Nikon F3: Perhaps the greatest SLR ever
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- čas přidán 8. 08. 2024
- After a long few months of testing and thorough analysis, I am back with my review of the legendary, the iconic, perhaps the great SLR ever… The Nikon F3. Also, shout out to my pals at Roberts Camera/Used Photo Pro for hooking me up with this beauty (robertscamera.com | usedphotopro.com).
Follow me on Instagram: / tyle_r
#Nikon #Nikkor #NikonF3 #CameraReview #Film
For a much more thorough in-depth review: www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/f3.htm
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The fact you grew a mustache just for this review was worth a thumbs up.
Your comment warms my soul.
I bought my F3 in 1980. I estimate I shot 500,000 frames with it until in around 1999 I sold it on Ebay. The amazing thing is I sold it for $700.
My friend that’s 15K rolls of film and now days it will cost 400K to process and scan it 😂
I have one of these cameras. I have fairly crappy eyesight and have to wear glasses. The F3HP has, bar none, the best viewfinder of any SLR I've used. One other, minor thing - whoever designed the film advance was a mechanical genius - it is just butter smooth.
The Nikon F3 is a fantastic camera . I have always loved it.
For me, it was the fact nasa partnered with nikon to produce a modified version of the f3 for use with the space shuttle missions
Excellent review. Love the personality, the humor, and the technical info. Please make more!
Awesome video man, top notch production and editing!
Great video. My F3's light meter is dead and I use it as a manual camera. I prefer FM2n on that point, but I love F3's shutter sound. I enjoyed your video. Thank you.
Hard to find anything that sounds that good!
Great video man. Appreciate the effort you put into it, also loved your videos about the 35 1.4 and 50 1.2
Thank you!
An absolute pro review, thanks, it was a lot of fun to see it. The F3 indeed is one of the best 35mm cameras… pure fotogearporn! Unfortunately the mustache is the opposite of that…the last scene shows you 20 years younger than before…👍 Instand subscribed…😎
When it comes to max shutter speed, keep in mind the time frame you are dealing with. The FTN was 1000., the F2 2000 and the F3 2000. As shutter technology improved and shutter curtains got lighter and went from horizontal to vertical, it enabled faster max shutter speeds and faster X synch.
@scottmurohy : thank you for that interesting information about how shutter speeds were technically improved with time.
Love my F3HP and have been shooting it for years. Love everything about it just not the hard to see meter.
You have really created my favorite Film Camera Video bar none! Fantastic production and editing. Oh and your video literally sealed the deal with my attempt at convincing my wife that I needed an F3 in my life. I am not kidding! Oh and the Tom Selleck vibes also struck a chord with her as well. I totally owe ya one!!!! P.S. I received a NOS(New Old Stock) F3 and assorted other goodies yesterday courtesy of my wife. Let the good times ROLLLL..........
Great to hear! Happy shooting!
@@TylerGajewski Thankssss!!!! Remember, I owe you one!!!
There's no way you only have 600 subs! This video quality is suburb.
great review of a great camera , really enjoyed your video , look forward to seeing more
Great camera, great stache 👍
great explanation on the viewfinders! I was confused until i watched your video, thanks!
Thank you!
The F3 is a beautiful camera, I regret selling mine in September, I had to buy another. The big viewfinder with an lcd, quiet shutter and removable prism. It’s my favourite camera.
The buttery smooth wind-on lever is to die for.
I bought my first Nikon, a used F with a prism finder, in 1967 and have never looked back. The F2 has long been a favorite and I have several, but the first time I held an F3, I was in love. I currently own three F3s: 2 with HP fnders and one with an action finder. All have MD4 motor drives. This is an excellent review of a fantastic camera! Oh, I still have and use that original F.
Yeah, hands down it was the greatest camera I ever shot.
That was so good, it deserved a sub!
Easy to get to frame counter position 1: The shutter speed remains stuck at 1/80" (with no exposure indication) up until the frame counter reaches this position !
I was gifted a Nikkormat FT N. That is as close as I can get right now. Only shot one roll so far. I'll get it back in ten days... maybe. I will pick up an F-3 one of these days.
Your video was very enlightening and fun. That’s as much as I need. I went and bought a F3 after seeing this. Thumbs up
Great to hear it! Thanks for the kind words!
I bought one almost new in February, one of the last units produced, around 1999/2000, and it cost me a lot of money, in addition to paying customs tax. But it is a gem.
I was wondering if any of those last units have subtle differences to the older ones. I thought mine was a later model since it was in such good condition, but turns out it was on the earlier models.
@@TylerGajewski The only difference is that the latest models are 20 years old at most, while the older ones are 30 or 40 years old, so in theory and only in theory, they have less time to last ahead.
@@MeTheDroidor The F3 was very mechanical, later cameras failed because of their electronics...
Omg didn't expect to see the pictures you shot to be in "my area", haha. Almost lost my socks when I saw the 222 tower
bravo!!
Tom would certainly approve!
I just received my F3T a few days ago..I have to find an owners manual and get to work. So far i love this Camera.
Back in the 1980's I used a brace of these to shoot sport and an FM2n for anything that needed flash. I love the F2a, but with a motordrive it was a little more awkward. If I ever have the space for a darkroom, I'll get another F3. And another F2a. I still have an FM2n...
The multiple exposure lever looks like you should try and keep it in the out position as you wind on. This would be fiddly but actually you only have to start it out - it will not disconnect this feature and so it could not be easier.
Hi, such a great video. thanks for sharing.
I had some questions, which F3 is the best? also is the Waist-level viewfinder mode with magnifier is included with the camera or do I have to buy that little open-up door seperately?
Good one. At the time pros (and they do talk to each other) were telling me to stay away because of the bad electronics in them. In any case my terminal film Nikon was a F2a.
Good choice. The last of the fully mechanical hand built Nikons. I have one too, and although it's heavy, it's also grenade-proof.
Anyone has a recommendation of an online store in Europe where I could buy this camera? Amazon doesn't have it and all sellers I could find in eBay are based in the US or Japan. I'd like something based in Europe. Thanks!
Great video. I enjoy my 3 Nikon F3 HPs too. Thank you
RS Canada
Great video. I loved it. Good job
I have two F3s and love shooting with them, which I do a lot. Though one is at the mender's with a dicky shutter. Even process my own films at home now for added fun.
When loading film, the camera automatically sets the shutter to 1/80 until you've advanced to 'frame 1' - so you don't go firing off the first 2-3 frames with the lens cap on and a shutter speed of infinity. Watch the shutter speed in the viewfinder (leave the lens cap on) until it changes from 1/80, then you're ready. I expect someone already said this somewhere below.
I use the slot on the back for the film box lid but I remove it after every shoot and make notes on the back of where and when I shot the film and on which camera, using xxs writing. Useful if you don't use an entire roll at a single shoot. Or if, like me, you go on a 5,000 mile road trip with two F3s and a Pentax ME Super and get all 29 rolls you shot processed and returned in one go.
Well done on the mo. Certainly different and I loved the Selleck ref. It would take me about a year to grow one like that and then all that would happen is that my wife would leave me.
The 1/80th thing is a nice little feature. Again, one of the little nuggets the designers thought of when putting this camera together. The F3 is loaded with them.
I also started developing B/W at home. I love it, but after I got a Hasselbald 500c/m... shooting 36 frames seems like such a tall task! I guess I need to take a 5,000 mile road trip!
Thank you for not being monotonous and douchey like every other photography channel
I have an F3 and absolutely love it. I've pimped it out a bit, it has the MD4 motordrive, the MF6 film stop back thats stops the film from rewinding to leave a little bit of the leader sticking out of the film cartridge. I also fitted it with the AR-9 soft shutter release...makes it so much easier to take a shot. they're a wonderful camera, well designed and very intuitive ..a good camera for anyone wanting to get into film photography, even if the prices have gone up a bit in recent times. I find the HP versions to be a bit overrated, as I wear glasses myself, but only have the standard viewfinder on mine..and have no problem using it at all.
Hi! Great video. I wonder if the Samyang 135mm F2.0 ED UMC lens will be fully compatible with the Nikon F3? Thanks for the answer!
Wow. Great video. Also have one. And the 50mm.1:1.2 :)
Did not know this camera could be used fully automatic (without hiccups) and that it used such small, easy to get, and long lasting batteries... I always saw the F3 as some instagram hype, but objectively speaking, it suits my needs perfectly.
Most excellent review. Yes, every shot is great and you have only 36 frames to do it in. That's why you take your time and make every picture count. That F3 is a lot like a very grown Nikon FE2 with all the goodies of the F2 plus more, much, much more.
Its a fantastic camera, only nah in my opinion is the lcd meter. Wish it had an analogue needle K-1000 style.
I agree. The little button for the light is terrible too. If it's too dark to see, I just have to trust the meter will get it right.
I prefer LED indicators. The K1000 gave you no idea what the shutter speed was, so you had to take it down from your eye to check the shutter speed had not gone low into the camera shake zone. It was 1960's tech.
Is it not the switch at right hand corner on top for multiple exposures?
For multiple exposures of overlapping subjects, it's best to set your EV to -1 (for 2 exposures), or -2 (for 3 exposures).
Love, Love, LOVE the Nikon F3HP!
You are cool, buddy, as cool as your Nikon F3! Awesome! Just subscribed, Bro!
Tyler, I really like your vids, you should do more. I may have bought the 85 based largely on your review and it is FANTASTIC, thanks! Also like to see a Wisco guy killing it. I have been weighing a F3HP and a F4. I have a Nikkormat (yeh) and a FG (meh). I am curious if you sought your F3 out specifically or bought it and then loved it? Great production value on your vids, keep it up man!
The best review ever. You are really cool. More vids please :-)
Beautiful video. Including the grade to match.
Awesome vid and great mustache 👍🏾
Love the "hell yeas" that was hilarious.
just got an F3 with the HP vf & a 18-70mm for $50. Had to clean the battery connection up with alcohol but it works! I hate that everything on this camera is battery dependent, I love the 60s/70s era cameras that only depend on the battery for metering. Otherwise, it is perfect. I always planned on getting an F2 but this one fell right in my lap and I had to take it. I've been dying for a a return to fully manual since picking up my Minolta a 8700i.
I recently bought a Leica M6 and now really *get* the battery dilemma with the F3. I too prefer the all mechanical with the battery being solely used for the light meter. That said, I still love the F3 even if it needs a battery for more than the light meter.
Awesome video!! I was just wondering what lenses you used to take those shots? I just bought a f3 body but need to buy some lenses, cheers from NZ :)
My go-to lens is the Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 -- People swear the f/1.4 is just as good and is cheaper.
I also use the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 AIS. I have the Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 AIS, but don't really use it that much. Recently, I picked up the Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 which is pretty nice for landscape/exaggerated lines.
You just can't go wrong with a 50mm though.
Great review ! Just recently found a new unused f3! It’s my third 35mm, looking forward to the experience ! The stash ! 😎✨👍
Have fun!
Awesome vid!
Ha! Ha! Sounds like you would really like the FM3a. Has a lot of features you would prefer. They cost a ton now, though. I had one, but switched to the F3 for the HP finder. I miss everything else about the FM3a.
After loading in a new roll of film, you must advance the film to frame number one (the first line) for the light meter and shutter speed control to work.
Tyler, superb videos!! I'm a Brit and your humour is SOOOOO British.
U got a new sub. Love ur style
What lense were you using in this review? Planning to get an F3HP soon 🙂
For the most part I think I shot everything with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AIS -- probably snuck in a few shots with some other lenses like the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 -- The 50 is my go-to lens though.
I love the way that people comment on my F3 Titanium when I use it - it's always - "Nice camera" or something similar if not simply "what the heck camera is that"
I've had lots of 35mm cameras, and my favorite is the F3, even though I hated film. All of his negatives have never been a problem. Great camera. Now if only there was a digital back....
Great Job !
I love how the f3 goes with my mk1 gti, I’ve even resorted to buying vintage Nikon venturer binoculars because I can never seem to get enough Giugiaro stuff.
Thanks for your review! You look like my father when he bought his F3 😂 Now I have begun to use it, as I am a manual-modoholic 😁
wohoo i am the 1000th subscriber!
I am using a D850, and a F6. My principle lens is a Sigma 50mm F/1.4. I want to use it in manual focus, but let the camera figure out the F stops and shutter speed. Will the F3 HP, do that?
I'm guessing not -- if that sigma lens has a built-in aperture ring then I'd feel stronger that it would work in aperture priority mode
Great video- subbed F3 is awesome looking for a good one prices in the UK 🇬🇧 are getting higher may have to go to Japan 🇯🇵 for a better late model
Dude...try loading a barnack leica XD
great video!
I just got f5 for its afs compatibility and waist finder. But i plan on getting f3 mint after i sold my fg. I love street shoot. And waist is the best for street. Even better than rangefinder
I started with FM2n and never looked back. From time to time I had some urges to try F3 or F4 but actually I dont need to. Sure the changeable viewfinders and prisms and all that fancy stuff is cool... but all of them will be shut when the battery runs out... while the FM2 can take you from Siberia to Sahara without any problems :)
The only down size is I sometimes missed those autofunctions like aperture priority and the bigger viewfinder (since I wear glasses) but one can get used to it :)
The film cartridge view is a genius idea!
I’m digging the Nikon content!
I've got a new 28mm f/2.8 AIS lens that I am thinking about reviewing next. Gotta shoot a few more rolls of film though!
love the camera strap. Which one is it?
I would like to know as well.
Great video and awesome camera! Can't believe only 700 subs, your channel deserves way more! Keep up the good work!
Hey - I love that strap.... the red cord is perfect for the F3! Where did you get it?
It's a Red Outdoor Rope Cord Camera strap: You can get it here (although it's currently unavailable): www.amazon.com/dp/B06XPBT62M/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_uB8HFbECDYW37
Cool - thanks!
@@petel1201 I will say I bought the smaller one for my X100F and I think it's a little too small. Go big if you can.
Hahahaha I loved the mustache idea :), Where do you think we can buy the Nikon f3 Hp? and have that "passed" certification on it?!
Thanks! I am a big fan of UsedPhotoPro.com and would definitely recommend them.
Really enjoyed this man, inspired me to dig out my F3 and get some film ordered for it! Thank you!
That was fun.
Dont know why I like your voice so much I should really find it annoying but it speaks to me haha, subbed!
Good that you've used perhaps in the title, because Canon New F-1 is
The FM3a was even more manually operable, and that wasn't even introduced until 2001.
I prefer the more compact Nikon FE.
When I go large I have the all mechanical F2a
Wait, that mustache was real? Dang! I respect that.
Nice fair and balanced review. How dare you find any flaws in this greatest of all SLR's :-) The F3 is a fun camera to shoot with and I love the versitily of being able to swap out viewfinders. Although like others I think the matchsick metering on the FE's is just too dam good. I'm sure the the LCD in the early 80's seemed space age cool, but it just doesn't hold up as well in the 2020's. Still a great camera (I own two of them :-) )
A meter needle (used in the rival Canon F-1n) can be fragile, but then the LCDs of the Nikon F3 have not done well over the years. I prefer the middle gound of the Pentax LX row of coloured LEDs.
A great camera. I have several too. RS
sounds like you might want an fm3a. It has 1/4000 shutter and the film window thing on the door
How much?
😢My workhorse for 20 years. Use it still today. However you are not loading the film right. And you shall never take off the wivfinder without replasing it with another. The shutter is made out of titanium, so it will last almoust forever. I have all lenses and eqipment to this kamera. and everything works fine. Bought it new in 1984 and have shot several hundreds of thousends photos with it.
Wow 🤩 I would love to see your best work with it
I have the F3 HP as well and I've produced probably my best work on this camera over all others.
Very enjoyable vid. I have some disagreements though. I think if you want to get into film, it's going to be weird. Embrace it. Get an all manual, mechanical camera (either an electronically assisted one like this or an all-mechanical camera like a Nikon FM2, Nikon F, Pentax MX, Olympus OM1 etc) and just go for it. The somewhat awkward experience of film loading is - along with the manual focusing and setting controls - part of what makes it so radically different from shooting digital. And it's all of a week's shooting to get used to all of these quirks.
Ultimate Nikon manual film SLR? The Nikon FM3A. It has your 1/4000th. It shoots without batteries at almost every shutter speed but still has aperture priority with batteries. It has a clearer match needle meter. Still rugged as heck - but not quite as chonky. And you can get everything except the aperture priority on the FM2 which is much, much cheaper and far more abundant.
Appreciate the feedback... I'd just like to say I am significantly better at loading film, than I was during the filming of this video. Also, it's extra pressure loading the camera and trying to the video shot.
Yes! The Nikon FM3a…[ahem]…the LAST manual focus Nikon camera ever made. (Not the F3 as he states in this video)
I bought a house and found one of the same type that is identical. Do you buy I am in Saudi Arabia and can I ship it to you?
Great 👍🏻 SLR camera! F, F2 and F3. I have all. But what do you think of the Canon T90?
Never experienced the T90... Haven't shot much Canon at all to be honest.
Back in the days when photography was enjoyable... it was the best camera ever. It has more than you need in a camera. The flash system sucks, but I used a Metz 45 connected to the PC socket
Absolutely great video.... goddamn I need an f3 now after I just bought a pristine Minolta xg1 😑
Love that you have a photo of Tom Selleck from a very underrated movie titled “Innocent Man” with the shit detective played by Hammer 🔨
Bravo!
I owned an F3 HP with the MD4 from July 1985 - July 1990. It was tough as Nails.
The Auto Metering System actually could function at far lower EV Values than it's Specification. In AE mode, the Camera could set the Shutter for over 60 seconds
That Film Advance Mechanism, as mentioned was so smooth, I had to use the Rewind Crank to take up slack in the Film Canaster, so I could see if the Film was actually advancing.
The only things I didn't like was the very Heavy Center Weighting of the Metering System, and that annoying Flash Mount.
It was stolen in 1990 when my House suffered a B & E. I was thinking of getting a another, but but chose an F-801(in the US it was called N8080),
Nice photograph of Thomas Selleck
Take your F3 scuba diving like I used to do.
Lol actually?