Nikon F3 shutter sound

ediz7531 · Nov 21, 2024

I'm wondering if other folks who own an F3 can comment on this. The end of the film advance and the shutter sound very metallic to me.
Here's a short clip I made:

Thanks,

fj55mike · Nov 21, 2024

Sounds exactly like mine.

ediz7531 · Nov 21, 2024

I updated the original video to record from the back as that shows it better.

Andreas Thaler · Nov 22, 2024

I wouldn't worry about it as long as the shutter works properly and the photos are OK.

There's something in the mechanism somewhere that sounds like a ringing noise, it could be a spring or something vibrating.

Over time and with use, systems can change without it having any effect.

If you check your devices carefully, you'll often find such deviations.

250swb · Nov 22, 2024

ediz7531 said:
I'm wondering if other folks who own an F3 can comment on this. The end of the film advance and the shutter sound very metallic to me.
Here's a short clip I made:

Thanks,

I see what you mean, a sort of 'clack' sound at the end of the film advance stroke, sounds exactly like my current F3 and others I've previously had. My guess would be if it didn't make that sound is the time to worry.

ediz7531 · Nov 22, 2024

Thanks all. That’s reassuring.

Nitroplait · Nov 22, 2024

The metallic ringing sound is caused by a spring vibrating/resonating against the mirrorbox.
It happens on many Nikon cameras and has no adverse functional effect.
If I understand correctly, the material that separates the spring and mirrorbox deteriorates/wears down. It can be fixed in a cla if the tech is made aware - not all techs see this as an issue.

I find it highly annoying - an irritating sound you cannot unhear once you noticed it.
I have sold or returned all Nikon’s I have bought over the years that emitted this sound.

I would estimate that 50% of all Nikon film cameras with manual film advance exhibit this issue at this point in time.
Some people don’t notice it at all - lucky them.

mshchem · Nov 22, 2024

Normal

Andreas Thaler · Nov 22, 2024

Nitroplait said:
I have sold or returned all Nikon’s I have bought over the years that emitted this sound.

SLRs that have been in use can change their sound and feel over the years. This is a normal process of wear and tear and as long as the specifications are not affected, I see no reason to change anything here.

Each of my ten or more Nikon F3s feels different when the shutter is cocked, each sounds different, but all work perfectly as far as I can tell.

I wouldn't know which one to sell first.

skahde · Nov 26, 2024

Nitroplait said:
The metallic ringing sound is caused by a spring vibrating/resonating against the mirrorbox.

I have seen a japanese repairer fix this on instagram. He replaced a piece of foam under the spring. Besides the sound it obviously has no effect on function whatsoever.

Tel · Nov 26, 2024

That pinging sound emanates, as said, from a spring that slaps against the side of the mirror box. It’s a problem with the F2 and maybe with other Nikon SLRs. Robin Guymer shows how to fix it (but it entails a partial disassembly of the camera) in a post on Photrio.
Here's the link: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/nikon-f2-diy-repairs-maintenance.148552/

jimjm · Nov 26, 2024

I've had a few F2's with this issue, and others that did not. Not enough of a bother to warrant any urgent attention. My F3 bodies haven't done this yet.
When Sover Wong serviced my favorite F2 a few years back, he noted that he corrected this issue with the slapping spring.

As a related fact, check out the beginning of the song "Girls on Film" by '80's group Duran Duran. That's the sound of an F3 with an MD-4 motor drive, or so I've heard.

Taylor Nankervis · Nov 26, 2024

A nice, normal sound to me, the one I remember from owning an F3HP in 1987 and using two others from colleagues over the next two decades.

So...nothing out of whack. But also not a patch on the door-slamming-shut din of the Pentax 67...

Leikkor · Nov 28, 2024

Once you hear the ping, it can not be ignored.

Oldwino · Nov 28, 2024

It’s the sound like that of an old cash register, acknowledging the fact that every frame of film is costing you dearly…

MFstooges · Nov 28, 2024

Taylor Nankervis said:
A nice, normal sound to me, the one I remember from owning an F3HP in 1987 and using two others from colleagues over the next two decades.

So...nothing out of whack. But also not a patch on the door-slamming-shut din of the Pentax 67...

Nothing wakes me up like a good coffee or Pentax 67 shutter.

albireo · Nov 29, 2024

Nitroplait said:
The metallic ringing sound is caused by a spring vibrating/resonating against the mirrorbox.
It happens on many Nikon cameras and has no adverse functional effect.
If I understand correctly, the material that separates the spring and mirrorbox deteriorates/wears down. It can be fixed in a cla if the tech is made aware - not all techs see this as an issue.

I find it highly annoying - an irritating sound you cannot unhear once you noticed it.
I have sold or returned all Nikon’s I have bought over the years that emitted this sound.

I would estimate that 50% of all Nikon film cameras with manual film advance exhibit this issue at this point in time.
Some people don’t notice it at all - lucky them.

Thanks for the explanation. My FE makes it. I never use it, probably also as a consequence of that. I know it sounds silly but that hollow ping makes it sound like a cheap camera. If I'm using a mechanical/semi mechanical camera then the experience of operating it needs to be satisfying and part of the fun.

I thought it was an issue with my specific FE but it seems like it's an issue with other, higher end Nikons too, like OP's F3. Pity.

Interestingly, the FG I'm using at the moment doesn't do it

Sirius Glass · Nov 29, 2024

A good solid TH-WACKK! from my Hasselblad has kept me honest and on my life path with photography.

ediz7531 · Dec 1, 2024

It’s interesting how a clank/ping can evoke such strong emotions in folks

To be honest in practice it doesn’t bother me much.

I do have a history with pings. Here’s one in a Leica M-A I owned which really bothered me. That camera is no longer in my possession.

(http://imgur.com/a/sYzfkJO)

Nikon F3 shutter sound

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency