Viewfinders for Nikon F3 cameras

Note: The information contained herein is quite basic; if you want to find out MORE information relating to this metered prism; you may go to the Nikon F3 site and look for the prism section:

F3 Prisms

During the F3 era, Nikon designers shifted the metering sensor from previous F & F2's method of metered finder to the camera body has resulted in a less important applications of finder in the professional system camera such as the F3. Other than the DX-1 finder F3AF, the role of finders has been 'relegated' to just perform their respective normal function that they are designed for. But all the finders available for the F3 still provide virtually 100% picture coverage.

The finders designed for Nikon F4 & F5 (Especially the multi-meter prism DP-20 and the DP-30) have wider application than the F3's because not only the previous location for the metering cell is replaced by a complicated optical block for the AF's CCDs and sensors for exposure measurements, the prism itself also housed a pair of matrix sensors (In the case of the F5, the RGB color matrix is also located here).

BUT most important fact remains: These finders made some selected Nikon professional models the most versatile image making machine available on the market. As there are none of other camera makers offering this options anymore. And I certainly hope Nikon know their strength in features and retain it for newer models to come.

Finders for Nikon F3 (Relative: the revamped Nikon F3, Modern Classic SLR series)

The Nikon F3 was the first F to employ a LCD readout in the viewfinder. It is basically a very simple featured camera with a aperture priority AE and manual exposure control. In fact, it had a doubtful start, the mechanical F2AS was selling even more expensive than the F3 during early days when it was introduced. As far as F3 is concerned, it won its acceptance and status as a modern classic purely by a simple fact over the time it endured, i.e. reliability.

Note: The LCD readout display method used in the Nikon F3 was also the first in a Nikon and among all professional grade SLRs available in the market during the early '80. Why LCD instead of the popular LED ? Nikon claims LED consumes 1/10,000 of lesser power than LEDs. Anyway, power efficiency of F3 is very impressive. Nikon assured that screen darkening will not occurred for the first 7 years and there after, a 'nominal sum' will be charged for a replacement - that was a little conservative, I have used it for the last 15 years and still have not shown any dimming effect.

The original standard prism that came with the F3 was a eyelevel DE-2. It has a red colored shutter blind to prevent undesirable light source from hitting the mirror to affect meter reading. For example, situations like it operates during self timer operation or macro work with the body facing downward. In 1982, Nikon introduced a newer Finder for the F3 that permits eyeglass wearers or photographers who requires slight working or viewing distance (Such as behind a goggles or in a underwater housing etc.). The DE-3 Finder was called High-Eye Point Finder and F3 that came with the DE-3 was referred as model F3HP.

Interchangeable Viewfinders

The Nikon F3's viewfinder is as easy to change as the focusing screen. By just pulling back both release levers, you can lift the viewfinder out in upward direction.

Standard Eye level Finder DE-2

Standard equipment on the regular Nikon F3. Projects a 0.8X magnification with the 50mm lens set at infinity. Eyepiece shutter incorporated.

High-Eyepoint Finder DE-3

Standard equipment on the Nikon F3 High-Eyepoint camera. Also available as an accessory for the regular F3. The entire frame, including exposure information, is visible with the eye up to 25mm (approx. 1 inch) away from the eyepiece. 0.75X magnification with the 50mm lens focused at infinity. Eyepiece shutter built in.

Action Finder DA-2

Perfect for situations where normal viewing is difficult or impossible, such as when wearing a helmet, goggles or with the camera encased in a special housing for underwater photography.

Waist-Level Finder DW-3

For use when the F3 is used at a low angle or on a copystand. Fold-up type viewing hood provided. Inconvenient part is the the image project in the viewfinder is inverted. There is a similar Hassleblad type viewing system. The built-in flip-up magnifier provides a 5X magnification of the center of the image for accurate focusing.

6X High-Magnication Finder DW-4

For critical high-magnification close-up work and photomicrography. Its sophisticated optical system provides a clear, sharp, undistorted view of the entire image at full 6X magnification. Fitted with a -5 to +3 diopter adjustment for individual eyesight correction, plus rubber eyepiece cup and eyepiece shutter.

DE-2

DE-3

DW-4

DW-3

DA-2

Among these regular finders available for F3, the most expensive piece is still the action finder - designed for sports OR in underwater housing. The waist level finder is kind of disappointing, still seeing an inverse image - but it is an essential tool when you are doing copying work on the vertical stand and when situation where you need to work really low level of shooting, for instance: macro photography at ground level, it provides a 5x magnification of the center of the image. The 6 x high magnification finder is good where precise framing and duplicating in double exposure work or in certain scientific or medical applications.

DX-1 Finder, the standard finder for F3 AF

Big, odd looking finder... BUT it was Nikon first Autofocus SLR. You can still this finder on regular F3 body and it will serve as an electronic rangefinder to provide focusing aid as long as the AI lenses used has an aperture larger than f3.5.With the F3AF, it needs to use the special designed fixed focusing screen on the F3AF, which is non-interchangeable.

As you may ask any seasoned Nikon F3 user what feature was most irritating in the design of F3, most will tell you it lacks a standard ISO accessory on their popular prisms. Note: By the way, the F3P (Press) provides the ONLY prism to have a ISO accessory shoe on its DE-4 finder (See below). However, the TTL OTF flash metering mode is not possible, instead, you can either use auto or manual flash mode.

The DE-5 Finder also has been used on the F3 High Speed Motor Camera.

Important: There are a few more 'newly found' options prisms in the recent revamped Nikon F3 site

| Previous | to Prisms for Nikon F & F2 | Back to Nikon's Finders |

NIKON MANUAL FOCUS / AUTOFOCUS LENS RESOURCES

Next
| Nikon F4 | Nikon F5 |

| Message Board | for your Nikkor optics ("shared" because I want some of you to expose to other's perspective as well, it is sad to see photography has to be segmented into different camps from the use of various labels).

Nikon F | Nikon F2 | Nikon F3 | Nikon F4 | Nikon F5 | Nikon F6 | Nikkormat / Nikomat | Nikon FM | Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital SLRs | Nikon - Other models

Nikon AUTO Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page
Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:- Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame | Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm 15mm 18mm 20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm 28mm 35mm | Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto Lenses - 85mm 105mm 135mm 180mm & 200mm | Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |

Index Page Special Application lenses:
Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm
Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm
Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF
Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm
Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm
Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm
Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm
Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm 35mm 50mm 100mm 135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm 75~150mm 70~210mm

MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm

Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E

Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

Recommended Reading Reference on Nikon cameras and Nikkor lenses
IF you like this site, help to make it better !

| Back | Main Index Page of Nikkor Resources
| Back | Main Index Page of Pictorial History of Nikon SLRs

about this photographic web site

Home - Photography in Malaysia

Credit: To all the good people who has contributed their own experience, resources or those who are kind enough granting us permission to use their images appeared in this site Note:certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures, sales manuals or publications published by Nikon over the years and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.