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Nikon F3 VS F3HP

O

ollielott

Guest
what are the main differences between the 2? and what are your opinions

does putting the hp viewfinder onto a normal f3 body turn it into an f3 HP
 

Godfrey

Well-known member
what are the main differences between the 2? and what are your opinions

does putting the hp viewfinder onto a normal f3 body turn it into an f3 HP
That's my favorite Nikon film camera. A little weak on the TTL flash and a 1/80 second max flash sync. Otherwise, a delight.

Between the F3 and F3hp the only difference is what finder is fitted aside from that F3hp models are necessarily a little newer than original F3 model ... putting the hp finder on the F3 makes it an hp.

An F3/T has the titanium body shell. Same camera in all respects other than the skin material.
 
Unless you wear glasses when you shoot, I would get the non HP finder. I found the HP finder added too much weight and bulk.
 

Steen

Senior Subscriber Member

The way Wikipedia puts it, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_F3

"Initially, the F3 model with the DE-2 eye-level finder was introduced, soon followed by the popular F3HP, or High Point camera, with the DE-3 High Eyepoint prism/finder.
The major advantage of this finder was that the entire viewfinder image could be seen from a distance of 2.5 cm from the viewfinder.
This made the F3 more usable by those who wear glasses when shooting, or were forced to shoot in high glare situations while wearing sunglasses.
The only down-side to this was a smaller image through the viewfinder compared to the standard prism.
With the exception of the "P" spec camera, all viewfinders are completely interchangeable."



I recently posted some F3HP pictures in this thread: http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25764
 

Godfrey

Well-known member
Unless you wear glasses when you shoot, I would get the non HP finder. I found the HP finder added too much weight and bulk.
For me, the HP finder made it the best viewfinder of any of 35mm SLRs ... Yes I've always worn glasses. :)
 
If you photograph with glasses get the HP, if not get the F3. You lose magnification on the HP finder to account for the high eye point.
 

dubes

New member
Unless you wear glasses when you shoot, I would get the non HP finder. I found the HP finder added too much weight and bulk.
+1. After years of using my F3HP with the HP finder, I picked up a barely used DE-2 finder from KEH for cheap, and I love it. Makes the F3 a neat 'little' (especially compared to DSLRs) camera, though still a bit bigger than an FE/FE-2. My only caution, as Godfrey noted, is that an original F3 is quite long in the tooth, while and F3HP will be a lot newer. Also, judging by the two samples that I've owned (and one that I still own) it seems that a lot more folks may have bought the F3HP as a 'shelf queen' and so can be found in barely used condition for peanuts.
 

Steen

Senior Subscriber Member

I'd say thank you for keeping this thread alive, dubes, I think it deserves to remain a steadily ongoing thread :)
Oh, and welcome aboard !

Maybe we need some illustrations, here's my well preserved HP version.


click for larger - in some browsers F11 deactivates and again activates <-> the menu lines


Captured with Nikon D300 • AI-S Nikkor 2.5/105mm • 1/60 sec. at f/5.6 ISO 200 • Capture NX
 
R

richard.L

Guest
my best friend, junior (aka sidekick):
 
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dubes

New member
Thank you, Steen! When I get around to it, I'll have to take a picture of my F3HP disguised as an F3. I see your non-HP has the 35mm f/2.8 on it. I have a pre-AI version that a prior owner converted to AI (though it still has the original rabbit ears, without the holes). I wouldn't say it's my favorite 35mm lens, but I do appreciate its small size and weight (and it was darn cheap, too).
 

yossarian123

New member
God, these old girls are just beautiful. I go back and forth over which F has the best viewfinder. most days the F3HP is the winner.


I'd say thank you for keeping this thread alive, dubes, I think it deserves to remain a steadily ongoing thread :)
Oh, and welcome aboard !

Maybe we need some illustrations, here's my well preserved HP version.


click for larger - in some browsers F11 deactivates and again activates <-> the menu lines


Captured with Nikon D300 • AI-S Nikkor 2.5/105mm • 1/60 sec. at f/5.6 ISO 200 • Capture NX
 
N

Nikkor AIS

Guest


















Taken with Nikon F3T HP with Nikkor 8mm 2.8 AI-S on XP2

The F3HP IMO has the best viewfinder ever made as far as I am concerned. I also have the Sports finder which is to cool for words. Or as a oldest son said once. 'Its like live view only anolog"

I am lucky enough to have the Titainium model. I use it with the MD-2. Even with out the Nicad pack it's still a great motor drive.


One of the things about the F3 system that is second to none is the interchangable viewfinder system as well as the huge varity of focusing screens available. Oi have the grid screen I love it.
 
N

Nikkor AIS

Guest


















Taken with Nikon F3T HP with Nikkor 8mm 2.8 AI-S on XP2

The F3HP IMO has the best viewfinder ever made as far as I am concerned. I also have the Sports finder which is to cool for words. Or as a oldest son said once. 'Its like live view only anolog"

I am lucky enough to have the Titainium model. I use it with the MD-2. Even with out the Nicad pack it's still a great motor drive.


One of the things about the F3 system that is second to none is the interchangable viewfinder system as well as the huge varity of focusing screens available. I have the grid screen I love it.

Gregory
 

hsteeves

Member
nikkorais ...

you're doing the camera/lens porn again. Its blatantly irresponsible. Thinking of visiting the relatives in Red Deer after Christmas, could be coming for a visit with a club or a bat ...
 

Godfrey

Well-known member
Re: nikkorais ...

you're doing the camera/lens porn again. Its blatantly irresponsible. Thinking of visiting the relatives in Red Deer after Christmas, could be coming for a visit with a club or a bat ...
Yeah, I hate looking at photos like these. It makes my "Buy It Now" finger get itchy ... =8^0
 

baudolino

Active member
This is some omen - I've been visiting the auction site this week repeatedly, looking for a mint F3/T in black. Then I buy a German photo mag where they run a full page story on the F3, as one of the classic cameras of the 80s. Now this.... I must resist, I must resist.
 

Brian S

New member
I am lucky enough to have the Titainium model. I use it with the MD-2. Even with out the Nicad pack it's still a great motor drive.
Just a note for anyone looking for a Motor for the F3 series: It takes the MD-4.

The MD-1, MD-2, and MD-3 are all for the Nikon F2. MD-4 is for the F3. I should drag them out and post a photo of them.
 
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