Nikon F3 Winder Problem

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blumoon

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My Nikon F3 winder is stuck. The shutter will not fire with the shutter button or the manual release. The batteries are new. Mirror is not stuck up.
Any suggestions???
 
Try removing the batteries from the winder and the winder from the camera. That may reset it.
Good luck!!
Paul
 
The F3 has a long shutter winding throw. If you don't wind it ALL THE WAY TO THE END, it will appear to be jammed. The first thing to do is to try winding again to be sure that you hit the end stop. Then, the mechanical release should be able to release the shutter even if you had a dead battery.

If you are at the end of the roll and can't wind further, then rewind the entire roll. Once the film is out of the camera, try winding again to completion.
 
Push the rewind button at the bottom of the camera and try to wind then fire the shutter.

If it doesn't work push the double-exposure lever and the same.

If nothing works, take a toothpick and push the release cam which is linked to the motor drive at the bottom of the camera and see if its fires the shutter.

Also, try to set the speeds on B.

And try to switch the main on/off lever several times.

It can be that you have a real problem but you don't tell us enough. Film in the camera, or not ? Shutter has fired just before the winding lever couldn't go further than that, or not ? New batteries, but did you test them ? Does the LCD display work in the viewfinder ? What happens with the red LED on the camera front panel if you switch the selftimer lever on then try to fire the shutter ?
 
Take the film out (if any is in) and try moving the sprocket cylinder which advances the film with your finger. If the rewind cam is still engaged the camera won't fire.

Phil Forrest
 
Thanks for all your replies.
I've tried all of the above suggestions.
With and without film in the camera.
Batteries are new and tested.
The film speed shows in the meter, and the red light flashes when I push the shutter with the timer on.
May have to sell it for parts.
 
blumoon said:
Thanks for all your replies.
I've tried all of the above suggestions.
With and without film in the camera.
Batteries are new and tested.
The film speed shows in the meter, and the red light flashes when I push the shutter with the timer on.
May have to sell it for parts.
Click to expand...

I have several F3s that are used a lot. They are tough cameras. I suggest you check to see if the camera is jammed. I never had that problem in many years of use, with both body only and, MD4 attached. It's worth a look, before you sell it for parts.

I have 3 working bodies that get regular service. I have one body, that looks new, that's a parts camera. I paid $160 for it several years ago. It arrived dead and too expensive to fix. So, I got a $110 refund. I needed an HP prism. So, I got a prism and, a looks new dead body, for $50.

Good luck with yours, they are great cameras, and, they made a lot of them.
 
I had a similar problem with a used F3... new batteries etc. It went to the repair shop (Kiitos - http://photo-kiitos.co.jp) in Tokyo. It turned out that the previous owner had taken the camera out in the rain and moisture had gotten into the winder / shutter mechanism (one reason the F3P has a rubber cover and no cable attachment). The rain damaged the works... simple repair if service / parts are available.

That's my story...
 
blumoon said:
How do I do that?
Click to expand...

Well, I would have my repairman look at it. Then you can decide between a repair or replacing the camera. Buying another used camera (unless from a dealer or repair group)doesn't guarantee that you'll get a better one. That was the case with my parts camera.
 
Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but it sounds like very much the same problem as happened to my F3 a few years ago. It wasn’t repairable- the parts are no longer obtainable.
 
blumoon said:
How do I do that?
Click to expand...
You could take the bottom off the camera, and try to manipulate the levers in the drive train. The Nikkormat EL was bad for that, but it was a simple repair. You might find a broken spring, or one that has slipped its mooring, and needs to be put back in place.

PF
 
I did take the bottom off and looked, but the printed circuit piece covers most of the bottom and I didn't want to mess around with it.
I tried moving a few things, but no help.
Very frustrating.
 
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