Nikon F3 or F4? - Decisions, decisions!

  Updated May 20, 2021

    $250 - $350 USD. That's what it takes to have one of these beauties for your own nowadays (2020). For those of us who couldn't afford to own a pro-level camera back when the F3 & F4 were current, now is a golden opportunity to obtain a little slice of photographic history that is as usable as ever. If you have ever picked up one after holding a consumer-level body, there is simply no comparison (Yeah, they are that solid & heavy! Especially the F4! :-)). Even with F3 values rising again (and at a faster rate than the F4's), it still comes down to the attributes most important to you, the individual photographer, when making a choice between the two (if you can't have both, that is ;-)). It is the objective of this article to clearly delineate the differences between the F3 and F4 that could influence your decision-making process. So here we go...  

  ​What Are Your Priorities? (Besides Aperture)

   Eight years separated the introductions of the F3 (1980) and the F4 (1988). In that interval, there were some tremendous changes in 35mm SLR technology. The introduction of practical AF (Auto Focus) systems is probably the most notable, but advances were also made in shutter design, metering, flash capability and control, miniaturization, and internalization of previously external add-ons for Nikon's professional line. We will try and consider these in order of the greatest difference between the two cameras.

  ​Auto Focus - The short answer: F4

      More in-depth: One cannot expect modern-day auto focus performance out of a nearly 30 year-old camera, but the F4 can hold its own with its single, central AF sensor if its limitations are respected (i.e. subject tracking for fast-moving subjects is definitely not its strong point and neither is low light). And it can use almost any AF-Nikkor lens ever made, excluding the newest "E" and AF-P types. Incidentally, there was an F3AF model released in 1983, really as a working prototype (using a more primitive version of the phase-detection AF of the F4). It featured a special AF Finder with only 92% coverage as opposed to the regular F3's 100%. It was released with 2 AF Nikkor lenses: an 80mm f/2.8 and a 200mm f/3.5 ED-IF (extra-low dispersion glass w/ internal focusing). Interestingly, these lenses had the focusing motors built-in (presaging the later AF-S lenses) rather than the motor-in-body configuration of the F4. F3AFs are more of a collectible and are priced accordingly, averaging from $550 - $650 USD with the 80mm f/2.8. You can fit them with the other manual focus finders and they will work just fine, but are not as much of a bargain as a manual focus F3. ​​

  ​Film Advance & Rewind - The (qualified) short answer: F3

     More in-depth: If you must have manual advance (by the way, the F3 has a smooth and positive advance mechanism) then it's the F3, obviously :-). Or if you want the ability to have both manual and powered winding, again, the F3, with its dedicated, removable, exterior motor drive, the MD-4, is your pick. MD-4s run from $30 - $100 USD separately, but you can often buy them together with a body for not much more than body-only. The F3 was the last of the F-series to have an attachable external drive; the F4 pioneered internal motor drive for Nikon's professional cameras. If powered winding is important to to you, it is noteworthy that the F4 does give you three options for continuous advance: High, Low, and Silent (which pulses the motor but is not truly silent), whereas the F3 has only one continuous setting. Where things become more complex is choosing between the MD-4 driven F3 and the various battery pack options for the F4 performance-wise. So let's try and simplify things as much as possible. Please note: "fps" stands for frames per second and 'MLU' stands for Mirror Lock-Up.

  ​F3 w/ MD-4 Specifications:

• Weight - 1364 grams (48 oz.) with 8 AA alkaline batteries; 1430g w/ MN-2 Ni-Cad
• Performance - Up to 140 36-exp. rolls @ 3.8 fps maximum (4 fps w/ MLU)
• The MN-2 Ni-Cad battery pack gives up to 70 rolls @ 5.5 fps max. (6 fps w/ MLU), but is very hard to find, so it is not a practical option. You would be better off loading modern NiMH AAs in the standard battery tray.

  ​F4 Specifications:

• Weight: F4 (MB-20 Battery Pack w/4 AA capacity) 1180 grams (42 oz.)
• Weight: F4s (MB-21 Battery Pack w/ 6 AA capacity) 1420 grams (50 oz.)
• Weight: F4e (MB-23 Battery Pack w/ 6 AA capacity or MN-20 Ni-Cad 7.2V Battery Pack) 1560 grams (55 oz.)
• Performance: MB-20 - Up to 30 36-exp. rolls. Continuous High: 4 fps; Continuous Low: 3.3 fps in AF & 2.2 fps in MF (manual focus). Alkaline or Lithium AA batteries only.
• Performance: MB-21/-23 w/ AA alkalines - Up to 90 36-exp. rolls. Continuous High: 5.7 fps; Continuous Low: 3.4 fps in AF & 2.9 fps in MF. *Note* These two grips offer a vertical shutter release button. 
• Performance: MB-21 w/ AA Ni-cad or NiMH - Up to 70 36-exp. rolls @ 5.7/3.4/2.9 fps  as above.
• Performance MB-23 w/ MN-20 Ni-Cad Battery Pack - Up to 150 36-exp. rolls at the above speeds for MB-21. A similar argument can be made about the practicality of the MN-20 as the MN-2 for the F3 above. Although it is more readily available, even as NOS (new old stock), the weight and price penalty is quite high. Nevertheless, the option is there for those who want it :-). A far better option is to load the standard tray with regular AA NiMH batteries and get the the same or better performance.

    Whew! That's quite a bit to chew on. Here are a few things to consider: 1) The F4 definitely consumes more juice, which really shouldn't be a surprise as it has to power 7 CPUs and 4 coreless motors for winding, rewinding, auto focusing, and the shutter as opposed to the MD-4's single motor for winding and rewinding and the much simpler circuits in the F3 body. If you are using manual focus lenses on the F4, you can stretch consumption considerably, as the AF motor does draw a considerable amount of power, especially with larger lenses. The F4 also consumes less power in the Single or Continuous-Low advance modes. 2) When it comes to reducing the two models to their most basic configurations: the bare F3 (w/ DE-2 non-HP finder and sans MD-4) and the plain F4 (w/ MB-20 grip) there is a 480 gram (16+ oz.) difference in the F3's favor. That is a major consideration if you are looking to strip weight down in your camera bag or around your neck. Also, the F3 is very miserly with its consumption of the two SR-44/S-76/357 button cells it uses for power without the MD-4 attached. They can last for years. Carrying a couple of spares is not going to break your back...or wallet, either :-). 3) The F3's manual advance will always be quieter than any powered advance on either camera, if your shooting style requires it. The F4 gives you different power options, but only the F3 gives you the versatility of powered winding/rewinding or none at all. 4) The only real advantage for the F4, if you must have powered-advance, is that the MB-20-equipped plain F4 saves 180 grams (6 oz.) over an MD-4-fitted F3. 

    ​As far as rewind goes, it's a wash. Both offer manual and powered rewind (obviously the MD-4 must be mounted on the F3 for powered rewind ;-)). The only issue with both manual and powered rewind on the F3 is that with a flash mounted, the rewind knob/film door latch cannot be accessed, so the flash has to be removed for rewinding and loading/unloading film. No such issues with the F4.

F3 Film Advance Lever & Shutter Speed Dial

F4 Shutter Speed, Mode & Drive Selectors

 
   Shutters & Shooting Modes - The short answer: F4

    More in-depth: The F3 was the pinnacle of the horizontal-travel shutter configuration, which had reached its technological limits. It was the 3rd and final generation of Nikon's legendary titanium-shuttered F-series cameras. It was the most accurate version too, being electronically-controlled from its slowest speed of 8 seconds to its highest of 1/2000 second and is super reliable with a mechanical backup speed of 1/60 second. The F4, on the other hand, brought the first vertical-travel shutter with 1/8000 sec. top speed to professional SLRs. It offers speeds from 30 - 1/8000 sec. in both aperture-priority and program modes, and 4 - 1/8000 sec. in shutter-priority and manual modes. So there is a two-stop advantage at the top and bottom ends for the F4. It also bests the F3's top flash sync speed of 1/80 sec. by 1 and 2/3-stops with its 1/250 sec. sync speed. We will get in to flash capabilities more in the next section. Again, you need to determine which camera best suits your style and technical demands. The F4 has Program, Program High, Shutter-priority (these 3 are only usable with CPU-equipped lenses, either AF or chipped MF), Aperture-priority, and Manual modes.The F3 has two: Aperture-priority and Manual. Both shutters were top-of-the-line in their respective genres and were rated for 150,000 exposures. They also both feature a Time (T) setting that is very useful for long-exposure photography without draining batteries or needing a cable release (on the F3, you must use the backup mechanical release lever to activate the shutter when using T, otherwise the meter will be active and battery drain will result). One thing to watch for with the F3 is for vertical cracks to appear at the edges of the shutter curtains on well-worn cameras. The action of a horizontal roll-shutter eventually causes the titanium curtains to fatigue at their edges. If you get a gently-used copy, you will very likely never wear them out. It is worth a few extra dollars up front and they are not hard to find at that $350 mark.

F3 Horizontal-Travel Shutter

F4 Vertical-Travel Shutter

   Flash Capabilities - The short answer: F4

     More in-depth: If flash plays an important role in your photography, you seriously need to consider the F4. It's not just about the sync speed advantage. The convenience and capability of the F4, and its compatible flash units, over the F3 is staggering. From the original F to the F3 (with the exception of the limited production F3P (Press) and the F3 Limited) Nikon's finder latch design was not strong enough to support a flash unit on the top of the prism housing if roughly handled (which pros never do ;-)). This led to the compromise of making the flash mount concentric to the rewind knob, which means on the F3 with a flash mounted, you cannot rewind, load/unload film, or adjust film speed. Performing exposure compensation is not possible, either. It is a major inconvenience if you use camera mounted flash regularly, but not such a big deal for off-camera flash rigs. Another issue with the F3 and flash is its TTL-compatibility with later flash units. The F4 has no problem working with newer flash units up to the SB-600 (2004). For the F3, the AS-17 adapter is needed to not only provide the ISO mount but also proper TTL (through-the-lens) flash metering capability with third generation and newer ISO-mount flash units (SB-15 to the SB-600). And the AS-17 is not cheap at $50 - 100 USD, and you are still left with the convenience problems of the flash mount. On the F4 they were able to relocate the flash mount to on top of the finder housing because Nikon adopted a much stronger slide-in rail mount for the finder instead of the old drop-in clip latching system of the previous F models. Aside from the matter of inconvenience, the location of the F3's flash coupling also presents a greater chance of rendering the body inoperable if a mounted flash happens to sustain a strong-enough impact to crack the FRE resistor located directly below the coupling under the top plate. Taken together, the F3 and flash is a non-starter for me, personally.

F3 Proprietary Hot-shoe

F4 Standard ISO Hot-Shoe

DP-20 Finder w/ 3-Mode Selector

​    Metering - The short answer: Do you want simple (F4) or simpler (F3)?

     More in depth: The F4 offers 3 metering modes: 1) matrix (5-segments), 2) traditional Nikon center-weighted (60% concentrated in the 12mm dia. circle in the viewfinder w/ the remaining 40% over the rest of the screen), and 3) spot (100% concentrated in the 5mm circle in the center of the viewfinder). All three modes are available when using the standard DP-20 Finder; (2) & (3) are available with the DA-20 Action Finder; and (3) is the only option for the DW-20 Waist Level Finder & DW-21 6x High-Magnification Finder. The F3 has one metering pattern: 80/20 centerweighted. That's all, no gimmicks, just 80% of the sensitivity concentrated in the 12mm circle in the viewfinder with the remaining 20% rapidly falling off before it reaches the edge of the screen. And it is usable with all 8 finders for the F3. It is not your average centerweighted meter, nor is it a true spotmeter. So it takes a little adjustment, but if you play around with it a bit to get to know its tendencies you'll find it very consistent and simple to use and compensate for. The F3 meter slots quite neatly in between options (2) & (3) on the F4. It will be fooled less often than the 60/40 pattern in the F4, so it may be the best of both worlds. If you plan to use a variety of finders, you may also find the F3's 80/20 less finicky than the F4's spot setting. Once you are familiar with either one, the results will be there. Speaking of finders, let's compare them now. 

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Standard Finders for F3 (DE-2) & F4 (DP-20)

   Finders - The short answer: We'll just go straight to details :-)

   In-depth: The F3 was eventually available with 8 finders: DE-2 Eye-Level (original w/ about 20mm eye relief); DE-3 High Eye Point (25mm eye-relief & most common); DE-4 (titanium version of the DE-3, only with titanium F3/T bodies); DE-5 w/ non-TTL ISO hot shoe, only with F3P (Press) bodies; DA-2 Action (double the height of the DE-3 with 65mm of eye-relief); DW-3 Waist Level; DW-4 6x Magnification; and finally the DX-1 (Auto Focus, only available with the F3AF body w/ focusing screen built-in). When originally released in 1980 the F3's DE-2 finder sported the same specifications as the previous F-series standard finders: 0.8x magnification with 100% coverage. In March of 1982, the DE-3 was released, and soon became the most popular finder for the F3. In exchange for longer eye relief, particularly beneficial for eye-glass wearers, the magnification dropped to 0.75x and bulk increased a bit and weight also did by 60 grams (1.5 oz.). The F3HP was so successful for Nikon that when they developed the F4, the standard DP-20 finder was a high eyepoint design with 22mm of eye relief and 0.7x magnification. The F4's lineup was rounded out with updated Action (DA-20), Waist Level (DW-20), and 6x High magnification (DW-21) finders. DE-2 fitted F3s are the best bargains if you don't need the extra eye-relief of the DE-3. 
       
​   Aside from the mounting system differences talked about earlier, the biggest difference between the two systems are the viewfinder displays. The F3 is, unsurprisingly, more spartan in appearance, with only an ADR (aperture direct readout) window and a small LCD that displays shutter speed and +/- over & under exposure symbols in the top left corner of the viewfinder. If you like a simple, uncluttered viewfinder, the F3 is definitely the ticket. The F4 packs a lot more information in there. On the top left of the ADR window is exposure compensation value and the frame counter. To the right are the focus indicators for the electronic rangefinder and auto focus. On the far right are a red exposure compensation warning lamp and flash ready signal. Across the bottom from left to right are: metering mode, shutter speed, AE lock indicator, and electronic analog display for Manual mode from +2 to -2 EV in 1/3 -steps. So it comes down to how much information you want in the viewfinder. The one area that the F4 clearly outstrips the F3 viewfinder is in illumination: there is a convenient lever under the shutter speed dial that activates nice even green illumination behind the LCD & ADR displays; on the F3 there is a fiddly little red button wedged on the side of the finder that is very difficult to activate and the illumination is rather pathetic. Something to bear in mind if you do a lot of low-light photography.
     
   One thing that applies to both cameras that you want to carefully check out is the condition of the LCD displays. Nikon's original estimate of a 6 to 7 year lifespan for these LCDs was, fortunately, very conservative. Nevertheless, there are issues to be aware of: LCD bleed (patches of black that prevent the readout from being seen), and fading (self-explanatory ;-)). Fortunately, a toasted LCD will not render either camera inoperable, but be aware that this problem can appear at anytime. With the F4, if the bottom (as you look through the viewfinder) LCD goes, it can be remedied by replacing the finder and you can still find DP-20s for half-decent prices at this point. For the top LCDs in both models, no such joy, as Nikon no longer supports service for the body-mounted LCD panels. You are left with cannibalizing parts from another body.

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   Manual Focusing - The short answer: Six of one, a half-dozen of the other

    In-depth: Both cameras have a wide variety of interchangeable focusing screens for virtually any application. In 1985, Nikon introduced their Brite View screen technology (with the F-301/N2000 SLR) to make focusing easier with the smaller-apertured (f/3.5 - 4 and up) zooms that were replacing primes as standard lenses. All F4 screens are of the Brite View type. Brite View improved the diffusion of light passing through the screen, brightening the overall view (thus the name ;-)) compared with previous versions, but specifically lessening blackout of the split-image rangefinder (when included with a particular screen), with no blackout up to f/4.5 (most older split-image rangefinders started blacking out above f/2.8) and remaining usable up to f/8. The older screens used a finer-grain matte field, which made for a darker viewfinder but easier focusing (for many, but not all, people) with apertures wider than f/2.8. Your eyesight will have an impact on which type of screens you prefer; some people find the darker but more grainy screens easier to use, while for others a brighter view helps them more. F3 screens did not come with Brite View, but they did become somewhat brighter with the introduction of the "Red Dot" series (a red dot was added to at the far right of the engraving specifying the type of screen on the side of the frame). Your lens choices (faster primes vs. zooms with apertures f/3.5 and higher) will impact which focusing screens you choose to use with an F3. The F3 had 5 options with split-image rangefinders (one of which, the "R" screen, was designed to offer easier focusing with f/3.5-and-darker lenses) to the F4's two (AF was having an impact here) . Also, the F3 features a series of 4 H-type screens that have 100% microprism coverage and must be matched to particular focal length lenses for very low-light work. These screens were not carried over for the F4. F3 and F4 screens are not interchangeable, although they can be physically installed in either body. Doing so will result in focus errors. Costs for the more common replacement screens are creeping up for the F3 while F4 screens are a bit less, but with some of the rarer screens for either camera getting very pricey. 

   Lens Compatibility - The short answer: F4

    More in-depth: The F4 has the greatest level of F-mount lens compatibility of any Nikon body, ever, full stop. Turn out the lights when you leave ;-). Ok, but that doesn't mean you'll be scrounging for glass for an F3, which can use pretty much any F-mount Nikkor with an aperture ring, although mounting an AF lens on one probably throws the universe out of whack :-). There are 8 specific MF Nikkor lenses that cannot be used on an F4: all 8mm f/8; 16mm f/3.5 (Serial#s 272281-290000); 28mm f/3.5 (625611-999999; 35mm f/1.4 (385001-400000); all 55mm f/1.2; all old-type reflex 1000mm f/6.3; all 21mm f/4; all old-type PC 35mm f/3.5. Also, the AF teleconverter TC-16 for the F3AF cannot be mounted on an F4. The new E-type AF Nikkors are not usable on either camera, and G-type (no aperture ring) AF Nikkors can only be used in Shutter-priority or Program on the F4. Both models have the flip-up AI (Automatic Aperture Indexing) tab, allowing the use of non-AI (Pre-1977) Nikkors with stop-down metering. ***NOTE*** S-mount (rangefinder) Nikkors are not compatible with F-mount SLRs and will not mount without at least jamming and possibly damaging an F-mount camera.  

AI Lens with tab and white numbers for ADR

AI Tab on F4 w/ Flip-Up Release Beside White Index Dot

Non-AI Lens with no cutout or ADR numbers on aperture ring

   Ergonomics - The short answer: only YOU can determine what fits you best!

     More in-depth: Nikon's ergonomics had improved slowly since the original F, but larger leaps forward began with the F3, when Guigiaro Giorgetto was hired to do its exterior design. The F3 began to gain some organic curves which only intensified with the F4. That is not to say that the ergonomics of the F4 are necessarily better for you or me. People with smaller hands can find the F4's MB-20 grip too bulky (the MB-21 is a bit skinnier), while others find that they can't grip a bare F3 as securely as they would like without excessive fatigue. The point is, try each one out before deciding. We often get hung up too much on specs and the numbers game and forget that the interface between photographer and camera is more important. Especially with these cameras is that true. Very few of us are interested in these cameras for ultimate cutting-edge performance (although the F4 can give modern bodies a run for their money in many ways). We are in it for the feel of using a well-engineered and built machine that inspires us to take and make photographs.           

       
   Buying & Usage Tips

    For the F3:

• Whether you plan to use the MD-4 motor drive or not, it is vital to ensure that the black motor drive coupling cover is present on an F3 body. Without the cover, the camera is not light-tight and the film will be fogged unless it or the MD-4 is attached. If you are purchasing an F3 with the MD-4 attached, check that the cover is in its storage pocket in the battery clip of the MD-4. It will save you the $20 needed to buy one separately if you intend to ever use the F3 without the MD-4.
• Never detach the MD-4 mid-roll unless you want to lose a roll of film due to fogging :-).

 
   For the F4:

• The lightest and most compact configuration for an F4 is the MB-20 4-AA cell grip with lithium batteries. It comes in at 1150 grams. Contrary to many comments found online, lithium batteries are fine for use in the F4. Most of these comments arise from Nikon's initial stance against lithiums when they were first introduced in the early 1990's. After much testing by pros, such as Galen Rowell, Nikon changed its position in the mid-1990's. For a closer look at this evolution of policy see this article.
• Try to purchase an F4 with a serial # from 25xxxx and up. There were several small improvements made during production which were all implemented by the time the 25xxxx numbered bodies came along.      

  
   For both cameras:

• Inspect the film rails and pressure plate carefully. They are good indicators of how much any camera has been used. There are so many bodies in both models available, that you can afford to be choosy. There should be no corrosion on the film rails. If there is a lot of finish wear (brightening or scratches) on the pressure plate, the camera has probably seen a lot of use, and you can find a lower-mileage one, with a little patience, for not much more or even the same cost.
• The shutter curtains should be clean and free of debris. Watch for vertical fatigue cracks at the edges of the F3's curtains.
• All controls - dials, levers, switches, and buttons - should move freely and positively.
• A little dust in a finder is no big deal, but beware of fungus, mold, or de-silvering of the prism (appears as black or grey patches or lines in the viewfinder)
• As noted earlier, make sure of the good condition of the LCDs (be wary of bleeding &/or fading)
• For all-around use, AA lithium batteries are the ticket in the MD-4 (F3) motor drive, and all of the F4 grips (MB-20, -21, -23). They give much better life than rechargeables or alkalines, don't leak, and have come down considerably in cost in the past couple years (you can finally buy them in bulk packs here in the Great White North :-)). They are also the best choice if you are using the cameras in cold-weather.

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​​   Summary 

     At the outset the question was posed "What are your priorities?". Hopefully, this article has helped you to define your priorities clearly and get an idea about which of these two classics may be for you. The F3 certainly has less overall technical capability than the F4, but it offers plenty enough capability for many of us. With the benefits of far less weight in bare bones, manual-winding form, and an uncluttered viewfinder. In one word: simplicity. 
 
​   However, if you are looking for the ultimate in compatibility with more of the Nikon system than any other body, both manual and auto focus, the F4 is unparalleled. While the AF performance of the F4 is not cutting-edge, as befits a camera born in the infancy of that technology, it is definitely usable today if needed. However, the F4's manual focus capabilities are unmatched by any AF SLR produced before or since. Newer SLRs and DSLRs (aside from Nikon's Df) have sacrificed manual focus capability, especially with fast lenses, for focusing screens optimized for the smaller maximum apertures of zoom lenses. As of mid-2020, F4 values are sitting between $200 - $250 USD for excellent to near-mint examples while F3s are running $50 - $100 USD more for copies in equivalent condition, making price point more of a difference than when this article was originally written. With some patience you can dig up an excellent F3 for $300 USD.
​
    There is no wrong choice. There is only a better choice for YOU. Both of these cameras have a plethora of accessories available, sometimes fairly inexpensively, to customize them to your photographic needs. They are both gorgeous examples of Nikon engineering at its best. And Giugiaro's styling wasn't too shabby, either :-). Enjoy!

 ​  References:

       Nikon F4 User Manual @ http://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/archive/F4-                                                             F4S.pdf
       Nikon F3 User Manual @ http://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/archive/F3.pdf
       Nikon F3 @ http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/photography.htm
       Nikon F4 @ http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/photography.htm
       Debut of Nikon F3 @ http://imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/history-f3/
       Debut of Nikon F4 @ http://imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/history-                                                                  f4/index.htm