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Nikon F3

The Nikon F3 is probably the finest SLR ever built. It was a professional camera that was around for almost two decades. Extremely solid and full featured camera with aperture priority and manual modes, Viewfinder with 100% picture coverage, TTL flash control with Nikon Speedlights, Complete interchangeability of five finders, 22 focusing screens and camera backs including the MF-14 Data Back, MF-18 Data Back and the MF-6B Camera Back. The F3 also included depth-of-field preview, mirror lock-up, PC terminal, multiple exposures, exposure compensation dial, and much more. Introduced in 1980, the F3 became the choice of professionals around the world. It remained in production even after the F4 was introduced by Nikon in 1998. The Nikon F3 was the third generation of the professional class Nikon F-series 35mm SLR camera model replacing the successful Nikon F2.

 

The Nikon F3/T was a special version of the Nikon F3 High-Eyepoint camera which used titanium for its right and left top covers, base plate, camera back, and the pentaprism cover of the viewfinder.

Type of camera: 35mm single-lens reflex
Picture format: 24mm x 36mm standard 35mm film format.
Lens mount: Nikon bayonet type.
Lenses: Lenses with Nikon F mount (with some limitations); AF lenses.
Shutter: Electromagnetically controlled, horizontal-travel, titanium foil focal-plane shutter.
Shutter release button: Switch meter on when depressed halfway (after shutter release lock is released), meter then remains on for 16 sec, after finger is taken off button; threaded in the center to accept standard cable release.
Automatic exposure control: Aperture-priority automatic exposure control; stepless shutter speeds from 8 sec to 1/2000 sec.
Manual exposure control: Quartz digital control for 16 shutter speeds from 8sec to 1/2000 sec, including X (1/80 sec); B and T also provided.
Backup mechanical release lever: Trips shutter at approx 1/60 sec, regardless of shutter speed dial setting (except T); used when batteries become weak or exhausted, or none are installed in the camera.
Exposure metering: TTL center-weighted (80/20) full-aperture metering; aperture stop-down metering possible; silicone photodiode (SPD) and metering circuits incorporated into camera body; meter works with all interchangeable viewfinders.
Metering range: EV 1 to 18 (ie f/1.4 at 1 sec to f/11 at 1/2000 sec with 50 mm f/1.4 lens and ISO 100 fil).
Film speed setting: ISO 12 to 6400.
Exposure memory lock: Via button.
Exposure compensation: Via dial; +2 to -2 EV in 1/3 increments.
Film advance lever: Single stroke type; 30 degrees stand-off angle and 140 degrees winding angle; automatic film advance possible when motor drive MD-4 is used.
Self-timer: Quartz-controlled approx 10 sec delayed exposure; LED blinks at 2 Hz for first 8 sec, then at 8 Hz for last 2 sec; setting cancelable.
Viewfinder: Nikon F3; Eyelevel finder DE-2 as standard;
Nikon F3 High-Eyepoint; eyelevel High-Eyepoint finder DE-3 as standard; both equipped with eyepiece shutter; each interchangeable with 4 other types.
Viewfinder display: Liquid crystal display (LCD) shows shutter speed; on Auto, +2000 indicates overexposure, -8- underexposure; on Manual, M appears with + indicating overexposure, - underexposure, and -+ correct exposure; LED ready-light glows when Speedlight SB-16A and SB-17, plus SB-11 and SB-14 with TTL Sensor cord SC-12, is completely recycled; aperture in use also show through aperture direct-readout (ADR) window.
Focusing screen: Split-image microprism Type K provided as standard; interchangeable with 21 other types.
Finder coverage: Virtually 100%.
Finder magnification: Nikon F3: 0.8x
Nikon F3HP: 0.75x (both with 500 mm lens set at infinity).
Viewfinder illuminator: Via button; illuminates both LCD and ADR f/number.
Multiple exposure control: Via lever.
Reflex mirror: Automatic instant-return type with lockup facility; incorporates air damper and brake mechanism for reduced vibration and noise.
Depth-of-field preview: Via lever.
Frame counter: Additive type; frame numbers from 0 to 40; automatically resets to S when camera back is opened.
Film rewind: By crank provided after film rewind button is pressed.
Flash synchronization: Possible at all speeds up to 1/80 sec with electronic flash; with SB-16A and SB-17, plus SB-11 and SB-14 with TTL sensor cord SC-12, sync speed is automatically set to 1/80 sec with dial at A or 1/125 sec an above; at 1/60 sec or slower, flash synchronizes with speed setting as set; threaded sync terminal provided for off camera or multiple-flash photography.
Accessory shoe: Provided; special Nikon F3 type located at base of rewind knob; accepts Speedlight SB-16A, SB-17 or TTL sensor cord SC-12 from SB-11 or SB-14 for TTL direct flash control; two types of flash couplers available for mounting ISO-type or F2-type direct mounting flash units.
Power source: Choice of one 3V lithium battery CR-1/3N type, two 1.55V silver-oxide batteries SR-44 type, or two 1.5V alkaline batteries LR-44 type; optional Anti-Cold Battery Holder DB-2 accepts two AA alkaline, Ni-Cd or manganese batteries. Note: for Nikon products using AA batteries, do not use lithium unless specifically stated.
Motor drive coupling: Electrical contacts and mechanical couplers provided for operation with motor drive MD-4.
Camera back: Hinged; opened by pushing safety lock while pulling up rewind knob; memo holder provided; interchangeable with camera back MF-6, data back MF-14, or 250 exposure magazine back MF-4.
Body finish: Black only.
Body dimensions:
(W x H x D)		 Nikon F3: approx 148.5 x 96.5 x 65.5 mm
Nikon F3HP: approx 148.5 x 101.5 x 69 mm.
Body weight: Nikon F3: 715g approx
Nikon F3HP: 760g approx.