I am giving away a Nikon F3 - really.

rwboyer

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I have like 5 F3 bodies. All function perfectly and 1 is enough for a lifetime so... I figured I would share the wealth. I do a lot of writing about digital on my blog but I have shot film for more than 30 years - never really stopped.

I figured it is a good way to promote the other other white meat of photography to people that have never enjoyed a really good traditional film body whether they have shot film before or not. I thought an F3 would be the perfect cross-over. Convenient enough to operate but very very simple basic and traditional controls vs something that requires a lot of effort to figure out how to load or index the max aperture.

I am going to start the give-away very soon but am looking for input on the best way to do it here:

http://photo.rwboyer.com/2011/02/04/nikon-f3-i-think-i-am-cornering-the-market/

I have a plan developing and thought all of you here on APUG would enjoy promoting it out there. My readers are 90% digital users and 10% film users. (we all realize that getting others hooked on film is only to fuel our diabolical plans to ensure we have some forever right).

Of course all of you are free to participate as well if you would really really like an F3 but please exercise some restraint if you already have one or 5 like me.

Thanks and looking forward to your input.

RB
 

Steve Smith

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Brian Legge

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I really like this idea. Good move.

Ugh. I have an F2 which needs some work as the top plate is dented since it looks like the camera was dropped at some point. I haven't put time into working on it yet so trying to pick up an F3 seems inappropriate. I'm still trying to find the right Nikon body for me as I have a lot of Nikon lenses (originally used with an SLR) which aren't getting as much use as they deserve. Maybe I'll get the F2 sorted out some time.
 

Paul VanAudenhove

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It's a great way to keep film bodies 'in action!'

I'm pretty much in the same boat as Brian, my F2 needs servicing (shutter issues), so I'm caught between saving $$$ to get it serviced, or saving $$ to replace it for now. Decisions, decisions...
 

Q.G.

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If you replace it, you're still left with a perfectly good one that only needs a bit of tender care to get it up and running again.
So you will want to have that one serviced even if you get another one.
(Unless you unload the temporarily crippled F2 on some unsuspecting victim, who thinks he's buying a nice camera. But you will, of course, not want to do that.)
 

Paul VanAudenhove

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I got my F2 used in the '80s, so I'd rather have it serviced instead of just selling it off. So, even if I got a replacement it would still be awaiting service at a time when I have more $$$.
 

Q.G.

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That's my point. You're going to pay for both a replacement and having the 'original' one serviced.
 

Rick A

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My daughter just read this thread and all she said was "ooohhh efff threeeee" to which my reply was "sorry baby girl, no money in the budget for one". Drat.
 

LyleB

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I like the idea. I've tried similar with excess backpacking equipment that I'd accumulated. It never seemed to work out as well as I'd hoped, but one young man did use a pack I provided VERY CHEAPLY (shipping) on a Thru-Hike of the Appalachian Trail a year or so ago. Not sure if he REALLY needed the deal I gave him though.

Anyway, I've read some of the comments on your site, but not all. Have you considered getting in contact with a college or high school that might offer photography courses. Maybe get the instructor involved with finding a deserving student.

I sold a used FM10 that I had picked up as a temp replacement for a stolen FM2. I let it go cheaply to a girl who wanted it for a photography course she was taking. Not the same calibre of camera, but still was a decent intro to film for someone. It did include a lens, so she could start shooting right away. This was arranged via a third party here on APUG. If I remember right, the girl was starting her class out with just a point and shoot, and was feeling very restricted.

Whatever you decide, please let us know how it went. I have accumulated an over-abundance of good, working FM bodies of late, and may be looking for a solution. I know what you mean about having a hard time resisting some of these deals that are out there. My biggest saving grace is when I can refrain from looking!

Best of Luck.
 
OP
OP

rwboyer

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I am not very local to any school that has a program using film. In any case I will be putting the "rules" up. I don't get a boat load of film traffic on my site so It will probably be only a few people that are in the running.

My main goal is to make it simple.

RB

 

ann

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how about that young person in another thread, wtb, camera for needy student, Apug users will pay shipping?
 
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rwboyer

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Someone on my site answered my original post with a similar suggestion with proceeds going to APUG - I am more than glad to consider something like that I have more than enough film gear to give to needy students but....

For now I am going to keep this simple and go with my original intent - he/she is free to enter the "contest" and has a pretty good chance as I expect only a few dozen people that will enter.

After that I may try to work something out with APUG - and they can run some sort of needed student promotion.

RB

ann said:
how about that young person in another thread, wtb, camera for needy student, Apug users will pay shipping?
Click to expand...
 

jgcull

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I'm watching for the rules of the contest. Good idea, rwboyer.
 

ann

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(there was a url link here which no longer exists) here is the thread i was refering too.
 

CGW

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Try this: The F3 was the first camera whose design Nikon contracted out. Who was the designer of the F3? In the case of ties: what design element that's still in use in the current Nikon D3S originated with the F3?
 
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OP

rwboyer

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Tooooo easy - I even remember all that w/o the help of the internet... ;-)

RB

CGW said:
Try this: The F3 was the first camera whose design Nikon contracted out. Who was the designer of the F3? In the case of ties: what design element that's still in use in the current Nikon D3S originated with the F3?
Click to expand...
 

Christopher Walrath

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If I enter it will be for someone else. Just the kinda guy I am. I 've got enough right now as it is. Yes, hard as that may be to believe coming from a photographer whose GAS is now in full remission. Except for the 485 tank and a spot meter. Oh, well.
 

lxdude

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Well hell, you need a spot meter.

As for the tank, I'd rather have an M1-A1. Or even an M60.
 
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