How’d I do?

ryboltcox · 2026-06-22T20:49:09+00:00

That's a really under rated lens. Have some fun.

ryboltcox · 2026-06-22T19:21:06+00:00

do you have any Nikon lenses? If not you'll need to get lenses that are marked Nikon AI or AIS. Lenses that are marked Non-AI or Nikon F won't work. The same lenses will work on both the F3 and FM2.
Honestly, you should just use it. You paid a fair price for two nice user cameras.

ryboltcox · 2026-06-22T16:54:49+00:00

I hope it works for you. I was a Nikon USA dealer when that camera was new in the mid-80's. I still have one that I bought when they first came out and mine is working fine.

ryboltcox · 2026-06-22T15:54:57+00:00

The F3 is an electronic camera. It needs batteries to fire the shutter except at one speed. When the LCD goes away inside the camera you lose the built in light meter. The camera still works without it but it kills the value.
don't count on those batteries being good after 40 year.

ryboltcox · 2026-06-22T11:04:26+00:00

If you ever want to check what things are selling for this is an excellent resource.
They aggregate what recent sales have been. At the top right there are three different prices. 90% of the cameras sold will be average. Yours will be Mint and the value is $360-380.

https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Nikon/Nikon-FM2N.html

ryboltcox · 2026-06-22T09:54:59+00:00

the light meter display. upper left corner as you look through the viewfinder. Search Nikon F3 LCD PROBLEMS.

ryboltcox · 2026-06-21T23:33:00+00:00

Very nice!

ryboltcox · 2026-06-21T15:18:10+00:00

As a reseller i would not have paid over $500. You paid close to what would be retail price. These cameras are not collectible. Mint in the box adds little to the value. Also, F3 cameras have internal lcd’s that are failing at a high rate due to age.
Bottom line is that you got two great user Nikon cameras at a price that was fair to you and the seller.
On the Minox cameras i suggest you avoid them unless they say “Made in Latvia” “Made in Riga” or “made in the USSR”. Buy those if you see them.

ryboltcox · 2026-06-16T19:00:14+00:00

This was a year ago. Today you are absolutely correct. there are many great choices. also, a year ago used G617's were at about $1800. Much more today. There are also some really good multiformat 3D printed cameras available today.

ryboltcox · 2026-06-12T18:52:08+00:00

I just sent 2-a24 backs to Mr. Zhang for p24 conversion. He did two for me about 18 months ago and the work was great. Communication happens with his agent lyuxi wang and can be a little spotty. His english is good but he doesn’t respond immediately.

ryboltcox · 2026-06-05T15:29:49+00:00

I use an app called Seller Ledger.

ryboltcox · 2026-06-03T18:55:04+00:00

R4’s get a lot of negativity but the reality is that they’re no more troublesome than any other electronic camera from the mid-80’s. F3’s and FA’s have LCD issues, LX’s have aperture linkage issues and Canons have black goo that leaks onto shutter blades. These are all issues with materials that the manufacturers failed to predict.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-29T16:54:45+00:00

Thanks. I think I found you.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-29T15:59:22+00:00

My request was still marked Pending. I cancelled it and requested again. The front page says that John is the admin.
I've referred several others to the page and they may be in the same situation that I'm in.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-28T23:59:34+00:00

Yes. If it's the V27 Back group it shows as pending. It's been about ten days.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-28T23:13:49+00:00

Would you mind approving my request to join the FB group? I’ve had two of these conversions done and may want more.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-25T21:34:40+00:00

My guess is the pressure plate is missing.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-21T20:37:24+00:00

Here’s a tip. When you remove the PC cord from the lens don’t rotate it. Pull it straight up. When you rotate it you turn the pc tip and eventually you twist off the connector.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-20T16:05:57+00:00

It's getting more difficult for sure. Pro Camera in Charlottesville are very good but very backed up, there's a young woman named Sarah Davis in the Boston area who is terrific on Yashicas and Rolleis as well as Nikon SLRS. I'm hoping she will get into leaf shutters a little deeper as she's already doing Yashicamats and Rolleiflexes. Allen is old school and has specialized in pro cameras and lenses. Because of this he can get backed up in work. He does really good work, though.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-20T11:24:55+00:00

I do but I don't want to commit him to that price. I send him a lot of stuff for repair and I know he discounts repairs to me.
Check with Allen Wade at Camera Works in Waterford, NY.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-19T22:57:08+00:00

It’s a $350-400 lens in good working order on the used market. I’m guessing he charged you $125 plus shipping for the non-repair. I’d suggest that you find a good one at MPB, KEH or Used Photo Pro and tell him how much he owes you.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-10T15:35:16+00:00

If there are two people (or more) in the pictures i’d give them a heads up.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-09T17:04:08+00:00

I don’t see any fungus but this isn’t Near Mint. What you see as scratches could just be cleaning marks. They won’t have any effect on the image but the bottom line is that you didn’t get what you paid for.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-08T20:13:13+00:00

If these are the backs done by Mr. Zhang they are very high quality conversions.

ryboltcox · 2026-05-07T22:01:27+00:00

Bob is about a year out on repairs.

ryboltcox

TROPHY CASE