Nikon F3

Nikon F3
Overview
MakerNikon (Nippon Kogaku K. K.)
Type35mm SLR
ReleasedMarch 1980
Production1980-2001
Intro price$1,174.90 With 50mm Nikkor f/1.4 (1981)[1]
Lens
Lens mountNikon F-mount
Compatible lensesNikon F-mount lenses supporting automatic indexing (AI) with some exceptions; F3 dedicated auto-focus lenses
Sensor/medium
Film format35 mm
Film size36 mm × 24 mm
Film advancemanual; automatic with optional motor drive
Film rewindmanual; automatic with optional motor drive
Focusing
Focus modesmanual
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesAperture priority, manual
Exposure meteringsilicon photodiode light meter, TTL metering, EV 1 to EV 18 (f/1.4 at 1s to f/16 at 1/1000s at ASA/ISO 100 and with 50 mm f/1.4 lens
Metering modes80 percent centerweighted[2]
Flash
Flashhot shoe; synch terminal
Flash synchronization1/80s
Compatible flashesDedicated F3 accessory shoe mounted flashes with TTL capability; other hot shoe type flashes with adapter; non-hot shoe flashes with synch cord
Shutter
Shutterelectronically controlled
Viewfinder
Viewfinderinterchangeable eye-level pentaprism
General
Made inJapan
Chronology
SuccessorNikon F4

The Nikon F3 is Nikon's third professional single-lens reflex camera body, preceded by the F and F2. Introduced in March 1980, it has manual and semi-automatic exposure control whereby the camera would select the correct shutter speed (aperture priority automation). The Nikon F3 series cameras has the most model variations of any Nikon F camera. It is also the first of numerous Nikon F-series cameras to be styled by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro,[3] and to include a red stripe on the handgrip – a feature that would later become (with variants of stripes and various other shapes) a signature feature of many Nikon cameras.

The F2AS was a current model when the F3 was introduced, and for a while both were sold concurrently. The earlier Nikons had developed such a sterling reputation for extreme ruggedness and durability that many Nikon F and F2 owners were initially reluctant to transition to the new F3 from the F2 series, particularly due to the new camera needing batteries to operate. The F3 was superseded by the F4 in 1988 and the F5 in 1996. Despite being superseded by the newer cameras, it remained in production through to 2001, with over 751,000 F3s produced through September 1992. It continues to be the longest running professional grade Nikon SLR. Long after production ceased, new bodies in boxes were available throughout the world, so an exact production number is not readily available.

  1. ^ Lab Report: Top of line Nikon F3. Popular Photography, Volume 88, Number 4; p. 111. April 1981
  2. ^ Jason Schneider, Historical Cameras: Nikon F3 April 2007, Shutterbug, April 2007
  3. ^ "Debut of Nikon F3". Nikon. Retrieved 30 November 2014.