17. Make blank exposures until the frame counter reaches frame one.

To dispose of the first few frames exposed during film loading, continue to alternately advance the film and depress the shutter release button until the counter reaches frame one (the first dot past 0).

While making blank exposures, check that the rewind knob is rotating, indicating the film has been loaded correctly and is being advanced. If the knob does not rotate, reload the film

Notes : 1) When making blank exposures, set the shutter speed dial to A or to 1/125 sec. or above, and the shutter will be released at 1/80 sec. with 80 or M 80 displayed by the LCD in the viewfinder.
2) Do not take pictures prior to the first frame, as the meter does not function until the counter reaches one.

18. Set the ASA/ISO film speed.

Lift up the ASA/ISO film speed dial and rotate it in either direction until the white dot is opposite the ASA/ISO film speed in use. Also make sure that the exposure compensation index is set to the red 0. This programs the camera's exposure meter so that it may provide a proper exposure for the type of film being used.

Note: The film speed is printed on the film cartoon and cartridge. Details on setting the dial to intermediate settings.

19. Set the shutter speed dial at A. Rotate the shutter speed dial until the A is opposite the shutter speed index.

The built-in locking mechanism ensures that the dial cannot be accidentally shifted from the A (Auto) position during shooting. To set the dial to other positions, turn the dial while depressing the shutter-speed dial lock button .

20. Slide the A-M switch on the AF-Nikkor lens to A. Slide the switch as far as it will go.

21. Set the f-number on the lens.

Turn the aperture ring on the lens until the desired f - number is opposite the aperture index. The selected f-number appears in the viewfinder for convenient reference. Use the following suggestions as a guide in setting the f/stop on the lens (when the 80 mm f/2.8 is used):

Indoors : f/2.8 ~ f/4 outdoors (cloudy): f/4 ~ f/8 Outdoors (Clear) : f/8 ~ f/16 Outdoors (clear at the beach or in the mountains) : f/16 ~ f/32

Note : Depending on your preference, the depth of field as well as the shutter speed can be controlled by your selection of the shooting aperture.

22. Hold the camera steady. As you through the viewfinder, use your left hand to cradle the camera, with your fingers wrapped around the lens and your thumb beside the focus lock button, while your elbow is propped against your body for support.

Use the index finger of your right hand to depress the shutter release button and your thumb to wind the film advance lever. Wrap the other fingers of your right hand around the camera body. You can adapt this basic posture to both horizontal and vertical format shooting. To hold the camera steady, it is advise to lean on or against something strong and stable (e.g., a wall).

23. Compose the picture. Look through the viewfinder, compose your photo with main subject (if possible, a subject's vertical line) in the centre of the focusing frame to assure correct focus and exposure

LCD exposure information ADR f - number Flash ready - light Focus - impossible warning Focus indicators: near-focus arrow; far-focus arrow Central focusing frame Half-mirror Fine matter/Fresnel field

24. Depress the shutter release button halfway and check both the exposure and focus displays.

While looking through the viewfinder, depress the shutter release button halfway to turn on the expose meter and autofocus functions. The LCD indicates the automatically selected shutter speed to match the aperture set on lens. As long as neither +2000 nor -8- appears in the shutter speed display, the camera gives the correct exposure. If either indication appears, adjust the aperture ring on the lens until a desirable shutter speed is indicated. The f-number you have set on the lens is also shown in the aperture-direct-readout (ADR) window. When both red arrows light up, they indicate that the image is in focus.

25. Take the picture. Depress the shutter release button all the way down; apply light but steady pressure with the ball your index finger to avoid camera shake which might result in a blurred image.

26. Advance the film. Stroke the film advance lever to transport the film to the next frame.

27. Press the rewind button When the film reaches the end of the roll, the film advance lever will stop working. Then, turn the camera button, so that the exposed film can be rewound back into its cartridge. You do not have to continue depressing the button.

28. Rewind the film. Lift the film rewind crank and turn it in the direction of the arrow. When you feel then tension lessen, continue winding one or two more turns until the film leader is rewound completely back into the cartridge.

29. Remove the film cartridge. Push the camera back lock lever counterclockwise as you lift the film rewind crank to open the camera back. Take out the film cartridge. Avoid unloading film in direct sunlight.

30. Turn the camera off. Turn the power switch off while the camera is not in use. This prevents inadvertent battery drain in case the shutter release button is accidentally depressed.

NavBar	|  |  |   Back to Index of Nikon F3 Models   Back to Pictorial History of Nikon SLRs	About this photographic site Contributions and Credits
Home - Photography in Malaysia

| Previous | NEXT | Basic Operations 3/12

| Back to Main Index Page of Nikon F3 Site |

About this photographic site

Contributions and Credits

Home - Photography in Malaysia