- Solid construction - Proven track record - Good viewfinder - Smooth film advance & shutter release - Any repair tech & their dog can fix it

- 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.

Compact yet easy to hold. Good looking. Classic Nikon look. Bright viewfinder. Easy yo focus

1/80 flash sync Difficult to use the compensation dial.

Just bought a mint condition F3HP. I change to manual camera to get back the feeling of photography. Too much automation and control dials has hurt my photography instinct and using zoom at my level, did not help my skill. So I shot a test rolls of film with this F3HP. I have to say, my smile were all over my face. Extremely pleased with the handling of this camera. It is not big and feel very composed. I used an additional NF grip which can be attached to F3 or FM2, I am not using the motor drive as I feel they are heavy. This grip makes my camera even better to hold and with selective use of a monopod, it shows all the shots taken were sharp. I am particularly impressed with the metering of F3HP, I think it is better than my previous F100. Even this is just a center weighted metering. I don't like the over/under adjustment dials, I think they are very clumbsy and unlike Contax, which make this button so easy to use. F3HP has a refine and composed look and feel. It is indeed why it is such a classic. Just like anyone, I dislike the 1/80 sync speed, fortunately, I am not using flash that often. I strongly recommend serious photo lover to use this camera, if you can get a mint one in used market. I don't think I will change my camera again. AIS lens are really good.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

F100 Contax RXII. RX EOS1V

Unstoppable. precise. great in every aspects

none so far

Excellent MF camera with "A" function. This legendary camera keeps on delivering after 20+ years. With its great viewfinder and precise shutter mechanism, this camera can go anywhere from deathvalley to northpole.

Customer Service

GOOD

Similar Products Used:

Canon New F-1 Contax G2 Leica MP

Modular w/lots of accessories. Well built. It's an iron hockey puck w/automation! I don't worry about it breaking but then all of my Nikon stuff is good.

Heavy. Mine uses batteries more often than it should-like about every 2 years! Ha, ha. If only my N70's batteries would last so long!

I like my F3HP because I can do special things w/it. It has a "T" setting that I use for star photography. I use the mirror lock-up when taking extremely long or high magnification photos. I have the option of putting a high speed motor drive on it and 1/80th of a second is always available. I have the option of using a waist level finder if I want to shoot panoramic shots. The finder options are great-sports finder looks good but I haven't tried it yet. The center-weighted meter is pretty close.

Customer Service

Nope

Similar Products Used:

Contax 167 MT, Leicaflex SL, Nikon N70s (2), etc...

Amazing build-quality, ergonomics and yes, luxury. This is a serious photographic tool that will never let you down, unless your batteries die and you don't have spares (F3 uses same batteries as FM2n, so even if I forget to bring spares, I still have spares in the other body).

Only one mechanical shutter speed. No others weaknesses of any importance.

I bought the F3HP used, VERY used, at a low price. I was actually shopping for a used FM or Nikkormat, just a cheap body to mount Nikon lenses, and made the mistake of handling this used F3. Five minutes of working the film advance, looking through that gorgeous HP viewfinder (I wear glasses) and tripping the smooth electromagnetic shutter and I was hooked. My original desire was for an F2, which I considered out of my price range (they sell for about the same as F3s do), or an FM or Nikkormat, the reason being that I wanted a camera that would work perfectly without batteries. Well, the F3 does have its mechanical shutter speed, but that isn't really sufficient for most situations, and while it can be powered from the MD4 motordrive, I didn't purchase that accessory and probably will not. Many people say that the F3 really isn't complete without the MD4, but using mine with the manual film advance and my favorite lens (100mm F2.8 series E - yes, the economy lens) results in a package that is perhaps as close to ergonomic perfection as a camera can get. I also find that wihtout a motor drive I tend to take my time on each shot and end up with much better results. The bank account suffered as an FM2n fullfilled my mechanical body needs, but the F3 is by far the nicest camera I've ever owned and used. Typically, I keep the F3 loaded with B&W and load color in the FM2n (I shoot about 90% B&W). As for the other complaints people have, the flash shoe and the meter light, well those are real gripes. The flash shoe requires either a dedicated F3 flash or the new AS17 adapter for TTL metering. I have a Nikon SB12 speedlight which is compact, and while not bounce-capable, works beautifully for outdoor and indoor fill flash. I also have the much simpler AS4 hotshoe adapter for use with my Vivitar 283. The AS4 doesn't enable TTL, but then again, neither does my Vivitar, and as my other hotshoe-equipped camera doesn't have any automation at all, this isn't much of a loss. With the 283, I have bounce capabilities and flash-controlled automation, which actually works very well (the FM2n is better for outdoor flash photography thanks to its high sync speed). The flash shoe on the F3, while non-standard, is VERY sturdy, so I understand why they did this. The meter light is a bad joke, but when mounted on a tripod isn't actually that bad. I still hardly ever use it, as when I mount the camera on a tripod, I rarely am interested in the shutter speed, just set my desired aperture, lock up the mirror and then trip the shutter with a cable release. I've had the F3 correctly meter a 45 second exposure this way, so this is my preferred night setup. Finally, you get the "pro" features Nikon F cameras have always been famous for, including the interchangeable finders, screens and backs, and my personal favorite, 100% viewfinder coverage. It doesn't get any better than the F3.

Customer Service

Never had to use it

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM2n, Minolta SR-T 200, Minolta X-570

Nice and solid - pick one of these up and you just know it`s going to last for a very long time. A very well made precision tool. System accessories, service backup (if you need it). Superb optics.

Finder illumination button - whose idea was that (maybe the same person who designed the hotshoe)? Viewfinder LCD display could (should) be bigger. Exposure compensation dial a bit of a fiddle.

This camera inspires a sense of real sense of confidence. It`s actually made from metal! Great build quality. All the controls you need and nothing more - none of the gimmicks that seem to clutter so many of today`s cameras. Just what you need to go on taking picture after picture year after year - a light tight box that won`t break, accurate meter, depth of field preview, 100% viewfinder, choice of manual or AE and some fantastic lenses. I find the weight reassuring. Add the silky smooth MD4 and whilst the weight obviously goes up (I don`t find this a problem) the handling improves. Choice of screens and finders enables the F3 to tackle most subjects.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

Pentax K1000 Pentax MX Canon EOS7

Rugged feel, good ergonomics. Center weighted metering.

LCD readings. I would have really preferred a matchstick or red dot metering system like my FM2. I'm much faster with the FM2 in terms of dialing in exposure settings.

I was fortunate enough to find an absolutely mint F3HP a few years ago off of eBay. This camera feels solid in the hands and gives you the impression that it will last a lifetime. I don't use it with an MD4, as that adds too much weight and I don't shoot wildlife or fast action sports. I've shot a couple hundred rolls with it since I purchased it. I also have a FM2 body that I bring with me in the camera bag so I can shoot color and B&W in the same session. Packed with a 55 Micro, a surprising sharp and contrasty 100 Series E, and a 24mm I can tackle just about any project. While Nikon has moved to digital and higher end autofocus SLR's, I'm thankful they have kept the manual focus system alive, especially with the new FM3A.

Customer Service

Never had occasion to use it.

Similar Products Used:

FM2, Contax G2, Hasselblad 503CW

Very reliable and durable body. Easy to use functions, mirror lock up, 100% viewfinder, mechanical shutter even without battery. Lots of spare parts and accessories are still easily available in the street.

No half shutter speed step even at A mode. Cannot use G and VR lens (of course, it is 20 years old design). Motor drive MD-4 is too heavy, I hope nikon like other manufacturers provide optional light weight winder. The camera handle grip is as good as Pentax LX.

My value weighting is based on secondhand price, over 95% new secondhand F3 are easily found at around HK$4000-5000. Thus, I found this price is very reasonable. MD-4 motor drive is not expensive and makes F3 easy and comfortable to hold, but its heavy. Nikon is still able to produce updated AS-17 TTL adapter to make F3 to use TTL with new flashes like 80DX.

Customer Service

Nil

Similar Products Used:

Pentax LX, Ricoh XR-8.

20 years old and going STRONG! That tells you how well Nikon built this tank! The body The last of the true system cameras with virtually all the accessories that you could ever possibly want. With the MD-4 motor drive, you can shoot in the arctic cold at a blistering 5.5 fps, using the MN-2 NiCd pack. I've done it in the Upstate New York winter when the temperature is about -20C. You need NiCds in the flash also, otherwise the flash unit's batteries die in the cold. The non-standard flash mount that everyone derides is strong and secure. You can pick up the camera (with motor attached) by hauling up on the flash unit, and run when you have to. Try that with your wimpy ISO hot shoe! 100% finder image means no wondering what's actually on the film. There is no garbage intruding into you finder image also. The shutter speed, aperture, and flash ready indicators are all in the top border of the finder. Sexy styling. If this was a girl, I'd marry her!

Without the MD-4 and NiCd battery pack, the camera's silver oxide batteries pack it in when temperatures are near freezing. With the MD-4 on, this is a heavy camera at almost 7 lbs with a lens on it. The d*** finder illumination button was designed by someone high on drugs at the time. The stop down and mirror lock up buttons are hard to work when the motor drive is attached. The self timer indicator LED is blocked by the motor drive handle when attached. Using the exposure compensation dial when the flash is attached is not possible. TTL fill flash is not easily achieved either. This camera makes you think, and for some people that may be too much to handle.

This is one tough and reliable beauty! I have the original Nikon F3 without the HP finder. Everyone says that the HP is better for eyeglass wearers. Frankly, I wear eyeglasses, and I can see the entire screen. I like the slightly higher magnification on the non HP finder. The finder image is bright and contrasty. Focusing is very easy with this camera. I have changed to the grid screen E, as have many others. It helps me to keep my horizontals horizontal, and my vertical lines from converging. Also, when I do a lot of macro work, I don't have blackening out of the center of the image, as would happen with a screen having the split image rangefinder or microprisms. The camera falls to hand very naturally, and is quite light without the motor attached - under 2 lbs. I can slip it into a parka pocket and walk around with it if need be (without motor). Winding, rewind, shutter, dials, etc all work smoothly - like butter on silk.

Customer Service

Go with Nikon. Expensive ($250 for full CLA), but my local repair guys just couldn't get a handle on this camera - too complex for them.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FTn, Nikon F2A, Nikkormat FT2, Canon FX, Canon AE-1

Makes one plan and think about the shot. Build Quality Size Support

Flash Sinc & Dated Flash Technology LCD Light

I love this camera. I bought it in mint shape thru ebay. I like the size feel and the command you have over the image making process. No autofocus or built in motordrive to distract. Large by yesteryear standards and now considered small and discrete. I'll be taking photos with this puppy when all those newer polycarbonate bodied, glorified calculators are at the landfill site.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

FE FE2