Nikon F3

Nikon F3

Nikon F3 is Nikon’s third generation of the professional class Nikon F-series 35mm SLR camera model, preceded by the F and F2. It was introduced in 1980 with manual and semi-automatic exposure control whereby the camera would select the correct shutter speed with aperture priority automation.

Features

The F3 is designed following the successful concept of modularity, similar to the previous F and F2 which enables F3 to accept components and accessories to cater to individual requirements and specific photographic needs. It enables AF lenses and lenses with Nikon F mount (with some limitations). It is built with electromagnetically controlled, horizontal-travel, titanium foil focal-plane shutter. It features aperture-priority automatic exposure control; with shutter speeds from 8 sec to 1/2000 sec. Besides that, it also features manual exposure control with its quartz digital control for 16 shutter speeds from 8sec to 1/2000 sec, including X (1/80 sec); B and T also provided. Moreover, there is also a backup mechanical release lever which 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. Furthermore, the F3’s exposure metering features TTL centre-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. Film speed is set from ISO12 to ISO6400. It also enables exposure memory lock via button and exposure compensation via dial with +2 to -2 EV in 1/3 increments. Besides that, it houses eyelevel finder DE-2 viewfinder equipped with eyepiece shutter. Its LCD display shows shutter speed (Auto: +2000 indicates overexposure, -8- underexposure; 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; and also aperture in use also show through aperture direct-readout (ADR) window. It is powered by 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. It measures 148.5 x 96.5 x 65.5 mm and weighs 715g.