Classic Camera Review: Nikon F3 & MD-4
Explains the functions of this camera and its motor drive.
27/5/09 – Added annotations based on viewer’s comments
Information from http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf3ver2/index.htm
The Nikon F3 was the third generation of the professional class Nikon F-series 35mm SLR camera model. Introduced in 1980, it was the successor to the original Nikon F of 1959, and the hugely successful Nikon F2 of the 70s, where both the earlier models were commanding a distinctive supremacy in the professional users’ market. When the F3 was first announced, the heavy automation in the camera sent cold shivers down the spine of most purist photographers. As one can still recall, the price of a discontinued fully mechanical Nikon F2AS had a retail price higher than that of a new automatic Nikon F3 during those early days of its introduction, which was Nikon’s way of saying ‘move on’, to the photographic community!
Duration : 0:8:44
[youtube 7SWMSo6xOzE]
Tags: 35mm, camera, Classic Camera Review, F3, Film SLR, how-to, MD-4, Motor Drive, Nikon, Nikon D3, Nikon F, Nikon F2
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
@alanstarkie2001 …
@alanstarkie2001 You have to love the way these things were built. I sort of miss Nikon’s choice of titanium in their bodies as the technology gets surpassed faster than the body can fall apart! (I have a Nikon F2 Titan and a F3T)
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
@Edgy00 I used to …
@Edgy00 I used to repair this stuff. I wrote one off for a customer who dropped it in Windermere (UK). It sat on a shelf for a couple of years. I decided to give it to a trainee to practice stripping down. He did, reassembled it and it worked perfectly! No rust or corrosion inside, even though it went about 12 foot down.
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
@alanstarkie2001 …
@alanstarkie2001 Absolutely correct! Many years ago my F3 was drenched with seawater and immediately all electrical functions shut down! I was left to the sunny 16 rule and only 1/60 shutter speed! But it got me through a few days of vacation! Terrific cameras–but the F3T is a better choice of the F3 line simply because the IC boards were conformally coated–better corrosion resistivity!
Dan
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
@Edgy00 60th of a …
@Edgy00 60th of a second with a flat battery though!
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
The X speed is …
The X speed is actually 1/80th of a second. It was considered an improvement over the Nikon F and F2 which synched at 1/60th.
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
@chicochee If you …
@chicochee If you have a Nikon F that you purchased in 1955 it is quite unique because the Nikon F was not sold until 1959.
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Wow. There are a …
Wow. There are a few features that I didn’t know my F3 had, like the auto timer and the flash shoe for example! Thanks for the tips! I bought mine used off ebay several years ago and found guides on the internet for basic usage.
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Everybody who wants …
Everybody who wants to do a review on a camera better take some notes while watching this video. Great review!
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
@MrBazzat11 I’ve …
@MrBazzat11 I’ve shot around 20 rolls with this camera since i posted the review, which isn’t a great deal but it does everything I’d want a camera to do. If I shot more, or shot of clients I’d buy a dSLR, but for now I’m very happy with my F3
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
@alanstarkie2001 …
@alanstarkie2001 Yes, you were rather harsh with him…
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
I have an F3 & MD4 …
I have an F3 & MD4 in mint condition. If its had 2,000 actuations I would be surprised. Not been used for 10yrs but its a great camera! Digital revolution unfortunately has made it redundant, using a D3 nowadays.
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Great review.
Great review.
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Loved this video, …
Loved this video, thanks.
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Nikon Rules !!!
Nikon Rules !!!
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
quasar camera for …
quasar camera for sale on ebay right now
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
I had an F3 with …
I had an F3 with MD4 and AH-1 (2?) firing rate convertor/veritcal shutter realease. With the J screen (simple circular microcrystals in centre). Used it many years then sold it. I miss that camera a great deal.
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
nice video and …
nice video and great camera i have an F4 FE and F401m
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Really depends on …
Really depends on condition. If it was new in box, with the original papers and everything, it’s worth a lot to collectors. But back in the 60s everyone was using Nikon Fs, so there are many on the second hand market. If you have any interest in film photography, the F is a fantastic camera. If it was mine, I would hang on to it, and shoot with it.
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
hello nice video i …
hello nice video i have a nikon f that was prchased in 1955 i have the bill of purchase it cost 200 canadian dollars back then i would like to no if its worth anything now thx.
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
After posting that …
After posting that I saw your other videos – I thought you were a classic camera guy. It was a tongue-in-cheek comment – no offense intended! 5*
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Please Sir, this is …
Please Sir, this is not expert village, and I am certainly not an expert – this was the concentrate of an afternoon’s procrastination. Nonethe less, thanks for your comment!
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
I’m surprised the …
I’m surprised the expert doesn’t know why the camera has a 60th flash sync speed and an X (flash sync) on the speed dial. The X setting is a mechanically governed shutter speed that will allow the camera to be used with a flat battery when all other speeds are useless. Thoughtful Nikon!
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
I wish I had you as …
I wish I had you as a College Professor. My life would have been entirely different!!!
This is has to be the most helpful, thorough, concise explanation that I have ever seen and heard.
Many thanks. Cheers.
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Very nice video, …
Very nice video, respectful of the best manual focus SLR ever made. I owned mine from 1984 to 1998, taking around 50,000 photos with it. Selling it was my greatest regret. I’m looking to buy 2 just to display; 1 in mint condition and super worn. FYI… The “X” mode gives you 1/80th of a second flash sync speed, and the hot shoe was mounted that way due to the interchangable viewfinders. Also, with practice the tiny viewfinder light is easy to use. Great video about the best of the best. Cheers!
June 20th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Glad you enjoyed it …
Glad you enjoyed it, you just made my day