Nikon F3AF User manual Part VIII

A separate sync terminal with a protective screw-in cover is provided on the Nikon F3AF. When using flashbulbs or an electronic flash unit without a hotshot contact, it is necessary to use the camera's sync terminal. It accepts all standard plug-in PC cords, plus it is threaded for use with a Nikon screw-in PC cord.

The F3AF features an X-sync contact only, allowing electronic flash units to be synchronized at a speed of 1/80 sec., (X) or slower.

Flash Ready-Light

A built-in LED ready-light is provided in the upper right-hand portion of the viewfinder outside the picture area. When a Nikon dedicated flash unit (or TTL sensor cord) is attached to the accessory shoe (59), the ready light comes on as soon as the flash is recycled, indicating that the unit is ready to fire.

So you never have to remove your eye from the viewfinder. Moreover, in the TTL mode, whenever the flash unit fires at maximum output, the ready light starts blinking for approx. two seconds, warning you that the light was probably insufficient for correct exposure.

As an additional warning, it blinks if the flash is not connected properly or if the ASA/ISO setting on the camera is outside the dedicated flash unit's range of ASA/ISO 25~400. For more detailed information, refer to the flash unit's instruction manual.

Speedlight	Camera's Ready light	Shutter speed auto changeover	Usable flash output control
SB-16A	yes	yes	TTL, auto, manual, MD
SB-12*	yes	yes	TTL, manual
SB-11/14 (with SC-12)	yes	yes	TTL, manual
SB-11/14 (with SC-13)	yes	yes	auto, manual
SB-11/14 (with SC-11)	no	no	auto, manual
SB- 15 (with AS-7)	yes	yes	auto, manual, MD
SB-10 (with AS-4,7)	yes	yes	auto, manual
SB-7 (with AS-3)	no	no	auto, manual
SB-6 (with SC-6)	no	no	manual, MD
SB-6 (with AS3, SC-9, SU-1)	no	no	auto, manual, MD
SB-E** (with AS-4,7)	yes	yes	auto only

* With the SB-12 or SB-15 mounted on the Nikon F3AF, the flash head cannot be rotated so that it is over the AF Finder DX-1. ** The SB-E cannot be mounted on the F3AF unless the Eye level finder DE-2 or High Eyepoint Finder DE-3 is used. (Check with Flash sections for info on compatibility issues with other flash units) It may sound crazy.. but most of the flash units that are compatible (Direct or indirectly) are here in this site: SB-11 | SB-12 | SB-14 | SB-140 UV-IR | SB-15/17 | SB-16A | SB-21A (SB-29) Macro flash | Accessories

In addition to the AF Finder DX-1, the F3AF also accepts other interchangeable viewfinders designed for the regular F3. With them, all Nikkor and Nikon Series-E lenses, including the AF-Nikkor lenses, are usable with the F3AF body. Regardless of which finder is attached, you still have full automatic exposure control because the meter is build into the camera body rather than the finder.

More info: Section on Interchangeable Prisms

The camera's autofocus control however, cannot be used with the viewfinders other than the DX-1.

The Eye level finder DE-2 offers regular eye level viewing and provides an upright non inverted image in the viewfinder. The High-Eyepoint Finder DE-3 gives you the same eye level viewing, but allows eyeglass wearers and action photographers alike to see the entire frame with the eye up to approx. 25mm away from the eyepiece. The Waist-Level finder DW-3 is ideal when you want to use the camera at a low angle or upside down over your head when shooting over crowds. The Action Finder DA-2 works well for those situations when you cannot bring your eye close to the finder, such as fast breaking sports event, when you are wearing a helmet or goggles, or when the camera is enclosed in waterproof underwater housing. The 6x Magnification Finder DW-4 is for critical high-magnification close-up work or photomicrography. When using the DA-2 or DW-3, be careful that stray light does not enter from the top and cause an inflated meter reading.

To attach the new finder, position it above the camera with the nameplate facing toward the front of the camera and gently push the viewfinder down until it is fully seated in place. Make sure the finder is attached securely.

To remove the finder, use your thumb and forefinger to slide the finder levers toward the back of the camera; then lift the finder out.

Before attaching another viewfinder; a focusing screen must be installed. Do not forget to remove the focusing screen from the body when you reattach the AF-Finder DX-1. If not, both the focusing screen inside the camera body and the one built into the bottom of the DX-1 might be damaged.

Interchangeable Focusing Screens When using a viewfinder other than the standard AF Finder DX-1, you have a choice of 20 interchangeable focusing screens each with different functions and configurations.

To install a focusing screen, simply insert the front edge (the edge with the slot in the middle) under the pin and push the rear edge of the screen down into place.

To take out the focusing screen, first remove the finder, then insert your fingernail under the rear edge of the screen and lift it out.

Type A: Matte/ Fresnel field with 3mm circular split-image rangefinder spot and 12mm reference circle. Rapid and accurate focusing. Excellent for general photography.
Type B: Fresnel field with 3mm fine ground matte focusing spot and 12mm reference circle. Good for general photography especially with long lenses.
Type C: Fine-ground matte field with 4mm clear spot and cross hair. For photomicrography, astrophotography and other high-magnification applications, using parallax focusing on aerial images.
Type D: Overall, fine ground matte field. For specialized close-up photography and for use with long lenses.
Type E: Matte/ Fresnel field with 3mm fine ground matte spot, 12mm reference circle and etched horizontal and vertical lines. Ideal for architectural photography.
Type G: Clear fresnel with extra-bright 12mm microprism focusing spot for viewing and focusing in poor light. Four models (G1~G4) are available corresponding to specific focal length lenses. Depth of field cannot be observed.
Type H: Clear fresnel field with microprism focusing pattern over the entire screen area. Permits rapid focusing on any part of the screen with optimum edge-to-edge brightness in poor light. Available in four models (H1- H4) corresponding to particular focal length lenses.
Type J: Matte/Fresnel with central microprism focusing spot and 12mm circle. Good for general photography.
Type K: Combination of Type A and J screens. Matte/ Fresnel field with 3mm split image rangefinder spot surrounded by 1mm wide micro prism doughnut. Rapid and accurate focusing for subjects with both straight lines and ill defined contours. Suitable for general photography.
Type L: Same as Type A screen but with split-image rangefinder line at 45° angle. Best for subjects with horizontal lines.
Type M: Fine-ground Fresnel field with 5.5mm clear spot and double cross-hair for use in parallax focusing on aerial image, plus millimetre scales for calculation of individual magnification of objects or for measuring objects. Brilliant image in dim light. Suitable for close-ups, photomicrography and other high-magnification applications.
Type P: Same as Type K but with split-image rangefinder line at 45° angle and etched horizontal and vertical lines as an aid to composition. Rapid and accurate focusing for subjects with with horizontal or vertical lines or ill-defined contours. Suitable for general photography.
Type R: Same as Type A but with rangefinder prisms of sloping surfaces at a smaller angle and horizontal and vertical lines to aid proper composition. Works best with lenses having maximum apertures from f/3.5 to f/5.6.
Type T: Matte/ Fresnel field with split-image rangefinder, 12mm reference circle and horizontal and vertical lines. Used when preparing slides for TV broadcast. Dotted lines indicate standard TV screen format. Solid outline shows "safe action" area, whereas broken lines indicate "safe title" area.