Nikon F3HP 35mm SLRs
Nikon F3HP 35mm SLRs
USER REVIEWS
[Sep 08, 2023]
Janwil
Strength:
You have a very nice product! Thank you Cincinnati Channel Letter Signs Weakness:
None so far |
[Sep 06, 2023]
hendrenu
Strength:
The body is nearly indestructible, the incredibly well-designed and compact layout of controls, the uncluttered but complete exposure information available in the viewfinder, the ability to handle the most difficult lighting situations due to its IDM metering system (hey, how many cameras do you know that have an exposure range from EV 20 down to - 6.5?!?), San Diego Pro Mobile Mechanic Weakness:
none . . Purchased: New
|
[Nov 08, 2007]
JRS
Intermediate
Strength:
1) Aperature priority automatic exposure.
Weakness:
Just two:
To experience the manual focus film journey, you must try this beauty. I must warn
Customer Service =Just fine. Similar Products Used: Mercury Univex, Kodak Retina IIa, Nikon S, Leica IIIg, Canon FTB. Canon AE-1, Canon F, Nikon F, Nikon D70, |
[Sep 05, 2005]
Lowlight73
Intermediate
Strength:
Build quality, massive selection of lenses to choose from.
Weakness:
Perhaps the flash sync. Bought this camera after reading the reviews and boy am i impressed! After being used to the modern plastic-fantastic cameras, this is a refreshing experience! I know it's been said so many times but this is a tank of a camera and my first choice when i'm going out to take pictures. Absolute quality! Customer Service Never needed it. Similar Products Used: F100, FM2n and EOS 5. |
[Jul 12, 2005]
mohawk51
Expert
Strength:
Everything!
Weakness:
The flash set up. But I don't shoot flash so it doesn't bother me. Recently, a couple of times I had some minor problems with my F3. Was able to fix them on my own and me and the F3 are back on the photo road, so to speak. When you hold this camera in your hands, you just know you have a quality instrument. Kinda like the F and the F2. I've owned both. Sold my F2 (wished I wouldn't have done that). The F3's semi-automation and the ability to do it manually also is a good combo. Hated to hear Nikon discontinued it. What were they thinking? All of us non-AF people know that everything will come full circle again and we'll be back to where we started. Heck, three piece suits are back!! Customer Service Never Needed Similar Products Used: Nikon F, F2, FE, FE2, FM2N and Nikkotmat FTN |
[Jul 08, 2005]
trebor
Intermediate
Strength:
Viewfinder. Ruggedness. Hefty weight. Uses all Nikon lenses (except G and IX).
Weakness:
Hefty weight--really makes you feel it during long hikes, especially with MD-4. Weird flash coupling--incompatible with my existing flash. This camera is HEAVY. Considering I've used the FE2 for many years, this camera is a step above. The weight seems to dampen the moves/shakes when handheld. Nice, bright, 100% view; ultrasmooth film advance lever. I use this camera for portraits and people shots more than for fine art, especially with the MD-4. Similar Products Used: FE2, FM3a, D70s |
[Nov 22, 2004]
WIRTHX4
Intermediate
Strength:
Built to last Wide assortment of lenses and accesories 80/20 metering is awesome
Weakness:
Flash sync Viewfinder illumination difficult to use. Other than that...well...you already know how I feel Well, what can be said that has not already been said here. I have made a few mistakes in my life, getting rid of my Nikon F3HP when I got out of school was one of them. I have used several different cameras since then, but was never as happy shooting than I was with my F3. I have since gotten rid of all the junk, I have found two mint condition F3HP's, one that was still new in the box and several lenses and I am back to loving photography once again. I have turned some beautiful images with my Nikon F3. The best thing about this camera is it makes you think, it makes you take the pictures, not the camera, it makes you the photographer. It does have its weaknesses, as we all probably know, but nothing is perfect. My advise, buy one if you can, they are still available today on the used market, mint they are still a little pricy, but well worth it. One last thing, find yourself a MD-4 motor drive and just leave it on. The F3 Balances very well with the MD-4 attached. Customer Service Never needed Similar Products Used: Nikon 6006...Junk Minolta Maxuum 7....junk Nikon FG...great litle camera...but not very strong All of these are gone now...and I sure don't miss them like I did my F3! |
[Nov 16, 2004]
K-Whopper
Expert
Strength:
You can take 'em to your local war and they'll perform! Strong build and very durable - a fantastic camera!
Weakness:
Some say slow shutter synch... - OK... These camera's are battlefield ready and are what a lot of photo journalists used while "shooting" in war zones. One hell of a camera, and they feel like a camera should... the extra weight aids in holding the camera steady below 1/60th sec and with the viewfinder what you see is what you get. For me personally these are the best camera ever built, coupled with a 50mm 1:1.4 or 1:1.8 Nikkor - results are mindblowing! I love them!!! Customer Service what for?? Similar Products Used: F3, F90X, F801,F70,F50... and would you believe...an EM (ghastly camera!) |
[Oct 23, 2004]
Akit67
Intermediate
Strength:
Simple to use Extremely rugged and reliable Many accessories Nice ergonomics esp. with F3HP mirror lockup Removable viewfinder T and B settings Manual shutter speeds down to 8 sec 80/20 metering flashing self-timer Durable horizontal shutter Fantastic value on the used market
Weakness:
Oddball flash shoe (blocks rewind crank) Slow flash sync speed +/- manual exposure LCD readouts are sort of slow to read and don't give much information a bit heavy and bulky esp with MD4 I bought the F3HP almost entirely based on the praise the high eyepoint finder had received. After using the FM previously, I found the F3HP finder provided welcome eye relief (I wear glasses). And it makes me check composition corner to corner which is great. I also found the aperture priority feature and 80/20 CW metering advantageous for quicker and more accurate exposure readings. I now take this camera with me for those times when my main purpose of a trip or outing is photography i.e. I'm often carrying a tripod too! With the mirror-lockup, long exposure capability, MD4 motor drive, great and removable viewfinder - it just has so many specialized features that are useful for serious photography. Its drawbacks are also related to this specialization; however, so I find it a bit too much camera to take to a casual get-together or outing as it garners too many questions and too much curiosity (esp. with the MD4 attached) in this era of small, capable digital cameras). Some amateurs like strangers asking them if they are professionals based on the appearance of their equipment; I don't care for it. I rather be more unobtrusive than that. It's an unusual camera to me insofar as it has some definite weaknesses but it's strengths are so pronounced that it rises above them to garner a 5 rating (based on the current used market price). I can see why this camera - idiosyncrasies and all - has such a cult following among pros and serious amateurs alike. Customer Service Not Applicable Similar Products Used: FM FM2n |
[Jul 08, 2004]
azipuff
Intermediate
Strength:
- Solid construction - Proven track record - Good viewfinder - Smooth film advance & shutter release - Any repair tech & their dog can fix it
Weakness:
- Non-standard flash shoe, requires fiddly adapters - Hard to meter manually with limited +/- reading - Useless viewfinder illumination light - Loud shutter - Even louder MD-4 that announces your presence to the world - Large & heavy - Like all nikons, using auto dedicated TTL flash sets the shutter to X-sync speed no matter what. Can't do TTL slow sync unless in manual mode. I was reasonably happy with my F3 until I lent it to someone and they stuck their finger through the shutter. |