Nikon F3AF & lenses anybody?

[Fuchs]

After reading the post on the Nikkor 24/2.8, I realized that that was the lens that lasted longer in my hands. I always liked its results, and somehow it resisted repeated sale intentions until now.
When in Nikon SLR mode, I use mainly an FM3a. But now I have the opportunity to grab a LN F3AF with the original 80/2.8 lens. I know every criticism that has been made to this camera since the first time I saw it on the shops shelves (nineteen eighty something), and for years have looked at it with an ironic grin on the face. I have also used some years ago an F3P for some time.
Any first hand experiences about the camera, and especially the lens (Nikkor 80/2.8)?
Is AF possible with newer lenses ?
I have a spare F3 eyelevel prism Will I be able to use it on the AF?

Thank you all in advance...

 

[NIKON KIU]

The lens is pretty sharp. There is also another lens available: 200mm f3.5

No other AF lens will work although manual focus lenses work fine with manual focus of course.

I have heard rumors that the F4 would work with F3AF lenses, but I didn't try it!

Yes the spare eye-level finder would work.
But the DX-1 will not work with other F3 bodies.

How much are they asking for the outfit?

You have to realize the AF system on this camera is almost use-less by todays standards.

Cheers,
Kiu

 

[Fuchs]

Thank you Kiu for your reply, I consider myself proficient on Leica issues, but even if I love Nikon as a user (my very first camera -well, my dad's- was a brand new just released chrome FM), I have just a superficial knowledge of model details.

The lens is pretty sharp. There is also another lens available: 200mm f3.5

Yes, I know, but the only lens available with the outfit is the 80mm. Any ideas why they never made a 50, 35 or other wider lens? Wouldn't it have been easier to autofocus a lens wider than a fast short tele for a such primitive AF system?

No other AF lens will work although manual focus lenses work fine with manual focus of course.

I have heard rumors that the F4 would work with F3AF lenses, but I didn't try it!

You bet I will test it on the F4 I am sure to have somewhere! I will report then

Yes the spare eye-level finder would work.
But the DX-1 will not work with other F3 bodies.

I know...

How much are they asking for the outfit?

A fraction of what it used to cost when it was issued originarily. I am sorry I will not further on this, but I am in the middle of the negotiation and I don't want it to be contaminated: you can never know who's online and when. I hope you understand... But I will appreciate any price suggestions by PM 😎

You have to realize the AF system on this camera is almost use-less by todays standards.

Yes, I know. I am pretty sure I will never use it as an AF camera. But it looks like an interesting camera to own and also a promising one used with the plain prism.

Cheers,

 

[Nikon Bob]

Ed

This site has some info http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf3ver2/f3afbasic/index.htm . I have not used a F3AF but it would be an interesting addition to Nikon SLR collection. Let us know what happens.

Bob

 

[Laforet]

I have just received my F3AF from Keh, My body came without the DX-1 finder, I use my DE-3 finder with it. I was going to get a F3P or F3L but their price was very reasonble and it is definitely worth the rariety factor.

Please not that the screen on the DX-1 is fixed so using a different finder requires a seperate screen. I use a non-red dot P screen with it which works perfectly. Apart from the ablity to AF it is built exactly like normal F3 except the odd electrical contacts at the lens mount and where the finder attaches to the body. It is a pity I could not have tested the AF but I have read from other sites that the 80mm is a very decent lens.

 

[Fuchs]

Update

Update

Thank you to all who took their time to respond. The camera is here right now, and I am amazed by how nice it is and the great cosmetics of the outfit.
The body is in near mint conditions, the lens and the DX-1 finder are completely mint. The AF, as anticipated is worthless by today standards, as is the focus confirmation with AF-D, AI and AI-s lenses, but well, it is just there. The great thing is that the camera came with a new in the box DW-3 waist level finder and a K split image screen, as well as with the unused original 👎everready tan case, all the manuals (in Japanese, tho), warranty cards and even the purchase receipt from the Tokio Airport Free Shop, dated 08 oct 1983... Sadly, no boxes, so if anyone has a boxes set for the F3AF, Nikkor AF 80/2.8 and maybe also the CF-24 ERC, please get in touch with me.

I know myself, so I'm sure I'll be now looking for a beaten up 'normal' F3 to use, this one looks that will not get that much use...

Tomorrow I'll post some pics of the camera & extras.

cheers

 

[Nikon Bob]

I think I would do the same, find a user F3, considering the cameras condition. Seems like a nice, looking forward to the photos.

Bob

 

[Fuchs]

Update with pics

Update with pics

So here are finally the pics of the camera. I forgot to shoot alo the DW-3 waist level finder and the spare focusing screen.

Now I'm in the pursuit of a user F3!!

Thank you to all

 

[rolleistef]

scarry... does it throw bullets??

 

[Fuchs]

scarry... does it throw bullets??

No, but it looks it could very well stop them.

cheers

 

[NIKON KIU]

Thanks for sharing.
I had never seen the case for the F3AF, it is much more rare than the camera itself.

Kiu

 

[retro]

Little known fact: The F3AF lenses will also work on the N2020
body.

 

[Fuchs]

Wasn't the N2020 also known as F501 ?

 

[retro]

Wasn't the N2020 also known as F501 ?

Yes.

The N2020/F501 is one of my favorite Nikon models.

 

[Fuchs]

I am an ophthamlologist, so the N2020 denomination always appealed to me, but when that camera appeared in the market I had an F3. Then, moving to AF, I went straight to the F801/N8008.
Now I am back.... looking for a user F3 (not HP, I don't wear glasses and I like better the extra magnification of the non-HP prism).

 

[Ken Ford]

NPS lent me a F3AF with 80 and 200 to evaluate during football season in '82 or '83 - I shot it for a few quarters and quickly went back to my F2s and F3s. Nice concept, but it wasn't ready for prime time IMO.

 

[Laforet]

I am sure they are usable on F4 and F501, some sources say F601 and F801 are in the club but I cannot verify that.

On other models F3AF dedicated lenses will mount, wont focus, will take photos but will drain the battery constantly even with the switch turned OFF.

 

[Fuchs]

OK, some more updates here:
1- I have mounted the 80/2.8AF on my early F4s and it positively works, and autofocuses accurately
2- I have bought a badly beaten up F3T champaigne body (ex-AP) which is now at the repairer/resurrector and that I plan to use with my eyelevel prism and waistlevel finders
3- I have also found a nice user FM3a that I will use as my main film Nikon SLR

So, I am considering to put this F3AF for sale in the near future with its lens....
Thank you to everyone who offered their answers and contributed to this thread