Shake shake...rolling the dice on "Bargain" camera from KEH.
Jan 5, 2023 20:24:11 #
Nikon F3...looks like it's in good cosmetic condition, but does it work?!?! We shall see. If not, going right back to KEH for refund. I hope I get to keep it as it's been a dream of mine to own one of these since I was a young teen. Wish me luck, hoggers!
Jan 5, 2023 21:16:32 #
My very old, very used, very cosmetically less-than-perfect F3 still works like new with no signs of letting up. Don't think you'll be disappointed with one that has been better taken care of.
Jan 5, 2023 21:35:08 #
ELNikkor wrote:
My very old, very used, very cosmetically less-than-perfect F3 still works like new with no signs of letting up. Don't think you'll be disappointed with one that has been better taken care of.
I sure hope so! Seen so many missing the eyepiece or the manual shutter release lever is just broken off. And some just collected dents lol. I'll be happy either way I guess!
Jan 6, 2023 09:11:56 #
J11
Loc: Ocean Springs MS
If it does not work out Used Photo Pro has several in great condition. I bought my F3 from them and it works great. Good luck. Jim.
Jan 6, 2023 10:39:49 #
J11 wrote:
If it does not work out Used Photo Pro has several in great condition. I bought my F3 from them and it works great. Good luck. Jim.
Jan 8, 2023 15:24:01 #
UPDATE: For anyone following, the F3 arrived today and it's pretty good. Paint looks good, a little missing on the prism and a tiny dent, but other than that it's got all of its terminal covers and even the eyepiece. Functionally it needs batteries, but the manual shutter release works great. Film advance feels like silk. Viewfinder looks pretty clean but there's some stuff in there so a cleaning is in order. I'm so looking forward to running some film through it!
The date code is 16VM which puts it at January of 86/96. I'm still trying to decipher the rest.
The date code is 16VM which puts it at January of 86/96. I'm still trying to decipher the rest.
Jan 9, 2023 10:21:10 #
J11
Loc: Ocean Springs MS
Congratulations. You are now the proud owner of Nikons flagship camera of 1980. Buy some film and have fun with it. By the way post some pics. for us on this forum. Jim.
Jan 9, 2023 14:39:31 #
J11 wrote:
Congratulations. You are now the proud owner of Nikons flagship camera of 1980. Buy some film and have fun with it. By the way post some pics. for us on this forum. Jim.
Will do, Jim!
May 23, 2023 21:18:25 #
Harry0
Loc: Gardena, Cal
SteveInConverse wrote:
Nikon F3...looks like it's in good cosmetic condition, but does it work?!?! We shall see. If not, going right back to KEH for refund. I hope I get to keep it as it's been a dream of mine to own one of these since I was a young teen. Wish me luck, hoggers!
I have bought many items from KEH.
I also do my homework on the item first.
I have never been disappointed in their service, and
I've always been surprised by how much better than the expected results.
Oct 28, 2023 06:46:14 #
Harry02
Loc: Gardena, CA
SteveInConverse wrote:
Nikon F3...looks like it's in good cosmetic condition, but does it work?!?! We shall see. If not, going right back to KEH for refund. I hope I get to keep it as it's been a dream of mine to own one of these since I was a young teen. Wish me luck, hoggers!
WHY is it a "bargain" ? There's usually a reason.
Sometimes there's user issues they don't want to spend time on.
Many times it's just cosmetic. I buy these mesel!
So far KEH sends me things two steps better than advertised to not disappoint.
Oct 28, 2023 10:11:41 #
SteveInConverse wrote:
Nikon F3...looks like it's in good cosmetic condition, but does it work?!?! We shall see. If not, going right back to KEH for refund. I hope I get to keep it as it's been a dream of mine to own one of these since I was a young teen. Wish me luck, hoggers!
My experience with KEH is that their grading is conservative. Not many issues pass by the sharp eyes of their people.
Nov 3, 2023 07:26:28 #
The dirty viewfinder isn't a problem with the F3 because generally it's not the dirt in the viewfinder that you see but it's on the focusing screen. You can remove the focusing screen easily so cleaning it is quite easy. If the focusing screen can't be clean you can just buy a new focusing screen. One thing though don't soak it in liquid. Liquid doesn't really damage it but because the screen is 2 layers stacked on top of each other the liquid can seep in between and you can't clean it.
Make sure to test it with battery because many F3 may have problem with its electronically controlled shutter speed as well as the meter.
Make sure to test it with battery because many F3 may have problem with its electronically controlled shutter speed as well as the meter.
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