Nikon F3 vs Nikon FG-20

samBAKER

samBAKER

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I can pick up an FG20 for about £75 and an F3 for about £120, I plan on using a Lensbaby Muse with it, and for standard I'll be using my Carl Zeiss lens

So, which body do you all think is the better?
 
The F3 is a solid lump of pro spec gear, and the FG from what I've read is a lightweight affair with Aperture priority and manual, so were aimed at different buyers. I'd imagine that an F3 at £120 would be a bit rough, so the FG might be a better buy condition wise, but I'm no expert.

One for the film and conventional forum area of TP I'd suggest?
 
The FG20 is one of the lightest and most basic models with few features, even less than the FG. As Andy said above, the F3 was a full featured professional spec. camera.
 
  1. F3
all the way lovely camera and smooth shutter. Fabulous build quality and built to last
 
Would you say the F3, depending on the film and lens of course, would be suitable for low-lit concert photography?
 
samBAKER said:
Would you say the F3, depending on the film and lens of course, would be suitable for low-lit concert photography?
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Armed with some Delta 3200/T-Max 3200/Neopan 1600 and a fast 50mm, you'll be fine. B&W film concert shots tend to work out fantastically.
 
Someone mentioned to me that I won't be able to start out doing concert photography with film because promoters/bands deem it too unreliable and only want digital, would you say this is true? I love the look of film too much to just give it up for digital (not to say digital is bad)
 
Sam

I think you'll find that John knows the rules on classifieds sales very well, and will not be getting involved in any PM messaging, or off-classifieds trading.

If you are interested, keep an eye on the classifieds threads and wait!
 
Can I ask for the price, then wait for it to go on the classifieds section, then ask to buy it? :P
 
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NO

I suggest you fill in the time between now and when John lists the camera by familiarising yourself with the rules of the forum, specifically the sections concerning the Classifieds, off-classified trading, and the consequences thereof.


 
samBAKER said:
Have you decided how much you're thinking of selling it for? PM me if you're unsure about posting it in the thread :)
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just to point out that selling via PMs is a big ''no-no'' on TP

I always listed equipment for sale in the ''Classified'' section as per the Rules

but will give a ''heads-up'' to anyone who is looking

it is permissible for me to offer an item for sale only if you have posted in the ''Wanted'' section, but this was a general discussion i believe

will put the ad up tomorrow evening......:thumbs:........regards...john
 
Ah okay, thanks John, I'll be out all evening but hopefully it'll still be there when I get back! :)
 
@ Mark

haha ...must type faster.......................
 
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Is there a reason why prices can't be discussed outside the classified's section? Or is that just how it goes..?
 
as I said earlier


I suggest you fill in the time between now and when John lists the camera by familiarising yourself with the rules of the forum, specifically the sections concerning the Classifieds, off-classified trading, and the consequences thereof.
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F3 any day. It's almost as buttery smooth as my Leica.

As for gigs and using film, the only problem really is how quick you can get the shots published. I have a friend who did a few festivals and shot film with her usual digital kit and she just couldn't bring herself to start on developing the hundred-odd rolls she came back with.
 
samBAKER said:
Is there a reason why prices can't be discussed outside the classified's section? Or is that just how it goes..?
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Because the pedantic rules on here dictate that you can't talk about sales outwith sale threads or talk about anything other than sales inside sale threads, even just to say something like "thats a great deal, I have one and it's brill".

When you post crap that no-one wants you can fill your thread up with "Bump" posts though.

Don't bother trying to learn all the rules though, there's always someone along to point out when you've gone wrong. :lol::lol:
 
fixedimage said:
Because the pedantic rules on here dictate that you can't talk about sales outwith sale threads or talk about anything other than sales inside sale threads, even just to say something like "thats a great deal, I have one and it's brill".

When you post crap that no-one wants you can fill your thread up with "Bump" posts though.

Don't bother trying to learn all the rules though, there's always someone along to point out when you've gone wrong. :lol::lol:
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If you have issues as to how a thread or posting may have been moderated in the past, please raise it in the proper manner- via RTM or the Contact Us facility.

Oh - and WRT to bump posts - we delete those as well if they're too early, and have been known to infract for them as well - so, again, it's really a GOOD IDEA to read the rules, and try and remain within them :)
 
And the reasons for not allowing lots of "that's a good lens" and "I would buy that but it's not pay day yet" type posts in classifieds are that they fill up the thread with pointless rubbish making it more difficult to tell what is going on with the sale, the thread becomes an equipment discussion thread and it gives lots of unfair bumps pushing other people's threads further down.
 
...anyway.........................:lol:

Nikon F3 with 28mm Ai lens + Bag + Books

@ Sam....refer to Classifieds
 
samBAKER said:
Someone mentioned to me that I won't be able to start out doing concert photography with film because promoters/bands deem it too unreliable and only want digital, would you say this is true? I love the look of film too much to just give it up for digital (not to say digital is bad)
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Turnaround is naturally a lot quicker with digital, although I guess if you develop and scan at home you could probably have the shots within an hour if you are organised and diligent. They'd probably require less post processing as well. If you are just doing hobbyist concert photography, I wouldn't worry too much about turnaround time.

I'm surprised that F3 hasn't been snatched up - I know it's got some brassing and probably a bit of professional use under its belt, but even then, £120 for one of Nikon's finest professional bodies?
 
freecom2 said:
I'm surprised that F3 hasn't been snatched up - I know it's got some brassing and probably a bit of professional use under its belt, but even then, £120 for one of Nikon's finest professional bodies?
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1. It's film.
2. It's manual focus.
3. It's got a bit of brassing.

I'm with you, I can't understand why people don't snap these things up but then it seems that unless something's minty-mint, you're not going to get top dollar for it on ebay unless it's pretty rare. Which is odd because if something's been used, it's a fairly good bet that nothing's gummed up inside.

That said, my OM4T is slightly more worn and needs a CLA but I paid considerably less than many of them go for, partly due to condition and partly (IMO) because it's not labelled as a 4Ti (mine's a US model).

There are a couple of completed auctions for F3s that finished around £60 though so maybe the price of the one linked above is optimistic after all. :shrug:

FWIW to the OP, I'd definitely go for the F3 over the FG20 but I'd look at a few more auctions first to set your price point. Your link looks like a dealer sale so you might get a bit of warranty with it, might be worth checking with the seller.
 
An F3 for £60 is almost criminal! Even though it is indeed film, manual focus and slightly brassed, it probably makes an excellent user, but indeed it's not collectable. I think lightly brassed bodies are some of the best bargains, not used too hard with plenty of mileage left in them but also not priced at collector prices.

Exactly, it's great if you have a mint boxed F3, with all the paperwork and it looks like it's had about 2 rolls through it max. but chances are mechanically it'll need a service more than a slightly brassed body!
 
F3 not collectable?i disagree its iconic and if nothing else looks great on a shelf.

i predict a massive resurgance in film and cameras like this one day.

same as all the old stuff thrown away before and now deemed collectable.

if nothing else its THE film camera
 
straycat said:
F3 not collectable?i disagree its iconic and if nothing else looks great on a shelf.

i predict a massive resurgance in film and cameras like this one day.

same as all the old stuff thrown away before and now deemed collectable.

if nothing else its THE film camera
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Brassed, non-mint examples, that is. All of the F's are collectable. There is already a resurgence, the F to F6 used prices are increasing a lot.
 
John - that is indeed a rather lovely F3, and I'm sure whoever buys it will not regret it for a minute :thumbs:
 
So to begin taking shots at shows, lets assume the lighting is fairly constant, just washes on stage, not too much movement, what would you all recommend with the F3? Ilford film? 3200 iso? For taking shots of the guitarists and singers (assuming they don't move, at venues near me theres no room to move), i would want a slow shutter speed? and then for the drummer, a fast shutter speed?
 
all my rock and roll film stuff was taken with a 50mm F1.8
HP5 pushed to 1600 and developed in microphen

i tried 3200 but didnt like it

how i did it i dont know,i shoot most stuff on digital at 32000 with a F1.4

now i if i shoot film i would use a F1.4 and try the 3200 again as its moved on a bit

i always shoot A and just leave the lens wide open


good luck
 
i must have done something right i have some in a film,
i gave them scans of my 10x8" prints and contact sheets i dont know how they did it but seeing your photos on a massive cinema screen is fantastic.
 
Oh I didn't mean to come across like I'm doubting your advice or anything, just interested in seeing the results :)
 
freecom2 said:
Brassed, non-mint examples, that is. All of the F's are collectable. There is already a resurgence, the F to F6 used prices are increasing a lot.
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Agreed. I've owned my F2 from new, and wouldn't part with it. Didn't have the money to take advantage of the really cheap film body/lens deals a few years ago, before prices started climbing.

I wonder how many truly mint F series cameras - especially the earlier models - with their original box are still around? Not a lot, I'd guess.
 
What do you think about the F4? Would this be better for concert photography as it has autofocus? :)
 
samBAKER said:
What do you think about the F4? Would this be better for concert photography as it has autofocus? :)
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The F4 is very solid, but this was Nikon's first foray into SLR AF. It's not the fastest/greatest, by more modern standards, and I'm not sure you really need it anyway. The camera has a big, bright, VF and MF is simple with a fast lens, which you're probably going to need for concert work.
 
MartynK said:
I wonder how many truly mint F series cameras - especially the earlier models - with their original box are still around? Not a lot, I'd guess.
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I can't remember where I read it, but Grays of Westminster recently came across an F which still had the wax paper (?) over the shutter blinds, separating it from the film. It had never been used. Sold for some ridiculous amount, as you'd expect.

I'd shoot some rolls at 1600, 3200 and maybe push past towards 6400. I'd stick with emulsions known for having good controlled grain like the T-Max/Delta lot, a developer which is good at mitigating excessive grain and trial and error really.
 
Andy......the F3 is a solid lump of pro spec gear

Chivers76.... F3,all the way lovely camera and smooth shutter. Fabulous build quality and built to last

ACS.....As Andy said above, the F3 was a full featured professional spec. camera

Straycat.....buy the F3 - its iconic i wont sell mine ..and....if nothing else its THE film camera

Fruitflakes......F3 any day. It's almost as buttery smooth as my Leica.

Freecom2............one of Nikon's finest professional bodies?

TBY, Mark........John - that is indeed a rather lovely F3, and I'm sure whoever buys it will not regret it for a minute


WELL BUJJER YOU LOT.............

i will regret it ...selling that is

so WITHDRAWN..............guess I'm just stuck with it.....:clap:
 
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