Re: [Leica] Full circle with Nikons

[Rei Shinozuka <shino@panix.com>]

i am a bit partial to the f3, having a pair with md4s which were my main
picture-takers before i got into leica m.  as i recall,
the f3 was considered somewhat daring for its time (1980) for having
an electronically-controlled shutter and thereby being battery dependent 
(except for the manual 1/60 speed).  technologically, it did have
autoexposure, TTL flash, and LCD readouts and metering worked with 
all of the interchangable finders and screens.

electronic shutter or no, the f3 is mechanically a beautiful machine--
just change the finder, or activate the mirror-lock up--it has a 
substantial feel.  in my opinion, it's the last nikon that's more 
machine than computer. (ok, the fm2 and fm3 qualify too :-).

- -rei
 

On Thu, Jul 10, 2003 at 09:13:39AM -0400, bdcolen wrote:
> The reason Nikon still has F3's for sale is the same reason that the R
> line has been a financial dog for Leica - there are only about six
> people out there these days in the market for a solid, reliable, manual
> focus SLR any more. The F3 was and is a terrific camera - but it came
> out at the wrong time in the evolution of Autofocus and auto everything.
> 
> B. D.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us] On Behalf Of Don Dory
> Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 10:38 PM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: RE: [Leica] Full circle with Nikons
> 
> 
> Ok guys and gals,
> Nikon got caught with their pants down with the F3.  I believe it came
> out in 1983.  Minolta brought out autofocus in about 1985.  The F4 was
> brought out in what 1987?  If I recall correctly, most pros stuck with
> their no battery required F2 as long as they could.  So for the majority
> of shooters, they either stayed with the old reliable F2 or migrated to
> the F4 for autofocus and a far better integrated motor.  In summary, the
> F3 was the top model for Nikon for only about four years.
> 
> The reason Nikon still has F3's for sale is that no one will buy one
> new.  Shoot, you can hardly sell an F5 for any price above a grand.
> 
> Don
> dorysrus@mindspring.com
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us] On Behalf Of
> grduprey@rockwellcollins.com
> Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 2:09 PM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Full circle with Nikons
> 
> 
> Actually the F3 is still available from Nikon, but at $1300.
> 
> Gene
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
>                       Mark Rabiner
> 
>                       <mark@rabinergroup.com>             To:
> leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us                                       
>                       Sent by:                            cc:
> 
>                       owner-leica-users@mejac.palo        Subject:  Re:
> [Leica] Full circle with Nikons                                     
>                       -alto.ca.us
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>                       07/09/2003 12:20 PM
> 
>                       Please respond to
> 
>                       leica-users
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Douglas Herr wrote:
> >
> > Mark Rabiner <mark@rabinergroup.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Nikons are very Leicalike. (Especially the F3)
> >
> > debatable... they use film and can be used to make pictures ... in
> this
> respect yes they are like Leicas.
> >
> > Doug Herr
> > Birdman of Sacramento
> > http://www.wildlightphoto.com
> > --
> If feels like a classic. It is a classic.
> It was in production for decades i think the only body in production
> longer than the M6. It is not a camera to use if you do a lot of flash.
> The hotshoe is off to the far side. It was a "flagship" camrea. top of
> the line. When they both came out they were largely called "a piece of
> junk" by their constituents.
> 
> 
> Mark Rabiner
> Portland, Oregon USA
> http://www.rabinergroup.com
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- -- 
Rei Shinozuka shino@panix.com
Ridgewood, New Jersey

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