Following on from my post on the Nikon FA, let's take a look at the service (clean, lube, adjust - CLA) for a Nikon F3/T.
The F3/T and F3 should have some technical similarities with the FA, as they were only three years apart (1980 - 1983). However, the two concepts differ significantly.
The F3 has a horizontal focal plane shutter, the FA a vertical one.
The not fully digital F3 has a metering cell in the base and a replaceable viewfinder.
A microprocessor on top of the not interchangeable prism controls the digital electronics in the FA sporting six silicon photodiodes for light measurement.
So, part of the project would be to draw a comparison.
As a candidate for a CLA, I have a nice, bright F3/T whose exposure compensation dial (ASA) is stiff. The mirror mechanism also needs to be cleaned and lubricated. And the shutter speeds need to be checked.
Preliminary considerations
While the Nikon F3 is straightforward to disassemble and reassemble, it does present its challenges.
Removing the mirror box on an F3 Press worked, but during reassembly, I had trouble coupling the mirror box and camera mechanism. I also lost control of a pulley that connects the aperture simulator to the functional resistance element under the rewind knob.
That shouldn't happen this time.
Jim Holman, International Camera Technicians, at work
For the CLA, I'll be following the excellent four-part video series from ICT, International Camera Technicians.
Jim Holman, Master Technician at ICT, guides us through the necessary work, offering many practical tips and advice from his experience.
One of the few masters you have to seek out and find, see
ICT, International Camera Technicians: Nikon F3 - Disassembly & Service
Among other things, we'll be cleaning the contacts on the top and bottom of the camera, especially the contact for the LCD illumination with the infamous red button, which so often becomes unreliable or fails.
Whether we'll then go further and remove the mirror box to clean and lubricate the mechanics there is still an open question.
In any case, we'll adjust the electronics and the curtain travel times, using the camera tester.
Technical documents
As always with this kind of work, I’m following Master Larry Lyell’s instructions in the SPT Journal when disassembling the F3/T.
For any necessary repairs, I also have the Nikon F3 Repair Manual and the C & C Electronic Troubleshooting Guide for the Nikon F3 on hand.
Anyway, I have two F3s for practice, decommissioned for spare parts. So the chances of a successful mission are good.
For the full project report see on photo.net:
Nikon F3/T: Interested in a report on CLA?
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A word of cautionPlease keep in mind that you’ll be using highly flammable solvents for service work, and their fumes are harmful to your health. Soldering also produces fumes that should not be inhaled. Dangerous high voltages can be present when handling electronics, especially in conjunction with electronic flash units and mains. Therefore, familiarize yourself with the safety regulations beforehand and ensure your safety. Depending on the activity, protective gear may be advisable.
All information provided without guarantee and use at your own risk.
Acknowledgments
Without the work of Master Larry Lyells, in particular, we wouldn’t have the detailed technical information we need today for service/repair of SLRs.
The SPT Journal and The Camera Craftsman, which he helped shape significantly as an author, and which contain all the necessary information and instructions are available for a fee through Learn Camera Repair.
We owe our access to them to Eugene Pate, the founder of Learn Camera Repair.
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