Nikon F3 repair?

calico · Sep 25, 2024

I dug out my Nikon F3 which I haven't used for many years. Looked fine, was working fine, shot a roll of film.

When I removed the lens to put a new one on, I saw black specs all over the back of the lens and inside camera.

Looks like the black foam the mirror hits had come apart after being hit 36 times

Where is a good place to send the camera to have all the black foam in camera replaced and get a general CLA?

I saw a post here from 2018 where some places were suggested, but I'd like to get more current recommendations. Web sites from previous recommendations not working, etc.

Thanks.

MarkS · Sep 26, 2024

The Nikon F3 is a very common camera, and a very well understood one. Like a 1979 Chevrolet pickup truck or a '95 Honda Accord, there are no secrets about it.
Any camera repair shop should be able to do the work you want. That said, Nippon Photo clinic in New York will certainly do a great job on your camera. When my Nikon gear has (rarely) needed service they have always done an excellent job.

250swb · Sep 26, 2024

Replacing the mirror foam is a real easy job, as is replacing the door foam, both DIY jobs. So if everything else works and isn't broken don't fix it.

calico · Sep 26, 2024

MarkS said:
The Nikon F3 is a very common camera, and a very well understood one. Like a 1979 Chevrolet pickup truck or a '95 Honda Accord, there are no secrets about it.
Any camera repair shop should be able to do the work you want. That said, Nippon Photo clinic in New York will certainly do a great job on your camera. When my Nikon gear has (rarely) needed service they have always done an excellent job.

Thanks. I think my Contax 645 needs repair, and Nippon was recommended for that, so I could send both cameras at same time.

Your car/truck comparison is interesting. : )

calico · Sep 26, 2024

250swb said:
Replacing the mirror foam is a real easy job, as is replacing the door foam, both DIY jobs. So if everything else works and isn't broken don't fix it.

I did see a site about how to replace the foam. I've never repaired a camera myself, so I'm a little leery, but I'll look into it again. I do agree with "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" adage (re rest of camera).

I really loved using the F3 again. So basic, beautiful viewfinder, lightweight -- just such a good feeling.

fstop · Sep 26, 2024

calico said:
Thanks. I think my Contax 645 needs repair, and Nippon was recommended for that, so I could send both cameras at same time.

Your car/truck comparison is interesting. : )

It is, my F3 doesn't burn oil....

Chan Tran · Sep 26, 2024

Yes the F3 would be easy as you can take the prism out and can access both from bottom and top.

calico · Oct 10, 2024

Chan Tran said:
Yes the F3 would be easy as you can take the prism out and can access both from bottom and top.

Thank you.

Chan Tran · Oct 10, 2024

calico said:
Thank you.

Especially the focusing screen is very easy to remove. If the focusing srceen is in place and while replacing the foam you get some dust on it, it would be hard to clean.

rcdon · Oct 12, 2024

calico said:
Where is a good place to send the camera to have all the black foam in camera replaced and get a general CLA?

I saw a post here from 2018 where some places were suggested, but I'd like to get more current recommendations. Web sites from previous recommendations not working, etc.

Thanks.

I got my F3HP back a few weeks ago from Jim Holman at International Camera Technicians (ICT). I had sent it to him for a CLA and to diagnose some shutter capping. Fortunately he was able to adjust things and get it within spec. The F3 was new to me, having picked up a very clean example in Tokyo back in May while visiting family there. I noticed the shutter capping on about 3 frames of the first 3 rolls I put through it.

A way I found to get in his queue quickly was to use the ICT eBay store. There's an "F3 Repair Service" item there for $25. That will get him to contact you and give you instructions for sending the camera off. He did a first look at it within a day or two of receiving it and gave me a call to discuss things, then e-mailed a link to a quote. It was right at $350 all-up, including shipping both ways, basically doubling my investment in the F3, but whatever, I hope to put it to good use for years.
I was very happy with Jim's responsiveness, and he included a USB stick with some photos of the camera's guts while it was apart. The whole journey took about 2 weeks.

Rod

calico · Oct 12, 2024

rcdon said:
I got my F3HP back a few weeks ago from Jim Holman at International Camera Technicians (ICT). I had sent it to him for a CLA and to diagnose some shutter capping. Fortunately he was able to adjust things and get it within spec. The F3 was new to me, having picked up a very clean example in Tokyo back in May while visiting family there. I noticed the shutter capping on about 3 frames of the first 3 rolls I put through it.

A way I found to get in his queue quickly was to use the ICT eBay store. There's an "F3 Repair Service" item there for $25. That will get him to contact you and give you instructions for sending the camera off. He did a first look at it within a day or two of receiving it and gave me a call to discuss things, then e-mailed a link to a quote. It was right at $350 all-up, including shipping both ways, basically doubling my investment in the F3, but whatever, I hope to put it to good use for years.
I was very happy with Jim's responsiveness, and he included a USB stick with some photos of the camera's guts while it was apart. The whole journey took about 2 weeks.

Rod

Hi Rod,

Thank you so much for describing your F3 repair experience. I have to send another camera to Nippon in NYC (because they work on Contax cameras), so I may send the F3 there, for sake of simplicity. (Decided not to try to replace the F3 foam myself.)

But I am noting your repair person for future reference. Hard to find people who can work on old film cameras these days.

Agree, the $350 you spent on getting the camera in good working order was totally worth it! It's such a great camera. I used mine for many years before I got into medium format.

Andreas Thaler · Oct 13, 2024

calico said:
I dug out my Nikon F3 which I haven't used for many years. Looked fine, was working fine, shot a roll of film.

When I removed the lens to put a new one on, I saw black specs all over the back of the lens and inside camera.

Looks like the black foam the mirror hits had come apart after being hit 36 times

Where is a good place to send the camera to have all the black foam in camera replaced and get a general CLA?

I saw a post here from 2018 where some places were suggested, but I'd like to get more current recommendations. Web sites from previous recommendations not working, etc.

Thanks.

Any repair shop should be able to replace the light seals and mirror shock absorber on the F3, there's nothing special about it. Nikon had the original spare parts for this, including a velvet light seal for the back door, but as long as the material used does its job, it's fine.

If the mirror shock absorber has already rotted and the parts that have fallen off are still sticky, the shutter should no longer be released, as the sticky stuff can otherwise contaminate the shutter rollers. The mirror box must then be cleaned thoroughly, as must the focusing screen if necessary.

A CLA in the true sense of the word is a complex matter that costs a lot. I would therefore find out beforehand what exactly is being done and why. Everything else has compromises, which is fine, but I should know what I'm getting for my money and what I can expect.

calico · Oct 13, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
Any repair shop should be able to replace the light seals and mirror shock absorber on the F3, there's nothing special about it. Nikon had the original spare parts for this, including a velvet light seal for the back door, but as long as the material used does its job, it's fine.

If the mirror shock absorber has already rotted and the parts that have fallen off are still sticky, the shutter should no longer be released, as the sticky stuff can otherwise contaminate the shutter rollers. The mirror box must then be cleaned thoroughly, as must the focusing screen if necessary.

The camera looked fine inside when I put a lens on it (after being stored for many years). Then I shot a whole roll, sent off to be developed. Some weeks later, I removed the lens to put another one on, and saw the pieces of foam everywhere inside camera and on back of lens. So I'd better ask the repair person to check what you mention above.

Andreas Thaler said:
A CLA in the true sense of the word is a complex matter that costs a lot. I would therefore find out beforehand what exactly is being done and why. Everything else has compromises, which is fine, but I should know what I'm getting for my money and what I can expect.

Good advice. The camera was working fine when I shot the one roll. So maybe it doesn't need CLA. But maybe the cleaning you mention above.

Thanks.

Chan Tran · Oct 13, 2024

calico said:
The camera looked fine inside when I put a lens on it (after being stored for many years). Then I shot a whole roll, sent off to be developed. Some weeks later, I removed the lens to put another one on, and saw the pieces of foam everywhere inside camera and on back of lens. So I'd better ask the repair person to check what you mention above.

Good advice. The camera was working fine when I shot the one roll. So maybe it doesn't need CLA. But maybe the cleaning you mention above.

Thanks.

If the foam is completly gone it still works fine. You wouldn't see light leak problem unless you shoot without your eye close to the eye piece and use long shutter speed.

Sirius Glass · Oct 13, 2024

KEH.com can inspect, clean, lubricate and adjust or if necessary do a complete CLA. After that you should be able to enjoy many years of use.

MattKing · Oct 14, 2024

Tread moved to the Camera Repair sub-forum, because that is what it is about

Nikon F3 repair?

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