35mm Photography and the Nikon F3

theartofphotogr...
/ tedforbes
/ tedforbes
I've always had a soft spot for 35mm. It was introduced as an amateur format compared to 120 or 4x5 - the negative size is much smaller than other formats thus the resolution is lower. But what 35mm did was allow for a much more efficient and portable camera design. Photographers were suddenly able to take images that were previously impossible to make because of the size and speed that 35mm cameras allowed photographers to work.
Today you can find 35mm for a song - largely because they are no longer produced and the use market is so plentiful. Some of these cameras can be had at a mere fraction of what they cost when they were new years ago.

[@thewildgoose7467]

I've shot almost every camera brand ever made, almost all of the Nikons and a lot of digital and in my opinion the Nikon F3HP is the closest there is to the perfect camera.

[@tonybucca5667]

I used the F3 to shoot horse races...I'd crank the lens wide open, pre-focus at the finish line, and have the camera give me the highest possible shutter speed for the available light that day....hooves off the ground!

[@gerryphilpott9766]

My very first camera was the Nikon F3. That and the 50mm f1.8 took me everywhere around the world in the 80's and 90's. My daughter uses it now and I was able to get a Leica M6 as I could afford one now. Love that film is still a part of our family.

[@DavidSk2683]

Is the M6 better?

[@gerryphilpott9766]

@@DavidSk2683 I would say yes, but they both work great. Shutter mechanism is more solid and has that 'sound' on the M6, but the Nikon served me well for 20 years so can't be that bad. Film loading is different with both of them so look at that. Lastly besides the price difference which is quite a lot, the M6 rangefinder focusing is very different than the through the lens prism on the F3. It's a matter of personal preference, cost, and the lenses you want to use.

[@DavidSk2683]

@@gerryphilpott9766 thank you so much! I was wondering if there was much difference between the 2. I currently own a Canon A1, but haven’t been too lucky with it. Though, I’m sure it’s user error

[@gerryphilpott9766]

@@DavidSk2683 Frankly unless you have Leica glass or similar native M lenses without adapters I'd go with the Nikon. Get a good copy and you'll save money not only on the body and the very good lenses, but cost of repairs is a fraction too. Bottom line as you say is just knowing your camera and getting the best out of it.

[@DavidSk2683]

@@gerryphilpott9766 thank you so much!

[@aarjaycee3601]

ah the Nikon F3. Many many years ago when I was in my mid 20s, I got into 35mm film photography I started out with a Camera Store Retailer's own brand camera, lots of auto settings Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority etc etc. Eventually I graduated to a Pentax Super A, Tele/Zoom Lens, 50mm Prime all the usual items photographers collect. AND yes I read LOADS of magazines too. Then one month a particular magazine ran a feature on what cameras PROFESSIONALS used and why. (large and I mean LARGE numbers of them were Nikon shooters) There were fashion guys, landscape guys journalists the whole spectrum of camera users in the professional sphere. And here was where my desire for Nikon was born. One of those professional photographers, a journalist, waxed lyrical about a Nikon F3 what a great workhorse it was, how it never let him down, how easy it was to use in many different situations and finally, how he had once used it to hammer in nails into wood. Life threw me many curves between then and now including separation, divorce, financial hassles, selling all my beloved camera gear (I STILL miss that Super A) so the Nikon F3 was never something I owned. Only now within the last year have I managed to secure a Nikon not an F3, but a D7500 DSLR and as much as I love it and find it every bit as enjoyable to use, if not more so than my Pentax Super A from decades back, I would never NEVER use it to hammer nails in with. I'm not sure it would be as forgiving as an F3 when used as a woodworking tool

[@LindyLooo99]

I bought a Nikon F3 HP yesterday! can't wait to shoot!

[@llamov]

I'm a retired photographer, and also worked in a professional level camera store in the 80's and early 90's. I love the F3 and used it as my primary 35mm for years, but it was not Nikon's very first aperture priority camera: far from it. The Nikormat EL which debuted in the 70's preceded it by quite a bit, followed by the Nikon FE. The (built like a tank) Nikormats can still be found online for less than $50.00 and they have the added benefit of using non ai lenses!

[@TaleofTwoSiblings]

I.m just getting into film now! From digital ... .Thanks I am going to go searching for a Nikormat EL now :)

[@tonybucca5667]

I have the Ft, and the FTn sitting at arm's length as I type this...The F3 was my 2nd Nikon, added to my F2a

[@lfp7671]

While I don't wish to take anything away from the F3, it is by all accounts a fantastic camera, when it comes to a manual focus Nikon, the FM2 would be my camera of choice. -The FM2 works at all shutter speeds without a battery, in contrast to the F3's 1/90. -The FM2's top shutter speed is 1/4000 vs the F3's 1/2000 -The FM2 uses a traditional hot shoe, no adapter needed. -The FM2 is smaller and lighter -The FM2 is virtually indestructible The F3 certainly does have some advantages, however for the average shooter they may not be that big of a deal. -The F3 has aperture priority mode, the FM2 is strictly manual. -The F3 has interchangeable finders, and a nicer standard viewfinder -The F3 has legendary Nikon F-series build quality All said, I do love your videos, and this was a great profile of a legendary camera. Keep doing what you do, you have many fans!! (Any chance of doing an FM2 profile? ;)

[@MacPro8CoreMan]

You are correct in your claim that the FM2 is a fine manual focus (MF) Film SLR. But it should be pointed out that the FM2 was a camera designed for the advanced enthusiast. It is more durable than almost any other Film SLR ever made. It had a nice array of accessories available to give the hobbyist shooter a really wonderful bit of kit. On the other hand, we have the legendary Nikon F3HP, the absolute highest quality, tough as nails, ergonomically perfect MF Film SLR 35mm system ever produced. the Nikon F3HP was the last/best MF Pro system ever created. The Nikon F3HP was used by 90%+ of the working professionals during its​ reign as the best of the best. With a half-dozen or so interchangeable viewfinders, dozens of focusing screens, as well as the best Motor Drive (MD-4... 6 FPS) ever built for a Film SLR it was a no-brainer for the high demands of Photojournalists. In 1984; a Nikon F3HP with an MD-4 and one of the world-class Nikkor lenses attached was the pinnacle of advanced Pro rigs in the world. I have a dear friend who is now a retired Photojournalist. In 1988, halfway around the world, he found himself in the middle of an angry mob (who saw him as one of the "bad guys"). The only weapon he had was his Nikon F3HP with an MD-4 and a Nikon Series E 75-150mm zoom. He was grazed twice by 9mm gunfire, and fearing for his life he took the F3HP off of his neck and started swinging hard to protect himself. within two minutes the local military was there and the dust started settling. As it turned out he had sent two men two the hospital in critical condition, and one man to the morgue. The camera was unharmed, the classic Nikon Series E 75-150 had some scratches, but the MD-4 Motor Drive had suffered a .22LR gunshot wound in the battle... The MD-4 still worked fine after. This fine multiple award-winning Photographer and old friend recently died. I inherited that F3HP. It literally looks like it was dragged behind a car for about ten miles! He used it until around 2004. Just for fun, I put a fresh set of AA batteries in the MD-4 and a roll of Kodak Tri-X 400 film into it. The camera body and lens were left with only a few scratches. I shot the roll of B&W that afternoon and the images are superb. The editor of the famous News magazine that my friend had worked for over 45 years had called to make sure I'd received the Camera as promised. In conversation the editor mentioned that there are invoices for film from my friend that exceed over 600,000 photographs! I still have my F3HP with MD-4 that I bought in Nov 1984... It still looks beautiful and has 200,000+ shots taken with it. Mine has never been to war, or used for Photojournalism, or never killed a man. But it does just what an MF Film SLR is supposed to...

[@ashlynposiak5593]

MacPro8CoreMan what a beautiful friend and intense story. Thanks for sharing. As a younger 30 something year old photographer that still shoots film, I love these stories almost as much as my f3. :) -Ashlyn

[@MarcosElMalo2]

MacPro8CoreMan great story! My F3HP was my favorite still camera. I lost the 50mm lens and never missed it. My main piece of glass was the Nikon 105 f/2.5. Such a beautiful portrait lens. I also used a variety of wide angle lenses, but I loved that 105.

[@jadeforest4441]

Dear Ted, I am enjoying your video so much, since I have a F3.. every day now you inspire me to study and practice .. over and over ... I am so happy ... being born in 1952 I finally started... better late than never.... Thank you for your lessons...

[@Alexandermeter]

You forgot the mirror lockup and double exposure 😉 and the possibility to shoot all lenses except the g series

[@thorstenwanoth6774]

Great place to start with an F3 is a smidge of an understatement methinks. Myself was one part removed and had to deal with an old F2 and a new FM2. My life was never the same afterwards.

[@jixxxxer17]

I'm looking at some B&W 35mm film negatives i shot in 1999 , i had them scanned to digital, I can't believe how great the tonal range looks, I'm really wanting to shoot more film now, and after watching this video i'm seriously inspired, great video thank you, Ted.

[@metalcommandshow]

I love this video. Its spot on. I actually went to totally shooting 35mm from shooting digital. I have been using a wide array of Canon FD gear as I have been collecting it the last 2 years. My favorite cameras? Canon A1, New F1 and T90. :)

[@kkyeung2050]

This is the best cannel about photography. It is not an usual channel. It combined theory, history and art.i love it!!! Keep going!!!

[@ronitsingh85]

Love your reviews, you speak with passion. I love the vintage cameras, they were so well made, no play in the dials, solid bodies that you can press on till your hands would throb, doing that to one of the new plastic DSLRs, you would feel it flex a little, I don't like film photography but LOVE old film cameras, I aam happy that I can still use these manual lenses with digital bodies, I have a leica 50 f/2, canon LTM 50 f/1.2, canon FD 55 f/1.2 (mounted on 60D) and the rare canon 50 f/0.95. Love these lenses, they shoot beautiful pictures, just stunning. Once again, love your work, keep it up!

[@supdub1]

i always keep a bag with my F3 and a 35mm F2 , a Canon AE1 with a 50mm 1.8 loaded with Kodak TX-400 in my car in case i wanna shot some film . love both of these cameras.

[@glenconverse9126]

Thanks so much for the video. I have the Nikon F3 HP, and I just fell in love with it again. What a beauty. I bought it on Ohboy in MINT condition, both mechanically and cosmetically. Just a beautifully beast. Let's keep film up there on the market!

[@rifke]

I still run a roll of film through my FE2 every week. 8-)

[@inevitablecraftslab]

yeah fe-2 rocks ! i blast a film per week through my medium format. idont see the reason of shooting 35mm anymore, for me 35mm is best done with a fullframe dslr.

[@ManuelRodriguez-nt9dc]

I got one of these for a black and white film class in community college. It was so fun to use and the photographs it produced are beautiful. Still have it too.

[@andrewbradford8474]

Been getting into Photography recently with old Polaroids and recently bought some 35mm developing supplies. Looking forward to it. I love the "old school" look as well. I think the old films give a sense of emotion and character that the instant digital high quality pictures seem to lack.

[@manueldi_77]

Thank you very much for all your videos about analog photography. I started developing black and white film and making prints in my bathroom using old darkroom stuff and I love it. It’s so relaxing experimenting in the darkroom finding out how to make the best prints.

[@samson40a]

F3 was a camera I would have loved to own. The focus assists on a film camera are so much better than any modern digital camera.

[@MultiSciGeek]

That is the cleanest most modern looking F3s I've ever seen!

[@cobboom2211]

Just bought a pristine Nikon F3, thanks for the video!

[@cam9130]

Just bought a F3 hp yesterday with flash attachment and a motor drive for $170. Can't wait to shoot some film with it.

[@violin-schwerin]

This is one of the reasons I think Fuji did such a phenomenal job with the X series: simple, manual dials for shutter & aperture. I wish the other brands would follow suit!

[@Mickey58D]

I bought a Nikon N80 35mm camera recently and it really impressed me with the quality of the photo's I shot with it. It has no gimmicks; No scene modes, no LCD screen and no wifi. Just a CAMERA! The viewfinder is big and bright with a 'Rule of Thirds' grid. Fabulous! After watching this video I might just buy an F3 to add to my collection.

[@karlos6495]

it also has mirror lock up and a lever for doing double exposures. Got mine for £12 plus 28mm 2.8 lens plus unused fuji 800 film in the back.. score! been my favourite SLR since

[@72Disco1998]

I am really new to film what does the mirror lock up do? I have a Nikon F3 can you explain plus the double exposure? I am new to photography!

[@karlos6495]

Hey, mirror lock up basically reduces vibrations when taking a picture. You only really use it in long exposures that require a tripod (other wise you wont know what you're shooting) and the double exposure (or i guess should be called multiple exposure) allows you to take multiple pictures on the same bit of film. Just google it to see the effect. Hope this helps

[@72Disco1998]

Karl Hendry Thank you so much. I appreciate the info. You did a much better explanation then I was able to find online.

[@karlos6495]

you're welcome :)

[@CalvinPurnomo]

Whoa, you're so lucky! For that price, it definitely is a steal!

[@jhalmu]

Just bought Nikon FM and Holga 120. And still enjoying my middleformats.

[@Fauxtonics]

I think an point Ted makes is the minimalist design of the F3. I believe that we're all suffering from information overload for so long that we've become numb to it. We no longer know what it's like to not be occupied by all of the modes, buttons and data on our LCDs. I once used a Leica M6. It was so simple, that I felt as if a shroud had been lifted and I was once again part of the photo process unlike any camera before or since. You can't imagine what it's like until you use one.

[@tmcmellon]

I have one with a motor drive and some other accessories. It's a great camera. I love shooting with it.

[@MoghulVeyron]

The condition of your F3 is amazing

[@jonathanfields87]

Ted Forbes, has rapidly become one of my photographic heroes! I started out shooting digital and have now all but abandoned digital for film. There is nothing like the feeling you get when unspooling a roll of negatives and seeing that image. My go to 35mm cam in a Minolta XE-7. I would have bought a nikon at the time, but the Minolta was cheaper and I have come to know my little Minolta like the back of my hand.

[@paulmcgugan4994]

You forgot the mirror lock-up feature…tut tut. The self timer is 10 secs, if I’m correct, the f3 went to market in 1980 and finally went out of production in 2008. Your right though, it is the longest 35mm slr production of all time. The separate flash bracket over the rewind knob was a hangover from the F and F2. Early use of the 35mm was at a time when most of these photographers used the t head grip flashes, so not important as they utilised the pc socket. By the early 80’s press photogs found it to slow rewinding the film when they had to remove and replace the flash gun to do so. Nikon came up with the f3 Professional. This had a prism with an hot shoe built in, they also removed the rewind knob lock tab to speed up film removal. In addition the light meter would not operate until the film had been wound on to frame one of the film counter(?) There endeth the lesson (phew!). Like your Chanel though.

[@Agislife1960]

I lived in Alaska during the 90's. Its cold and dark in the winter time. Electronics was not an option in Arctic conditions, and still for the most part, isn't. I used a Nikon FM2, and I would've killed for a quality manual lens approaching f1.0

[@evelasq1]

I like my Nikon F100 and my Nikon F5 because they have all of the modes in a film camera even aperture mode. If you are looking for a digital camera with the feel of film camera than I would suggest looking into Fujifilm X series cameras because I happen to own the Fujifilm X-T10 because it would have the dial controls that you would find on a film camera. It is a fun camera to use and it is very easy to use. I won't walk away from film because I have been shooting for more fifteen years with film. Film is a good learning tool for photography and I have learned a lot these days. There always room to learn something new. Peace, Flood!

[@superdave35]

I always wanted one. Used an F2A for years but the viewfinder on the F3HP was, and still is fantastic for eyeglass wearers. I can't see the entire frame on my 1Dsmklll or 1Dmkiv but I handled an F3HP in a store just the other day and the entire frame is clear to the edges.. One feature you missed is that the F3 actually had a couple of dedicated TTL flashes including a handle-mount. Pretty revolutionary for 1980. The camera was available new until 2001 BTW but production is believed to have ended in 1999.

[@rayeast9825]

I shot film for 30 years as a pro and a great deal of it with my F 3. I love it and it is sitting near my right arm.

[@thedailyjugaad]

Ted Forbes there's something about the way you talk about cameras that makes me want to pick up any camera and just start understanding it better, contrary to the other guys who make you want to hoard more equipment. Thank you.

[@randomscandinavian6094]

...I had it so wet on two occasions that water poured out when removing the lens. Dead camera but when it dried it was back in top shape both times. When those digital inserts arrive that I read about, I'm taking mine out of storage again! :)

[@bigstick5278]

I had three when I was free lancing but found I was using my FM2 for fast work. Still a work horse and never let me down other than the LCD issues.

[@judmcc]

35mm cameras had a great interface - one control dedicated to each setting.

[@ericbruning1747]

Recently inherited an F3 from my grandfather. Haven't tried it out yet, but am looking forward to giving it a try. My last film cameras were Pentax P series, and I kind of miss them after moving to digital.

[@brendonwilson1318]

I have a nikon FG which seems to be a more compact version of the F3. I haven't used it yet but I'm excited to because it's my first film camera

[@ToyKingWonder]

If you want a great camera and want something CHEAP, and you don't mind full manual, try an old Nikon FM. The easiest metering system in the world to use (in my opinion), you can use the budget E series lens which is great, or the higher end lenses. If you want some automatic functions, try a Nikon FE. The FM also has a timer, depth of field screen, hot shoe. I have seen them as cheap as $50. The worst you will have to do is replace the seals and the mirror foam which tend to age on all these older cameras. I had the best repair shop in LA do mine for $60, not even worth doing it myself!

[@1989Goodspeed]

Thank you for being one of those who got me into film!

[@adri5759]

The Nikon F3 was my first professional camera I ever bought. My travel companion in the late 80's and 90's. Afterwards I sold it to buy the F4. I've always regretted it. For a few years now I was looking for a nice copy and the day before yesterday I found a nice Mint Copy. As good as unused. Although I've been shooting digital for years, currently with the Sony a7r III I'm looking forward to shooting some slides again on a Fujichrome Velvia 50 that I loved so much in Africa.

[@JoeLopez]

Great information Ted. I have a F3/T on the way to me this week and plan for a full CLA. This will compliment my FE2 nicely!

[@jerk4628]

I love my F3. Such a wonderful camera.

[@aleksandargazibara7375]

apart from saying I really love your videos for their informative value and your obvious and tangible love of photography, I also love and appreciate the composition and lighting of the video itself :) keep up the great work - I am really glad I found your channel

[@fischek]

hi Ted, wonderful demo - just wanted to say I finally bought it today and was originally inspired by your video, so thanks :)

[@YurievOlmos]

Manual mechanical release is 1/60 of a second (I have one with the 50mm 1.4 AI-S lens)

[@ckdav1]

The manual emergency shutter release has a metering hold button in the centre too.

[@theartofphotography]

Sure - the FE and FM series were excellent as well… My only issue with them is I use my left eye and the crank pokes my other eye.

[@inevitablecraftslab]

but its so nice to have the on/off switch on the crank :) i try to power on any slr by flipping the crank since i am so used to ithehe

[@72Disco1998]

I love film. I guess it may be the fact that it is not instantaneous! You will have to wait in order to see what you shot with a 35mm SLR. Yes I am old school. I hate the DSLR cameras because for one thing it makes people think they are brilliant photographers but with film you actually have to work. When you get your pictures back it will show if you were good or bad. That is why film rules.

[@shaolin95]

Rules? That's hilarious. Get a digital camera and take your pics then mail yourself the sdcard so you experience that "magical" wait time you somehow love so much.... Profit!

[@72Disco1998]

shaolin95 No reason to be an ass. I have my own darkroom.

[@NewDimensionsvideo]

+shaolin95 Haha. Let's get real. Most digital 'photography' takes absolutely no skill.

[@garciasturias6792]

+shaolin95 I always tell people that Film is an art, digital is not and while digital is very convenient, film is lots of fun. If you are a working Professional, you will discover how great is to take those digital and instantly, you can send those images overseas in minutes, sure, but when you truly like photography and want to deal with the magic darkroom, is great. Remember this...with film, you either do it right the first time, or you get stuck with a crappy picture, with digital, you can take a million pictures and then erase all the crap that you don't like. I get often surrounded by lots of Professionals. Do you know, what many of them tells me???...they say: I never thought in my life, that I will be taking so many crappy pictures in my life...I am ashamed of that, but the situation is that with digital you have too much tolerance, because you can erase all the garbage you take and with film, you can't. Now days with digital, photographers all over the world are taking more pictures than ever and most of all, crappy pictures, because we have cards that holds even thousands of pictures and we, yes, we, can erase them, so sure , digital is very convenient...but with a 24 pictures roll of film, you will make sure to take care of doing your best work...so, film, makes us better photographers...

[@Reversefilms]

I’m going to add my input to this 4 years later. Shooting on film doesn’t make you a good photographer, shooting on digital doesn’t make you a bad photographer. It doesn’t matter what you use as long as you are out there actually taking photos. Stop gate keeping.

[@seamusandpat]

Still use my Pentax MX all manual camera bought 30 years ago and the lenses!

[@RichardEllaPhotography]

I owned this camera in 1996 and still to date it is the most satisfying camera I have ever used. I absolutely loved it. Keep thinking about buying another one just for fun.

[@maxypad15]

This was so enjoyable to watch, I got an old Nikon FT a couple years back for my 16th birthday and i'm grateful I started out with film because like you said there is this simplicity and very defined beauty and art to it, I have a small collection of 35mm like the ones you said Canon AE1 and all that lot, but the transition i made into digital just recently and I've been shooting weddings with my D2xs and I love it but so much I miss from film photography, I wish it was the standard today.

[@SplurgeFrugal]

Discovered this video for the first time in Jan 2016. Your explanation of why film still matters was one of the most eloquent I've heard. I miss the short-lived Kodak Ultracolor 35mm negative film. It gave me Velvia colors combined with the tonal range of negative film. I won't say it was better than digital. It was not. But it gave me a look that I could not easily match with digital.

[@MultiSciGeek]

Fascinating... On my end, I'm once again in that zone of binge watching camera video... I have no idea why, but it's so relaxing to me.

[@winedemonium]

@7:00 "I wish a camera manufacturer would come out with a digital camera that's this simple to use." ... I'm sorry 2013 Ted, but you'll have to wait 'til 2023 for the Nikon ZF, but they make it (spoiler alert, you like it).

[@christiankirkenes5922]

Started with a Pentax ME super, still love it to bits!

[@contactgraphic]

The F3 is my favourite camera; it is the perfect blend of technology, aesthetics and quality . Mount it with any prime lens and you will be in heaven!

[@modernphotographer]

It is not just a bigger viewfinder but it is the transparent LCD next to the focusing screen too. Take the battery out of your camera and look through it. It is much darker than when the battery is in. My n8008 blows my D4s out of the water if you were to compare just the viewfinder.

[@Jedilost1]

i was at that Leica gallery too! very great and inspiring photos on display

[@theartofphotography]

The Leica Gallery is a lot of fun. I try to go whenever I'm in New York...

[@neilpiper9889]

Budget e series lens on that f3 shown at the beginning

[@UncleeDaddyy]

I have a canon AE1 and my uncle gave me a Nikon F3 which I just busted out and am getting batteries for.. I love shooting analog since you dont spam the shutter.. you take your time and then take the shot.. also if you shoot 1 roll over a longer period of time its fun to see what you shot since you cant remember anymore.. with digital you spam out 300 pictures and then use 3 which you all rescue in post since you have lightroom, photoshop, capture1 etc etc !! i love digital as well but analog just has this calm aspect about it i really enjoy :)

[@sclogse1]

Even the pros shot a ton of film to get..that shot. Best thing about digital is those macro shots...even a pocket Canon Elph does amazing stuff. With film, let's say you try to shoot in the trees with dappled sun. I guarantee you're going to have overexposed areas..and your subject will be too. With digital...you know immediately. You learn to stop down a lot quicker with digital. You spot meter in camera. Even shooting models for VIctoria Secret, the pros shooting digital are shooting a ton, just like they were with film. Every famous pro photographer shooting 35 film has thousands of negs. Even if they shot all their work in a studio. Nice when you can write it all off....

[@Angstattacke]

thanks for talking about film. it is the real ART of photography!

[@sreejithpisharody2216]

I Think, you Sir deserve more views on your videos and subscriptions than any one else on you tube for Photography. Nice insights. Thanks.

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

Nikon was using Aperture Priority Long before the F3 came along, It was the first Pro Camera where it was Integral to the Body, but it wasn't Nikon's first use of it

[@captaineuro7022]

I shoot with an all manual camera and it's so easy to use. I grab my light meter, then set the aperture and the shutter speed and that's all. Don't need to worry about menus and such. I do have digital cameras too, but I don't enjoy using them. I only do it when it's necessary.

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

I bought a F3 HP in June of 1985, I used it for 4 yrs till it was Stolen during a B&E. One of My Favorites. You sould use it has a Hockey Puck, it is that Tough. It was one of the few Cameras that had a 100% viewfinder, I did think the Meter Weighting was Too strong @ 80% in the 12 mm circle. The Winding Mechanism is so Smooth, that coming from a Wind and Grind Canon, I though I had no Film in the Camera when advancing the film/Cocking the Shutter., and opened the Back, to reveal a badly Damaged Roll of Film. With 6 months, I added the MD 4 for its Blistering 4 or 5 frames/sec.

[@BeingWolfy]

I love my F3! 35mm film cameras did for film photography what smaller format digital cameras (Micro 4/3's for example) seem to be doing for digital today. They're allowing us to take pictures in situations that the big DSLRS just don't work. As always, thanks for your videos Ted.

[@MultiSciGeek]

Exactly! These cameras look innocent compared to bulky DSLRs. Plus, in many way much more reliable and durable.

[@BeingWolfy]

@@MultiSciGeek - Wow, cool! A reply on a 10 year old comment. :-) 😀

[@jimkeener3773]

You've convinced me. This is my starter film camera. Thanks for the help.

[@dracphelan]

I recently purchased a Pentax ME Super with 2 lenses for $40. I find myself wondering if I should have the film developed, or do it myself. I'm thinking I will have the first roll developed and do the rest myself.

[@robinj.9329]

B/W "development is so easy! We were taught how to do it in grade school! Then in High School, we were taught how to make our own enlargements! For color, there are kits available for color slides and making a print from a slide. Check it out!

[@emptyboxesandrooms]

i love this camera. I ended up getting this one instead of an F2 and i'm happy with it.

[@TimberGeek]

I love my old Mamiya DTL1000, all manual and almost 100% mechanical, if the battery dies you've got no light meter but everything else works fine.

[@lMlusashi]

You forgot the mention the multiple exposure feature.

[@exploringsoutheastarizona2167]

Hi Ted, know this is an older video. I collect cameras, recently purchased a Nikon F (also saw the cameras you mentioned in this video at the camera store in Tuscon, AZ) Enjoy watching your channel. I plan on adding those cameras to my collection in the near future(hopefully this year). Thanks for sharing this video.

[@AllanSutherland]

Hi Ted . I have been watching your show for some time now and have learned much , much about art and photography , technique and kit can be interesting but for my part the relationship in what we do in terms art and what art is, is more important , from this and after my own explanation of art being it is "communication" it has all made more sense and increased my reverence for all art as you explained that art is a continuum based upon influence and influencing which gives all of us a place in that wonderful machine . I have been a digital shooter for some time now and yes I have used very wide angles for sunsets and perhaps over processed them and the general public lap it up n love it , but its not for me and find digital at its most subtle to be rather cold and without "soul" and not at all organic . To this end I have sent of for a Nikon FE2 body only which I will equip with a d series 50 f1.8 as this focal length can produce a particular kind of image which I like . I will not be going super wide with this n maybe get a 28mm and for portraiture just use my tokina 100mm macro f2.8 . The film I intend to use is Kodak Portra as it is so forgiving and subtle , then to be scanned for me to run through lightroom / photoshop/ nik software and print myself . I live in a small village in the North East of Scotland Called Portsoy and for my first project with this kit I intend to shoot over 3 genres , photojournalistic in a way to show local people in context , landscape and abstract where the abstraction will represent our community , my final body of work will be printed A3 and framed then exhibited before being donated to this community . I am having trouble finding the right paper to dye ink print on , my prints will be black and white but I want almost tissue soft fibre paper which i can print centre then fray the edges all random then place on a black background then the glass and frame ....This body of work will be influenced by many 60's shots to Sudec , but only influenced , my next project will be colour with light and shadow and I will call it "Thank You Rembrant " , Kind Wishes , Allan .

[@cj_harris]

Loving my FM2! Thanks for the channel!

[@teamamerica1218]

the F3 wasn't the first aperture priority camera, the Yashica Electro 35 was apeerture priority and the canon canonet QL17 had the same option

[@JB-dm5cp]

That is why he said “it’s one of the first”.

[@inevitablecraftslab]

didnt the fe models have aperture priority too?

[@thecrazeecow1682]

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, who penned classic Maseratis and Ferrarisn and the DeLorean!! This very reason got me into this camera.

[@Nat.ImagesLarge.F.Photographer]

Stunning camera, stunning review!

[@desmobob900sssp]

I have an F2S, F3HP, and F4s. I could never understand why the F3HP was more popular than the F4s.... (I love 'em all, though!)

[@tonyschram1260]

Another great Nikon film camera was the Nikon FM, totally manual and a great way to learn the fundamentals of photography.

[@NCSTalkid]

Yes. I own minolta x700, xg1, xge, nikon fm2n, fg and 3 prime and 1 zoom lens. It cost me less than 1/3 of apsc system with 1 lens. Full frame its 1/5

[@dennislynn2955]

You forgot the mirror lock up lever, great camera, I own 2 myself.

[@Olumin37]

I'm getting a Nikon FM2n soon, since I'm staying with fully mechanical cameras (and it also looks good in silver, a rarity for SLR's ^^), I think that's pretty much the best choose to make for what I'm doing. There is of cause the FM3a, whish has fully manual override (whish is always very nice to have), but I don't see spending that much yet. The FM2n will do the exact same thing, just manually, whish I'm fine with. Up to now I only used 35mm view and rangefinders. The first I had was a Rollei 35 with a Tessa, then I just recently got my Olympus 35 SP, whish I will continue to use for street photography. My grandpa (which has done photography for 60 years or so now) highly suggest to get a SLR set-up for more versatility and flexibility for what to do with my pictures, and he was right. Since these cameras are so inexpensive to pick up nowadays, I will test it out. But to be honest, I don't think it will see that much use. The Olympus does everything I need, and more, It even has automatic mode with manual override. For the most part I wont feel like carrying that big SLR around, when my 35 SP will do just as good pictures. But who knows, its a experiment.

[@Olumin37]

***** Yes! I am actually now seriously considering to get a OM1n instead of the Fm2. The FM2 might have the higher shutter speed, but I'll probably never use anything higher then 1/1000. The lenses available for the OM system are a good bit nicer then the nikkor lenses. The OM1 is smaller, lighter and has a brighter, better viewfinder. The disadvantages are that many of these Zuiko lenses are really, really expensive and quite rare, also there are not many zooms available, the ones that are, are usually very expensive and inferior to The Nikkor zooms, but then again, I'm not using a SLR for convenience, that's what I have my rangefinder for. You have experience with both these cameras, what would you recommend?

[@Olumin37]

***** It's interesting that you say that, because one of the things things people mention about zuiko lenses is how high quality and well build they are, I have never head anything bad about their quality. I will just assume that it will be sufficient for me. Is there really a noticeable difference in performance between the two when it comes to practical use? I do not enlarge my pictures a whole lot, I'm more of a casual guy in that regard.

[@borismuller86]

I got a Canon A-1 a few years ago, it was in almost mint condition and I loved it, got lots of use out of it and the photos I took were my favourites. Sadly I managed to lose it moving house, and now I'm looking for a new 35mm. I've always liked the Nikons, since I borrowed an F2 at university. I especially loved the fact you can switch out the viewfinder for a waist level one. I was torn between the F2 and the F3, but when I realised that the F3 has aperture priority (like my A-1 had) and also that it has a back-up if the battery dies I think I made up my mind! Now to find one that's not too expensive! Many thanks.

[@alvareo92]

The A-1 has shutter priority, not aperture priority.

[@borismuller86]

Oh yeah, you're right!

[@kevinx2248]

it has both

[@RomainSandt]

It has the HP viewfinder (made for journalist) wich is huge and can be easily used with glasses, my F3 has the regular one, wich is already good. With it and the correct lens the camera was weather sealed

[@christophsauer2857]

still today valuable video. only miss some sample shots as an appetizer

[@bigstick5278]

Had two of these (HP) in my bag freelancing while the payroll guys had fat spending allowances from the paper so they had big glass and F-4's. I did well with them but the LCD screen was a pain, had one just fade away. Wound up using my FM2 bodies more often, bomb proof super small and light and completely manual when things die. But the F3 is a solid performer and even with the issues i had still my favored shooter for it's tricks in it's bag and robustness.

[@huraaay]

MORE FILM PHOTOGRAPHY TALKS!

[@philipzhang3719]

hope you could make another episode to introduce FM2， it isreal mechanical

[@raybohn7]

IIRC, Ansel Adams labeled 35mm film as "miniature. I used an F3HP for 40 years. It needed a tune-up last year. Found a retired repairman who said he hadn't worked on a real camera for so long that he wouldn't take money for a complete factory reboot. He finally accepted $100. This is the first year that I found a digital camera that made me as happy -E-M10II

[@yellowlynx]

35mm era was a time where there were so many SLRs you could choose from, for big hands, for sophisticated ones, and even for small hands.... Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Olympus, Minolta, Ricoh and Fujinon .... everyone could find his/her SLR.

[@ditto1958]

35mm small? Everything is relative. In the 50’s and early 60’s amateur “home” photographers used roll film cameras, and yes, those negatives were big. But but the late 60’s and early 70’s popular film formats got really small, and the photos the average person was getting suffered terribly. At the end of the 70’s, 35mm SLR’s became all the rage. The camera makers all came out with affordable SLR’s like the Canon AE-1, and they sold like hotcakes. Is still have my Olympus OM-10 from 1982. 35mm was, and is, amazing. Today’s digital is better in many ways, and it’s what I use now. But I miss film- especially those huge, trees bright viewfinders my 35mm cameras had.

[@skebir2506]

Shutter speed 1/80 s if batteries are dead. Bought it brand new at age of 14. Still have many decades later.

[@kq6up]

Thank you for promoting film and straight photography that has soul :D. I hope there is a gradual shift back to analog photography. It is not the best for things like weddings or commercial when there is so much pressure on turn around, but there is nothing like a traditional photojournalistic shot on tri-x printed big. I took a trip to Santa Fe recently and there is a gallery that shows vintage PJ shots from the 50's through present -- awesome!

[@Split10uk]

Interesting video. The Nikkormat EL that came out in 1972 had aperture priority mode, and the F3 wasn't released until 1980. (sorry for being picky) I worked at that time with press photographers and they just didn't trust the F3 and stuck to F2s for as long as they could.

[@oliverhilton6086]

I have a Nikon F801 (it’s branded as N8008, my copy seems to be ‘murican) that only as I watch this video I notice is basically the F4 in an F3 sized body. Maybe that was the market they were aiming for. Your F3 reminded me of my F801 because I have the same lens on your F3 and I tend to keep it on