Nikon F3 resources
30 December 2021
Nikon's top-of-the-line 35mm camera in the 1980s worried some photographers with its reliance on new-fangled battery-powered electronics, but quickly became a reference standard for professional cameras. Bigger and heavier than the contemporary FM/FE (which some pros preferred due to their higher flash sync speed) but tough as nails and handles with well-oiled precision. Later F3 HP added a high eyepoint viewfinder, and there was a titanium F3/T which added strength but was only fractionally lighter. The F3P, designed for press photographers, had additional weather sealing and the F3H added a 10FPS motor drive. The very rare F3AF added an autofocus finder and was Nikon's first autofocus camera.
Used values F3/F3HP £150-£250, F3/T £300-£500
(read more about the used values we quote)
Data
Type F-mount 35mm film camera
In production 1980-2001
Predecessor F2
Successor F4
Assembly location Japan
Serial number location Back of camera