Nikon F3 without battery

[marciofs]

So, I have heard somebody telling that the Nikon F3 works with no battery. But my F3 doesn't works without battery.

Who is wrong, my camera or the guy who said it should works?

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Have you read the manual? http://www.butkus.org/chinon/nikon/nikon_f3/nikon_f3.htm
That guy is right.

 

[bdial]

It has one mechanical shutter speed, 1/60 I think, that lets you function in a very limited way without a battery.

Otherwise a battery is required, either in the camera body or the motor drive, as the shutter timing is electronic.

 

[Jesper]

Just remember that the mechanical release is on the front. The ordinary one does not work at all without batteries.

 

[marciofs]

Have you read the manual? http://www.butkus.org/chinon/nikon/nikon_f3/nikon_f3.htm
That guy is right.

On which page is it?

 

[Xmas]

24/98

 

[mikebarger]

On which page is it?

:confused:

 

[marciofs]

Thanks.

 

[marciofs]

:confused:

I had a look but not found.

 

[trythis]

rotate the lower lever on the front, next to the lens mount.

sent from phone. excuse my typing.

 

[marciofs]

rotate the lower lever on the front, next to the lens mount.

sent from phone. excuse my typing.

I got it!!!
Thank you very much!


But what happens if we use this release on a speed other than 1/60?

I just released at 1/500 and it fired (the camera has no film at the moment.)

 

[bdial]

Except for "T", doesn't matter what the shutter speed dial is set to. If the shutter is set for "T", the shutter stays open until you close it by turning the shutter speed dial.

Actually, this is Nikon's recommended way of using "T" for long exposures (with the camera turned off) to conserve battery power.

 

[trythis]

No battery: one speed. The shutter speed dial turns an electrical switch. The lever releases a spring activated mechanism.

sent from phone. excuse my typing.

 

[BrianShaw]

I got it!!!
Thank you very much!


But what happens if we use this release on a speed other than 1/60?

I just released at 1/500 and it fired (the camera has no film at the moment.)

Read the manual again. it is 1/80 sec, it is for emergency purposes (battery failure with no spare battery available) and it is only 1/80th. Listen to the shutter... it sounds like 1/80th no matter where the shutter speed dial is set, except "T".

p.s. I've always found it interesting that Nikon chose to write "approx. 1/60" rather than 1/80.

 

[marciofs]

This is interesting. Thanks a lot.

Yes, I can hear the speed keeps the same no matter what speed in on the dial.

 

[BrianShaw]

I've only used it once since the early 1980's. After that I immediately bought a MD-4. Little chance of ending up with dead batteries that way.

 

[Chan Tran]

Read the manual again. it is 1/80 sec, it is for emergency purposes (battery failure with no spare battery available) and it is only 1/80th. Listen to the shutter... it sounds like 1/80th no matter where the shutter speed dial is set, except "T".

p.s. I've always found it interesting that Nikon chose to write "approx. 1/60" rather than 1/80.

I tested mine and it's very close to 1/60 and not 1/80. All other speeds are very close too. The X position is 1/80. And if you put the batteries in and use the mechanical release the shutter will work at the speed set on the dial or the auto speed determined by the meter.

 

[pen s]

This is why you should have an F2 as a backup camera. Full exposure control, no meter required.

 

[Chan Tran]

This is why you should have an F2 as a backup camera. Full exposure control, no meter required.

That's what I thought when I bought the F3HP and the MD-4 as the less expensive alternative to buying the MD-2 and the MB-1 for my F2AS. But after using the F3 for a while I don't see any need forthat. The F3 is as good as dead without batteries but I have not get caught with a battery less F3.

 

[BrianShaw]

I tested mine and it's very close to 1/60 and not 1/80. All other speeds are very close too. The X position is 1/80. And if you put the batteries in (and turn the camera on) and use the mechanical release the shutter will work at the speed set on the dial or the auto speed determined by the meter.

Very useful information. Thanks for the correction. There is one prominent manual that led me astray on the shutter speed. I guess that proves that one shouldn't believe all that is written.

 

[fstop]

Spare batteries are a lot smaller and lighter than carrying a F2 around for back up.If you carry a F2 for back up in case of battery failure then you need to add a light meter (more space and weight).
In the 40 years I've been shooting 35mm I've never had a dead battery cause me to miss a shot.

I carry a F3 or FA for back up for my DSLRs.

I imagine some of you look like this dude when out in the field.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

I imagine some of you look like this dude when out in the field.

Ouch I feel bad for his neck!

Also the best backup for a F3 is... another F3!

 

[Les Sarile]

If you are really worried about battery life then consider the Nikon FM3A instead as it is the only aperture priority capable SLR that will have all shutter speeds available if batteries die.

 

[mopar_guy]

Spare batteries are a lot smaller and lighter than carrying a F2 around for back up.If you carry a F2 for back up in case of battery failure then you need to add a light meter (more space and weight).
In the 40 years I've been shooting 35mm I've never had a dead battery cause me to miss a shot.

I carry a F3 or FA for back up for my DSLRs.

I imagine some of you look like this dude when out in the field.

Dennis Hopper. Apocalypse Now.

 

[benjiboy]

I too have never lost a shot due to a dead camera battery in 62 years of photography, and five of my current cameras use them. I don't understand why so many photographers (most of them amateurs) seem to have such a pathological fear of their camera batteries failing I always check the voltage of batteries in the cameras I'm taking with me with a multimeter before leaving the house, and always carry new spares, as for the Nikon F3 many thousands
of the Worlds professionals have managed to make a living with them for more than twenty years so they can't be so bad, I suggest the O.P. just carries spare batteries with him at all times and quits worrying.