I owned an F3 for 20 years and shot thousands of rolls of film through it; yet, it never once failed me. Its legendary status that was truly well earned. And oh, what a terrible mistake to sell it in 2004 when I thought all film cameras were just going to be useless boat anchors in a few years!
Did you need the money ? Why would you sell it ? You can still use film these days. Film has a different look compared to digital and has a warmer soulful feel
Many thanks for your great video review! I bought my F3 HP in 1991, together with the MD4, a flash and great lenses, the camera has accompanied me everywhere for many, many years. Unfortunately, I sold it when I bought a digital Nikon in 2005. However, I soon realised that the Nikon F3 was the only true Nikon and a few years ago I bought another F3 in very good condition. Even though I use my F6 more often, my F3 will not leave me again, it is absolutely amazing.
The Nikon f3 has always been one of those cameras I've dreamt of having! It looks gorgeous. Everything about the camera is great... One day, when I'm an adult, I will buy myself this camera. Photography is a hobby that I have fallen in love with, especially film... It's weird to think that I started photography at 17 and I'm turning 18 soon. I have only been shooting for a year, but i have never been so passionate about a hobby like i have been with photography.
This sounds wonderful. I can relate a lot to how you must feel right now. Enjoy your photographic journey and exploring all there is to learn about it. :)
I used two of these, back in the 1990's, for wedding photography. They are real workhorses, and I regret selling them. Thank you for your excellent review.
It's been my main film camera since 2009 and it is always a joy to use. So many lenses to choose from and the smoothest operation and user interface ever. One thing not really touched on is that the TTL flash is spot on and the SB-17 is kind of a must have accessory for this camera. They will probably never make such a comprehensive system like this ever again.
So glad you've reviewed the King of SLRs, Max. Great video, great images, great model. The F3 still stands the test of time today - I managed to rescue two that had spent 10 years in a neighbour's leaking shed. With a bit of TLC they are back to mechanical perfection.
Loved the video. I think a lot film shooters don't realize how good of a system Nikon is. There is a lens and camera for every situation you could possibly be in. Also, if you are lucky, you can get amazing gear for not that much money.
During the film era, my 35mm cameras were Minolta SLRs. Minolta MD lenses produced excellent quality images; very sharp even blown up to 11x14 print size. However, I was never completely satisfied with the X-700 for portraiture. A recent thrift store purchase of a gently used 1981 Nikon F3 promises to deliver the control I wanted so many years ago. Thanks for posting a very enjoyable video!
Beautifully done. Even the music was perfectly chosen. One of your best reviews. And yes, the F3 is amazing - a relative bargain for what it is. I’ve never tried the motordrive though, which looks like fun!
I finally got one of these last year. And I could kick myself for sleeping on this beautiful piece of kit . It is wonderful. You really did a great job on this video. Informative and very detailed.
When I was a kid my mentor - an older local press photographer - had 2 F3s and MD4s, so it was always my dream camera! They still look great today. I had to make do with an FE, but they aren't too bad either.
I love the FE. I think it's the most attractive camera that Nikon has made. I own an F3 as well but the FE is no slouch. The match needle meter in the FE is much better for manual exposure in my opinion. It's a great camera.
Great episode! I was on a quest several years ago to acquire an F3, and after about a year finally found one in pristine condition that was affordable. Next I purchased a few vintage lenses and some accessories. What a fabulous camera! I am so glad you made this episode, it was great fun to watch, and I appreciate your testing different emulsions and lenses, and sharing your expert opinions. As always a very well researched episode.
Great review and images. A buddy recently gave me one because he has fully transitioned to digital. You are spot on about the shutter release and film advance being so smooth! It is such an impressive camera. I splurged on a 50 and 135 to go with it, then found an old Vivitar Series 1 70-210 that I look forward to shooting. It's a special feeling to hold a part of history like that.
That's one tough camera! I found one locally in the local news classified for a great price (about 31 years ago. The ad said it was ugly but worked fine. I got it, and yep, it was ugly alright, but worked like a champ, and I used it for about 10-11years without an issue before going digital. It was probably my favorite Nikon, and I carried it around with a Nikon FE2.
A classic and legendary professional workhorse since day 1. Mine, first year of production and purchased new, is still in regular use. This is a really great overview. Only omission might be the flash connection that many find challenging to use as the flash must be dismounted to rewind film and open the back.
It was my first (and far from last) nikon I bought. These days I mainly shoot with a nikon FA for matrix metering, program mode, and a flash hot shoe. When I did bust out my F3 again recently it reminded why I love it so much, particularly the great shutter sound/feel with practically ZERO LAG (one of the weak points of the FA is the delayed shutter actuation). 10/10 camera, would give a lot of reach back in time and bring a brand new one into 2024
It is great to see the 80-200mm as well as (I think) the 28mm f/2.8 with the F3. Both of these lenses are 2 of Nikon's best and combinations I use quite often.
Great detailed review. People laugh at me when I tell them my F3 is in many ways a better camera than my m6. It’s true though. Only real Advantage of the Leica is size and silent shutter. The rest the Nikon beats it IMHO.
Nikon F3, Canon new F1, Leica R4, Contax RTSii , these 80s saw the best reflex ever made with the beginning of reliable automatisms, the aperture priority which is according to me the best mode to learn photography, without integrated motors which make them ugly in the next decade. The F3 is surely one of the best. I only regret the shutter button in the center of the cocking lever which puts the shutter a little bit in the rear but it s just a question of adaptation. Thx for your quiet, relaxing reviews of these old beast of analog era that always makes us dream.
@@dukenukem5768 you are right … but I don t have it so difficult for me to speak of it but it usually gets a lot of positive feedback. The issue is that It’s rarety and it’s real qualities put it at an indécent price on eBay… more than an F5… and I need sometimes to be reasonnable :)
@@philmtx3fr The LX was Pentax's attempt to break into the pro market as it was in 1980. Pentax had obviously looked at other pro-level cameras (especially the Canon F1, Nikon F2 and the Minolta X-1, these being the other interchangeable viewfinder 35mm cameras at the time) and taken their features into account and improved on them. Clearly Nikon were doing the same at the same time. The result was that there are several technical similarities between the LX and F3 such as the Off-the-Film metering (which I think Olympus were the first with). Those two and the Canon F1n were the only three 35mm cameras with interchangeable viewfinders going into the 1980s and they all had a large range of professional accessories such as bulk film backs and motor drives. The F1n was technically less similar to the LX and F3. IMHO, the top-end Contax, Leica and Olympus SLRs were aimed at a slightly different type of market, more prestigeous rather than work-a-day, the sort of cameras to be seen with in the VIP stand at Ascot, and Olympus even came with Lord Lichfield's endorsement 🙂 Sadly, Pentax made little inroad in the professional market with the LX, not because of the camera, which was superb, but because Nikon and Canon were already well entrenched. Pentax had always been seen mainly as an up-market amateur brand (and remains seen that way), despite also producing undeniably pro grade medium format cameras. As a result there were far fewer LXs sold than its rivals, being out of the price range of most amateurs (or more than they were prepared to pay), which is reflected in the numbers on Ebay etc today. I still have my LX from new (as an "advanced" amateur) and having also handled a Nikon F3 I think the LX got the pre-digital type of viewfinder display to perfection. I'm told the LXs' electronics have generally not aged as well as the F3's have, but mine is still working fine.
Absolutely on point. Nikon’s reputation was built on such designs and the huge customisability of cameras like the F3. The professional support and the reassuring ability to get out of the way when images are being created. It’s a photographer’s camera.
War gestern Zufällig wieder mit meiner F3 unterwegs. Ein wenig Reportage fotografieren, während einem Band Auftritt. Habe meine mit dem normalen Sucher. Als Brillenträger komme ich damit auch noch gut zurecht. Einzig anders, ich habe eine Gittervollmattscheibe vom Vorbesitzer übernommen. Funktioniert mit genug üben auch hervorragend. Was die Objektive angeht, ich habe mir dieses Jahr den Luxus gegönnt und mir ein Zeiss 35mm F2.0 Milvus ( ZF.2) für die F3 gekauft. Auch eine tolle Reihe an Objektiven die sich gut an der F3 machen. Das 58mm Voigtländer habe ich auch im Einsatz, sowie ein paar ältere und nicht so Lichtstarke Nikkore ( Teils auch Non Ai, weil ich noch eine F2 habe). Was die Thematik Winder angeht, ich habe auch noch eine FE die mit einem MD12 ausgerüstet ist, das macht auch da sehr viel Spaß mit zu arbeiten. Alles in allem, ich habe die Kamera jetzt gut 2 Jahre und bin überglücklich eine gekauft zu haben. P.s. Eure Reviews können Ansteckend sein , 😂 ich bin froh das es kein Video zur Leica M Reihe war, damit bin ich auch noch am liebäugeln.
1980 I bought my Olympus OM-2N. A really good camera, more for experienced amateurs. Very small, very light and also a big OM system and very good lenses too.
That was very interesting, but, and there is almost always a but. When talking about esoteric components, maybe you could actually show the component. I'm talking about the viewfinder blind, which completely went over the head of the non F3 owner who watched this with me. I pulled one of my F3's out and demonstrated the viewfinder blind in action; nice red colour was her observation. I realise that getting contemporary lenses is not that easy, unless like me you've been acquiring them for 40+ years, but if you ever can, do a side by side test with the 105 f/2.5 and the 85 f/1.4 in a portrait session; and use the correct lens hood for the 85 f/1.4 (HN-20) The DA2 Action finder is so good you can be wearing a full face motorcycle helmet and still focus and see the entire viewfinder; albeit not easy when bouncing around, but it is a fun experience.
Very good introduction to the press pack - camera. I used one a long time ago for around 12 months as it was “the company” camera. I enjoyed using it and could see why it and the F2 became the workhorses they did, but I never really preferred it to the Pentax LX or heretically the Rolleiflex SL200f. But still a great video.
I went to the local launch of the F3 when it came out and have to say it was a total game changer. It made everything else on the market look antiquated and my R4's look under featured which they were. Great camera and i loved shooting with them when i got my chance except for the slow sync when in the studio. Our flash modeling lights on the Balcar's back then were bright enough to be noticable if you shot at 5.6 or so. That slight orange blur was annoying. Id have another in a millisecond now though.
Had an F3HP for a little while, bought it cheap from Japan in pretty poor condition. It has only just now started to fail with the mirror getting stuck up after firing. It's a shame, but I will definitely be replacing it with another F3. They're just a joy to shoot with!
It’s the one camera I absolutely regret letting go. I love shooting Leicas today (MP and M11-P) but the Nikon F3 will always hold a special place in my photography journey.
..and following on from a comment below.. I purchased my F3 in 2009, well past the "end" date of film.. for $118! I was flabergasted.. and a bit dissappointed, as the camera wouldn't meter! Kept trying to get it to work, shooting, opening it up, shooting.. no metering, stuck on 1/80th of a second.. :-) Silly me, first two frames wouldn't meter, as those were your throw-away shots.. So came back from the repair shop with "no charge" and instructions to read the manual! It is a fantastic camera, and my gateway drug into the whole Nikon F line.. After a while I had collected all 6! And then, with my camera cupboard full to overflowing, I decided to cut down on my cameras, and keep just the " good" ones.. What a hard choice, putting them up for sale! In the end I kept the F3 and F6, one for B&W and the other for colour, and every time I take it out it just feels amazing, I'll never let this one go.. maybe the F6, but not this one. Thanks Analog Insights for a great review and all the esoteric info about the pinholes in the reflex mirror and exposure meter oscilations.. mindboggling stuff.
Ich nutze die F3 seit ca. 10 Jahren und verehre sie. Jeden Kommentator, der hier schreibt das er bereut sie verkauft zu haben kann ich verstehen. Dieser Fotoapparat ist zeitlos und inspirierend. Danke für das tolle Video
The good thing about the F3 is a lot of the same folk who worked on this carried over a lot of the design philosophy and features to the cheaper models of the time, so don’t feel like you’re missing out if you can’t afford this (admittedly excellent and classic) camera. Check out the f801/n8008 as an example.
I love my F3 and my F2AS, F4, F6,FA, and F100. The F2 and F3 have regular outings and have never let me down. Six cameras and 13 matching lenses, what more could an old fart want, other than 2 beer fridges with a large selection of film. Now considering selling my Z6ii and Z9 and going totally analogue again.
I was very lucky to find a working F3 in a thrift shop for $25 (canadian) a few years ago. It was missing only the cover for the battery chamber. It's a brilliant camera to use and gives the impression that it could survive nearly anything and keep firing away. All while still being fairly light and compact. Mine has the HP finder which I'm not a fan of because the high eyepoint is achieved by reducing finder magnification which combined with a plain matte screen reduces focusing accuracy. I also find the exposure compensation dial a pain to use. But these are both pretty minor quibbles.
I love my F3. The only thing I’m not keen on is the LCD display. I prefer the matched needle meter in the FM3a, which I also own. I like the MD4 motor drive, despite its size. And I have a waist level finder too, which is a lovely accessory.
I still have the F3HP that I bought used in the late 80's. It's a workhorse and has the most comfortable viewfinder of any camera that I've owned. I had a F2 previously which I just never cared for. I know that is also a well regarded camera today but I was never a fan and was thrilled when I found an F3 I could afford. It is not a particularly good camera for manual exposure due to the awkward placement/implementation of the LCD. I prefer the FE style meter for manual exposure. However, the low power demand of the LCD meant that batteries lasted forever. The F3 really shines in aperture priority mode. I loved the center weighted meter. Bombproof metering with tri-X and even with low DR slide film I rarely had exposure issues. No it's not a mechanical shutter so if that's important to you move on. I have never had an issue with the quartz shutter nor have I heard of widespread issues with those shutters Not something I am personally concerned about. The LCD seems to be the weak point as they age but mine is still in good shape. I keep mine on my desk just so I can dry fire it once in a while when I am bored. The motor drive is awesome. There is no better manual winder available IMO. It's definitely a keeper for me.
I've had the F3, but couldn't justify it, along the FM, to keep it all the time - because i've had much more lenses for Minolta (MD), and the XD7 was much smaller, handier....so, the F3 had to go. But nowadays, i have the F80 & F100 still, and some Nikon DSLRs. Never left Nikon, for sure.
F3 is unique. I have a F3 HP and an F3-P. I also have a Canon EF which is the Pro line of the Canon from the same era. The difference in the the refimenment and the smoothness of the operation is very tangible and that superb viewfinder.
As always the video is very well done. I love your channel. I was fortunate to pick up an absolutely mint F3HP many many years ago for $175. I paired it with the motor drive and have taken maybe 8 rolls of film with it. For me I dont like the feel of it, its actually my least favorite Nikon camera and I own all the single digit F bodies. It works perfectly and its actually a great looking camera, just not one that I like to use.
I own an F3 and two F2 (one chrome F2A and one black F2AS). For personal reasons I like my F2AS most. For shooting ... difficult ... most of the time I take the F3. I bought the F3 with the regular prism though and after all the praise also bought an HP prism. I never use it; the higher eyepoint results in a slightly smaller finder and since I do not wear glasses, I much prefer the original meter. So if you are looking for one and you do NOT need glasses, buy the best you can get, but if you can pick between two equally good ones, I suggest to take the regular prism.
Excellent review! Thank you so much for all the research and in depth study. During this episode I appreciated the sound track, would you mind sharing the artist/songs used?
As a older teenager, I wanted that camera really, really bad. But while living in a country ravaged with economic crisis and inflation, that was literally impossible. So I opted for the next best thing - a used, black Nikon F2. Note that in that time, ANY F2 could be 17 years old at most 😊
It’s an exceptionally good camera, I’d put it up there with the OLYMPUS OM 4 ti and the Pentax LX , with perhaps the Canon F1n and Nikon FM2n just behind those .
Back in the 80's I was working with a brace of F3's as my daily cameras. Now when I'm thinking of shooting file again, I'd rather have my 1977 F2's. The only good thing about the F3 for shooting sport was the motordrive. I've never used auto exposure and still know what shutter speed and aperture to use without a meter.
Was für tolles Video. Toll, dass dieses Werkzeug noch bei euch Verwendung findet. War nie in meiner Gehaltsklasse...😅 Kurze Frage, wo habt ihr das Portraitshooting gemacht?#nikonforever
Great review as always guys :) Its funny but the F3 is one of the few Nikon cameras i have never owned, i had the F2 and the F5 and the F100 and the FM3a and the FE2 etc. But for some reason i found it to be a bit too clunky and did not like the look of it as much. Not sure why. But i almost never heard anything negative about it from others using it, on the contrary and just like you say in your review they have said its a legend for a reason. So was nice to see a great review of a camera i have not owned but maybe at some point if i ever find one in great condition might want to own. You made it more likely to happen anyhow. /Regards Martin.
Need to keep reminding myself that just because it's on Analog Insights it does not mean I need I need to spend the next week looking for one to buy for myself
A negative (that is no fault of Nikon's) I would include is that buying a horizontal curtain shutter camera in today's day and age is going to come at a cost. You are either taking a big gamble or paying a premium for something that's been well maintained and serviced. They were perfectly fine in their day but does not age as well as (most) vertical shutters. For vintage Nikon F models, the shutter is going to be an issue for most of them. The Titanium honeycomb shutters in the "letter" series F cameras was an incredible innovation in its day (at 1/4000 max speed) but that also made it much more delicate and much more likely to break now that they are 40+ years old. I would try and get hold of a FM3A or a FM2N which have much more durable shutters than the rest of the Nikon F line. The F3's is at least not made of cloth like its older brothers...
While Nikon manual-focus SLRs were a joy to use, the problem lies with the lack of 35mm films sensitivity to light compared with modern digital sensors; metro networks below ground stations are well lit for passengers, but the lighting levels are too low for 35mm film photography, you would need at least a 1600 ISO film, but the prints from which would be very grainy on even A4 photographic paper. Whereas digital sensors are so much more sensitive to light to the point where you can photograph a below ground metro station with the ISO set at 400 and get a very clean A2 sized print.
This camera makes much more sense as an upgrade from the F than the F2 did, to me. The F2 really is extraordinarily similar to the F - the major differences only consisting of the location of the batteries and the opening mechanism of the film compartment. This is an upgrade in almost every way, unless you just prefer mechanically controlled shutter mechanisms, or the German mechanical design aesthetic compared to the Italian one.
I love my F3 but have occasional trouble metering, given the extra weight (80/20) the F3 puts on the center circle compared to other Nikon bodies. Did you notice the difference - good, bad or otherwise?
Classic camera, but a bit let down by the weird flash hotshoe positioned over the rewind lever and with a unique contact layout. You had to use a special flash gun (or an adaptor) and remove it to change film. Nikon sorted it with the F4. Also, didn't the mechanical back-up shutter speed (1/60) have a separate shutter button, or have I got that wrong?
This camera I see as a pinnacle of the robust and reliable design. Nikon expected that viewfinder LCDs will need replacement after 10 years from manufacture. The reality is that the displays serve like new even after 40 years!
I owned an F3 for 20 years and shot thousands of rolls of film through it; yet, it never once failed me. Its legendary status that was truly well earned. And oh, what a terrible mistake to sell it in 2004 when I thought all film cameras were just going to be useless boat anchors in a few years!
Did you need the money ? Why would you sell it ? You can still use film these days. Film has a different look compared to digital and has a warmer soulful feel
Yes, kicking my ass also for selling mine. At least I still have my 105 f2.5 lens. They were so good together.
Many thanks for your great video review!
I bought my F3 HP in 1991, together with the MD4, a flash and great lenses, the camera has accompanied me everywhere for many, many years. Unfortunately, I sold it when I bought a digital Nikon in 2005. However, I soon realised that the Nikon F3 was the only true Nikon and a few years ago I bought another F3 in very good condition. Even though I use my F6 more often, my F3 will not leave me again, it is absolutely amazing.
The Nikon f3 has always been one of those cameras I've dreamt of having!
It looks gorgeous. Everything about the camera is great...
One day, when I'm an adult, I will buy myself this camera.
Photography is a hobby that I have fallen in love with, especially film... It's weird to think that I started photography at 17 and I'm turning 18 soon.
I have only been shooting for a year, but i have never been so passionate about a hobby like i have been with photography.
This sounds wonderful. I can relate a lot to how you must feel right now. Enjoy your photographic journey and exploring all there is to learn about it. :)
I used two of these, back in the 1990's, for wedding photography. They are real workhorses, and I regret selling them. Thank you for your excellent review.
It's been my main film camera since 2009 and it is always a joy to use. So many lenses to choose from and the smoothest operation and user interface ever. One thing not really touched on is that the TTL flash is spot on and the SB-17 is kind of a must have accessory for this camera. They will probably never make such a comprehensive system like this ever again.
So glad you've reviewed the King of SLRs, Max. Great video, great images, great model. The F3 still stands the test of time today - I managed to rescue two that had spent 10 years in a neighbour's leaking shed. With a bit of TLC they are back to mechanical perfection.
Great video! Possibly my favourite SLR ever made. Using the winding lever on an F3 is immensely satysfying😄
If it came down to only one camera 😢…….Nikon F3HP. THE GOAT 🐐. Great job Max,,,,
Loved the video. I think a lot film shooters don't realize how good of a system Nikon is. There is a lens and camera for every situation you could possibly be in. Also, if you are lucky, you can get amazing gear for not that much money.
I love your thoughtful reviews. Honestly, it’s hard to say which I enjoy more your reviews or your photography! :-)
Thank you so much for your kind words. Really appreciate the feedback.
During the film era, my 35mm cameras were Minolta SLRs.
Minolta MD lenses produced excellent quality images; very sharp even blown up to 11x14 print size.
However, I was never completely satisfied with the X-700 for portraiture.
A recent thrift store purchase of a gently used 1981 Nikon F3 promises to deliver the control I wanted so many years ago.
Thanks for posting a very enjoyable video!
Beautifully done. Even the music was perfectly chosen. One of your best reviews. And yes, the F3 is amazing - a relative bargain for what it is. I’ve never tried the motordrive though, which looks like fun!
I finally got one of these last year. And I could kick myself for sleeping on this beautiful piece of kit . It is wonderful.
You really did a great job on this video. Informative and very detailed.
One of my “grail” cameras…wanting to get my hands on one. It is a thing of beauty to behold. Thank you for the review!
You should. It is such a special camera.
@@AnalogInsights I know! Not only if functionality but in looks!
When I was a kid my mentor - an older local press photographer - had 2 F3s and MD4s, so it was always my dream camera! They still look great today. I had to make do with an FE, but they aren't too bad either.
I love the FE. I think it's the most attractive camera that Nikon has made. I own an F3 as well but the FE is no slouch. The match needle meter in the FE is much better for manual exposure in my opinion. It's a great camera.
The F3 advance is sublime. Smile every time I use it. What a camera! In my top 3. F3 / M3 / Retina IIC
Thanks!👍
Thanks
For me it is the best manual focus SLR. And I have tried many of almost all brands. I have 3 of them, including the F3P model. Thanks for the review.
Great episode! I was on a quest several years ago to acquire an F3, and after about a year finally found one in pristine condition that was affordable. Next I purchased a few vintage lenses and some accessories. What a fabulous camera! I am so glad you made this episode, it was great fun to watch, and I appreciate your testing different emulsions and lenses, and sharing your expert opinions. As always a very well researched episode.
Great review and images. A buddy recently gave me one because he has fully transitioned to digital. You are spot on about the shutter release and film advance being so smooth! It is such an impressive camera. I splurged on a 50 and 135 to go with it, then found an old Vivitar Series 1 70-210 that I look forward to shooting. It's a special feeling to hold a part of history like that.
That's one tough camera! I found one locally in the local news classified for a great price (about 31 years ago. The ad said it was ugly but worked fine. I got it, and yep, it was ugly alright, but worked like a champ, and I used it for about 10-11years without an issue before going digital. It was probably my favorite Nikon, and I carried it around with a Nikon FE2.
A classic and legendary professional workhorse since day 1. Mine, first year of production and purchased new,
is still in regular use. This is a really great overview. Only omission might be the flash connection that many find challenging to use as the flash must be dismounted to rewind film and open the back.
Really loved the braun calculator along the other masterpiece of design - the nikon f3 at 7:49
post bauhaus Braun design
It was my first (and far from last) nikon I bought. These days I mainly shoot with a nikon FA for matrix metering, program mode, and a flash hot shoe. When I did bust out my F3 again recently it reminded why I love it so much, particularly the great shutter sound/feel with practically ZERO LAG (one of the weak points of the FA is the delayed shutter actuation). 10/10 camera, would give a lot of reach back in time and bring a brand new one into 2024
It is great to see the 80-200mm as well as (I think) the 28mm f/2.8 with the F3. Both of these lenses are 2 of Nikon's best and combinations I use quite often.
Great detailed review. People laugh at me when I tell them my F3 is in many ways a better camera than my m6. It’s true though. Only real Advantage of the Leica is size and silent shutter. The rest the Nikon beats it IMHO.
Best review of the F3 i’ve seen. Good work ❤
Thank you. That's very kind. I am glad you like it. :)
Nikon F3, Canon new F1, Leica R4, Contax RTSii , these 80s saw the best reflex ever made with the beginning of reliable automatisms, the aperture priority which is according to me the best mode to learn photography, without integrated motors which make them ugly in the next decade. The F3 is surely one of the best. I only regret the shutter button in the center of the cocking lever which puts the shutter a little bit in the rear but it s just a question of adaptation. Thx for your quiet, relaxing reviews of these old beast of analog era that always makes us dream.
You forgot the Pentax LX which was technically the closest camera to the F3. It even shared the same production period, 1980-2001.
@@dukenukem5768 you are right … but I don t have it so difficult for me to speak of it but it usually gets a lot of positive feedback. The issue is that It’s rarety and it’s real qualities put it at an indécent price on eBay… more than an F5… and I need sometimes to be reasonnable :)
@@philmtx3fr The LX was Pentax's attempt to break into the pro market as it was in 1980. Pentax had obviously looked at other pro-level cameras (especially the Canon F1, Nikon F2 and the Minolta X-1, these being the other interchangeable viewfinder 35mm cameras at the time) and taken their features into account and improved on them. Clearly Nikon were doing the same at the same time. The result was that there are several technical similarities between the LX and F3 such as the Off-the-Film metering (which I think Olympus were the first with). Those two and the Canon F1n were the only three 35mm cameras with interchangeable viewfinders going into the 1980s and they all had a large range of professional accessories such as bulk film backs and motor drives. The F1n was technically less similar to the LX and F3.
IMHO, the top-end Contax, Leica and Olympus SLRs were aimed at a slightly different type of market, more prestigeous rather than work-a-day, the sort of cameras to be seen with in the VIP stand at Ascot, and Olympus even came with Lord Lichfield's endorsement 🙂
Sadly, Pentax made little inroad in the professional market with the LX, not because of the camera, which was superb, but because Nikon and Canon were already well entrenched. Pentax had always been seen mainly as an up-market amateur brand (and remains seen that way), despite also producing undeniably pro grade medium format cameras. As a result there were far fewer LXs sold than its rivals, being out of the price range of most amateurs (or more than they were prepared to pay), which is reflected in the numbers on Ebay etc today.
I still have my LX from new (as an "advanced" amateur) and having also handled a Nikon F3 I think the LX got the pre-digital type of viewfinder display to perfection. I'm told the LXs' electronics have generally not aged as well as the F3's have, but mine is still working fine.
Bought one couple of years ago, best decision ever made ❤ everything just feels right
Absolutely on point. Nikon’s reputation was built on such designs and the huge customisability of cameras like the F3. The professional support and the reassuring ability to get out of the way when images are being created. It’s a photographer’s camera.
War gestern Zufällig wieder mit meiner F3 unterwegs. Ein wenig Reportage fotografieren, während einem Band Auftritt.
Habe meine mit dem normalen Sucher. Als Brillenträger komme ich damit auch noch gut zurecht. Einzig anders, ich habe eine Gittervollmattscheibe vom Vorbesitzer übernommen. Funktioniert mit genug üben auch hervorragend. Was die Objektive angeht, ich habe mir dieses Jahr den Luxus gegönnt und mir ein Zeiss 35mm F2.0 Milvus ( ZF.2) für die F3 gekauft. Auch eine tolle Reihe an Objektiven die sich gut an der F3 machen. Das 58mm Voigtländer habe ich auch im Einsatz, sowie ein paar ältere und nicht so Lichtstarke Nikkore ( Teils auch Non Ai, weil ich noch eine F2 habe). Was die Thematik Winder angeht, ich habe auch noch eine FE die mit einem MD12 ausgerüstet ist, das macht auch da sehr viel Spaß mit zu arbeiten.
Alles in allem, ich habe die Kamera jetzt gut 2 Jahre und bin überglücklich eine gekauft zu haben.
P.s. Eure Reviews können Ansteckend sein , 😂 ich bin froh das es kein Video zur Leica M Reihe war, damit bin ich auch noch am liebäugeln.
One of the 2 F3's that I own was made in the first half of the first month of production, and other than a bit of brassing on the corners, it's 100%.
Great 80ès music! :D Many thanks.
1980 I bought my Olympus OM-2N. A really good camera, more for experienced amateurs. Very small, very light and also a big OM system and very good lenses too.
That is certainly true. The OM system is remarkable in its own right.
That was very interesting, but, and there is almost always a but. When talking about esoteric components, maybe you could actually show the component. I'm talking about the viewfinder blind, which completely went over the head of the non F3 owner who watched this with me. I pulled one of my F3's out and demonstrated the viewfinder blind in action; nice red colour was her observation.
I realise that getting contemporary lenses is not that easy, unless like me you've been acquiring them for 40+ years, but if you ever can, do a side by side test with the 105 f/2.5 and the 85 f/1.4 in a portrait session; and use the correct lens hood for the 85 f/1.4 (HN-20)
The DA2 Action finder is so good you can be wearing a full face motorcycle helmet and still focus and see the entire viewfinder; albeit not easy when bouncing around, but it is a fun experience.
Very good introduction to the press pack - camera. I used one a long time ago for around 12 months as it was “the company” camera. I enjoyed using it and could see why it and the F2 became the workhorses they did, but I never really preferred it to the Pentax LX or heretically the Rolleiflex SL200f. But still a great video.
Have it! Love it! Glad to watch a review of a camera I own and don't have to buy it! :))
Haha. Good one.
I went to the local launch of the F3 when it came out and have to say it was a total game changer. It made everything else on the market look antiquated and my R4's look under featured which they were. Great camera and i loved shooting with them when i got my chance except for the slow sync when in the studio. Our flash modeling lights on the Balcar's back then were bright enough to be noticable if you shot at 5.6 or so. That slight orange blur was annoying. Id have another in a millisecond now though.
I'm a very old pro and owned several F3's never had one fail. However, I prefer my F2's over the F3, but that's just me.
Had an F3HP for a little while, bought it cheap from Japan in pretty poor condition. It has only just now started to fail with the mirror getting stuck up after firing. It's a shame, but I will definitely be replacing it with another F3. They're just a joy to shoot with!
It’s the one camera I absolutely regret letting go. I love shooting Leicas today (MP and M11-P) but the Nikon F3 will always hold a special place in my photography journey.
..and following on from a comment below.. I purchased my F3 in 2009, well past the "end" date of film.. for $118! I was flabergasted.. and a bit dissappointed, as the camera wouldn't meter! Kept trying to get it to work, shooting, opening it up, shooting.. no metering, stuck on 1/80th of a second.. :-) Silly me, first two frames wouldn't meter, as those were your throw-away shots.. So came back from the repair shop with "no charge" and instructions to read the manual! It is a fantastic camera, and my gateway drug into the whole Nikon F line.. After a while I had collected all 6! And then, with my camera cupboard full to overflowing, I decided to cut down on my cameras, and keep just the " good" ones.. What a hard choice, putting them up for sale! In the end I kept the F3 and F6, one for B&W and the other for colour, and every time I take it out it just feels amazing, I'll never let this one go.. maybe the F6, but not this one. Thanks Analog Insights for a great review and all the esoteric info about the pinholes in the reflex mirror and exposure meter oscilations.. mindboggling stuff.
Ich nutze die F3 seit ca. 10 Jahren und verehre sie. Jeden Kommentator, der hier schreibt das er bereut sie verkauft zu haben kann ich verstehen. Dieser Fotoapparat ist zeitlos und inspirierend.
Danke für das tolle Video
Great video Max! Can you review the Pentyax Z1P? Very interesting exotic and unknown Pentax flagship camera!
The good thing about the F3 is a lot of the same folk who worked on this carried over a lot of the design philosophy and features to the cheaper models of the time, so don’t feel like you’re missing out if you can’t afford this (admittedly excellent and classic) camera. Check out the f801/n8008 as an example.
I love my F3 and my F2AS, F4, F6,FA, and F100. The F2 and F3 have regular outings and have never let me down. Six cameras and 13 matching lenses, what more could an old fart want, other than 2 beer fridges with a large selection of film. Now considering selling my Z6ii and Z9 and going totally analogue again.
Another great review, thanks. How do you feel it compares to the later Canon F1?
Honestly, the best Nikon film camera made. I still have a mint Nikon F3HP and works flawlessly. I love the aperture priority!
I was very lucky to find a working F3 in a thrift shop for $25 (canadian) a few years ago. It was missing only the cover for the battery chamber. It's a brilliant camera to use and gives the impression that it could survive nearly anything and keep firing away. All while still being fairly light and compact. Mine has the HP finder which I'm not a fan of because the high eyepoint is achieved by reducing finder magnification which combined with a plain matte screen reduces focusing accuracy. I also find the exposure compensation dial a pain to use. But these are both pretty minor quibbles.
I love my F3. The only thing I’m not keen on is the LCD display. I prefer the matched needle meter in the FM3a, which I also own. I like the MD4 motor drive, despite its size. And I have a waist level finder too, which is a lovely accessory.
I still have the F3HP that I bought used in the late 80's. It's a workhorse and has the most comfortable viewfinder of any camera that I've owned. I had a F2 previously which I just never cared for. I know that is also a well regarded camera today but I was never a fan and was thrilled when I found an F3 I could afford.
It is not a particularly good camera for manual exposure due to the awkward placement/implementation of the LCD. I prefer the FE style meter for manual exposure. However, the low power demand of the LCD meant that batteries lasted forever. The F3 really shines in aperture priority mode. I loved the center weighted meter. Bombproof metering with tri-X and even with low DR slide film I rarely had exposure issues.
No it's not a mechanical shutter so if that's important to you move on. I have never had an issue with the quartz shutter nor have I heard of widespread issues with those shutters Not something I am personally concerned about. The LCD seems to be the weak point as they age but mine is still in good shape.
I keep mine on my desk just so I can dry fire it once in a while when I am bored. The motor drive is awesome. There is no better manual winder available IMO. It's definitely a keeper for me.
My favorite SLR to use together with my Leica. Great beast with the 100mm 2.8 series E!
So true. It is such a special camera.
Great review for this great camera
Few lenses are on par to the Leicas
I have all the F bodies from the FTN to the F6 and the F3 is my favorite
Another great review! The guy at 20:11 lol
Thanks. Haha. Couldn't cut it out. :)
I've had the F3, but couldn't justify it, along the FM, to keep it all the time - because i've had much more lenses for Minolta (MD), and the XD7 was much smaller, handier....so, the F3 had to go. But nowadays, i have the F80 & F100 still, and some Nikon DSLRs. Never left Nikon, for sure.
F3 is unique. I have a F3 HP and an F3-P. I also have a Canon EF which is the Pro line of the Canon from the same era. The difference in the the refimenment and the smoothness of the operation is very tangible and that superb viewfinder.
As always the video is very well done. I love your channel. I was fortunate to pick up an absolutely mint F3HP many many years ago for $175. I paired it with the motor drive and have taken maybe 8 rolls of film with it. For me I dont like the feel of it, its actually my least favorite Nikon camera and I own all the single digit F bodies. It works perfectly and its actually a great looking camera, just not one that I like to use.
Brilliant review, thank you!!
I own an F3 and two F2 (one chrome F2A and one black F2AS). For personal reasons I like my F2AS most. For shooting ... difficult ... most of the time I take the F3.
I bought the F3 with the regular prism though and after all the praise also bought an HP prism. I never use it; the higher eyepoint results in a slightly smaller finder and since I do not wear glasses, I much prefer the original meter. So if you are looking for one and you do NOT need glasses, buy the best you can get, but if you can pick between two equally good ones, I suggest to take the regular prism.
Excellent review! Thank you so much for all the research and in depth study. During this episode I appreciated the sound track, would you mind sharing the artist/songs used?
Rock solid camera and the prices are modest all things considered. An FM3a nowadays sells for more, which never made sense to me.
Great video, the smartest dressed photographer on UA-cam 😊
Haha. Thanks, that’s very kind of you.
As a older teenager, I wanted that camera really, really bad. But while living in a country ravaged with economic crisis and inflation, that was literally impossible.
So I opted for the next best thing - a used, black Nikon F2. Note that in that time, ANY F2 could be 17 years old at most 😊
The boys brought their A game in making this video. Very appropriate for this legendary camera. Well done gentlemen! 👏
Another one of those awesome cameras you'll never think of cashing in, or if you do...... forever living to regret it.
The F3 (hp) is the one camera I long for. I thankfully don't suffer from Gear Acquisition Syndrome but when it comes to the F3 I make an exception
It’s an exceptionally good camera, I’d put it up there with the OLYMPUS OM 4 ti and the Pentax LX , with perhaps the Canon F1n and Nikon FM2n just behind those .
Still good indeed !
The bomb proof pro camera of choice for so many years...
The Nikon F3 has rightly achieved legendary status.
It’s the first camera in my bag wherever I go in the world and loaded with Portra 160.
A must-have.
Back in the 80's I was working with a brace of F3's as my daily cameras. Now when I'm thinking of shooting file again, I'd rather have my 1977 F2's. The only good thing about the F3 for shooting sport was the motordrive. I've never used auto exposure and still know what shutter speed and aperture to use without a meter.
Was für tolles Video. Toll, dass dieses Werkzeug noch bei euch Verwendung findet. War nie in meiner Gehaltsklasse...😅
Kurze Frage, wo habt ihr das Portraitshooting gemacht?#nikonforever
Vielen Dank für deinen Kommentar. Die Portraits haben wir bei der BMW-Welt geschossen.
Ach cool. Danke für die schnelle Antwort@@AnalogInsights
I used to own this camera in 1988, paid £750 back, then a great camera
Great review as always guys :) Its funny but the F3 is one of the few Nikon cameras i have never owned, i had the F2 and the F5 and the F100 and the FM3a and the FE2 etc.
But for some reason i found it to be a bit too clunky and did not like the look of it as much. Not sure why. But i almost never heard anything negative about it from others using it, on the contrary and just like you say in your review they have said its a legend for a reason.
So was nice to see a great review of a camera i have not owned but maybe at some point if i ever find one in great condition might want to own.
You made it more likely to happen anyhow.
/Regards Martin.
Many thanks! Where is the development and scanning of the Ektachrome E100 done?
That was Khrome lab in Hamburg.
One word: Beauty
Thank you very much for the video :)
Need to keep reminding myself that just because it's on Analog Insights it does not mean I need I need to spend the next week looking for one to buy for myself
Maybe a video about Canon IV Sb :)
I had two Nikon F3, but I liked to use my two Nikon FE cameras more, later I got two Canon New F-1 Cameras which are much better !
A negative (that is no fault of Nikon's) I would include is that buying a horizontal curtain shutter camera in today's day and age is going to come at a cost. You are either taking a big gamble or paying a premium for something that's been well maintained and serviced. They were perfectly fine in their day but does not age as well as (most) vertical shutters.
For vintage Nikon F models, the shutter is going to be an issue for most of them. The Titanium honeycomb shutters in the "letter" series F cameras was an incredible innovation in its day (at 1/4000 max speed) but that also made it much more delicate and much more likely to break now that they are 40+ years old.
I would try and get hold of a FM3A or a FM2N which have much more durable shutters than the rest of the Nikon F line.
The F3's is at least not made of cloth like its older brothers...
I'd love to see you do a review of a canon new F1 and compare it to the F3
We already have such a review. The cameras are almost on par I would say.
While Nikon manual-focus SLRs were a joy to use, the problem lies with the lack of 35mm films sensitivity to light compared with modern digital sensors; metro networks below ground stations are well lit for passengers, but the lighting levels are too low for 35mm film photography, you would need at least a 1600 ISO film, but the prints from which would be very grainy on even A4 photographic paper. Whereas digital sensors are so much more sensitive to light to the point where you can photograph a below ground metro station with the ISO set at 400 and get a very clean A2 sized print.
Tolle Bilder! ❤😎
For anyone trying to decide: yeah, it’s this one. It’s probably just the best film camera
This camera makes much more sense as an upgrade from the F than the F2 did, to me. The F2 really is extraordinarily similar to the F - the major differences only consisting of the location of the batteries and the opening mechanism of the film compartment. This is an upgrade in almost every way, unless you just prefer mechanically controlled shutter mechanisms, or the German mechanical design aesthetic compared to the Italian one.
Beautiful, but it makes me want to buy a Zf. I still have an F4 but it’s just to heavy these days. 😢
I love my F3 but have occasional trouble metering, given the extra weight (80/20) the F3 puts on the center circle compared to other Nikon bodies. Did you notice the difference - good, bad or otherwise?
Ein schönes Video, jetzt das ganze noch in deutsch bitte 😊.
Besteht die Möglichkeit die Objektive meiner Nikon AF 801s an der F3 zu benutzen?
LG Uwe
Ja, die Objektive können genutzt werden.
Classic camera, but a bit let down by the weird flash hotshoe positioned over the rewind lever and with a unique contact layout. You had to use a special flash gun (or an adaptor) and remove it to change film. Nikon sorted it with the F4.
Also, didn't the mechanical back-up shutter speed (1/60) have a separate shutter button, or have I got that wrong?
There is a non battery needed shutter button firing at 1/60 on the bottom front of the camera
This camera I see as a pinnacle of the robust and reliable design. Nikon expected that viewfinder LCDs will need replacement after 10 years from manufacture. The reality is that the displays serve like new even after 40 years!
You're lucky mine is dead on my mint F3HP
81년도에 구입했던것 같은데... 셔터음이 기가 막혔지요... f1.2렌즈도 좋았구요...
I love my FM and FM2, but the F3 has always held an appeal. Maybe some day…
I cannot decide if I want to upgrade my F2 photomic to an F2AS, or completely upgrade to a F3. The DP-12 prism alone costs as much as a F3
I am a Canon shooter, but the F3 is quite possibly the best 35mm SLR ever made.
Have an F3 ; a good reliable unit.