Nikon F3 Shutter Activation and Light Meter Only Works in Self Timer Mode

Grafx · Feb 5, 2022

I just picked up a Nikon F3 film SLR at a garage sale that looked to in very good condition. I put fresh batteries in it. When I turned it on, the shutter wouldn't fire after cocking it. I was able to fire the shutter with the Backup lever. I also noticed that the light meter LCD was not displaying. However, when I turned on the self timer and the light flashed during the count down both the meter and all the shutter speeds worked!!! I did a web search for the problem and couldn't find any messages about this problem. I would hate to have to sell it for about 25% of its value. Anyone heard of this problem??

Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

mshchem · Feb 5, 2022

F3 meter doesn't work until you get to 1 on film counter. Except for the F3P. It should fire when cocked properly. Sounds like the shutter release is gunked up or broken, maybe a tiny dose of solvent, lighter fluid etc. I would be very careful.

Chan Tran · Feb 5, 2022

after you turn on the self timer. turn it off and try to fire the camera with the regular shutter release. I think you may have a bad switch in the shutter release button. When the meter is on the camera stay one for 8 secs. There is really no off position on the F3.

Chan Tran · Feb 5, 2022

mshchem said:
F3 meter doesn't work until you get to 1 on film counter. Except for the F3P. It should fire when cocked properly. Sounds like the shutter release is gunked up or broken, maybe a tiny dose of solvent, lighter fluid etc. I would be very careful.

The meter would indicate 80 shutter speed. It doesn't display nothing.

Grafx · Feb 5, 2022

Using the Backup shutter release works fine. I tried to use a cable release with no result. You still have to be able to advance the shutter without any film in it. Once the timer goes off, the light meter is fine, but can't advance the film withjut turning on the timer switch.

Grafx · Feb 5, 2022

I fixed the problem!!

Doh, I had been switching on the self timer rather than the power switch. I guess I should have READ The Instructions. Stupid!!

Thanks for everyone's help. When I get a camera that I am not familiar with in the future, I will thoroughly read the instructions first!!

mshchem · Feb 5, 2022

Chan Tran said:
The meter would indicate 80 shutter speed. It doesn't display nothing.

Yes, correct. It took me a few years to remember that . I never was good at reading manuals.

mshchem · Feb 5, 2022

Grafx said:
I fixed the problem!!

Doh, I had been switching on the self timer rather than the power switch. I guess I should have READ The Instructions. Stupid!!

Thanks for everyone's help. When I get a camera that I am not familiar with in the future, I will thoroughly read the instructions first!!

Huss · Feb 6, 2022

Grafx said:
I fixed the problem!!

Doh, I had been switching on the self timer rather than the power switch. I guess I should have READ The Instructions. Stupid!!

Thanks for everyone's help. When I get a camera that I am not familiar with in the future, I will thoroughly read the instructions first!!

Much better the problem being 'stupid' than real!
Enjoy the F3!

benjiboy · Feb 13, 2022

It's a good practice Huss before operating any piece of equipment to read the manual twice before operating it. I've been shooting Canon F1s for more than thirty years, but still carry the manuals downloaded on my smartphone, together with those of my lightmeters.

Huss · Feb 13, 2022

benjiboy said:
It's a good practice Huss before operating any piece of equipment to read the manual twice before operating it. I've been shooting Canon F1s for more than thirty years, but still carry the manuals downloaded on my smartphone, together with those of my lightmeters.

Perhaps you meant this for the OP?

(Still a good idea anyway).

Moose22 · Feb 13, 2022

Grafx said:
I fixed the problem!!

Doh, I had been switching on the self timer rather than the power switch.

If it means anything, I wasn't sure which switch was which, either. I had to look it up.

Most of us have done something similar on one camera or other.

Are you going to keep it and use it? Or flip it? My F3 grew on me over time and I really enjoy using F3s now.

benjiboy · Feb 14, 2022

Moose22 said:
If it means anything, I wasn't sure which switch was which, either. I had to look it up.

Most of us have done something similar on one camera or other.

Are you going to keep it and use it? Or flip it? My F3 grew on me over time and I really enjoy using F3s now.

Yes I did, my mistake.

__Brian · Feb 14, 2022

Pick up a Nikon F2- and try to remember how to use the Self-Timer for the Slow-Shutter Speeds greater than 1 second...

I go running to the manual, and have used them since 1978.

Nikon F3 Shutter Activation and Light Meter Only Works in Self Timer Mode

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