mikal fisher

It is a nice size, and the mechanical parts are great. It accepts motors, youcan change the focusing prism, and use a waist level finder. All good.
But, it basically shuts down when the battery wears out. Shutter only works at one speed. It is difficult to focus compared to other Nikon or Leica SLRs. Because it is so difficult to see the information in the viewfinder it is difficult to use the camera in metered manual mode. It won’t accept flash without a clumsy adaptor.
I own 2 of these and have had several through the years. As aternitive, checkout Nikon FM2 or a Lecia R4 or R5. Just as well made and reliable

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Personally, I thought that the Nikon FM3a was the best in that series.

pendennis

I still own and use one with the MD-4 attached. It does have its weaknesses, but I've used the camera for so long, it's almost like a second eye. With CAMERAF4, I like the FM's, especially my FM2, for a completely manual camera. I also like the FE, FE2 cameras, along with a just purchased F2 Photomic.

I just found a NIB condition FG, so it's going to get some shooting time. The shutter has a different sound to it, but it's really a nice, compact camera.

The F3 wasn't well-liked when it was introduced. Folks were still used to the F2 (Photomic, A, AS), and there was a lot of resistance to the reliance on batteries. However, the metering and flash compatibility were years ahead, so folks gave up their love for the F2 and went for the F3.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I used Nikon F2s, F3s, and F4s before I went digital, and I preferred the more advanced technology of the F4s.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

I have F3Hp's both plain and with motor, and a standard FM as well as a FM2 with motor, and each had lots of film pass through their bellies. Of course, the F3's are electric and the FM's are mechanical, and while each had their pluses and minuses, I've never held or shot with as perfect a camera as an F3. Others may disagree, and probably will, but that's my story and I'm stickin' with it.

BebuLamar

I had an F2AS until it was stolen from me. I have several F3HP, an F4s and an F5. I also have FM, FM2 and FE. I can't see why that it is difficult to focus in comparison to other Nikon's. I don't have a Leica R. I have no problem with the LCD display or the aperture readout in the viewfinder. In over 30 years of using the F3HP I never once have problem with dead battery that causes the camera to not function. I prefer the electronically controlled shutter which is very accurate. The MD-4 is the best removable motor drive in my opinion. Among the F series that I have used (F2, F3, F4 and F5) it's my favorite. I actually hate the F4 the most. I do enjoy the FM and FM2 but the F3HP is my favorite. When it was introduced I already owned the F2AS and actually looked down on it because it's an auto camera and battery dependent. I bought it because the price in 1983 of the F3HP ($460) and the MD-4 ($240) was less than the over $800 for the MD-2 and MB-1 battery pack for the F2. When I bought it I thought of it as a way to get a motorized camera for less money but it grew on me and became my favorite.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Although it is true the camera basically shuts down when the battery is depleted, you can get several years out of the battery before that happens. I often wish my DSLR could do that, and I didn't have to worry about recharging the battery periodically.

pendennis

The F4 is a great camera; although the A/F and metering are primitive by today's standards. It's built like a tank, and the only fault I've ever found with mine is the LCD bleed.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

What's not to love? I certainly love mine, they just never fail!

(Download)

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Bummer looking camera. Too bad you apparently couldn't get the fully tricked out version.....

<and if you couldn't tell, be sure to note the /snark part of my remark....>

BebuLamar

To the OP!
By the way I used flashes with the F3HP and not using any adapter. And yes I used 2 different flashes with it and they are both TTL.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I have an F3HP with precision viewfinder reticle and specially modified, pin registration back. It was sold by Double M Industries in the mid-1980s for precision multiple exposures — i.e.; multi-image slide composition. It was a workhorse in its day. I had a regular F3, too, for general photography.

I greatly prefer my Panasonic GH4 Micro 4/3 camera now that I no longer use film. The pin-registered F3HP is about as useful as a boat anchor in 2018.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

Is my memory playing tricks on me? Didn'y the F3 go to the moon? If so, 'nuff said!

ELNikkor

My F3HP with MD4 was my most awesome camera before the digital age, yesterday, my son took out my FM2 to do portraits of his girlfriend, wanted to give the "film thing" a try.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The F3HP with motor drive was my GO TO 35mm for wedding photography for over 10 years. Always kept fresh batteries in the motor drive so no issues for me. The really COOL thing about the F3 was the 80/20 center weighted metering system. Absolutely the best metering system Nikon had to that time until the Matrix system was developed.
I also did all of my portrait work with this camera and the 105 2.5 AIS lens. I killed the market with this camera/lens combo. I had students from all the surrounding schools calling us for their senior portrait's. Again, I NEVER had a problem with batteries. Not once. Great camera, but gave it up as soon as digital became the standard.
One more cool thing about the F3, it was the first of many Nikon's to be styled by an Italian (can't remember his name) but he is the guy that came up with the red strip on the Nikon's that are still with us today.