Nikon F3 meter problems

Nikanon · Dec 20, 2009

I recently purchased a Nikon F3 from KEH EX rating, the meter at first worked perfectly fine. After the first exposure to the cold the meter went haywire (around 32 degrees) and the numbers came up all choppy and the plus and minus sign for over and under exposure appeared at random intervals, ever since the camera has totally warmed up and the batteries even replaced to be sure, the error has no subsided and remains fully in effect, whats wrong with my camera?

Jesper · Dec 20, 2009

It could be that the meter is OK and that the display is the problem. Is the exposure OK or not?
If I remember correctly it was recommended that the F3's LCD display should be changed every seven years.

Nikanon · Dec 21, 2009

i now use my pentax digital spotmeter, but this is a burden when i want to shoot on the street to carry two items, actually i think i forgot to mention that its the display, im sure the meter works fine but i sure cant read it! what am i to do about it? where and how do i change it?

Jesper · Dec 21, 2009

I may be wrong, but I think that you need a new LCD display, and even if you got one it is not easy to change without the right tools.
I suggest that you use it in AE-mode. Aim and lock the time i necessary.
Making a guess of the settings is not that hard, and let the camera set the exact time. You set the aperture based on your estimate and the camera does the rest.

icebear · Dec 21, 2009

My experiences with that camera are as follows:

In the cold, the display turns into dark appearance. That seems in your eye like blinking symbols. If it is getting colder, the display will get totally dark, but it recreates in the warm.

The change of the display after seven years is imho being safe for Nikon and getting money from the customer. I use my F3, since i bought her new in the early 80's, without servicing it or changing the display with excellent results, also in rough conditions.

kozesluk · Dec 21, 2009

I had similar problem with display - the numbers simply dissapeared or became +-2888 or something like that.... I had carefully opened the display "block" and then closed and tighten it all back together and it just started to work as it should work, so I think it is very sensitive to misalignment of contacts due to temperature changes & so on.
But maybe this isn't your case.

Nikanon · Dec 21, 2009

I refuse to ever use automatic exposure. Ever. I base my exposures on a series of meterings, even when using only the cameras 80% weighed metering in the center, i never make an average exposure of the scene.

Pumal · Dec 21, 2009

Cold weather is also a bitch on batteries.

Nikanon · Dec 21, 2009

haha yea i knew that one to be true, just seems it got my LCD this time too

SchwinnParamount · Dec 21, 2009

Nikanon said:
I refuse to ever use automatic exposure. Ever. I base my exposures on a series of meterings, even when using only the cameras 80% weighed metering in the center, i never make an average exposure of the scene.

Mighty strong sentiment there. I have been using my F3 on automatic for a few years now. My other Nikons are used in conjunction with either a hand-held spot meter or with my best guess exposure system. I've found that the F3 does a really good job of calculating an exposure in the automatic mode based on the comparisons of negatives from the F3 against negatives from my other cameras. Bottom line, if you are forced to go automatic with your F3, your exposure will be acceptable.

Arvee · Dec 21, 2009

SchwinnParamount said:
Mighty strong sentiment there. I have been using my F3 on automatic for a few years now. My other Nikons are used in conjunction with either a hand-held spot meter or with my best guess exposure system. I've found that the F3 does a really good job of calculating an exposure in the automatic mode based on the comparisons of negatives from the F3 against negatives from my other cameras. Bottom line, if you are forced to go automatic with your F3, your exposure will be acceptable.

I believe that the F3's metering system was highly regarded as one of the best for its time before the advent of matrix metering systems. IMHO, I am still not convinced the matrix systems are all that much better.

Just my $.02

-F.

BrianShaw · Dec 21, 2009

Fred Aspen said:
Just my $.02

Mine too.

Pumal · Dec 21, 2009

moco · Dec 6, 2012

Years later, same issue with Nikon F3 display

Hello, I came across this forum after having the same issue with an F3 I just bought. I am new to Nikon 35mm and can't figure out what's wrong. Like you I took a few good shots then suddenly the display is all nonsensewith the "-+" signs and giving either 1050, 1060 or 0 as the shutterspeed no mater if it's in auto or manual. Did you ever resolve the issue?

Chan Tran · Dec 6, 2012

Nikanon said:
I recently purchased a Nikon F3 from KEH EX rating, the meter at first worked perfectly fine. After the first exposure to the cold the meter went haywire (around 32 degrees) and the numbers came up all choppy and the plus and minus sign for over and under exposure appeared at random intervals, ever since the camera has totally warmed up and the batteries even replaced to be sure, the error has no subsided and remains fully in effect, whats wrong with my camera?

Late reply! After reviewing the way the F3 metering, autoexposure control and shutter speed setting I think what is wrong with your camera is purely with the display alone. If you would like to test it out I would suspect that it would give correct exposure in auto mode as well as correct exposure in manual mode as well. Just that the display is wrong.

kozesluk · Dec 7, 2012

just get some PH0 screwdriwer, open the top, clean the contacts with isopropylalcohol and assmble carefully back.

lxdude · Dec 7, 2012

Lukas_87 said:
I had similar problem with display - the numbers simply dissapeared or became +-2888 or something like that.... I had carefully opened the display "block" and then closed and tighten it all back together and it just started to work as it should work, so I think it is very sensitive to misalignment of contacts due to temperature changes & so on.

I think this is most likely the problem.

lxdude · Dec 7, 2012

Lukas_87 said:
just get some PH0 screwdriwer, open the top, clean the contacts with isopropylalcohol and assmble carefully back.

And this is most likely the solution. It worked for me.

Ap507b · Dec 8, 2012

If it helps before you try unscrewing things I have a .pdf of the Nikon F3 repair manual. It is over 40MB in size but if you want a copy PM me your email address & I will upload it to one of the file transfer sites for you to grab.

Good luck with getting it fixed.

Nikon F3 meter problems

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