Nikon F3 - a 1980s professional classic

Launched in March 1980, the Nikon F3 remained in production until 2001, establishing itself as a robust, adaptable and reliable professional camera. John Gilbey looks back at this enduring system

- John Gilbey

The Nikon F3 was my first truly professional camera, and it impressed me so much that still use it. Building on the success of the Nikon F and F2 cameras as professional workhorses, the F3 had a lot to prove. While the F and F2 were wholly mechanical, apart from optional metering viewfinder heads, the F3 needed batteries a pair of LR44 button cells to make it fully operational. Dependence on batteries was viewed with some scepticism by professional photographers at the time, and Nikon went to significant lengths to ensure that the newly introduced electronics did not risk the excellent reputation of its pro-SLR family.

Controls and handling

For those who came late to film photography, the innovative yet oddly traditional Nikon F3 offers a few surprises. Open the metal back of the camera, using a two-stage process which helps avoid it opening accidentally, and the interior looks slightly sparse. This is due in part to the lack of DX contacts to read the ISO rating of the film from the cassette. The F3 is old school: you have to set the film speed yourself, using the lift-and-drop dial below the film rewind crank. The power switch is an inconspicuous tab in front of the shutter release, you have to know it’s there.

At a glance

• Professional 35mm SLR
• Nikon F mount 
• Manual or aperture priority exposure 
• Electronically timed titanium shutter: 1/2000sec to 8sec 
• Compact and lightweight 
• Interchangeable viewfinders 
• Optional motor drive