The Nikon F3/T (Titanium or Titan) is a special version of the Nikon F3HP (High-Eyepoint) camera. It has always been one of Nikon’s best professional 35mm film cameras. For this specific model, Nikon used titanium for its right and left top corners, base plate, camera back, and the pentaprism cover of the viewfinder. The Nikon F3/T camera uses a titanium covered DE-4 prism designed for hard, rugged use by photojournalists, newsmen, and serious users that look for a rock-solid camera body. The Nikon F3/T was available in a limited edition titanium metal color right up until 1984, and then it was replaced with a heavy duty black body. The Wolves Den’s Nikon F3/T bodies are of this later issued black variety.
Titanium is one of the world’s strongest, yet lightest materials; its specific gravity is approximately half that of brass, yet its hardness is almost the same as steel, while its corrosion resistance is greater than that of stainless steel.
Besides its more durable construction, the Nikon F/3T shares virtually the same specifications as the standard Nikon F3HP (High-Eyepoint) camera body.
The Nikon F3HP (High-Eyepoint) and Nikon F3/T bodies are designed for use with every manual focus (AI and AIS) lens made by Nikon since 1959, and work well with all Nikon auto focus lenses (AI-P, AF, AF-I, AF-D and AF-S). Metering and focus work beautifully. However, as you might expect, you will need to barrel focus these newer lenses by hand. Please note that the Nikon F3 series of camera bodies cannot utilize gelded or Nikon G-series lenses.
The Nikon F3HP and F3/T cameras are compatible with several different special purpose Nikon finders and almost two dozen screens (type K standard). They are also compatible with the Nikon MD-4 motor drive system.
In 2001, Nikon discontinued production of their F3 series of camera bodies.
Technical Specifications and Features
- Type: 35mm single-lens-reflex
- Exposure-Control Modes: Aperture Priority, Manual
- Lens Mount: Nikon F
- Weight: 26.882 oz. (762.1 grams)
- Dimensions: 148.5 x 101.5 x 69mm
- Autofocus System: Manual
- Shutter: Horizontal Focal Plane, Titanium foil. 8 Second maximum manually-set speed – 1/2000th of a second. 1/80 flash sync. Shutter speed is shown on the top left of LCD (Bulb-assisted in dark conditions)
- Metering: 80/20 percent center-weighted. Silicon photodiode light meter, TTL metering, EV1 to EV18 at ASA/ISO 100.
- Film Speed Range: 12-6400 ASA/ISO
- Mirror: Automatic instant-return type with lockup facility, incorporates air damper
- Viewfinder: LCD Display shows shutter speed. In Auto, +2000 indicates overexposure, -8 indicates underexposure. In Manual, M appears with + to indicate overexposure, – to indicate underexposure and, – + correct exposure. LED ready-light glows when flash unit is completely recycled.
- Flash: Nikon-type shoe mount. Accepts electronic flash unit or TTL connecting cord from SB-11 or SB-14.
- Film Advance: Wound in single strokes or series of strokes. 30 degree standoff angle and 140 degree winding angle.
- Frame Counter: Additive type; frame numbers from 0 to 40; automatically resets to S when back is opened.
- Film Rewind: By crank, after film rewind button is pressed on underside of camera body.
- Depth of Field Preview: Via lever
- Self Timer: 10 second delay
- Power: Choice of one 3V lithium battery (CR-1/3N type), 2 x 1.55V silver-oxide batteries, or 2 x 1.5V alkaline batteries (LR-44 type)
- Optional: Anti-Cold Battery Holder DB-2 accepts two AA alkaline, Ni-Cd or manganese batteries.