$1230 USD for a Nikon F3 eye level + 2 lenses justified?

[nostalgia]

I honestly don't know the current market value. I haven't bought a vintage analog camera in quite a while...
This is the set I'm considering, and I'd like to know if $1,230 USD is a justified price. The amount includes shipping, taxes, and duties:

I would really appreciate any insight and advice!
Thank you all very much in advance!

---

Body – Nikon F3
Grade: Near Mint – Second-hand, with a few signs of use.

Optic/Viewfinder Condition:

• Internal Dust: Some visible to the naked eye.
• Fungus: None.
• Haze: None.
• Balsam Separation: None.
• Scratches: Visible under strong light. Will not affect performance.
• Focusing Screen: Some minor marks.
• Functionality: No functional issues.

---

Lens 1 – Nikon Ai-S Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 (Later version with CRC)
Grade: Near Mint – Has been carefully used, with a few cosmetic marks or scratches. Fully functional.

• Glass elements are scratch-free, fungus-free, haze-free, and show no signs of internal damage or wear.

---

Lens 2 – Nikon Ai-S Nikkor 85mm f/2
Grade: Near Mint – Second-hand, with minimal signs of use.

Lens Condition:

• Internal Dust: Not visible to the naked eye.
• Fungus: None.
• Scratches: None.
• Balsam Separation: None.
• Haze: Slightly visible under strong light, evenly spread inside the glass. Will not affect image quality.
• Functionality: No functional issues.

 

[GregY]

That seems pretty high.... a quick look at Ebay tells me you could get and F3 with a 28 f3.5 for as little as $350 ...or an F3 with a motor drive and a 50 1.4 for $365. The 85 mm f2.... roughly $200......
Individually. $750 -800 max....being selective about the lenses. shipping from Japan is cheap...you may get bundled shipping cost for $100 max
$1230 usd seems very high to me....just making quick choices.

 

[mshchem]

F3 cameras in mint condition are definitely more expensive than a few years ago. If you are buying in person that could effect prices. I wouldn't pay that much.

 

[Mick Fagan]

I'm a bit out of touch of international prices for the F3 body, but it does seem to be a bit on the high side.

Is it an F3HP? this is certainly a better camera if you wear spectacles.

The viewing screen is changeable, in fact I bought my first and later second F3HP bodies in Waiblingen Germany with the type E screens fitted, with the original screen in the little case the E screens came in. This was in March/April 1985 for the first body.

The 85mm f/2.0 lens is not nearly as good as the 85 f/1.4. Quite a big difference in contrast, and close focusing ability. I borrowed the 85mm f/2 and the 85mm f/1.4 for a time, and found the f/2 soft compared to the f/1.4, so I bought the f/1.4 version and have never regretted it.

You don't say where the camera is which could be a factor in pricing. From where I live, Japan is a reasonably good source for F3 bodies, Germany is also a great place to pick them up, but they are usually more expensive by a reasonable margin compared to the Japanese sourced units.

 

[nostalgia]

That seems pretty high.... a quick look at Ebay tells me you could get and F3 with a 28 f3.5 for as little as $350 ...or an F3 with a motor drive and a 50 1.4 for $365. The 85 mm f2.... roughly $200......
Individually. $750 -800 max....being selective about the lenses. shipping from Japan is cheap...you may get bundled shipping cost for $100 max
$1230 usd seems very high to me....just making quick choices.

Are they really in mint or near-mint condition? The parts I’m looking at are actually selectively chosen from Japan. They’re in very good condition. I was only able to find some really minor scratches on the body in the high-res images—so from 10cm away, I doubt anyone would even notice it was used. I think they actually describe it as worse than it is.

 

[nostalgia]

F3 cameras in mint condition are definitely more expensive than a few years ago. If you are buying in person that could effect prices. I wouldn't pay that much.

Unfortunately I couldn't find anyone near me :/ so I chose to order directly frm japan.

 

[nostalgia]

I'm a bit out of touch of international prices for the F3 body, but it does seem to be a bit on the high side.

Is it an F3HP? this is certainly a better camera if you wear spectacles.

The viewing screen is changeable, in fact I bought my first and later second F3HP bodies in Waiblingen Germany with the type E screens fitted, with the original screen in the little case the E screens came in. This was in March/April 1985 for the first body.

The 85mm f/2.0 lens is not nearly as good as the 85 f/1.4. Quite a big difference in contrast, and close focusing ability. I borrowed the 85mm f/2 and the 85mm f/1.4 for a time, and found the f/2 soft compared to the f/1.4, so I bought the f/1.4 version and have never regretted it.

You don't say where the camera is which could be a factor in pricing. From where I live, Japan is a reasonably good source for F3 bodies, Germany is also a great place to pick them up, but they are usually more expensive by a reasonable margin compared to the Japanese sourced units.

I don't wear any glasses. It's the standard eyepiece, not the HP one. From what I understand, the HP is easier to look through from farther away, but the standard one lets you see more when you're close enough.

That's also what I thought about the 85mm lens until I came across this video, which does a really good comparison between the two in a well-controlled environment.

The pieces I'm looking at are actually from Japan.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Quite a good video, my requirements were detail and sharpness in a low light environment when I bought mine about 30-33 years ago. Contrast was also a bonus, with the f/1.4.

But I see your point, it will do for your requirements.

As the F3 viewfinder shows 100%, the HP finder is designed so that your eye can be up to about 20mm to 25mm away, and you can still see the whole 100%. The HP finder is certainly easier to use, but the original finder should work just as well for you without spectacles.

If you do purchase an F3 body, then over time you may wish to add the odd viewfinder or two. The waist level finder is brilliant for travelling (it takes up very little room), you can hold the camera upside down over head and still focus (from a distance) or you can use the 6 x magnification focus pop-out lens for ultra critical focus. Plus, you can literally have the body up against a wall and use the waist level finder for focusing, then you walk away and use the self timer to trip the shutter. I have all 6 viewfinders and have used all of them over the years; took me about 15 years to get all of them though.

My experience with Japanese sourced camera lenses and two F3 bodies for other people, has been excellent.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I honestly don't know the current market value. I haven't bought a vintage analog camera in quite a while...
This is the set I'm considering, and I'd like to know if $1,230 USD is a justified price. The amount includes shipping, taxes, and duties:

I would really appreciate any insight and advice!
Thank you all very much in advance!

---

Body – Nikon F3
Grade: Near Mint – Second-hand, with a few signs of use.

Optic/Viewfinder Condition:

• Internal Dust: Some visible to the naked eye.
• Fungus: None.
• Haze: None.
• Balsam Separation: None.
• Scratches: Visible under strong light. Will not affect performance.
• Focusing Screen: Some minor marks.
• Functionality: No functional issues.

---

Lens 1 – Nikon Ai-S Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 (Later version with CRC)
Grade: Near Mint – Has been carefully used, with a few cosmetic marks or scratches. Fully functional.

• Glass elements are scratch-free, fungus-free, haze-free, and show no signs of internal damage or wear.

---

Lens 2 – Nikon Ai-S Nikkor 85mm f/2
Grade: Near Mint – Second-hand, with minimal signs of use.

Lens Condition:

• Internal Dust: Not visible to the naked eye.
• Fungus: None.
• Scratches: None.
• Balsam Separation: None.
• Haze: Slightly visible under strong light, evenly spread inside the glass. Will not affect image quality.
• Functionality: No functional issues.

not a great bargain but reasonable if in mint condition. I'd offer $1,000

 

[GregY]

Are they really in mint or near-mint condition? The parts I’m looking at are actually selectively chosen from Japan. They’re in very good condition. I was only able to find some really minor scratches on the body in the high-res images—so from 10cm away, I doubt anyone would even notice it was used. I think they actually describe it as worse than it is.

N, There are thousands available. Looking at ebay you can find any number in the 369-400 range that look virtually unused. They are workhorses & I used one with a motor drive for many yrs. Neither of the two lenses you mention are particularly special.... good lenses but not expensive. I've bought many cameras & lenses from Japan and they're reliable sellers in general. Your price does seem like top dollar....
I know if priced like that in a Canadian store....it would sit a long long time.
Here's a boxed F3 for $599 ....

[MINT+++ in Box] Nikon F3 Eye Level Black SLR 35mm Film Camera Body from JAPAN | eBay

There is no balsam separation. Above condition is based on my own opinion. By weight and shape of each product, I use 13 kind of cushioning materials and pursue safety and weight reduction. No problem in the view.

www.ebay.com