Nikon F3 meter and Auto mode
Chris Sanford
I recently purchased a used Nikon F3 and have been testing it. I have
found that the internal meter works only when the depth of field preview
button is pressed (This seems logical) but the aperture-priority auto
mode requires me to do this as well. In other words, when I fire in auto
mode, my camera shoots as though the aperture were wide open (which it
of course is at the time that I press the trigger). Am I missing
something or is something wrong with my camera. Of note, I am using the
Nikkor 24-120 AF, so maybe its a compatability problem. Again, any help
would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris
PS. If the problem is with my camera--Is this a "Very" expensive
problem to have repaired?
Lars Stormbom
Around the lens mount of the F3 there is a small lever that is
supposed to read the set aperture mechanically (on AI optics).
On the F3 this lever may be disengaged for use of pre-AI optics.
If the lever is disengaged the body believes the lens is wide open
regardless of what aperture you set. This would explain why you get
correct readings when stopping down.
The lever should be easily visible once you dismount the optics
You shouldn't have any compatibility problems with AF-lenses.
The meter should give accurate readings without stopping down (also on
auto) unless you use ancient pre-AI lenses.
Good luck
--
*********************
To reply by email remove
'XXX' from adress
*********************
Rudy Garcia
<joll...@netmagic.net> wrote:
> Hi, any help is appreciated.
>
> I recently purchased a used Nikon F3 and have been testing it. I have
> found that the internal meter works only when the depth of field preview
> button is pressed (This seems logical) but the aperture-priority auto
> mode requires me to do this as well. In other words, when I fire in auto
> mode, my camera shoots as though the aperture were wide open (which it
> of course is at the time that I press the trigger). Am I missing
> something or is something wrong with my camera. Of note, I am using the
> Nikkor 24-120 AF, so maybe its a compatability problem. Again, any help
> would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
> PS. If the problem is with my camera--Is this a "Very" expensive
> problem to have repaired?
Just a thought. Around the lens mounting flange on the camera (around the
two o'clock position as you look from the front) there is a little tab.
This tab should be sticking up instead of being parallel with the camera
body, and it is supposed to couple with the meter coupling ridge on AI and
later lenses.
For pre-AI lenses, the tab is pivoted out of the way (parallel with the
body) and then a lens can be used in stopped down metering mode. This
sounds like what you are experiencing.
Around the area where the tab is & on the edge of the mounting flange,
there is a spring loaded pin that releases the lock on the tab and allows
you to flip it up so that your AI and later lenses can couple with the
meter.
Hope this is the problem.
--
Use address below for Email replies. Address on Header is bogus to defeat AutoSPAM.
ru...@jps.net
________________________________
Rudy Garcia
The answers I have found have just served to raise a whole new set
of questions. In some ways I am as confused as ever, but I believe
I am confused on a much higher level and about more important things.
Author unknown
Spam not required
>
>Hi, any help is appreciated.
>
>I recently purchased a used Nikon F3 and have been testing it. I have
>found that the internal meter works only when the depth of field preview
>button is pressed (This seems logical) but the aperture-priority auto
>mode requires me to do this as well. In other words, when I fire in auto
>mode, my camera shoots as though the aperture were wide open (which it
>of course is at the time that I press the trigger). Am I missing
>something or is something wrong with my camera. Of note, I am using the
>Nikkor 24-120 AF, so maybe its a compatability problem. Again, any help
>would be appreciated.
The Nikkor 24-120 AF is compatible with the F3.
The problem is your lens is not indexing the F3's meter. This
could be a problem with the lens or the camera, but is most
likely the camera. Here's how you can check both of them. Take
your lens off the camera and look at the camera's mount. At
the top of the mount there should be a small metal tab. You
should be able to move this tab from right to left and it
should spring back to the right when you release it. When you
put your lens back on, it has a little lip that moves the tab
when you change the aperature on the lens. If all these
things are happening, then you have an internal problem with
your camera. I would expect it to be a minor repair.