• Nikon F3 — view 2
  • Nikon F3 — view 3
  • Nikon F3 — view 4
  • Nikon F3 — view 5
  • Vintage Nikon F3 ad — NASA Space Shuttle: "Another triumph for NASA and Nikon" — view 6
  • 1980
  • Pro 35mm SLR
  • 21-year run

Nikon F3

Nikon's pro body for 21 years.

The F3 was Nikon's professional 35mm SLR for two decades. Released in 1980 to replace the F2, it shipped with the new electronic horizontal-travel titanium shutter, the first interchangeable viewfinder on a Nikon F-series with built-in metering, and the Giorgetto Giugiaro design language (the red stripe is his) that defined every Nikon body that followed.

What you get: the full F-mount lens system — every AI/AI-S/AF Nikkor, plus pre-AI lenses with the F3's collapsing meter coupling. A viewfinder so bright you can use a 50mm f/1.4 in the dark and actually focus. A mechanical 1/60s backup that fires even if the batteries are dead. The kind of body where everything you reach for is exactly where you expect it.

What it gives up: shutter priority and any kind of program AE — the F3 is aperture priority and manual, that's it. Nikon decided that's what professionals wanted, and they shipped 21 years of it.

Match

Who this is for

Good for

  • Pro and serious amateur
  • Aperture priority shooters
  • Nikon F-mount collectors
  • Photographers who want a body that lasts forever

Not for

  • Shutter-priority shooters
  • Photographers who need program AE

Character

What it feels like to shoot

The shutter fires with a single, definite clack — no spring rebound, no soft electronic snick. The film advance lever is the perfect length and travel; the rewind crank doesn't wobble. The viewfinder is the brightest of any pre-autofocus Nikon. Holding an F3 next to a consumer-tier Nikon you can feel the extra mass — every panel is thicker. After a roll you understand why Nikon kept making this one for 21 years.

Born 1980

History of the Nikon F3

Released January 1980 as the third in Nikon's flagship F-series — successor to the F2 (1971), ahead of the F4 (1988), F5 (1996), F6 (2004). Production ran until 2001. Deployed by NASA on STS-9 (1983) and used continuously on space shuttle missions through the 90s. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro — the same designer responsible for the DeLorean DMC-12 and the Lotus Esprit.

Technical specifications

MFG. 1980 – 2001
01
Format
35mm SLR
02
Manufacturer
Nikon · Japan
03
Production
1980 – 2001
04
Lens mount
Nikon F
05
Metering
TTL center-weighted (80% in 12mm centre)
06
Viewfinder
Pentaprism (HP or non-HP), 100% coverage, 0.8x magnification
07
Shutter
1/2000s – 8s + B (electronic horizontal-travel titanium)
08
ISO range
ASA 12 – 6400
09
Flash sync
1/80s X-sync
10
Exposure modes
Aperture priority, Manual
11
Dimensions
148.5 × 96.5 × 65.5 mm
12
Weight
715 g
13
Power
2 × LR44 / SR44 (electronic shutter; mechanical 1/60s backup)

Original manual · Nikon F3

Get the factory user guide as a PDF. We'll also drop you a note with film + dev tips for this body.

Thanks. → Download the Nikon F3 manual (PDF)

Backed by GPP

Service & guarantees

Every analog camera ships through our bench

This unit has been bench-tested by GPP. Shutter speeds verified, light seals replaced where age had taken them, meter calibrated against a known reference. Cosmetic condition is reflected in the listing photos.

Comes with our 7-day functional return policy: if anything we declared isn't working as described, we'll exchange or refund.

  • CLA'd by GPP — shutter speeds checked, light seals replaced where needed, meter calibrated against a known reference.
  • 7-day functional return — if it doesn't work as we declared on this listing, we exchange or refund. Wear-and-tear consistent with the listed condition isn't returnable.
  • UAE & worldwide shipping — Domestic next-day, international tracked. Insurance can be added to any order on request. Customs and import duties are the buyer's responsibility on international orders.
  • Walk in to inspect — Warehouse D36, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai. Mon–Sat, 10am–7pm. Bring a roll if you'd like to test-fire on the spot.

Questions

Things people ask

What film does it take?

Standard 35mm film. We carry the widest selection in the Middle East — colour, B&W, slide — across consumer, professional, and cinema stocks. Need a recommendation for this body? Just ask us.

Is the camera serviced before sale?

Yes — every analog camera at GPP goes through our bench before it goes on the listing. Shutter speeds verified, light seals replaced where needed, meter calibrated against a reference.

What's your return policy?

7-day functional return. If anything we declared isn't working as described, contact us within 7 days of receipt for a full refund or exchange.

Can GPP develop and scan the photos I shoot with this?

Yes — our in-house film lab handles colour, B&W, and slide development with scanning. 24-48 hour rush available. More on the film lab.

Can I see the camera before I buy?

Always welcome. Visit Warehouse D36, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am–7pm.

Reading

Further reference

Camera-Wiki entry on the Nikon F3

Wikipedia article on the Nikon F3

Nikon F3
Dhs. 3,000.00
  • ✓ CLA'd by GPP
  • ✓ 7-day functional return