Nikon F3AF User manual Part VII

When it is impossible to keep your eye at the viewfinder (such as when using the self-timer), you should use the eyepiece shutter. This shutter prevents stray light from entering the eyepiece and adversely affecting the automatic exposure meter reading and autofocus function.

Just push the lever to the left to close the shutter. As a visual reminder that it is in use, the blind is painted red.

The F3AF's blinking self-timer provides a 10-sec. delay in shutter release. To operate the self-timer, push the self-timer lever to uncover the red dot (Fig. 1). (When using the camera in autofocus and /or automatic exposure modes, don't forget to close the eyepiece shutter to prevent stray light from entering the eyepiece.) Then push the shutter release button. (Fig. 2). Immediately the red LED on the front of the camera will start blinking and then speed up during the final two seconds before the shutter opens to warn you to get ready (Fig. 3). Finally, return the self timer to its original position after use (Fig. 4). If you want to cancel the self-timer after pushing the shutter release button, return the self-timer lever to its original position. This will prevent the picture from being taken. Note: The B setting on the shutter speed dial does not function as B with the self-timer.

In the following situations, the F3AF's mirror must be locked up in the "up" position: when you want to operate the Motor Drive MD-4 at 6 frames per second or when using certain fisheye lenses which do not feature through-the-lens viewing. Also, when using super-telephoto lenses or doing photomicrography, it becomes necessary to minimize camera vibration.

To lock the reflex mirror in the up position, push in the depth-of-field preview button and rotate the lever counterclockwise until it stops. To return the mirror to the "down" position, rotate the lever clockwise until it stops.

Caution: With the mirror locked up, you should not operate the camera on automatic. Even though the LCD continues to show you the shutter speed automatically selected by the camera, this speed will not produce the correct exposure. Autofocus operation with the mirror in the "up" position is also impossible.

A convenient built-in viewfinder illuminator lets you see the the LCD exposure information and the aperture, even in dim light. To turn on the illuminator, push the red illuminator button located at the base of the viewfinder just in front of the shutter speed dial (72).

Please remember that the illuminator only lights up when the camera's exposure meter is switched on, but turns off as soon as you remove your finger from the button.

Notes: 1) If you plan to use the illuminator for extended periods, take along a spare set of fresh batteries for the camera body, because the illuminator consumes a lot of power. 2) At low temperatures or with nearly exhausted batteries, using the illuminator might temporarily lower the voltage, causing the LCD to disappear. If the LCD appears again, when the illuminator is off, you can release the shutter without replacing the batteries.

For creative and unusual effects, the F3AF allows you to record more than one image on the same frame of film. To make double or multiple exposures, follow this procedure: 1) Take the first shot.

2) Then to recook the shutter without advancing the film, push the multiple exposure lever forward (Fig. 1) and stroke the advance lever. Immediately the multiple exposure lever will spring back to its normal position (Fig. 2).

3) Now you are ready to take the second shot on the same frame. For more than two shots on the same frame, just repeat the same procedure for each additional exposure. When you have finished, simply advance the film normally to the next frame. While making multiple exposures, the frame counter does not advance. The multiple exposure setting cannot be cancelled once the lever is set in the out position. Note: If you wish to cancel the multiple exposure setting, first cover the lens with the lens cap and close the eyepiece shutter; then make a blank shot and advance the film to the next frame. Memo Holder

As a reminder of the film type and the number of exposures on the roll in use, clip off the end of the film carton and insert it into the memo holder. While loading the film, insert the film carton end before closing the camera back.

The film plane indicator is engraved in white on the top deck just behind the shutter speed dial. It indicates the exact position of the film plane inside the camera. Whenever it becomes necessary to measure the exact distance between the subject and the film plane, such as in macro photography, use the film plane indicator. The distance between the film plane and the lens mounting flange is 46.5mm.

The red dot beside the focusing index on most lenses is the infrared focusing mark. When shooting with black and white (but not colour) infrared film, it is necessary to refocus the lens to compensate for the fact that infrared light rays focus at a point slightly in front of visible light.

In infrared photography, use of an R60 filter is required. At first, focus on your subject through the viewfinder by rotating the lens focusing ring (49) without the filter in place. Then look at the lens and take note of the focused distance. Reset the focusing ring so that the desired distance is aligned with the red dot. Finally take the pictures with the filter attached.

Note: Automatic focusing is impossible in black and white infrared photography.

Flash Photography (More info on Flash with Nikon F3 cameras) The Nikon F3AF has been specially designed to make electronic flash photography easier than ever. When used with an accessory Nikon dedicated flash unit, the camera offers fully automatic through-the-lens (TTL) control of the flash exposure. This means that while the shutter is open, the camera's silicon photo diode (SPD) reads the light reflected directly off the film and tells the flash unit to cut itself off when the exposure is correct.

To prevent mistakes, the camera also offers automatic switch over of the shutter speed for proper synchronization. With the shutter speed dial set at A or 1/125 sec. or above, the shutter speed is automatically switched to 1/80 sec. as soon as the flash is turned on. As a reminder, the LCD shows '80' on auto or 'M80' on manual. For creative fill flash effects, you can set the speed manually to 1/60 sec. or below and the shutter fires at the speed set with the speed in use displayed in the the viewfinder.

For non-dedicated flash units, an X setting is provided, giving you the proper manual speed of 1/80. At X, 'M80' appears in the LCD. However, if you use a Nikon dedicated flash unit at this setting, 'M80' appears as soon as the unit is turned on. When shooting manually with any flash unit, it is necessary to determine the flash unit's guide number for the film you are using.; then set the aperture to match the shooting distance.

Located at the base of the rewind knob, the accessory shoe allows direct mounting of a Nikon dedicated flash unit, such as the SB-12 or SB-16A. To mount other direct mounting flash units (having either an ISO or Nikon F2 type mounting foot) to the F3AF's accessory shoe, a Nikon Flash Unit Coupler is required.

The accessory shoe also accepts accessory cords such as the SC-12 and SC-13, for convenient flash photography with Nikon bracket mounting units such as the SB-11 and 14.

Three electrical contacts on the accessory shoe provide for synchronization of the flash unit, automatic TTL output control and ready light indication (via LED) in the camera's viewfinder, plus auto switching to the proper synchronization speed of 1/80 sec. Caution: For flash photography, it is recommended that you use a Nikon dedicated flash unit which Nikon claims operates with a low voltage current and if TTL flash exposure control is highly desirable in your photography, ensure third party flash unit you bought is equipped with the appropriate contacts necessary for proper TTL flash control.