I have searched extensively and looked at parts diagrams but cannot find a part # for the plain back which seems a hard part to get. My as new Nikon F3P came with a MF-6 back which has a small tab sticking out the bottom to be used with the motor drive. I've asked a few camera repair shops for the part but no luck so far. I think the MF-14 databack would work but they are also hard to get mint and is not my first choice. Does anyone know the part # or potential sources?
Nikon F3 plain back
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The MF-6 is a really nice companion to the MD-4. It communicates to the motor drive and allows the motor drive to leave the film leader out of the canister at the end of a power rewind - a feature that I value highly!
Do you have the MD-4?
I have both backs and rarely use the plain one - my F3HP is pretty much full-time attached to the MD-4.
Have you looked on eBay?
Do you have the MD-4?
I have both backs and rarely use the plain one - my F3HP is pretty much full-time attached to the MD-4.
Have you looked on eBay?
Nicholas Lindan
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There have to be people with the plain back, who use an MD4 and would prefer an MF6 - try some 'want to trade' ads. Or buy an MD4 to go with your back.
Yes, I have several MD-4s. I used the MD-4s with my F3s, which were my main cameras when the children were young to capture kiddie hockey and soccer. I agree the leader being left out was much easier for me to develop my own B&W at home. Now though, I'd rather shoot lighter and don't need a motor drive attached.
I've checked occasionally recently on Ebay and no once seems to be selling but not knowing the exact part number of a plain back MF-?, I can't say for sure I searched completely. I also have a MF-18 which is the data back version of the MF-6 but again, part of the bottom sticks out to communicate with the MD-4.
You would think, right? I would imagine it would be the most available, but it is the MF-6 that is usually for sale on EBay.
Contact Nikon?
Nikon stopped making the F3 22 years ago. The only film camera they still service is the F6.
I realize that, but they should be able to at least provide a part number. If I come across one in my online travels, I'll post it. Also, OP might look for a cheap parts/as is option for a donor.
I don't blame the OP. When I bought my F3P I made sure to also buy a regular back, otherwise that protuberance gets in the way if you do not use the MD4
It's a good idea to look for a broken donor camera. I think in another thread someone just bought one, albeit unintentionally.
I'd suggest contacting the usual used camera vendors: KEH, Used Camera Pro (AKA Robert's Camera), Gary Camera, Jack's Camera, Kenmore camera, etc.
Used Camera Pro which is eBay seller, "Roberts Camera seems to have lots of miscellaneous stuff like this.
If you're desperate and willing to take the risk, there are a number of shady operations in NYC (eg Cambridge Camera?) and Pittsburgh.
Used Camera Pro which is eBay seller, "Roberts Camera seems to have lots of miscellaneous stuff like this.
If you're desperate and willing to take the risk, there are a number of shady operations in NYC (eg Cambridge Camera?) and Pittsburgh.
I looked at an F3 brochure that lists every possible acessory for the F3 system, and the standard back isn't listed. I think it's considered part of the camera, so it isn't available as an accessory designation, probably just a Nikon internal part number.
I agree with Huss, probably the easiest way is to buy a non working "for parts" camera off ebay and use it for the back.
I agree with Huss, probably the easiest way is to buy a non working "for parts" camera off ebay and use it for the back.
When I bought an F3 cheap because it's back was faulty I looked on ebay .
there was one on there for for £15 or make an offer , I didn't bother , I just bought it .
Never looked for one since , I guess I just got lucky .
I just typed in Nikon F3 on the search ( worldwide ) and it came straight up , just the one , mind you .
there was one on there for for £15 or make an offer , I didn't bother , I just bought it .
Never looked for one since , I guess I just got lucky .
I just typed in Nikon F3 on the search ( worldwide ) and it came straight up , just the one , mind you .
Just looked on eBay again, only MF-6 and one MF-14 databack. Does anyone who has used the databack know if it imprints the date in between the frames or on the picture directly? My F6 imprints in the vertical space between frames.
I did buy a Nikon MF-4 250 Exposure Magazine Back just for display purposes but that would add quite some bulk and weight LOL.
I did buy a Nikon MF-4 250 Exposure Magazine Back just for display purposes but that would add quite some bulk and weight LOL.
The MF-14 Data Back (2-MS76) is designed specifically for the F3 and F3HP cameras and can be used with MD-4 motor drive attached. Data back imprints the year, month, day or frame number. Information can be imprinted between the frames leaving the image unaffected. Number imprinting range from -2 to 2000; the year programmed to the year 2100; and daily alarm. Manual ISO film speed setting range: 25-400. The back displays a low battery warning and requires two SR44 batteries.
Thanks Huss, I may get the databack instead.
Didnt find much else at this time...choice seems to be the MF-6B for use with the MD-4 or the databack. There seems to be plenty of both on the Bay right now. Might also put an ad in classifieds for a WTB (want to buy). Also check Nikonians forum to see if anyone has a source for parts.
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Thanks for trying to help Steve. The first post with the link didn't work but I found a MF-14 for about $35, not on eBay but on this NOVA shopping site . Hopefully it gets to me soon. I did email Roberts Camera (their used gear site) and they were kind enough to email me back. They don't parts per se but do sell "parts cameras." They had 2 F3s in that category but both were missing their backs. Must be a market out there for plain F3 backs.
I'm not 100% sure of the MF-14 being able to imprint in-between the frames. I didn't pursue an MF-14 back primarily because of that reason, instead, I managed to get the MF-18 data back which does have the capacity to imprint data in-between the frames.
I will mention that I cannot remember the single time I saw and handled an MF-14 data back, whether or not this is completely correct. But I do seem to remember the imprint window on the data back was in a landscape format.
To that end, I have just checked my Nikon Compendium:- ISBN 1-897802-02-1, page 97, which confirms the MF-18 is the data back that imprints in-between the frames, compared to the MF-14 of which there is no mention of it's ability to imprint in-between frames.
. Sorry the link didn't work..it was to a MF-6B for about $65 USDLooking at the pressure plates of MF-14 and MF-18, it appears that MF-14 indeed cannot imprint the data between the frames, while MF-18 imprints exactly between the frames.
Seems like a really useful feature. My brain doesn't work right all the time and remembering data for shots taken is a lost cause. I might have to look into a DB for my F3 and F4.
To answer the original query, hoping it's not too late, according to the F3 Parts List found on learncamerarepair.com, the part number for the back door itself is FA1-801. The pressure plate has a separate part number, which is FA1-820.
By the way, if you're still wanting a plain, original back, another potential source is Kiwi Camera Service in Orlando. The owner, Michael Livera, has quite an extensive collection of parts/parts cameras. I know that he does have stuff for the F3, but you'd have to ask him if he has the regular back in stock. Good luck!
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