![]() ![]() At the same time Nikon offered a service for converting older Non-AI lenses to AI specifications. The metering prong was preserved for use with Non-AI camera bodies. AI lenses had a small tab on the aperture ring that engaged the meter on the camera body. 1977, Nikon introduced the AI or "Automatic Indexing" cameras and lenses. When the lens was mounted properly the camera could meter at full aperture, but the lens/camera combination had to be manually indexed to the maximum aperture of the lens in use.Ģ. The first Nikkor SLR lenses had fully automatic diaphragms, and a prong was affixed to the aperture selection ring that engaged the metering system of the camera on which it was mounted. Nikon made three main styles of manual focus lenses. To fully appreciate the F3 and the Nikon system, one must be familiar with the famous Nikkor lenses. The camera meters at full aperture with AI and AIS lenses, and in manual stopped-down mode with Non-AI lenses. Many long-time Nikonians were delighted to find that the F3 could mount even their oldest Nikkor lenses. ![]() Users found it hard to resist the camera's sleek appearance, aperture priority exposure automation, TTL-flash capabilities, ball-bearing shutter advance, quartz-timed shutter, mirror lock-up, and rugged durability. Eventually even many diehard F and F2 fans adopted the F3 in spite of its battery dependence. Of course, batteries are cheap, and this problem was more theoretical than practical. ![]() It is tripped by a secondary shutter release, and will fire at 1/60 if set at any shutter speed other than 'T'. When the batteries in an F3 die, though the film can still be advanced, the photographer is limited to only two mechanical shutter speeds of approximately 1/60 second and Time. When the batteries in the meter of an F or F2 died, the camera itself was not affected. The F3 was initially resisted by Nikon traditionalists who were slow to trust the battery dependence of its superb microelectronics. Less pristine examples of the F3, especially early ones, cost much less, and represent one of the great bargains in manual SLR photography. As this is written, some New Old Stock F3's are starting to command prices approaching those associated with the F5. It was preceded by the various models of the F and F2, and followed by the F4, F5, and F6. Introduced in 1980 and discontinued almost 21 years later, the Nikon F3 was the third in a series of pro-line flagship Nikon SLR's that now numbers six cameras. ![]() Nikon F3 (1980) w/Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 image by Süleyman Demir ( Image rights) ![]()
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