Nikon F3 w/ 50mm F/1.8 lens (USED)

Nikon F3 w/ 50mm F/1.8 lens (USED)

The Nikon F3 is a professional level SLR 35mm film camera.  It's extremely solid no-nonsense design and practical pro oriented feature set have made the camera a legend.  It's been one of the main go to choices for photojournalists and pros all over the world.  Along the way it's secured a reputation of durability and reliability that very few other cameras enjoy.

The F3 body is designed to be a true professional workhorse able to endure heavy use in demanding conditions.  Just like the other top of the line Nikon models that came before it, the F3 amenities include a mirror lock-up, interchangeable finders, depth of field preview, and a PC flash sync socket.  The F3 is the first pro Nikon body to not use a fully mechanical shutter.  Instead the F3 uses two readily available PX76 style batteries to a power a more accurate electronically timed shutter and single mechanical back-up shutter speed of 1/80 is provided.  The F3 also has an Aperture Priority auto exposure mode useable with Ai (Automatic Indexing) lenses and later lenses.  Non-Ai lenses are useable on the camera with stop-down metering.

The F3 was often paired with it's equally well known MD-4 dedicated Motor Drive which can wind film at 5 frames per second and also features powered rewind at nearly the same speed.  The F3 also features TTL flash metering with compatible Speedlights such as the powerful SB-16A.

Nikon introduced the F3 in 1980 with the .8X DE-2 prism finder.  In 1981 Nikon introduced the DE-3 High Eyepoint prism finder for the F3. When an F3 is paired with a DE-3 it's referred to as a F3HP.  Users who wear glasses may prefer the DE-3's extra eye relief and users who wear contacts or don't wear glasses may prefer the DE-2's higher magnification.

The F3 is a tremendously fun camera for any shooter or collector to own.  In Nikon's lineup for multiple decades because of it's popularity, it's a historic camera, an absolute classic.