Tag: Nikon F3hp

My Old Nemesis, Dormant

ruminator
My old nemesis, rabbit brush, long past its affect on my fall allergies. Captured with Nikon F3hp and Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 at f/4 or so on Kodak Ektar 100, way expired. Color correction in PhotoLab 7.

When it blooms in the Fall, rabbitbrush and its yellow flowers ignites my allergies. This year, like some before it, my body’s response was strong enough that even my eyes responded. And that was over my regular dose of antihistamine. I was forced to use a second drug to reinforce the first for a few weeks.

But now that we have had some cold weather, the blooms are turned a duller yellow and no longer produce the pollen that causes my body to react. And with the background in the shadow of my mountain, I like the contrast. So, while The Girl sniffed, I made a couple of captures on film.

We continued are walk along our normal path, or some semblance thereof. Once the risk of Nope Ropes is reduced, we often bushwhack part of our way through the sagebrush. I do keep a sharp eye open for other hikers and for coyotes. I do not want a negative encounter with another dog and she has no need to engage with another coyote.

It was certainly a good afternoon hike with The Girl. It was a good day. Life is good.

Test Shot with Nikon F3hp

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It might not look red in this capture, but the flaking red paint is there. Captured with the Nikon F3hp and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 at either f/5.6 or f/8 on Kodak Ektar, then post-processed to black and white in PhotoLab 7.

Right after it arrived, I put a roll of (long expired) Kodak Ektar 100 in the F3 and set the ISO for 50 (one stop over exposed). The rule of thumb is that the colors will be off and the film less sensitive. So, I went with it.

I mounted a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AIS to the body, put a strap on it, and The Girl and I headed out for a hike. The hike was good and I made a few captures along the way.

Over the next few days I continued working through that 36-exposure roll. When it was finished, there were a few frames left on the roll in the F2. So It was carried a couple more days.

In the end, I sent three rolls of film to The Darkroom for processing. The scans were posted Saturday, so I downloaded them and began my review. One roll from the Nikon FM2n, one from the F2, and one from the new-to-me F3. There are actually a few frames in the lot that are keepers.

I selected the frame above to illustrate the results. It is a conversion from the Ektar roll that was done in PhotoLab. I continue to learn that tool.

I simply prefer film. Digital is so much more convenient and the technology so much better. But the analog look is what I prefer.

I like my Nikons and the Nikkor glass. I definitely like photography. Right now, as busy with other stuff as I am, it gives me a few minutes of respite from work to do something creative.

I am grateful. Life is good.

This Old Camera

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The Nikon F3hp, a professional film camera introduced around 1980. I have not checked the serial number of my unit for date of production (yet).

I was tempted to write it followed me home, can I keep it? I recently read that the DE-3 finder used on the Nikon F3 has a lot more eye relief than the standard viewfinders. Given I wear eyeglasses, this is important to me and one of the things that causes me struggle to use the F2as in my inventory. So, I decided to buy the F3hp and try it.

My unit arrived about two weeks ago. I put an expired roll of Kodak Ektar 100 in it (like 10-years expired) and rated it ISO 50. I then proceeded to carry the camera for a couple of days on walkies with The Girl to test it. I finished the roll and sent it (and a couple more) to The Darkroom for processing. I received the digitized negatives Saturday. I will share some of those frames later.

The camera handles very well. With the electronically controlled shutter, it offers an aperture priority mode. That is my primary mode as it suits my preference for shooting style.

I am able to do well enough with a manual camera, making the shutter speed adjustment with the camera at my eye. This just makes it a lot easier.

This camera is a keeper, despite my love for mechanical cameras.

Life is good.