Nikon F3 — part 1 Product booklet

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    CONTENTS
        PAFIT ONE:
      THE  CAMEFIA

          NIKCIN F3
lntroduction                       1 0
   PARTSNOMENCLATURE        1 2
BasicOperation                    1 6
   LOADINGFILM                  1 6
   SETTINGASA FILMSPEED        1 8
   MAKINGEXPOSURES          20
   CHANGINGLENSES             2 1
DetailedInstructions              22
   BATTERIES                 22
   FILMPLANEINDICATOR        24
   FILMADVANCELEVER          24
   FRAMECOUNTER             25
   REWINDINGFILM              26\--   SETTINGTHEAPERTURE       27
   \CTTIruCTHESHUTTERSPEED    30
   LCDDISPLAYWINDOW          33
   VIEWFINDERILLUMINATOR     37
   BACK-UPMECHANICALRELEASE
   LEVER                     37
   METERINGEXPOSURE         38
   EXPOSUREMEMORYLOCK
   BUTTON                    44
   USINGTHEMANUALMODE       45
   DEPTH.OF.FIELDSCALE         46         {
   FOCUSING                  46
   INFRAREDFOCUSING          49                     '.x
   FOCUSINGSCREENS          50
                                                                                   I- I                 I

EYEPIECESHUTTER            50
          MULTIPLEEXPOSURELEVER     53
         CHANGINGLENSES            54
          SELF-TIMER                 54
         MIRRORLOCK-UPLEVER        56
        ACCESSORYSHOE            56
         SYNCTERMINAL               5 8
          FILMMEMOHOLDER           59
        CAMERACARE               60
        Accessories                    62
          MD-4 MOTORDRIVE           62
          BASICOPERATIONSOFTHEMD.4  62
          SB-12SPEEDLIGHT          70
          BASICOPERATIONOFTHESB-12   7 1
         FINDERS                   78


             PART TWO:
      GiENEFIAL   PHGITC,GiFIAPHIC
            TEGHNIOUEsi



          Introduction                     82
        Lenses and their Uses              82
          LENSCHARACTERISTICS       82
               Focallength.Speed.Depth ofI                           f ield. Perspectivedistortion.
         NORMALLENSES               8 5
          WIDE-ANGLELENSES            8 7
          TELEPHOTOLENSES             8 7
         ZOOM LENSES                89

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Films and Filters                  90
   FILMCHARACTERISTICS        90
     Spged.Grain..Contrast.Color
     Balance.Reversaland negative
      films. Latitude.
   SLOW FILMS                      92,
   MEDIUM-SPEEDFILMS          92
   HIGH-SPEEDF]LMS             92   SPECIAL-PURPOSEFILMS        93 o
     Kodak High-ContrastCoPYFilm.
     Kodak Direct Positive
     PanchromaticFilm.Kodak High
     Speed lnfraredFilm.Kodak
     EktachromelnfraredFilm.
     Eastman5247. Kodak
     EktachromeS lide DuPlicating
      Film.
    FILTERSYSTEMS                 94
    FILTERSFORBLACK-AND-WHlTE
    FILMS                          94
    FILTERSFORCOLORFILMS         96
      Color-conversionf ilters.Lig ht-
      balancingf ilters.Color-
     comPensatingfilters'
    FILTERSFORBOTH COLORAND
    BLACK-AND-WHITEFILMS        98
       Polarizer.Neutral-densityf ilters.
      Haze,UV and skYlight filters.
   EXPOSURECALCULATIONWITH
    FILTERS                    99

 Electronic Flash PhotograPhY       100
    DETERMININGEXPOSURE       100
   AUTOMATIC FLASH             1 0 1
   MANUAL FLASH                1 0 1
   BOUNCEFLASH               102
     FILL.INFLASH                  1 0 3

ExposureGuide                   1 0 5
         THEEXPOSUREMETER         1 0 5
         METERINGFORCOLORFILM     107
         METERINGFORBLACK-AND-
          WHITEFILM                   1 0 8
         EXPOSUREWITHOUTA METER   1 0 9
           AVAILABLE.LIGHT EXPOSURE     1 0 9
         REFLECTORS                1 0 9
         PUSH-PROCESSlNG         1 1 1
lt




'l

THE  IVIKGIN F3

          lntnoduction




  The NikonF3 is a 35 mm' single-lens-reflex
camera,with both manualand automatic-exposure
capability.TheF3 is a professionalcameraat theheart
of an extensivesystemof lensesandaccessories'The
F3 featuresan electronicshutter,exposuremetering
directlyfromthefilmplane,andenergysavingfeatures
for longerbatterylife.
   Ceniralto the designof the NikonF3 is flexibility'                                          a
The F3 can be usedwith four differentviewfinders,
twentydifferentfocusingscreens,a six-frame-per-
secondmotordrive,and electronicflash unitsthat
automaticallysynchronizewith the through-the'lens
                             Olol

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TheNikon F3 is a 35 mm, single-lens-reflex
camera,with both manualandautomatic
exposurecapability.lt is the first automatic
exposurecamerawith interchangeablefinders
and focusing screens.


exp0suremeteringsystem.Sincethe meteringsystem
is c0ntainedin the body 0f the F3, any Nikon
viewfinder can be used withoutlosingmetering
capability.Otheraccessoriesdesignedfor the F3 are
NikonIntervalometers,severalcamerabacks,various
remote-controlunits,and nearly70 Nikonlenses,
rangingfrom6 mmto 2000mm.
   Followingin thetraditionof theNikonF andF2,the
NikonF3 is designedto provideunparalleledquality,
flexibility,andruggedness.lt is a cameracapableof
beingmodifiedto meelany photographicsituation.
                                     1 1

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NTKONF3-PARTSNOMENCLATURE
  1. Mirror lockup lever
  2. Self-timer LED
  3. Shutter-speed dial locking button
  4. Backup mechanicalrelease lever
  5. Exposure memory lock button
  6. Lens mounting flange
  7. Reflex mirror
  8. ADR window
  9. Viewfinder illuminator
10. Metercoupling lever.
1 1. Lens release button
12. Lens mounting index
13. Flash sync. terminal
14. Meter coupling lever release button
15. Motor drive coupling
16. Film rewind button
17. Motor drive positioning hole
18. Tripod/motor drive coupling socket
19. Battery chamber lid
2O. Motor drive coupling cover





                                     1 3

21. Depth-of-field indicators
        22. Exposure compensation scaleo       23. Hot-shoe contacts
        24. Film rewind crank
       25. Camera back lock lever
       26. Exposure compensation locking button
       27. Shutter speed index
       28. Film plane indicator
       29. Shutter speed dial
       30. Shutter-speed scale
       31. Self-timer lever
       32. Power switch
       33. Multiple exposure lever
       34. Shutter release button
       35. Frame counter
       36. Film advance lever
       37. Distance scale
       38. Aperture/focusing index
       39. Aperture ring
      4O. Eyepiece shutter lever
       41. ASA film speed scale
       42. Viewfinder eyepiece
       43. Memo holder
 ,
                                           1 5

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        Elasic OPenation
         of the  Nikon FB
            a
        LOADINGFILM
  0penthe camerabackby first slidingthe safety-
lockievertowardthe rearof the camera,thenlifting
thefilm-rewindknobuntilthebackswingsopen'Inserta 35 mm film cassetteinto the film chamber'Push  t
downthe rewindknob,twistingit slightlyto properly
engageit withthecassette.Insertthefilmleaderintoa
sloi on the camera'stake-upspool.Turnthe take-up
spool'swheel(onthelowerendof thespool)to theleft
untilthefilm leaderis firmlyandcompletelywrapped
aroundthe take-upspoolmakingsurethat the film
perforationsare properlyengagedwith boththe top,
andbottom,sprocketson the take-upspool'Withthe
cartridgeproperlyseatedandthe film straight,close
the backof the camera.Alternatelystrokethe film-
advanceleverand releasethe shuttertwo or three
 times,untilthefilmcounterindicatesthefirstframeis
 reached.Turnthe rewindknobto takeup anyslackin
 thefilm.Whentheendof ttierollof filmis reachedyou
 mustrewindthe film' Firstdepressthe rewindbutton
 onthebottomof thecamera'Pullouttherewindcrank
 andturnit clockwiseuntilyoufeelno moretensionon
 the crank.                                       f
 1 6

Place the f ilm cartridge into the camera with
the film leader facing to the right.





lnsert the f ilm leaderinto the take-up spool.

                                         1 7

Turn the take-up spool until both the'top and
bottom sprocket wheels are properly engaged
with the film perforations.



    SETTINGASA FILMSPEED

  TosettheASA,lift theoutercollarof theASAfilm-
speeddialandrotateit untiltheASAvalueof thefilm
yguareusingis alignedwith the whiteindexmark.
   Firstturn 0n the pgwerswitchthen,checkthe
 batteriesby slightlydepressingthe shutterrelease             o button.lf the batteriesare goodthe liquidcrystal
 display(LCD)in theviewfinderwill displaytheshutter
 speed.lf  it doesnot cgme0n, batteriesshouldbe
 replaced.
1 8

o





        To set the AsA  f ilm speed, lift the outer collar
           of the film speed dial and rotate it untit the
         proper ASA number is opposite the white
          index mark.



o

        Once the ASA rs sef, release the f ilm speed
           dial and the appropriate setting is locked into
          place.
  t
                                            1 9

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     MAKINGEXPOSURES
  Takea pictureby followingthesesteps:
  Tosetthe camerafor automaticoperation,turnthe                                             'A'shutterspeeddial clockwiseuntilthe green    is
alignedwith the whitemarkon the prismhousing'
  Setapertureringon lenst0 the desiredf-stop'
  Asyoulookthroughtheviewfinder,slightlydepress
the shutterreleasebuttons0 the LCDwill displaythe

 To test the batteries,turn the power on and
 tightly pressthe shutter'releasebutton half
 ,Jty ao*n. tf the batteries are OK, the LCD will
 displaythe shutter sPeed.
 @


 20

shutterspeed.TheLCDwill stayon for l6 seconds.lf
 the shutterspeedis too fast or too slow,turn the
 aperturering to adjust.For hand-heldphotography
 beginwith a shutterspeedol 1/125sec.
  Nowfocusby turningthefocusingringon the lens
 untilthe imageappearssharp.

      CHANGINGLENSES

   To removea lens,pressthe lens-releasebuttonon
 thecamerabodylocatedto therightof thelenshousing
andwhilefirmlygrippingboththelensandthecameri
body,turnthelensclockwiseapproximately60 degrees
 untilit comesoff.
  Tomounta lens,placethelensonthelensmounting
flangeof thecamerabody.Aligntheblackreferencedot
(or aperture/focusingindex)on the lensmountingring
withthewhitedot(lens-mountingindex)on the lens_
mounthousingof thecamerabody.Whenfirmlyseated,
turnlenscounterclockwiseuntilit clicksintoposition.
  Whenstoringsparelenses,keepthefrontandback
lenscapson.Whencarryinga camerabodywithouta
lensmounted,alwaysprotectthe mirrormechanisms
with a bodycap.





                                    2 1

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       Detailed  OPenation
          of the  Nikon F3


          BATTERIES
   The normaloperationof the NikonF3 is entirely
  dependenton electricalpower.Withnormalusage,t
  p.it of 1.5-volt,silver-oxide,batteries(Eveready D                                                                                                               l EPX76or equivalent)will lastup t0 oneyear.
   To insertbatteries,removethe battery-chamberlid'  by turningit counterclockwisewitha coin'Thelid has '
  two extensionsthatholdthebatteriesin position'Place
  two 1.5-volt.silver-oxide,batteriesintothe lid so the
  negativesideof the batteryfacesthe lid,andthe plus
  signfacesout.Replaceclip,andlid,andtightenwitha
  coin.
    To testthe batteries,turnon the powerswitchby
  pushingit to theright(facingawayfromthecamera)so
  thereddotis showing.Thenslightlypresstheshutter-
  releasebuttononlyhalfwaydown.Theexposuremeter
   is activatedby thisprocedure.lf thebatteriesaregood,
  the liquidcrystaldisplay(LCD)will illustratethe
  shutterspeedin the top left window insidethe
  viewfinder.TheLCDremainson for 16 secondsand
  thengoesoff automaticallyto preservepower.lf the
  batteriesaret00weak,or improperlyinstalled,theLCD
  doesnotoperate.
  22

The batteries of the Nikon F3 are located in
the battery chamber in the base of the camera.





The battery-chamber lid has a clip that holds
batteries in place for easy installation.

                                 23

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  The NikonF3 has a back-upmechanicalrelease
lever if batteriesfail. By pullingout the back-up
mechanicalreleaselever part way, it becomes
accessiblet0 yourfingertip.Whenpushedcompletely
downit releasestheshuttermechanicallyat a speedof
1/60 sec. The back-upmechanicalreleaselever
operatesin thismannerwhentheshutterspeeddialis
0n any settingexcept"T". lf the back-upleveris
trippedwhenthe dial is set on "T", the shutterwill
openand remainopen,until the dial is movedto
anothersetting.
       -     FILM.PLANEINDICATOR
  Thewhiteengravedmarkon thetopof thecamera
body (seeaccompanyingillustration)representsthe
exactlocationof the film planeinsidethe camera.In
specializedareas of photography,such as mac-
rophotography,it is necessaryt0 measurethe exact
 distancebetweenthe film planeand the subject.In
suchinstances,thiswouldbe the pointfromwhichto
 measure.Thedistancebetweenthefilm planeandthe
 frontsurfaceof the lens-mountflangeis exactly46.5
mm.
       FILMADVANCELEVER
   Thefilm advanceleveron theNikonF3 is designed
 for quick accessibilityand operation'0ne stroke
 advancesthefilm onecompleteframe.Whenreleased,
 it automaticallyspringsbackto its normalrestposition.
 lf the leveris notgivenonecompletestroke,the film
24

The film plane indicator showsthe exact
          location of the film inside the camera.Precise
        measurementsof subject-to-film distancearc
       madefrom this mark.


      maybe advancedwith severalshortstrokes;butonce
         thefilm is advancedcompletely,themechanismlocks.
         At this pointthe levermaybe pulledout onlythirty
        degreesfrom its closedposition.This is a handy
        "ready" positionwhen makingquick sequentialC
        exposures.A completestrokeof the advancelever
       measures170degrees;30 degreesforthehandypull-
         out,plus140 degreesfor a completeadvancecycle.
           FRAMECOUNTER  i
         The f ramecounterkeepstrackof the numberof
         picturestakenon a roll of film.lt haswhitemarksat
        12,20, 24, and36 for mostpackagedfilms,andblue
                                        25

Thef ilm advancelevermaYbe pulled out
thirty degreesto a "ready"position-From this
point, a single strokeof  | 4O degreeswill
advancethe f ilm completelyto the next f rame-

numeralsfor everyfiveframes(5, 10, 15,etc.).lt is
graduatedfromtwo framesbelowzeroto forty (four
framesbeyondthe traditionalthirty six). This is
especiallyhelpfulfor photographerswhobulkloadfilm.

        REWINDINGFILM
  Whena roll of film hasbeencompletelyexposed,
the advanceleverwill stopin mid-cycle.To rewind
exposedfilm, pressthe film-rewindbutton0n the
bottomof the camera.Thisreleasesthefilm sprocket
 driveandallowsthefilm to be rewound.Foldoutthe
26

Theframe counter of the Nikon F3 is located
          to the right of the film advancelever


        rewindcrank and turn it clockwiseas its arrow
        indicates.Keepturninguntilthereis n0 longerany
        tensionfromthefilm (therewindcrankwill turnmore
         freely)andtheendof theleaderwill snapbackintothe
        cassette.Openthecamerabackby pushingthecamera
       backlockleverto the rightwhileliftingthe rewindo       knob.Thecamerabackthenpopsopen.Loadingand
       unloading0f film shouldalwaysbe doneoutof direct
        sunlight.

          SETTINGTHEAPERTURE
         Theapertureringon mostNikkorlensesis thelens
         ringclosestto the camerabody.Turningit opensand
        closesthediaphragminsidethe lensto the desiredf-
                                        27