Explains the functions of this camera and its motor drive. 27/5/09 – Added annotations based on viewer’s comments Information from www.mir.com.my The Nikon F3 was the third generation of the professional class Nikon F-series 35mm SLR camera model. Introduced in 1980, it was the successor to the original Nikon F of 1959, and the hugely successful Nikon F2 of the 70s, where both the earlier models were commanding a distinctive supremacy in the professional users’ market. When the F3 was first announced, the heavy automation in the camera sent cold shivers down the spine of most purist photographers. As one can still recall, the price of a discontinued fully mechanical Nikon F2AS had a retail price higher than that of a new automatic Nikon F3 during those early days of its introduction, which was Nikon’s way of saying ‘move on’, to the photographic community!
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I had an F3 with MD4 and AH-1 (2?) firing rate convertor/veritcal shutter realease. With the J screen (simple circular microcrystals in centre). Used it many years then sold it. I miss that camera a great deal.
nice video and great camera i have an F4 FE and F401m
Really depends on condition. If it was new in box, with the original papers and everything, it’s worth a lot to collectors. But back in the 60s everyone was using Nikon Fs, so there are many on the second hand market. If you have any interest in film photography, the F is a fantastic camera. If it was mine, I would hang on to it, and shoot with it.
hello nice video i have a nikon f that was prchased in 1955 i have the bill of purchase it cost 200 canadian dollars back then i would like to no if its worth anything now thx.
After posting that I saw your other videos – I thought you were a classic camera guy. It was a tongue-in-cheek comment – no offense intended! 5*
Please Sir, this is not expert village, and I am certainly not an expert – this was the concentrate of an afternoon’s procrastination. Nonethe less, thanks for your comment!
I’m surprised the expert doesn’t know why the camera has a 60th flash sync speed and an X (flash sync) on the speed dial. The X setting is a mechanically governed shutter speed that will allow the camera to be used with a flat battery when all other speeds are useless. Thoughtful Nikon!
I wish I had you as a College Professor. My life would have been entirely different!!!
This is has to be the most helpful, thorough, concise explanation that I have ever seen and heard.
Many thanks. Cheers.
Very nice video, respectful of the best manual focus SLR ever made. I owned mine from 1984 to 1998, taking around 50,000 photos with it. Selling it was my greatest regret. I’m looking to buy 2 just to display; 1 in mint condition and super worn. FYI… The “X” mode gives you 1/80th of a second flash sync speed, and the hot shoe was mounted that way due to the interchangable viewfinders. Also, with practice the tiny viewfinder light is easy to use. Great video about the best of the best. Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed it, you just made my day
I dont even own this camera, but i loved watching this video!
Very nice camera!
I have a Nikon F2 and I’m the F3 is just as beautiful
its really a great video for a grat camera thank you so much
wow my age 29 years thanks for the review
The F3 was introduced in 1980
what year this camera was made i have mamiya msx500 year 1974 made in japan
so…wheres the flash at? is there one?
thanks so much for posting this! the explanation was lucid and I could really understand this magnificent camera’ operation much better…
I forgot about that one
Added an annotation.
I see. Added an annotation.
I hope you enjoy it as much as the camera
Excellent review of the F3
the F3P has a hotshoe on the viewfinder but it has no TTL capabilities which is good!
actually, when you put it on x the sync time, witch is 1/80th of a second, but on the ’scale it will be between 1/60 and 1/125 and it is locking, handy for studio use/
And the iso is from 6 iso till 12800 iso (if you use the stop compensator, and it will takes one extra stop, wont get to two stops when you want to go to 3 iso or 25600. But they mada a prism with hot shoe, but only for the press version (look at mir)
Yes!