 |
|
Don't let this scare you off. The Nikon F3, as with any of the automatic manual focus Nikon bodies like the FEs or FA has accessories to assure your camera can perform under extreme temperature changes. The Anti-Cold Battery Pack DB-2 is one of such device. In cold weather, you can use the Anti-Cold Battery Pack DB-2, which accepts two AA-type batteries, as an alternative power supply to the batteries inside the camera body. Simply connect the DB-2 to the camera body, then slip the assembly inside your pocket or coat to keep it warm. This assures that the camera's metering system will function even in very cold temperatures.
The only two manual
focus Nikon SLR cameras that were designed with Motor Drive to power the camera's
electronic functions once attached to the respective camera bodies are Nikon F3 / MD-4 and Nikon FA with its companion motor
drive MD-15.
Some issues related to batteries
1. When the batteries are drained, or there are none installed in the camera,
or if it fails to function normally due to extreme change in temperature, the only
few settings which can be used are 1/60 mechanical backup lever, "B" and
"T". If you trip the shutter with the camera set to any other speed, the
shutter won't open or the reflex mirror may remain in the "up" position.
If the mirror locks up, simply trip again with the mechanical lever and the mirror
should return to its normal viewing position. Then you can install new batteries
(In case cold weather is the cause, use an anti-cold battery holder pack DB-2 to replace
the cells). To avoid wasting a frame, stroke the winding lever while holding in the
multiple-exposure lever.
2. Should the battery be left in the battery chamber for a long period, insufficient
contact may occur due to battery leakage. Thus, it is good practise to periodically
clean the battery and the contact section in the battery chamber with a soft cloth.
If the battery chamber is contaminated with a leaking battery, remove the battery
at once and clean the chamber. Before doing so, try to clean and removed any deposits
remaining inside, especially the clips housed inside the compartment, and do a few test shots,
but I would strongly suggest you to send for examination of the damage done.
3. For safety reasons at home. After removal of the cells, remember to keep
them away from children. Never attempt to throw them to a fire place, they may explode.
4. Battery power falls off in extremely cold temperatures and this may cause
the camera's photometric circuit to cease operating. In this situation, use new batteries and
protect the camera body from the cold. Note that battery power will be recovered
as soon as the temperature becomes normal. Nikon has an anti-cold battery holder pack
DB-2 for this purpose or consider getting a Motor Drive MD-4 with cold resistance
NiCd battery pack which will power the camera's electronic circuit once it is attached
with the camera.
5. Regardless
of whether the camera is switched off or not, the Nikon F3 always discharges a small
amount of electricity because it incorporates a quartz oscillator circuit.
| Nikon Manual
or Auto Focus SLR Cameras (Note: other equivalents may be used) |
||
| Nikon F photomic, FT, FTn | 1 | 1.3 V Mercury |
| Nikkormat FT, FTn | 1 | 1.35V Mercury |
| Nikkormat FT-2, FT-3 | 2 | SR44 |
| Nikkormat EL, ELW, EL-2 | 1 | 6V Silver Oxide |
| Nikon F3, F3HP, F3T, F3P, F3 LE, F2, F2S, F2SB, F2T, F2A, F2AS Photomics, FM-2, FM2n, FE-2, FM, FE, FG, FG-20, EM, FM-10, FE-10 | 2 | SR44 |
|
Nikon F4s: MB-20
MB-21 MB-23 |
4 3 6 1 |
AA Alkaline AA Alkaline or NiCd Batteries AA Alkaline or NiCd Battery Pack MN-20 |
|
Nikon F5, F5A Optional
|
8 8 1 |
AA
Alkaline or AA Lithium or NiMH Battery MN-30 |
| Nikon F High Speed Motor Camera | N/A | |
| Nikon F2 High Speed Motor Camera | Battery Pack | |
| Nikon F3 High Speed Motor Camera | 8 1 |
AA-type Alkaline Manganese NiCd Battery Unit MN-2 |
| Nikonos-IV A | 2 | SR44 |
| Nikonos-V | 2 | SR44 |
| Nikonos RS | 1 | DL-223A |
| F-301 (N2020, N2000) | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| F-401 (N4004s, N4004) | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| F-501 (N5005) | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| F-601 (N6006, N6000) | 1 | DL-223A |
| F-801s, F801 (N8808s, N8808) | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| F-50 (N50) | 1 | DL-245 |
| F-60 (N60) | 2 1 |
CR-123A or DL123A Lithium |
| F-70 (N70) | 1 | CR-123A |
| F-80 (N80) | 1 | N/A |
| F-90x, F-90 (N90s, N90) | 4 | AA Alkaline |
|
F100: MS-12
MS-13
MS-15 Optional Multi
Power High Speed Battery Pack MB-15
|
4 2 6 1 |
AA Alkaline or Lithium batteries CR123A or DL123A 3V Lithium batteries AA Alkaline or Lithium batteries Ni-MH battery MN-15 |
| Pronea 6i | 1 | CR-123A |
|
Pronea S Optional Power Pack MB-11
|
2 4 |
CR2 Lithium 1.5V "M"-size Alkaline (LR6) or Lithium (FR6) |
| System Accessories | ||
| DB-2 Anti-Cold Battery Pack | 2 | AA Alkaline |
| DB-3 External Battery Pack MF-12, | 3 | AAA Alkaline |
| DL-1 Photomic Illuminator, | 1 | 1.3V Mercury |
| R-8 Super Zoom Motor
Meter |
6 1 |
AA Alkaline 1.3V Mercury |
| R-10 Super Zoom Motor
|
6 |
AA Alkaline |
| Super 6X, 8X Motor
Meter |
4 2 |
AA Alkaline 1.3V Mercury |
| Motor Drives | ||
| F36 Motor (Cordless) | 8 | AA Alkaline |
| F250, F36 Motors with Standard Pack | 8 | C Alkaline |
| MD-1, MD-2
and MD-3 Motor Drive for Nikon F2 F2 Battery
Pack MB-1
F2 Battery Pack MB-2 |
10 1 8 |
AA Alkaline or MN-1 Ni-Cd Battery Pack AA Alkaline |
| F3 MD-4 | 8 1 |
AA Alkaline or MN-2 Ni-Cd |
| MB-10 | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| MD-11& MD-12 Motor Drive | 8 | AA Alkaline |
| MD-14 & MD-15 Motor | 8 | AA Alkaline |
| MD-E | 6 | AAA Alkaline |
| Remote Controls | ||
| Intervalometer MT-1 | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| Intervalometer MT-2 | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| Modulite Receiver | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| Modulite Transmitter | 1 | 9V Standard Battery |
|
Modulite Remote Control Set ML-2
Transmitter
Receiver |
4 4 |
AA Alkaline AA Alkaline |
|
Modulite Remote Control Set ML-3
Transmitter
|
2 |
AAA Alkaline |
| Wireless Remote Control Receiver | 8 | AA Alkaline |
| Wireless Remote Control Transmitter | 8 | AA Alkaline |
| Data Film Backs | ||
| MF-4 | N/A | |
| MF-6B | N/A | |
| MF-10 | N/A | |
| MF-12 | N/A | |
| MF-14 | 2 | SR44 |
| MF-16 | 2 | SR44 |
| MF-17 | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| MF-18 | 2 | SR44 |
| MF-19 | 2 | SR44 |
| MF-20 | 1 | CR2050 Lithium |
| MF-21 | 1 | CR2050 |
| MF-22 | 1 | CR2050 |
| MF-23 | 1 | CR2050 |
| MF-26 | 2 | CR2025 |
| EE Aperture Controls | ||
| DB-1 Battery Pack for EE | 4 | C Cells |
| EE Aperture Control | 1 | Ni-Cd Battery DN-1 |
(More... Batteries and alternate
Power sources for Older Nikon Speedlights:
Check out Don
Walsh's
articles in the Nikon F's site in PIM.)
| Speedlight Units | ||
| 120 Medical Nikkor Battery Pack (LD-2), SB-21 Macro Speedlight External Power Pack | 8 |
AA Alkaline |
| 200mm Medical Nikkor
(Version 1)
Battery Pack
|
4 1 |
D Alkaline or 240V Battery |
|
200mm Medical Nikkor (Version II)
Battery Pack
|
8 |
D Alkaline |
| BC-7 Flash | 1 | 15V Battery |
| Battery Pack for SB-1 | 6 | D Alkaline |
| High Voltage Pack for SB-1 | 1 | 510v Battery |
| SB-2 Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-3 Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-4 Speedlight | 2 | AA Alkaline |
|
SB-5 Speedlight Battery Pack SD4
|
1 1 2 |
NiCd Battery SN-2 480v Battery or 40v Batteries |
| Repeating Flash Battery Pack for SB-6 | 8 | NiCd Battery SN-3 |
| SB-7E Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-8E Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-9 Speedlight | 2 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-10 Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-E Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-11 Speedlight | 8 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-12 Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-14, l 40 UV IR Battery Pack, SD-7 | 6 | C Cells |
| SB-15, 17 | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-16A, 16B | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-l8, SB-19 | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-20, 22 Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-23 Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline/Lithium |
| SB-21A, SB-21B Macro Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline |
| SB-24 AF TTL Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline/Lithium |
| SB-25 Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline/Lithium |
| SB-26 Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline/Lithium |
| SB-27 Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline/Lithium |
| SB-29, SB-29a Macro Speedlight | 4 | AA Alkaline/Lithium |
| Accessories | ||
| SD-8 High Performance AA Battery Pack | 6 | AA Alkaline/Lithium |
| SK-6 Power Bracket | 4 | AA Alkaline/Lithium |
| DC Power Supply for Ring Lights SR-2, SM-2 | 1 | D Alkaline |
| Autofocus Compact Cameras | ||
| 28Ti | 1 | DL-123A Lithium |
| 35Ti | 1 | DL-123A Lithium |
| Action-Touch, L35AF & L135 AF, Tele-Touch | 2 | AA Alkaline |
| Fun Touch, Fun Touch 2, Fun-Touch 3 | 2 | AA Alkaline |
| Lite-Touch, Lite-Touch Zoom | 1 | DL-123A Lithium |
| Nice-Touch 2 | 2 | AA Alkaline |
| Nuvis 75i | 1 | CR-123A or L-123A Lithium |
| Nuvis 125 | 1 | CR-123A or DL-123A Lithium |
| Nuvis 125i | 1 | CR-123A or DL-123A Lithium |
| Nuvis Mini | 1 | CR-2 or DL-CR2 Lithium |
| Nuvis Mini i | 1 | CR-2 or DL-CR2 Lithium |
| One-Touch 100 | 1 | DL-123A |
| One-Touch, One-Touch 200, One-Touch 300 | 2 | AA Alkaline |
| Smiletaker | 2 | AA Alkaline |
| Sport-Touch | 2 | AA Alkaline |
| Tele-Touch Deluxe | 1 | DL-223A |
| VR 105 QD | 2 | DL-123A |
| Zoom Touch 105VR QD | 2 | DL-123A |
| Zoom-Touch 400, Zoom-Touch 500, Zoom-Touch 600, Zoom-Touch 880, Tele-Touch 300 | 1 | DL-223A |
| Zoom-Touch 470 | 1 | DL-123A |
Note: M Zinc Carbon Batteries (1.6V each) may be used instead of M Alkaline in the above listing. Also, in many applications Ni-Cd rechargables can be used. While both Silver Oxide and Lithium cells will operate some camera models, there is some difference in the performance characteristics of these two battery types. It is always advisable to check with your battery supplier to get specific information about the battery you intend to use.
- Use of ML-3 is not recommended with AA Lithium as a power supply in the F90x and may damage the unit. The ML-3 takes power from the F90x and cannot accept the transient voltage of AA Lithiums.
- When shooting at fast framing rates, AA lithium may get hot and shut off. Wait until they are cool and proceed with taking flash pictures.
* All Information was extracted from Nikon Product Guide 99 or actual instruction manuals.
