My F3HP meter doesn't "engage" until the 14th frame

I have a F3HP that I enjoy using as a back-up to my F5. I often

shoot slow films in it. The meter is showing "80" until I advance to

the 14th frame, where it finally starts working for me. Before I hit

the 14th frame, manual speeds will register in the LCD up to 60, but

at 125 and above, and on Auto setting, it only shows 80. The meter

plus and minus signs don't come on until the 14th frame. I had the

camera meter, flash, etc. worked on in March, but the warranty only

goes for 180 days. I paid a pretty penny back then for that, so I'm

hopin there is some way to do a home fix on this problem. Any

suggestions or shared experiences on this problem are greatly

appreciated. CC

One of my F3HPs did something similar a few years ago,

although not a radically as your F3. My camera wouldn't activate

until about frame 3. If everything is working as designed, the

meter "activates" when the counter reaches frame 1. This is

accomplished by a electric contact band in the film advance

mechanism, under the wind lever. The adhesive that holds this

band in place can dry out, allowing it to slip. My camera repair

guy repaired it for about $75.00, but it's certainly not an "at home"

fix.

You didn't happen to have a flash mounted until the 14th

frame, did you?

<p>

The F3 isn't supposed to meter until frame 1, to prevent

long exposures if you keep the camera on "A" and load

film with the lens cap on. But that prevents <em>long</em>

exposures, and you seem to be having trouble with short exposures.

<p>

If you have a flash mounted and lighting up the viewfinder ready

light, the F3 will behave as you describe. Manual slow shutter

speed settings are allowed, but if the shutter is set at

1/125 or faster, the viewfinder will display 1/80. In no

case will the viewfinder show the +/- metering indication

when the readylight is on.

<p>

I don't have my F3 handy, so I'm not positive what is suppposed

to happen when you try and set various manual shutter speeds

before frame 1. Perhaps the behavior is the same as with the

flash ready light.

<p>

If you didn't have a flash mounted, then there is definitely a problem

with your camera. You might want to post the question to

the <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nikonrepair/">

Nikonrepair</a> mailing list on Yahoo.

My F3T did the same thing but, like Jerry's, it would work after a few frames. It certainly didn't take 14. Unfortunately, you'll have to bring it in. Maybe the shop will cut you a deal.

Thanks ya'll. Jerry, ... thanks for the explanation, which makes sense to me. Something is screwed up in how the electronics gets "kicked off" to start the meter. I guess I better go ahead and see what it will cost to get it fixed, but I'm miffed since I just paid a pretty penny to get everything up to specs. Bad luck I guess. I buy pro level bodies expecting that their promise for durability will mean less issues with repairs. One has to factor in bad luck and the occasional "lemon." Thanks for the input. I'll see if I want to put anything more into the camera. CC