A Sentimental Sixteen Year Long-Term Review of the Nikon F3

The Nikon F3 is undeniably one of, if not the most sought-after film camera ever created by Nikon. Having stood the test of time proven by its durability long after its production ceased in 2001. And as a proud owner of three Nikon F3 cameras over the last sixteen years, I can confidently say that it is the best 35mm film camera ever made.

Before we dive in however, it’s important to note this review is not a technical analysis or a historical account of the F3. Instead, it’s a personal look at my experience with the F3, complete with real-world sample photos, eight reasons why I love it, three reasons why I don’t, and why it’s worth purchasing one today.

A Sixteen-Year Love Affair with the Nikon F3

In 2008, while working at La Cañada Camera near Pasadena, California, I acquired my first Nikon F3 along with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AIS lens. Back then, film cameras weren’t in high demand, and customers often left behind boxes of junk gear. The F3 I found in one of these boxes was considered irreparable, but to my surprise, it worked perfectly with a fresh battery. Still, it ended up sitting unused in a bag in my closet for years because, honestly, I was too lazy to learn how to manually focus.

That changed in 2012, when Jonathan Canlas’ book, Film Is Not Dead: A Digital Photographer's Guide to Shooting Film, inspired me to embrace manual mode and go out to photograph my own neighborhood, using the cameras I already had. Motivated by Canlas’ words, I dusted off the F3 and started taking it out for personal projects. This experience eventually led to the creation of my travel blog, This Summer Imperfect.

The F3 quickly became my loyal companion on countless trips to Mexico. Its previous owner had taken it around the world, and though I offered to return it, she insisted I put it to good use—which I did. Sadly, my original F3, with its beautiful brassing and old-world charm, was misplaced while at a camera repair in 2018. Even so, my love for the F3 persisted, and was I fortunate to find a like-new Nikon F3HP in early 2021.

Nikon F3 Sample Photos

Taken with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AIS on Fujifilm 400H in Oaxaca, Mexico during Día de los Muertos

Eight Reasons Why I Love the Nikon F3

• Superb User Experience — The F3 provides a delightful shooting experience with its bright viewfinder, solid film advance lever, commanding shutter speed command dial, and satisfying mechanical sounds. Instilling confidence with every complete shutter cycle.

• Compact and Travel-Friendly — Both the F3 camera and its accompanying AIS lenses are relatively small compared to modern digital SLRs and mirrorless setups, making them perfect companions for traveling light.

• Minimalist Design — The F3 exemplifies minimalism. Every feature serves a purpose, and never gets in the way of the creative process. Apart from learning how to manual focus, there is no steep learning curve associated with this camera.

• Exquisite Craftsmanship — Proudly made in Japan, the F3 exhibits unparalleled craftsmanship of its era, featuring all-metal construction that develops a beautiful patina over time. A testament to Nikon's dedication to quality.

• Extensive Customization Options — Nikon went above and beyond with the F3, offering a wide range of accessories and variations to customize the camera according to individual preferences.

• Long Battery Life — The F3's battery can last through approximately thirty rolls of film, and even if the battery fails, the F3 can still operate at a shutter speed of 1/60th.

• Stable Resale Value — Any variation of the F3 retains its value, ensuring that you can recoup your investment if you decide to sell it.

• Versatile Lens Compatibility — The F3, like many pro level Nikon film cameras, can use almost every Nikon F mount lens, including modern Zeiss and Voigtländer lenses. Allowing a photographer to explore and experiment with a comprehensive library of lenses dating back to the original Nikon F of 1959.

Drawbacks of the Nikon F3

There is not much to NOT like about this camera; it is as near perfect and exquisite as you can get with a 35mm film camera, an exceptional camera without a doubt, however, it does have three minor flaws:

• Lack of Weatherproofing — The F3 is not weatherproof, though I have seen people use their F3s in the rain. I do not recommend it.

• Limited Flash Function — The standard issue F3 does not have a universal hot shoe, forcing users to purchase proprietary Nikon flash adapters. While not difficult to find, it does limit creativity.

• Manual Focus Without Confirmation — Unless you have the type K with split-image focusing screen, achieving accurate focus WILL require a bit of practice and plenty of patience.

Is the Nikon F3 Worth Purchasing in 2025?

With rising film costs, occasional scarcity of stock, and digital presets that mimic the film look, there’s little practical reason to pick up a Nikon F3 today. Choosing film in 2025 is more about an emotional connection to the unique look and feel analog 35mm film offers. Yet for those with a genuine love and long-term appreciation for the look of 35mm film, the F3 stands out as an excellent choice: it’s durable, widely available on platforms like eBay, and you can often find one to fit your budget. Plus, the F3 may even appreciate in value over time.

The F3’s long production run until 2001 also means you can find well-preserved models—though these often come at a premium. For digital users new to film, however, the F3 might not be the ideal starter camera. Instead, the Nikon N75 or Canon Kiss are budget-friendly alternatives with familiar automatic features, often priced around thirty dollars. Both make a more accessible entry point into 35mm photography, especially if you already own a digital camera with compatible lenses of the same mount.

The Legacy of the Nikon F3

Next to the Nikon N75, which was a high school graduation present that opened the floodgates of analog photography for me, no other camera has rekindled and kept the burning passion of film photography alive like the F3 since 2012. Along the way, photographs I have taken with the F3 together with the 50 1.4 AIS, have been featured in several publications, including LAMetro, and have been exhibited twice at the Vincent Price Art Museum.

And no, simply picking up an F3 will not make you a renowned photographer. However, it will make you want to go out and use it because it feels that good in the hands, along with the confidence it instills each time you hear the mechanical shutter and film advance cycle. Ultimately, that's how we hone our craft. By using the tools at hand day in, and day out.

It's fascinating to think how an inanimate object like the F3 has instill so much creativity in my life, from long-form writing to seeing the mundane neighborhoods I grew up in as world-class travel destinations, as well as appreciating handmade craftsmanship in all aspects of life, including architecture, clothing, and paper goods. And I believe Nikon feels the same way, as traces of the F3 are seen in Z mirrorless cameras today. And it saddens me to think that perhaps no other camera will ever replicate this emotional affection ever again.