peter_macejka Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Sorry for the most basic question, but I am having problems switching my newly purchased F3 on. I didn't get the manual with the camera and can't seem to find what batteries it takes. It looks like it would take two (SR44,S76E, V76PX) type batteries same as my OM2n, but it doesn't turn on. (I have moved the front right lever to the right to show the red dot.) I should also mention at the moment I don't own any manual glass and have my AF 24-120VR lens on. Since it doesn't have the aperture ring, I though this may be effecting it. I also bought a MD-4 motordrive with the camera and when I put half new, half fairly new AA batteries in it, I could make it work. When I look inside, there doesn't appear to be any corrosion on the contacts, but there is a small patch of something like dried battery fluid on the bottom. When I scratch it, it smells like darkroom chemicals. Is there something wrong with it? How do you switch it on? After searching for answers to these problems for a while, I am left feeling very stupid indeed. Any help would be appreciated. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Rance Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Yes, it takes two SR44 batteries. Make sure that the battery contacts are clean and that the red dot is showing on the switch on the top. Now press on the shutter button and at the same time look at the small LCD display in the viewfinder (top left, above the frame). When the shutter button is pressed you should get at least some display here. The F3 does not really do much when it is 'on' - no lights or sound. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_macejka Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 Thanks Ian, The contacts look clean, the red dot is showing and I put in two new SR44 batteries, unfortunately no signs of life in the LCD display. I forgot to mention that the shutter only fires when use what i think is the back-up mechanical lever, but I presume this is because it doesn't have any power from the batteries. Anything else you can thinks of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Rance Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Well, I suggest you try the motordrive again - this time with fresh batteries - sometimes the button cells can be bad straight from the pack. Clean off the corrosion first though. The F3 has a flexible circuit, and sometimes this can develop a 'short' and stop working. A full service is required then. It sounds like this could be the case with your F3, but try fresh batteries first. The LCD display can fail, but if the camera is not working at all, it sounds like there is an electronic fault. Out of interest, what happens when you push the small red button for the LCD display light? You should see a dim glow in the LCD display when the light levels are low. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_macejka Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 Thanks again. I will try the motordrive with other batteries tomorrow, and see if that helps. Nothing happens when I push the small red button for the LCD display light. Is it the one on the viewfinder itself? The F3 and MD-4 were eBay purchase's that just arrived today. It was stated as excellent + and visually it looks better. I'm not looking forward to dealing with the company to sort this out if it doesn't work. I'll keep you posted about the motordrive tomorrow. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Rance Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 "Is it the one on the viewfinder itself?" Yes Peter it is - and keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_momary Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 need a manual ? - ... jot this one on the fridge door ... the Butkus shareware site is the helper of all things aged .... http://www.butkus.org/chinon/nikon/nikon_f3/nikon_f3.htm ... small donation, viola - instant erudition. Jim Momary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_macejka Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 I was just re-reading my posts and noticed I said I could make the MD-4 work. I meant to say that I couldn't make it work, meaning the motordrive and camera. Sorry for any confusion. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_macejka Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 Thanks Jim. Appreciate the link. Ok, it looks like I've been doing what I'm supposed to be doing, in terms of the F3 at least. Crap, I was hoping to find something I was missing. I'll still try the motordrive tomorrow. Thanks again. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianS1664879711 Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 FYI. When using the MD-4 you don't even need the SR-44s in the camera. The motordrive powers the camera. ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_huggins Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Yeah if it doesn't work with the MD 4 and it doesn't work with the button cells, something is definitely wrong with the camera beyond corrosion And, yes, there is one mechanical (1/90?) speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianS1664879711 Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 1/80th, actually. ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwin_walke Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Sounds like your On/Off switch is bad. I had the same thing happen with my F3. The Repair, with CLA was about $150 3 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_macejka Posted October 1, 2008 Author Share Posted October 1, 2008 Thanks everyone for your help. I got both the F3 and the MD-4 to work today. I don't believe it, but it was the batteries in both cases. I opened a new pack of 4 AA's yesterday and used 4 one day old batteries so I thought I should be ok. Today I put in eight new energizer advanced batteries and it worked. With the F3, I tried 2 LR44 batteries and it worked. I don't know how they are different if at all, because they look the same as the SR44 batteries, but it worked. However, I cannot see the f -stop in the viewfinder, but as I stated earlier for the moment I only have AF glass. Am I right in thinking it isn't showing up because there isn't an aperture ring on AF lenses? Many thanks for trying to figure it out for me. Sorry for wasting your time. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Right, Peter, the f/stop is actually an optical projection from the lens's aperture ring itself through the prism. If there's no aperture ring, nothing shows in that little window on the viewfinder. And it won't show up well in the dark either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwin_walke Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Peter, You are not going to be able to set the f-stop with the AF G lens. The F3's exposure modes are aperture priority and manual which requires manually setting the aperture on the lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_macejka Posted October 2, 2008 Author Share Posted October 2, 2008 Thanks Lex and Edwin. I'm able to borrow some lenses from a friend who isn't using his. He has the 24mm/2.8, 50mm/1.8, 105mm/2.5 and the 180mm/2.8. I'll see how I like the camera and the glass and go about getting my own. The reason I got the F3 is because i want to use it for travel to complement a D200. I currently have an Olympus OM2n, OM 24mm/2.8, 35mm/2.8 shift, 50mm/1.4 and 100mm/2.8. I have also just bought an OM4 and want to compare the two systems before selling one. I am hoping I like the F3, as I would like to use AIS lenses on the D200. Thanks again for all the help and comments. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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