Nikon F3
My primary interest (as far as film cameras goes) is in fully mechanical cameras. My first SLR was a Nikon F Photomic and I later added one with an eye-level prism. I quickly gathered a few non-AI lenses for these. All considered - It may be somewhat odd that I initially skipped right over the F2 and picked up an F3 but that’s what I did… and I absolutely love the F3!
Compared to the beloved Nikon F, the F3 does have a little more of a modern and in some ways plasticky (a little more, by no means is this a plastic camera!), modern feel - primarily with respect to the shutter speed dial, the self-timer light and the film advance. That said the camera feels great to handle and balances very well with a standard 50mm 1.4 lens. One of the great things about the Nikon F3 is the access it gives you to excellent Nikkor glass, one small complaint from me is that you cannot use non-AI glass without the compromise of stop-down metering. This might be easy, but to be honest I’ve never tried it - if I want to use pre-AI glass I use my F or F2.
I like to imagine myself as a classic, mechanical rangefinder shooter (think a Leica IIIg) - carefully framing my composition, using an external meter to make sure I have the perfect exposure, checking focus and hyperfocal ranges and taking the shot - moving on to ponder my next composition. This is often just my imagination. In reality, I fond myself taking a shot or two before fumbling with my phone to make sure my exposure is still good and then realizing that I incorrectly adjusted the aperture or shutter speed, leaving me with some regret that I missed the moment. I still love my Barnacks, M3 and Nikon rangefinders, but practically, the Nikon F3 might provide the best shooting experience.
The Nikon F3 allows for what I consider to be the optimal shooting experience. Aperture priority, manual focus and manual film advance. You are able to shoot film and focus on composition through excellent Nikkor glass while still feeling like you are a part of the process by focusing and advancing the film. While the Nikon F or F2 certainly have more charm (in my opinion), they either lack the built-in meter (on the eye-level finder) or require a bulky photomic finder that still doesn’t provide aperture priority.
Nikon F3, Fuji Acros - A familiar site for those visiting B&H!
Nikon F3, Fuji Acros - a tough lighting condition in which the F3 metered admirably
As expected, the Nikon F3 provides excellent results. There really isn’t much more to say than that. The meter works in most circumstances though my copy has gotten tricked in certain lighting conditions. I’ve always shot this camera in aperture priority.
Nikon F3, Fuji Acros - I’m really a fan of the orthochromatic look of Acros!
Nikon F3, Fuji Acros
Nikon F3, Nikkor 55mm 2.8 micro
Using Nikkor micro lenses is easier with the F3 (compared to the Nikon F) due to the variable aperture at closer focal distances
If I only got to pick one camera for the sole purposes of taking pictures (as opposed to ‘cooler’ or cameras I’m more sentimentally attached to), I very may well choose the F3. It might be the film camera I shoot with more than any other. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong here!
Production: 1980-2001, my copy produced in 1981
If I were looking to save some money: I may consider a Nikon FG. The FG will give you everything the F3 will with the compromise of lower build quality.
If I had more money: I’d just put the money into Nikkor glass. As far as I’m concerned this is the best manual focus, aperture priority camera out there.
Final Score
Results: 4 The lack of matrix metering means that the meter gets tricked in certain circumstances
Functionality: 4 The only thing missing here is program mode to help compensate when the selected aperture pushes the shutter speed too fast or slow. Excellent reliability, though it is dependent on battery power.
Versatility: 5 Choose from a variety of finders, winders or even a 250 shot film magazine (if that’s your thing). When it comes to lenses, it doesn’t get much better than Nikkor glass, though non-AI lenses introduce the compromise of stop-down metering.
Prestige: 3 Very cool, but not a Hasselblad, Rolleiflex or Leica.
Novelty: 1 It’s a Nikon F3 - not much novelty here.
Fun: 5! A Nikon F3 with a 50mm 1.4, yellow filter and a roll of Tri-X is all you need!
Total: 22/30
Location on the Camera Case (out of five shelves): Third Shelf - A great SLR, but the Nikon F and F2 take up the Nikon SLR space on the top two shelves.
