Any F3 owners?

KennethHamlett

New member
Do previous owners count? LOL I owned a few F3's (along with F2's and FE2's) many years ago. It was and still is my all time favorite camera. When I bought my first one I slept with it in my bed that first night because I couldn't believe I owned my dream camera!
 

blueiron

New member
Absolutely previous owners count. I shoot mine far more than I do my F5, due to its simplicity and ease of use. Why did you let yours go?
 

KennethHamlett

New member
Sheer stupidity! I was tired of lugging around 60 lbs. of gear and downsized to what was supposed to be the next new thing - an autofocus N4004. Traded in my F3 bodies, F2 bodies and an old FTN! Wish I had never done it, but everything changes and now if I were to shoot film again I would pick up an F4.
 

zx7dave

Senior Member
I will be a F3 owner in the future...have decided to keep at least one film camera around...haven't shot film in 20 years...back then it was a Minolta X7A, with a backup Pentax K1000 for B&W...Give me a few months to find the best deal...
 

blueiron

New member
Now its time to find some Fuji Velvia for color, some Kodak Tri-X or Ilford for B&W, and a good processor!

Did you get a HP, a Press, a Titanium, or the original?
 

zx7dave

Senior Member
Basic F3. Lens was actually purchased seperately...I got me some basic fuji 400 ISO for the first roll to make sure the camera is good...It is a bit of a beater camera, but that is what I need to ensure the interest in film SLR is still there once I start adding up the cost of film and processing...I will go through over 1000 shots easy with the D300S, but when I am buying film it is much different....I may possibly go for a completely mechanical F2 down the road..we shall see...
 

zx7dave

Senior Member
I appreciate it....let me make sure the camera is in working order then I will get back with you. Should arrive early next week. Thanks!
 

zx7dave

Senior Member
Hi Ken...well the F3 came tonight. It was pretty dirty...and the counter doesn't work (stuck on 40). I am waiting for a older lens to come in the mail as all my lens are AF-S DX models...I did put one of those newer lenses on the f3 and snapped a few pictures...shutter sounds good. No idea what F/stop I am running since there is no way to change the f?stop on these newer lens. So not sure if I am shooting at f1.8 or f22. Have no idea what the "default" setting is. when I tried to take my first pic is went off at a 1/8 shutter speed with a 400spd ISO.
Anyway going to burn through a roll and get developed to see if I got a working unit.
 

blueiron

New member
If you need a minor or complete rebuild on that F3, there is a place locally to me which does authorized Nikon service and they are relatively quick. My light seal replacement took three days.
 

zx7dave

Senior Member
Thanks for the tip...I guess I want to see what the first roll looks like...I haven't shot a film SLR since 1989 so I am having fun...and would not want to mail it off righ away unless there is a problem...also it was only $68 on ebay, so not sure if I want to pay a high hourly rate at the Nikon shop for professional cleaning/tuning/repairing...I am hoping that the camera functions properly...
 

zx7dave

Senior Member
So I ordered (ebay) a Nikon 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5 lens ($34.99), and a MD-4 motor ($59.99)..so once all this arrives I will post a pic...as I mentioned this is a well used beter setup, but everything is in working condition...so I am looking forward to it...Found a place called Digital Truth Photo that sells LegacyPro 400 B&W film for $1.89 for 36 exposures...will give that a try once I know the camera works ok...
 

zx7dave

Senior Member
Thanks. Will take a day or so to burn through the first roll..been busy at work...will be in touch on the film..many thanks!!!
 
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