Nikon F3 Tribute

[CK Dexter Haven]

Originally Posted by migtex

Resistance is futile!

Now THAT is bad-ass.
[What lens is that?]

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Originally Posted by JSU

Rather than an edit I'll add here that the F3/T is a premium camera with a titanium shell rather than brass. Functionally the titanium does nothing for the camera. They actually aren't structurally any stronger as the only F3 I ever totaled was a F3/T which fell off the back of a 300/2.8 that had a worn out lens mount. It hit a concrete floor as I was carrying the lens under my arm. The camera appeared OK but in fact the internal frame, which was the only non-replaceable component in the F3, had shattered. The camera was insured and soon it was replaced.

The F3/T also was the only option for a chrome F3 if one so desired something other than black. The black F3/T also had a textured paint finish as opposed to the smooth finish on the basic F3 or F3 HP.

The Internal Frame shattered? Damn! I dropped my F4s on a concrete sidewalk from shoulder height and it bounced a few times and still worked afterward!

[Steve Bellayr]

Many people on this site compare the OM series to the Leica M. I, however, believe that the closest camera to the Leica M is the Nikon F3HP. There are several differences which include the mirrow slap and the lenses are larger. The F3 has motor drive which is both a positive and negative. The MD is noisy but quick. As for lenses: with careful selection the lenses, though considerably larger, are comparable, especially if one considers the availability of Zeis lenses for this camera. The F3 has a very good 24mm which is much less costly than a 24mm rangefinder lens. The 105 f2.5 Ai-s is legendary in quality and provides a full frame. In addition, the pentaprism is removable for low angles. However, comparing an F3 to a Leica M (M6) is not at all accurate. The F3 should be compared to the thread of the OM series. Personally, the F3 is better built with better lenses. Having use the OM v. the Nikon I feel that the Nikon is sturdier and optically better. IMHO I have found that the Nikon (Zeis Nikon mount 35mm f2.0) far sharper and just better all around than the Zuiko but not the Leica.

[Steve Bellayr]

I had a heavy door slam against my F4 on the way to a shoot. It was a Nikon F4. That is the type of abuse a professional camera is supposed to take and "keep on truckin."

The only two cameras that I have used that I am confident that I can drop and will continue working are Nikons (experience) and Leica (hoping it never happens).

[Steve Bellayr]

When a camera hits the road it's all serendipity.

[Creagerj]

I miss my F3, but someday soon I will buy an F3HP. Just as soon as I by a film scanner, and some more film, and a stand for my enlarger, and...damn, I never should have let her go.

[Roger Warren]

My F3 has always been my favorite SLR

[menos]

Many thanks guys, especially JSU for the deep insight on the drive!
I have started, getting more interest back into Nikon gear after using exclusively the small Leicas for some months due to a lucky finding of a 58 f1.2 Ai-S lens.

I don't like focussing this lens on the digital Nikon (which is also a plasticky, heavy gum brick), nor did I get more satisfaction with my FM3a (which I thought of as a "premium" super light and small MF SLR, before getting a M6 - lol, talk about shifting views on gear).

The FM3a gave me a lot more confidence, focussing the fast lens, but is a boner, to use for me comfortably:
- awful not illuminated needle meter (I officially hate needle meter readouts after loving the Leica meters and I shoot mostly in low light, so the FM3a meter is like having no meter at all to me)
- too small viewfinder, very uncomfortable to use as a left eye shooter also (need much bigger eye point + right eye poking due to the compact build)
- very, very rough feel overall, compared to the Leicas (film advance especially)

It all seems, that a F3HP with optional DE-2 would make me a lot happier with the fast primes. Also does it look very intriguing, to get one or the other longer focal length in fast glass (105, 180, …) There is just nothing, you could have like this for the Leica.

The 105 1.8 looks so compact (and I know, it will balance fantastically with a SLR), there is nothing comparable for the Leica.
The 135 f2.8 Leica is like mounting a fridge on a matchbox car.
The modern 135 Telyt is ages nicer, but costs a fortune compared to the excellent Nikon Ai-S offerings (I wish, I had gotten the F3 fever earlier, although I love my Telyt).

The different focus screens - and man, that metal block motor drive look so intriguing!
I will receive a Motor-M for my M7 in a week or two (it is waiting in a packed bag of a friend, bringing it ;-) ), my MD-12 for the FM3a died on me last weekend :-(

I might make new friends with an MD-4 (how well does it take Eneloops?).

Oh and don't stop posting the camera porn on the F3 + drive - keeps the fever alive until I find one ;-)

I have read somewhere, the F3T has improved (even more durable) circuit boards over the standard F3HP (and F3P) - what is that about?

[nobbylon]

I just cant help it! arghhhhhhh, bidding on another!!!!!

[nobbylon]

won it! hahar another NIKON!

[erik]

If I was KEH I'd start a thread like this from time to time. I'm not much of a Nikon guy but I do have a F3, it just works, no messing about. Crazy how inexpensive they are now. Photo students... listen up, don't bother with the K-1000s, get yourself an F3 and then you really have something that can do most anything 35mm filmwise.

[ironhorse]

I have been following this thread with interest, so when I saw an F3 advertised for $79.00 I couldn't help myself. Perfect working order with some lovely brassing.

[semilog]

Originally Posted by Chriscrawfordphoto

The Internal Frame shattered? Damn! I dropped my F4s on a concrete sidewalk from shoulder height and it bounced a few times and still worked afterward!

Oh I hate that moment! Into slow motion... Nooooooooooooooooooooooo (bounce) ooooooooooooooo (bounce) oooooooooooooooooo (bounce) ooooooooooo!.................. (picks up camera... click-whir... click-whir... click-whir)... (sigh.)

[migtex]

Originally Posted by JSU

Looks like the 105/1.8 which is every bit as good as the 105/2.5 in actual use, if not also on test chart results.

JSU did it!
Correct! it's the Nikkor AI-s 105.1.8
Unlike the gem 105/2.5 for is smoothness, the 1.8 is so sharp that it's better to spend some time on the makeup (in case of portraits) to avoid "problems" with the model later on...

[gilpen123]

Thanks I had it before and foolishly sold it If I use the F3 more now, I will consider buying one again.

Originally Posted by nobbylon

That is a fantastic kit! Add a 28 AIS and you have it all! I use the 105 Ai on my D700 and its simply one of the best there is.

[MRohlfing]

Originally Posted by gilpen123

Thanks I had it before and foolishly sold it If I use the F3 more now, I will consider buying one again.

How can you use it after selling it?

But anyway, buy one! You just have to!

[hans voralberg]

You miss the "If" mate This thread make me think about the F3 alot, though I still prefer the old styling of the F and F2

[Zodiac]

the F3 is (and looks) bad ass, but if I'm not mistaken the FM2n is every bit as good internally, almost as bulletproof, and a bit smaller and lighter.

Think I'll keep my FM2n.

[menos]

Originally Posted by Zodiac

the F3 is (and looks) bad ass, but if I'm not mistaken the FM2n is every bit as good internally, almost as bulletproof, and a bit smaller and lighter.

Think I'll keep my FM2n.

It has no AE,
it has an abysmal finder, compared to any of the F3 finders (I own an FM3a and fell in love with the HP finder for the F3 on first sight),
it feels gritty, compared to the F3 (film advance).

The F3 indeed is a fantastic camera.
I bought my FM3a back then because of the things, you mention about the FM2n - small, lightweight and bulletproof.

The issue is, the FM series takes shortcuts, where the F3 is just without compromise.

I am still looking, to own one of my own.
Oh … and did I mention that gorgeous viewfinder!

[Zodiac]

Originally Posted by menos

It has no AE,
it has an abysmal finder, compared to any of the F3 finders (I own an FM3a and fell in love with the HP finder for the F3 on first sight),
it feels gritty, compared to the F3 (film advance).

The F3 indeed is a fantastic camera.
I bought my FM3a back then because of the things, you mention about the FM2n - small, lightweight and bulletproof.

The issue is, the FM series takes shortcuts, where the F3 is just without compromise.

I am still looking, to own one of my own.
Oh … and did I mention that gorgeous viewfinder!

Yes, you lose the AE.

But I love the VF in my FM2n, it works well for me. I've used the F3 and feel no difference in it's advance (they both have HG bearing mounted internals and ball bearing clusters).

And it shared the same mirror mechanisms as the F2.

Shortcuts or not, the old FM2's seem to be grabbing quite a lot more money on ebay then the F3s.....

To each his own I guess. Unless I was in a real warzone (or just wanted to look like Dennis Hopper's Michael Herr's character in Apocalypse Now), I'd take the FM2n any day for typical world use.

PS - the FM3 is not the FM2.

[menos]

Originally Posted by Zodiac

…

PS - the FM3 is not the FM2.

Never written that ;-)

Nevertheless, it shares the same form factor, same crappy viewfinder, same advance.
FM3a only adds a different meter, AE, hybrid shutter for AE, exposure lock, TTL flash + fill light flash button.

[semilog]

Originally Posted by menos

...it shares the same form factor, same crappy viewfinder, same advance.

Only defect that I see in that VF is that it's 94 rather than 100% coverage. Eye relief is shorter than an F3 with the hp prism but similar relief and magnification to the standard prism. The magnification is high, the image bright, the focus snappy.

I've used all these cameras (except the FM3) and I think the difference is much, much smaller than you do.

[dimitris]

I wish Nikon came up with a digital version of it. That would be sweet.

[alistair.o]

Hi,

Thank you for this thread.

I have an F3 with standard prism. It is my 'main workhorse' with a Nikon 35mm F2 on the front - lovely. Everything that has been written regarding the F3 is true; it is a marvelous piece of engineering but! ...

Recently I bought a Nikon FM2n as a backup - little did I know what was to come. I set about changing the screen for a B2 (I am not so keen on the split image of the K2). Installed a CRN1/3 battery; took note of the need to be cautious regarding the meter not being 'accurate' i.e. need to have 0 & - showing for most things and set off. Wow am I impressed! What a lovely camera and that meter readout is superb in all lighting conditions.

For me there is little or no difference between the two.

Al

[L. M. Tu]

The F3 does several things that the FM series won't do, but there are a couple of areas where an FM/FM2(n)/FM3a might be better. The meter display in the viewfinder of an FM* is easier to see in dim lighting; it's similar to an F2AS or F2SB display, which I love. And it works at all shutter speeds without either metering or batteries. I grew up with F and then F2 cameras and I've never gotten used to smaller Nikon bodies, so I would still pick the F3 over the FM or FE series, but if I used an F3, I would carry spare batteries and something smaller (FM, FG) for a backup.