Someone shoot me please...

John_Nikon_F · Nov 13, 2009

Dunno what it is, but I keep deciding that I want an F3. Was doing fine until early last week, when I noticed on the Portland craigslist site that someone was selling an F3P for $150. As it stands, I'm now having my former F3P overhauled by the shop that bought it from me, so I can purchase it in December, fully overhauled. Got a very weak mind, I guess.

-J

SchwinnParamount · Nov 13, 2009

Not a weak mind at all. My F3HP is my favorite camera. If you were honest with yourself, you'd admit your former F3 was and always will be your favorite. Just get it over with and buy that $150 F3. It is a great deal.

Did I help?

John_Nikon_F · Nov 13, 2009

Tell ya what, I'll let you grab that one, unless Dann (Glockman99) goes for it. That way, you can have a P as well.

Doug @ the Camera Clinic is already in the process of prepping the overhaul work on mine... I'm not sure if the F3 is my favorite, due to the meter readout, but it's a decent body. I mainly figured it'd be a good idea to have it again, so I can have something with aperture priority automatic but without a motor drive, for when I want to walk (or drive) around Seattle and take photos without too much fuss.

-J

darkosaric · Nov 13, 2009

I have two F3's. It is just so great camera that I was not able to resist to buy second one when I saw it cheap. I don't need 2 of them, but again - it makes me happy Go for it!

Joe Grodis · Nov 13, 2009

BUY IT!! I've been collecting cameras since 1981 and sometimes cool cameras become nearly impossible to find (Bronica-S) or the price on them rebounds to more than it's new price was (FM3a), so, to avoid future regret better get that F3. Hmmm... I don't have one of those yet so I better get rolling!

Pumal · Nov 13, 2009

It's called G.A.S. ( Gadget Acquisition Syndrome). I have it. Is fine.

flatulent1 · Nov 13, 2009

I get GAS every time I go into Doug's shop. The last time I went in with a XD11 to be refurbed I left with two of them. <sigh> What really sucks is I only live a mile from there.

glockman99 · Nov 13, 2009

John_Nikon_F said:
Tell ya what, I'll let you grab that one, unless Dann (Glockman99) goes for it...

-J

I already have a pair of F3HP's, so I'll pass on another one...(In-fact, I'm trying to trade one of my F3HP/MD4 combos with a couple Tokina zoom lenses and a SB16A Speedlight for a Nikon F100 & MB15.).

The F3 is an excellent "work-horse" camera, with its' only weak point being its' slow flash synch, which makes outdoor portraits with fill-flash, and a wide-open aperature, all but impossible.

FilmOnly · Nov 13, 2009

My F3HP with MD-4 just arrived this morning. It looks like quite a piece of photographic machinery. Glockman99 is right: its only shortcoming is its low flash sync (1/80th). People seem to love this camera, though. I am waiting on some film to arrive for mine. I have a particular film that I aim to use with it.

lens_hacker · Nov 13, 2009

> F3P

An "F3P" is a different camera from an F3HP. The F3 is a limited production F3, improved weather sealing and a hot shoe.

$150 for an F3HP is a good price, $150 for an F3P is a steal. My F3AF is "uncommon", but I'd rather have an F3P!

John_Nikon_F · Nov 14, 2009

Yes, it's a rare beast. I'm personally going to pass on the $150 one, since I already sorta own one, just have to pay off the $100 loan that Doug gave me for it, and then have it overhauled. So, essentially, the only thing I won't have is the MK-1.

For those of you who want to get it, here's the ad. The guy doesn't have pics of it this time around for some reason.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/pho/1459179644.html

-J

clayne · Nov 14, 2009

I have 3 F3s. Don't worry about your "problem." It's perfectly healthy and we all do it, John.

The F3P is cool, but it's not exactly night and day different camera from the F3. A straight F3 works fine and is nearly as solid.

flatulent1 · Nov 14, 2009

Thanks John, you really know how to hurt a guy. I very nearly bit.

John_Nikon_F · Nov 14, 2009

Fred,

No problem... If it's still available, it'll be very easy to do physical harm, by getting it.

I'm surprised I haven't run into you @ Doug's shop, or, for that matter, at Kenmore.

-J

John_Nikon_F · Dec 10, 2009

Anyway, an update... Currently bidding on a couple "P"'s that are still reasonably cheap. If I win one, I probably won't go ahead with the overhaul on my old body (no, it hasn't been started yet - shop owner hasn't yet found the body in his stash of Nikons), since it will likely be cheaper to get the other, have it refoamed, then shoot with it.

-J

John_Nikon_F · Jan 8, 2010

Heh, got outbid on those, so, back to plan A. My old body is back in my hands, but will be overhauled once I have the cash to do so.

-J

Someone shoot me please...

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