nikon f3hp problem

[solomab]

So I picked up this nikon f3hp, it seems to be working great except I have a very hard time seeing the LCD and aperture through the viewfinder. The LCD lights up fine and there's nothing blocking the light window. I looked through the manual and the view I should have through the viewfinder is not what I see. There is no black frame around the image, just the image and the light sometimes catches the LCD so that it 'appears' in the picture frame. I'm miffed. Is this just a thing the previous owner did to the camera or what?

 

[sevo]

I can't quite figure out what you try to describe. But it might be a attempt to describe seeing only a aerial image. Have you verified that the camera is not missing the screen entirely, or has a astro/microphotography clear screen installed?

 

[presspass]

The aperture is often hard to see - it depends on how much light is falling on the exterior of the lens. The transfer isn't electronic - it's just a reflection of the number screened on the rear of the lens. As to the shutter speed, that's a common issue with F3s either with the high eyepoint finder or the more magnified one. These are the two most annoying features of the F3, which is otherwise a wonderful camera. I shot them professionally for years and still have three I use every now and then.

 

[solomab]

it has the type A screen installed. Perhaps it's working fine and I just expect to see things clearer than they are. Thanks to you both.

 

[jbrianfoto]

If you remove the finder, does the LCD screen appear to function (is there information being displayed there?)

 

[solomab]

Yes. The LCD appears to be functioning perfectly

 

[sevo]

it has the type A screen installed. Perhaps it's working fine and I just expect to see things clearer than they are.

What cameras do you know? While the screen itself was pretty good and bright for its camera generation, legible finder information wasn't exactly a strength of the F3, and it got even worse with the F3HP (with smaller magnification and a brighter screen).

 

[solomab]

well, I've worked with alot of cameras but at the moment I use a 4x5 Arca Swiss for gallery work and a Canon 5D for commercial work. So 35mm film cameras are not really my strong suite.

 

[Robert Lai]

There are little mirrors in the prism which transmit the aperture direct readout (ADR), and the LCD meter information. They may get knocked out of position if the camera has struck something with force. Easiest solution is to get a repairman to reposition the mirrors.

 

[solomab]

That sounds right. There's a big dent on the top of the viewfinder.

 

[FrankS]

You can buy just the F3 viewfinder to replace the defective one.