Nikon F3

35mmSLRMount: Nikon F
Introduced: 1980 Discontinued: 2001
Nikon F3
Image: Gábor Dobrocsi — CC BY-SA 2.0

Nikon F3 is the first electronic Nikon professional SLR — introduced 1980 (replacing the mechanical F2), in production through 2001. The F3 was Nikon's transition from purely-mechanical to electronic-controlled professional bodies; it features a Giorgetto Giugiaro industrial design (the first time Nikon hired an external designer for an F-series body), a fixed pentaprism (no interchangeable finders unlike F/F2), and an LCD shutter-speed display in the viewfinder.

Key features

  • F-mount bayonet — works with all AI/AI-S manual-focus lenses; AF lenses as manual-focus
  • Electronic shutter — vertical titanium-blade; 8s to 1/2000 + B; mechanical 1/60 backup
  • Fixed pentaprism finder with LCD display (departure from F/F2 interchangeable finders)
  • Giugiaro design — the iconic red accent stripe
  • Battery-dependent — requires batteries for shutter operation (mechanical 1/60 backup only)
  • Long production run — 21 years; multiple variants (F3 standard, F3HP high-eyepoint, F3T titanium, F3P press)

Practical notes

  • F3 bodies are common on used market — $300-600 for working examples
  • F3HP (high-eyepoint finder) is preferred by glasses-wearers
  • F3T (titanium body) commands premium pricing
  • The MD-4 motor drive is the matched accessory; adds 6 fps capability

Related cameras

  • Nikon F2 — mechanical predecessor
  • Nikon F6 — final 35mm Nikon F-series
  • Nikon FE / FE2 — consumer-grade aperture-priority alternatives
  • Canon New F-1 — Canon's electronic professional contemporary

Native lenses

Full AI-S lineup compatible: Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 AI-S through Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 ED AI-S