Built like a tank.
Tactile feel of the controls.

Non standard flash.
Flash somewhat slow.

Although not as active with photography as I used to be, whenever I pull out my F3 I am reminded of the how much quality this machine has. The stiffness of the dials/controls are perfect. It is weighted nicely. This is a camera I would never sell.

It is a camera for those that are serious about photography. Maybe not the best for fast moving action stuff. If you want to take the time and think about the photograph then you cant go wrong with the F3.

Customer Service

Never needed.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N80
Cannon Rebel
Canon AE-1

Awesome camera! I miss mine!

Dimmer viewfinder than my FM2n. Slow sync speed - if only Nikon would replace that horizontal cloth shutter with a vertical metal!

Traded mine years ago for an 8008s because of enhanced sync speed, ttl, spot metering. D***, I miss it - though have no practical need for it with current system. Still, whenever I get a chance to handle someone else's I love to - It was a beautiful piece of "Nikon" - especially with the MD-4!

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F2, F3, F4, F100, FM2n, Various Olympus, Yashica, Canon, Pentax, Mamiya medium formats.

solid! smooth and easy operations, precision feel

the engineer who came up with the design for LCD illuminator button needs a spanking.

Using this camera gives a great satisfaction. Controls are so precise and smooth! Canon F1N has much rougher feel to its operation when compared to F3. I wish I still had it.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

Canon F1N

Silky smooth operation after 19 years of usage; gorgeous 100% viewfinder; beautiful Giugaro designed body fits like a glove. A dream manual-focus classic camera for the real photog.

Mounting flash in a hurry onto the wierdest of sockets is a chore. Funny zeros in prism's LCD display. Tiny exposure counter, even tinier LCD illumination button---a pain to press, literally.

A camera that will last forever, and in its 21st year of production.

Customer Service

Never had the need for one.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F100

Very well Built
Accurate exposure meter
familiar controls

wierd flash attachment requires special adapter for ISO mount flashes

This is a very well built, comfortable camera. I have used a Canon system for years and was persuaded to try Nikon. I did not want all the bells and whistles, I prefer to set the exposure and focus myself, so I found a F3HP in beautiful condition. The flash mount is awkward, since it will not take the standard hotshoe without an adapter. But, there is a small adapter now available which will keep the TTL feature and viewfinder signals. And, the camera feels right in my hands. I dont like the feel of some of the newer stuff, and I'm skeptical about longevity. I still have a Canon FX, purchased in 1967 which still takes great pictures. I bought a Nikkor 60mm macro to go with this body, and find it to be an excellent lens - very sharp.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon Elan

Great system camera. It has anything you'd need to do almost any kind of photography

Slow sync speed.
ASA dial (read below)

Other than the slow sync speed that inhibits outdoor flash photography, this is a great camera. It does have one design weakness any owner should know, though. Inside the ASA dial there is a ceramic (terrible design) resistor plate. If the dial take a hit, and it does not have to be hard, that resistor plate will crack or break. It's at it's most vulnerable with a flash attached. Once that plate cracks or breaks, the camera is useless until it is replaced. The old plate cannot just be fixed. This camera is now discontinued. If I were contemplating the purchase of one today, I would call Nikon in California and order one or two of those plates from their parts department. They will sell them to anyone who wants one. Nikon will probably supply replacement parts for the F3 for at least 10 years. PROBABLY. I would be sick if my F3HP was useless because of the lack of a $25 part.

Customer Service

Very good

Similar Products Used:

You name it, I've tried it!!

Any its aqualed to her,extremely reliable,
I work with "hers" at 20 years without any problems.For me its a perfect camera for my job.

The price and the flash socket.

For me and my job I dont know a better camera than a f3hp.Best regards to all

Customer Service

no necessary

Similar Products Used:

Nikon fm2 - Nikon f2
Pentax LX

Rugged, can be abused and keeps working. nice center weigted meter. Great Nikon lenses. Great manual proffesional camera. All important dials and buttons are in great positions.

Slow flash sync, 1/60th. If this camera had a max sync speed of 1/250th of a second it would be almost perfect. Also who ever designed the on camera flash attachment should be shot.

Could be the best camera ever made, it is still my main camera even though its my oldest. The F3 is dependable, rugged and the center weighted meter works great. The F3 is a real proffesional camera, and a joy to use.

Similar Products Used:

Fe2, FM, n90, F100

Utter reliability,interchangeable heads and ground glass viewing if needed

Flash mount

I own 3 of these and one is nearly worn out after many years. The low sync speed is a slight problem and so I also now use an N90s. The F3 is a superb camera that has never once let me down. I'll always have one handy. I found the motor drive to be too heavy for my taste and so never use mine. Not a point and shoot but not overly complicated - I'd recommend it for advanced amateurs to professionals.

Customer Service

Never used it

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM2, FE2, N90s, Canon EOS RT

Fits my hands, solid and dependable, uses Nikkor lenses.

I personally don't care for the viewfinder display, but I don't use it all that much. Speedlight mount is cheesy for such a well thought out body.

These "old school" F3 bodies and some darn sharp Nikkor lenses can be had, used, for next to nothing. Saving cash is the bottom line!

Customer Service

I've dealt with Nikon Service Centers a total of 3 times in over 20 years and have never had any real issues with them.

Similar Products Used:

RTS, OM3 and 4,