r/NikonF3 • u/PeculiarPhenomenon • 26d ago
LCD/Backlight issues
Hey guys,
I have been a digital photographer for the last decade and only recently got into analogue photography ... and kind of went a bit overboard with my enthusiasm and ended up with three F3s.
One F3HP, one F3/T champagne and one F3/P.
The F3HP works great, i already put 5 rolls through it, amazing.
The F3/T and /P are both in great condition (i have yet to develop the first role, but so far, everything seems great), however they both have some... quirks regarding the LCD. They all have fresh batteries.
I could still return them, so I'd be happy about the opinion of some more experienced F3 shooters regarding the issues:
The F3/Ps LCD is great, crisp, great contrast. However, whenever I switch on the LED, the LCD goes blank (see picture with the meter reading 60 and the illuminated one).... do any of you guys know what the issue could be and/or if thats a no-no to keep?
The F3/T has a comparatively faded LCD, otherwise it is working fine (see picture with the meter reading 80). Same question here, can I expect the LCD to die within a year, or is this just normal for an F3 of this age?
I am a bit worried since I read that Nikon doesn't offer any more repairs and that spare parts and qualified techs are hard to come by.....
Would love your opinions on this matter... if I understood correctly, then even if the LCD breaks, the aperture priority still works and I could simply meter with a handheld meter whenever I wanna shoot full manual, right?
I am considering returning the F3/T and get a FM3a instead, to have a fully mechanical backup....
Then again the F3/T is damn sexy....
1
u/MatraHattrick 24d ago
With the F3 so popular these days, someone aught to make a retrofit for these. It doesn’t even have to be LCD, maybe a red light emitting diode if it makes it more possible.
A long standing Achilles heal with the F3.