time I've got my F2 out in the wild I'll pop the 45mm on instead.

 

[rhl-oregon]

What's funny (ha ha alas) in my situation is that after firmly deciding to part ways with Nikon S system on amicable terms, as I was seeing it off at the front door the Nikon F was jimmying open my bedroom window and by the time I got upstairs, it was asking, "What have you got planned for me, big boy?"

The camera cabinet empties. The camera cabinet fills. I'm not unhappy with the situation, but it does seem a bit OCD. The medium format cameras in particular are disappointed with the way I fool around in the smallcam trade when they offer such splendid exposures in pretty much every frame...

 

[maryland_fotos]

Veering away a bit from the original thread subject, the 45 2.8 GN is a great small package. Mine seems to have a couple spots inside that may be fungus but for the little shooting I have done with it (I think just one roll on an F2S), it had good results. I didn't think the 9 blades added much special to the bokeh in the limited use I have had (although would the fungus have an effect considering its a couple small spots but then the total glass is tiny too) with it. Forlorn by maryland_photos, on Flickr

 

[maryland_fotos]

Getting back on topic though for this thread, here's an F3HP shot with the Nikkor 300 4.5 ED AIS and Portra 400 at the Washington DC National Zoo.

Number60 by maryland_photos, on Flickr

 

[menos]

You know why the Nikon F3 is so great?

…

It just saved me from some serious GAS, having that slippery beautiful black paint F in the back of my head since a few days since Maitani posted the add, …

Well instead of asking if the black beauty is still to be had, I finally rolled over, grabbed that F3HP out of storage with it's light seals long overdue.

I did a full cleaning, dropped back in the best focus screen ever invented by mankind - the Nikon H full matte screen, clicked in that mint DE-2 I bought last year, found the light-seal kit, Jon Goodman mailed me long time ago and fixed my F3.

A fresh batch of D-76 is cooling down in glass bottles in the shower, ready by tomorrow and I took one of the few last bricks of Fuji Neopan 400 out of the freezer to defrost.

For tomorrow is ready the 58/1.2, 105/1.8 and 180/2.8 ED and man does this camera feel great again!

Guys, if you ever feel the heat of GAS coming at you, just grab an old camera like the F3 - always seems to work ;-)


One question: is there any trick to rewind with the MD-4 without pulling the film into the can other than using the F3-P back?
I remember I always used the MD-4 to rewind, stopped somewhat early and wound the rest by hand …

 

[maitani]

You know why the Nikon F3 is so great?

…

It just saved me from some serious GAS, having that slippery beautiful black paint F in the back of my head since a few days since Maitani posted the add, …

Well instead of asking if the black beauty is still to be had, I finally rolled over, grabbed that F3HP out of storage with it's light seals long overdue.

I did a full cleaning, dropped back in the best focus screen ever invented by mankind - the Nikon H full matte screen, clicked in that mint DE-2 I bought last year, found the light-seal kit, Jon Goodman mailed me long time ago and fixed my F3.

A fresh batch of D-76 is cooling down in glass bottles in the shower, ready by tomorrow and I took one of the few last bricks of Fuji Neopan 400 out of the freezer to defrost.

For tomorrow is ready the 58/1.2, 105/1.8 and 180/2.8 ED and man does this camera feel great again!

Guys, if you ever feel the heat of GAS coming at you, just grab an old camera like the F3 - always seems to work ;-)


One question: is there any trick to rewind with the MD-4 without pulling the film into the can other than using the F3-P back?
I remember I always used the MD-4 to rewind, stopped somewhat early and wound the rest by hand …

Dirk, that's a good way to fight gas, I wish I had the power to do so sometimes.. and should do so more often..

still, that black plain F wants to head your way, when you're done with the filmroll on the F3 drop me a line 😀

 

[Sparrow]

 

[jbrianfoto]

Greetings all -

Where in the US (East Coast preferred) can I get my F3P fixed? Mine has a jammed AI coupling that I don't want to try to fix myself. Looking around the web really hasn't shown me anyone who specifically can work on an F3.

Thanks !

 

[rybolt]

if it's just the follower spring that's under the AI tab it's probably not a major job. If you're at all adventurous you can unscrew the lens mount and see if the spring pops back. You may not even need to take the screws all the way out to do this.
Any repairman over 50 should be able to fix it.

 

[Calzone]

Greetings all -

Where in the US (East Coast preferred) can I get my F3P fixed? Mine has a jammed AI coupling that I don't want to try to fix myself. Looking around the web really hasn't shown me anyone who specifically can work on an F3.

Thanks !

Nippon Camera Clinic in NYC. It's very much a Japanese repair shop except it is in Madhattan. Very much like going to a shop in Japan, multi-generational camera repair business. I have had these guys work on my F2's, but never needed my F3 to have service. Also these guys I trust with my Leicas.

Nikon has a repair facility in Mellville Long Island.

Cal

 

[Timmyjoe]

There is also Authorized Photo Service in Morton Grove IL. They used to be the Nikon shop in Chicago until Nikon decided they only needed two shops in the US (New York & LA). APS services all my Nikons, including my two digital bodies I use for work.

 

[srmulcahy]

For those interested, JCH has a Nikon F3 HP w/50mm f1.2 Ais currently for sale on his website

 

[jbrianfoto]

Thanks everyone - now I have a couple of options.

I will try the lensmount trick first though - Thanks !

 

[menos]

Dirk, that's a good way to fight gas, I wish I had the power to do so sometimes.. and should do so more often..

still, that black plain F wants to head your way, when you're done with the filmroll on the F3 drop me a line 😀

Hehe, Maitani you're an evil man 😀
Seriously, that black F calls my name (been looking for a nice one for years), but I simply have too many unused cameras around.
{trying to convince myself here}

Regarding 50/1.8 E vs 45/2.8 discussion - I would take a 50/1.8 E over the 45 pancake any day (given you find the nicer later version).
Be careful when shopping - there are several versions of the 50/1.8 E produced, the earliest not exactly with the nicest built.

I have a rather late version, serial starting 420… Nikon changed the design of the 50/1.8 E several times and these later samples look (and are built) just like the late Ai-S lenses with silver rim, plastic aperture dial and plastic focus ring with distance scale (the focus ring on my sample has molded ribbing, rather than a very slim slip over rubber focus ring as they did midway during 50/1.8 E production).

The molded plastic focus ring and distance scale is very, very well made and hard to discern from the contemporary enamel painted metal barrels of more costly Ai-S lenses - it is seriously well made even down to the properly recessed and paint filled distance scale markings (Nikon went a long way in tooling the plastic injection mold to perfectly resemble the full metal barrels with engravings - beautiful toolmaking there).

It is a much better built lens than anything Nikon made after their manual focus lens era.

What do you get over the 45/2.8 pancake?

- longer focal length for easier separation
- 1 1/2 stops faster aperture (7 blades on mine)
- a lens barrel hardly longer than the 45P but in my opinion much more useful

I find the 50/1.8 E size already borderline in use - put it on a full size body like a D3 or F3 + MD-4 and it feels like you have to grab through the camera into your stomach to change aperture.
It feels sweet on a naked F3, FMx or even a D800.

The 50/1.8 E is also A LOT CHEAPER than the 45P - you probably can buy a nice F3 for the difference if you shop clever (writing this as a person who tried to hunt down a black 45P for my FM3a which ended up with the nice little 50E instead).

I never understood how the 45P lenses got so expensive.

I will take the 50/1.8 with me for a while and see if I can come up with any pictures …

 

[Flat Twin]

I agree with Dirk^^^. I have a Japan version (22xxxx serial number/0.45m minimum focus) 50/1.8 AiS pancake and it's great. All metal, nice rubber lined focus ring and positive aperture action. It's tiny and performs very well, I think the optics are identical to the full size 50/1.8 AiS...?

It handles beautifully on the basic F3 or similar.

I also have never understood the lure of the 45/2.8p...

Regards

Simon

 

[Calzone]

Dirk and Simon,

The lure of the 45/2.8P AIS is that it is so compact; it is a simple lens (Tessar) with few elements and due to the modern Nikon Intergrated Coating making it Nikon's most contrasty lens.

The black version of this lens is kinda rare when compared to the chrome version. Limited production means higher pricing due to a limited supply when compared to the 50/1.8E. Remember that this lens was part of a limited edition FM3a. BTW I didn't pay a lot of money for my black version.

As far as ergonomics go, I can understand why the ergonomics are not liked by some, but I find the hyper short focus throw that is like a 55/2.8 Macro AIS to be great for street shooting. Also the 45mm FOV is what it is: the plus or minus of DOF vs subject isolation is just one prefefence over another.

Cal

 

[menos]

Of course you have a point Cal ;-)

Btw - I have to apologize - I tried to make a point for the tiny E series 50/1.8 while believing mine is a E series 50/1.8 all the while it is actually an entirely different lens - a 50/1.8 Ai-S - my apologies of the confusion I might have caused.

Well, I finally took the F3 out a few days ago for some street portraits.
Here is from the first roll in a long while as my F3 sat in storage ( I really felt it hit like a brick how much I missed shooting that Noct and my new favorite SLR lens - the Nikkor 105/1.8 Ai-S):

F3 + MD4 + 105/1.8 wide open + Neopan 400 @1600 in D-76

Here is one with the Noct (I remember it was stopped down - maybe f2?

After the film dried I started scanning late night yesterday and what do you do while the scanner is slowly humming along?

Of course, I bought a Nikon MK-1 on eBay:bang:

I hope I can have GAS in check as I am really lusting to get that 85/1.4 back I foolishly sold and sourly miss since a few years ago - not to speak of that 35/1.4 that kinda got into my head since swinging that F3 again … 😱