Nikon F3 - Basic Camera Operations Part I

Modern Classic SLRs Series :
Nikon F3 - Basic Camera Operations - Part I

The secondary mirror that interlocks behind the main reflex mirror seen only when it is in half mirror lock up position. You won't be able to see it even if you view it without a lens mounted or using mirror lock up feature. Like the electronic circuit that was protected under the robust metal die-cast structure, these are stealth technologies in the F3 camera body oblivious to the photographer.

Understand and familiarize your camera equipment first before you start using it - this is the only advice I can give you. Lack of knowledge of your own photographic gear may very well restrict creative use of many of the features available in a camera.

In fact, most modern cameras have more than sufficient features to provide you the tools to tackle or handle virtually any imaginable photographic situation - perhaps only separated by how knowledgeable you are toward the hardware that you own and how to it to good use in your personal photography.

Based on experience and initial feedback after uploading other similar featured sites, I noticed there are a great deal of surfers asking a lot of basic questions which can be answered in a camera manual. It is all about perspective from the camera manufacturer's point of view or from a view point of a consumer. A well illustrated and simple to understand manual is very much depend on an individual's level of experience in handling a SLR camera. Even for a P&S user, I think some areas in instruction manuals can be very confusing for the starter in SLR photography. Sections like depth of field or shutter speed are generally very well illustrated in a manual - BUT combined, all these number could confuse a novice.

Further, sometimes you need to explain to someone new to this medium why his zoom lens cannot shoot as close as those great magnification macro pictures that illustrate magazines or calendars. You just cannot please everybody in a general site. But since this essential info may benefit a new F3 user or for those who have lost, misplaced or don't understand what the content in the manual is all about, I will try to explain here and add in some related info that may help you understand this camera better. Don't worry, if you have bought a Nikon F3, as long as you can digest, I will try my best to help you justify your investment fully. If you have already owned the Nikon F3 for a long time and are very familiar with it, just skip these pages. Please don't mail me, if you have anything hot to debate, use the message board instead. It is pretty easy to read, but not that easy to compile and write. Anyway, neither are they my speciality, but despite that I am still trying to enjoy what I am doing until the very one day I feel tired of all these. Enjoy.

Basic Camera Operations:

Nikon F3 is an automatic camera. It uses battery to power most of its functions like metering, shutter operation etc. In short, without battery (ies) installed in the camera, you can take pictures with only two mechanical settings that do not require battery to operate, but with the power supply restored, it will be fully operational with all the automated features that are incorporate and designed into the camera body.

Just turn your Nikon F3 upside down, then you will see the battery compartment just next to the tripod socket, use a coin to unscrew the battery clip lid in a counterclockwise direction and it will open. First there is a very high possibility that when you got your camera, the shop assistant could have installed the battery for you. Thus, this section is just meant for future reference in case you need to install the cells on your own.

1.Remove the battery chamber lid. Use a coin to twist the lid counterclockwise to unscrew it.

* Compatible batteries for Nikon SLR cameras

2. Install the batteries.



What kind of batteries does the Nikon F3 takes ? Simple. It can take either two (1.55V) S-76 Silver Oxide, or two (1.5V) LR44 (Alkaline-manganese type) or one 3V CR 1/3N Lithium power cell (s).

A fresh installation can last for about a year, depends on usage. The shutter locks at battery depletion, unlock by turning the shutter speed dial to M250 or B setting, which are mechanical and works independent of battery power.

Note: Insert the two 1.55V silver-oxide batteries or one 3V lithium battery supplied with the camera, making sure that the "+" signs are up. Under normal usage in room temperature, one set of l.55 V silver-oxide batteries (Eveready EPX76 or equivalent) will last for about one year.

After correct installation, insert the holder back into the battery chamber using a coin to screw it securely into place and your camera will be ready to function. If it doesn't, open and check the polarity marks on the cells.

Make sure the battery contacts (+ or - surfaces) are clean. As most problems that arise with automatic cameras are battery related. Sometimes, even an invisible film can prevent proper contact like your sebum or oily finger tips. Generally, as a guideline in normal camera maintenance & care, never hold any cells in the centrer, only at the side. You may use either a clean cloth to clean off a light layer of oxidation, and a pencil eraser from your children's pencil box will remove heavier deposits that may deposited at the cells' polarity marks front and back or the contact point (battery clip) inside the camera battery compartment.

Don't let this scare you off. The Nikon F3, as with any of the automatic manual focus Nikon bodies like the earlier EL bodies, FE series models or the FA - they have accessories to assure your camera can perform equally well under extreme temperatures. The Nikon F3 in particular, being a professional camera, has a few options available. Just in case you are in an important assignment, for a preventive measure, there are a few ways to buy some insurance. The Anti-Cold Battery Pack DB-2 is one such device. In cold weather, the Anti-Cold Battery Pack DB-2, which accepts two AA-type batteries, acts as an alternative power supply to the batteries inside the camera body. Simply connect the DB-2 to the camera body, then slip the assembly inside your pocket or coat to keep it warm. This assures that the camera's metering system will function even in very cold temperatures. Next option is even better - Nikon F3's power supply will automatically switches over and supply by its dedicated Motor Drive MD-4. With the motor drive, again you have a few options in the types of battery cells, depends on your priorities, for most cost efficient shooting, you can use the normal alkaline which can easily help you sail through 100 rolls of 36 exposures film rolls. For cold weather, you can opt for the rechargeable Ni-Cd cells (MN-2). well, there are more to offer for a motor drive than just the power supply issues, we will discuss that in later in the automatic film advance section.

Anti cold Battery Pack DB-2 Rechargeable Ni-Cd cells for motor drive MD-4

3. Replace the battery chamber lid. Slip the battery clip back into the camera body and screw it tightly into place.

Some other issues relate to batteries

1.
When the batteries are drained, or there are none installed in the camera, or if it fails to function normally due to extreme change in temperature, the F3 has only two settings which still can be used : a mechanical speed of approx. 1/55 sec via backup mechanical release lever(Check the main reference map) and “T” (Time exposure setting on your shutter speed dial). All other speed settings will be inoperative, and the shutter won't fire or the reflex mirror MAY remain in the “up” position. If the mirror locks up, simply trip the camera via the mechanical speed lever again and the mirror will return to its normal viewing position. Then you can install new batteries (In the case of cold climate, use an anti-cold battery holder pack DB-2 to replace the cells or attach the F3 to the MD-4 with Ni-Cd cells). For important assignments,it is a good idea to carry an extra set of batteries with you or look at the few very good alternatives Nikon provides for the F3 users..

2
Should the battery be left in the battery chamber for a long period, insufficient contact may occur due to battery leakage. Thus, it is good practise to periodically clean the battery and the contact section in the battery chamber with a soft cloth. If the battery chamber is contaminated with a leaking battery, remove the battery at once and clean the chamber. Before doing so, try to clean and remove any deposits remaining inside, especially the clips housed inside the compartment and do a few test shots, but I would strongly suggest you get an examination of the damage done.

3
For safety reasons at home, after removal of the cells, remember to keep them away from children. Never attempt to throw them in a fire place, it may explode. In any case, the camera is not the cause for any mishap - only the carelessness of its owner.

4
Battery power falls off in extremely cold temperatures and this may cause the camera's photometric circuit to cease operating. In this situation, use new batteries and protect the camera body from the cold. Note that battery power will be recovered as soon as the temperature becomes normal. Nikon has an anti-cold battery holder pack DB-2 for this purpose, alternatively, use the F3 with the MD-4, which will overwrite the battery cell in the camera body (You need not have to remove the cell when attach the MD-4). With the motor drive attached, the camera gets all its power from the batteries in the motor drive. Thus, if you use a NiCd battery, the camera/motor drive will operate down to - 20°C.

5
Regardless of whether the camera is switched off or not, the Nikon F3 always discharges a small amount of electricity because it incorporates a quartz oscillator circuit. Further, at -10°C or below, the LCD may exhibit a slight delay in 'response time. This is natural and should not be a cause for concern. However, exposure of the camera to extremely high temperatures (80°C and above) may actually shorten the life span of the LCD (liquid Crystal Display).

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Modern Classic SLRs Series :
Nikon F3 - Basic Camera Operations - Part I


Anti cold Battery Pack DB-2	Rechargeable Ni-Cd cells for motor drive MD-4

1.	When the batteries are drained, or there are none installed in the camera, or if it fails to function normally due to extreme change in temperature, the F3 has only two settings which still can be used : a mechanical speed of approx. 1/55 sec via backup mechanical release lever(Check the main reference map) and “T” (Time exposure setting on your shutter speed dial). All other speed settings will be inoperative, and the shutter won't fire or the reflex mirror MAY remain in the “up” position. If the mirror locks up, simply trip the camera via the mechanical speed lever again and the mirror will return to its normal viewing position. Then you can install new batteries (In the case of cold climate, use an anti-cold battery holder pack DB-2 to replace the cells or attach the F3 to the MD-4 with Ni-Cd cells). For important assignments,it is a good idea to carry an extra set of batteries with you or look at the few very good alternatives Nikon provides for the F3 users..
2	Should the battery be left in the battery chamber for a long period, insufficient contact may occur due to battery leakage. Thus, it is good practise to periodically clean the battery and the contact section in the battery chamber with a soft cloth. If the battery chamber is contaminated with a leaking battery, remove the battery at once and clean the chamber. Before doing so, try to clean and remove any deposits remaining inside, especially the clips housed inside the compartment and do a few test shots, but I would strongly suggest you get an examination of the damage done.
3	For safety reasons at home, after removal of the cells, remember to keep them away from children. Never attempt to throw them in a fire place, it may explode. In any case, the camera is not the cause for any mishap - only the carelessness of its owner.
4	Battery power falls off in extremely cold temperatures and this may cause the camera's photometric circuit to cease operating. In this situation, use new batteries and protect the camera body from the cold. Note that battery power will be recovered as soon as the temperature becomes normal. Nikon has an anti-cold battery holder pack DB-2 for this purpose, alternatively, use the F3 with the MD-4, which will overwrite the battery cell in the camera body (You need not have to remove the cell when attach the MD-4). With the motor drive attached, the camera gets all its power from the batteries in the motor drive. Thus, if you use a NiCd battery, the camera/motor drive will operate down to - 20°C.
5	Regardless of whether the camera is switched off or not, the Nikon F3 always discharges a small amount of electricity because it incorporates a quartz oscillator circuit. Further, at -10°C or below, the LCD may exhibit a slight delay in 'response time. This is natural and should not be a cause for concern. However, exposure of the camera to extremely high temperatures (80°C and above) may actually shorten the life span of the LCD (liquid Crystal Display).