Nikon F3 Memory Button Repair/Replacement

waffles · Jul 10, 2019

I recently bought a Nikon F3 with a serial number of 135XXXX. It was advertised as being in "mint" condition, but when I tested it out, I noticed that the AE button is broken. It is still there, it will just fall out of the camera. I called Nikon customer support and they told me that they stopped selling parts for the F3 in 2016. Is there any way to repair the button on these early-model F3's? Or is replacement the only option? If so ... does anyone know of a place to buy the replacement buttons? Or should I just give up and return the camera to the seller?

BrianShaw · Jul 10, 2019

That function, especially due to the awkward nature of that button, is of limited utility.

John Koehrer · Jul 10, 2019

Personally I'd return it. The task of finding then installing the part won't be worth the irritation factor.

waffles · Jul 11, 2019

BrianShaw said:
That function, especially due to the awkward nature of that button, is of limited utility.

It’s really important for the way I shoot though. My process (even with digital) is always 1) focus central point on subject 2) meter center-weighted circle on subject 3) lock meter 4) recompose 5) shoot

Jerevan · Jul 11, 2019

If it really is in excellent (ebay mint) condition and everything else works fine, I'd look into doing the repairs. You know the old thing about getting another one instead and finding something else broken. Returning it could possibly be problematic, depending on the willingness of the seller to acknowledge that it was broken before it was sent off to you.

As an aside I am amazed that they stopped selling parts for the F3 as late as 2016.

BrianShaw · Jul 11, 2019

waffles said:
It’s really important for the way I shoot though. My process (even with digital) is always 1) focus central point on subject 2) meter center-weighted circle on subject 3) lock meter 4) recompose 5) shoot

Understood, but holding that button when recomposing presents a huge risk of inadvertently releasing it and negating the locked value. You do realize that it only locks exposure while the button is depressed, don’t you? Calling it an “exposure lock” is a misnomer; it really is an “exposure hold”.

I’ve found myself trying to recompose/refocus and try to release the shutter while holding the exposure lock button, often with my pinky finger, to just be a silly exercise. Plus it gives me hand cramps. It’s just as easy and more reliable to center-focus and manually set the exposure, then recompose and release the shutter.

Ariston · Jul 11, 2019

If you are willing to put out another $50 or so, you can check with Garry's Camera repair. He has been hit or miss for me, but his prices are unbeatable.

waffles · Jul 12, 2019

BrianShaw said:
Understood, but holding that button when recomposing presents a huge risk of inadvertently releasing it and negating the locked value. You do realize that it only locks exposure while the button is depressed, don’t you? Calling it an “exposure lock” is a misnomer; it really is an “exposure hold”.

I’ve found myself trying to recompose/refocus and try to release the shutter while holding the exposure lock button, often with my pinky finger, to just be a silly exercise. Plus it gives me hand cramps. It’s just as easy and more reliable to center-focus and manually set the exposure, then recompose and release the shutter.

Yes, I understand. I have my other Nikon cameras (N80, D90) set up the same way, but by holding the shutter release half-pressed instead. It’s fairly easy for me to hold down the memory button on the F3 with my ring finger. Or at least it was until the damn button fell out >_<

If I were to rely on manually setting the shutter speed then I would lose the advantage of a stepless shutter, and then I might as well be shooting an FM

Ariston · Jul 12, 2019

waffles said:
Yes, I understand. I have my other Nikon cameras (N80, D90) set up the same way, but by holding the shutter release half-presses instead.

If I were to rely on manually setting the shutter speed then I would lose the advantage of a stepless shutter, and then I might as well be shooting an FM

That's the good thing about options - We can each shoot in whatever way suits us.

BrianShaw · Jul 12, 2019

Ariston said:
That's the good thing about options - We can each shoot in whatever way suits us.

Indeed!

Mamiya_Repair · Jul 13, 2019

A little technical info on the memory lock button: The early Nikon F3 bodies had a plastic button, part 40FB-744-1. This button was a press fit into the memory lock button opening and was prone to fall out. Nikon revised the part, 40FB-744-2 and made it from metal with a e-ring to hold it in place. This solved the issue of the button falling out but to fit the new style metal button into the older style bodies required a bit of work as you had to remove the front plate of the camera so was not a trivial repair. I used to sell the plastic type which just pushed into the memory lock button opening and solved the problem. Stock has been gone for many years and I don't know of a source for this part any longer.
Bill

waffles · Jul 14, 2019

Mamiya_Repair said:
I used to sell the plastic type which just pushed into the memory lock button opening and solved the problem. Stock has been gone for many years and I don't know of a source for this part any longer.
Bill

Is this Bill Rogers? From https://billrogers.com/ ? If so, then I'm the one who contacted you yesterday looking for these exact same parts. What a small world

waffles · Jul 14, 2019

I found a camera repair shop that can fix the button for $75 ... if I can find the part. Does anyone else know of a place where I can buy the button & e-ring? Besides having to harvest them from another camera body??

Nikon F3 Memory Button Repair/Replacement

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