Good morning;

While there is a section in the 35mm Forum, it also seems appropriate to discuss over here the latest arrival of "new" Nikon gear. Besides, we can be a little more detailed here, knowing that the people here will recognize what is being discussed. So often on the 35mm Forum, there is merely the mention of the camera brand and model.

To begin here with "my latest," now there is a Nikon F3HP with the MD-4 Motor Drive that has come to live here. John_Nikon_F has been suggesting that I should get an F3HP. He had carried around (lugged around?) one of these for a long time, and John does have some appreciation for what I like, so when Silver_Halide_Zone offered his, I decided to buy it. So, yes, I have gone beyond my old territory of the Nikon F and F2, and I have ventured out into the land of the F3. Now I am wondering if John just wanted to have around someone else who fully understands what it is like to have one of these F3HP with MD-4 on a neck strap.

This is a nice camera in pretty good cosmetic condition. Everything seems to work, except the MD-4 Battery Test LED. I will need to open it it up and at least check the test switch itself.

Yes, it is a heavy camera, but I can see why it was considered to be a "pro" camera. And the HP viewfinder really is nice to use. It has the "E" screen with the grid lines to aid with composition, and that is the one that I prefer, so I really lucked out there.

And along with it came a couple of NIKKOR zoom lenses, and a NIKKOR 105mm/2.5 and a NIKKOR 300mm/4.5. Now I really can say that I have a quite reasonable F3HP kit here.

Enjoy; Ralph, Latte Land, Washington

Ralph
I'm glad your enjoying the gear, I would not have sold it at this price to anyone else, because I know you are going to appreciate it and take good care of it. I agree with you the F3 is an impressive camera, I still have one. But I also have the F5, which is even larger than the F3 and a lot more complex. Certainly for the macro images I'm doing it's a dream to work with.

Marc

My newest "family" member? A Nikon F3P, the result of some horse-trading with one John_L; he with vast knowledge of things Nikon. To gain the F3P (and a collection of hard-to-find odds and ends I have been looking for of late), I traded one of my F5 bodies (the first, actually) and made up the difference with some Federal Reserve Notes. So...I now own - Nikon-wise - an F6, two F5s, and F4e, an F3P, three F3HPs (all the F3s have MD4s, two have MK1s attached), five F2ASs, three F2As and a pair of F2s with DE-1s (six of the F2s have MD2-MB1s attached).

At some point in the future (by the summer, I would think), I may consider selling two of the F3HP/MD-4 combos and possibly an F2A (I have one that is quite ugly, but fully functional). Given that I seem to be shooting more and more black and white (PanF+/FP4+) with the Hasselblads and more "urban"/street photography with the Leicas, eighteen 35mm Nikons is beginning to look a little excessive for my needs.

Good morning;

It is time to say something: Bradley K has provided to me some really needed mental reassurance. Thank you, sir. I know now that I am not alone.

While reading down through his listing of his Nikon 35mm film SLR bodies, I was getting the feeling that; "Hey, this guy has similar tastes in camera types (and also in quantities), but just with a different manufacturer." I have done that kind of a thing with Minolta 35mm SLR cameras. Only it may be that I am even worse than Brad, at least with the Minoltas; at this time there are about 10 Minolta X-700 bodies and around half a dozen or so Minolta MD-1 Motor Drives for them. But that is not the only model Minolta camera that I have.

So, you can see that Brad and I have very similar weaknesses. Both of us have yielded to temptation one or two times too many. Still, it is fun, and it probably is better than spending all that time and money in a pub, tavern, bar, or cocktail lounge somewhere. Well, I think so anyway. See, a good obsessed collector can rationalize anything.

And I have not been able to equal Brad's efforts in Nikon cameras. My own Nikon stable here is much more modest, and I admit to having limited myself to mainly the early ones; the Nikon F and F2. Well, yes, there is that one Nikon F3HP with the MD-1 motor drive, but that was John_Nikon_F's fault. See? Another example of a good obsessive-compulsive behavior; diversion.

Enjoy;

Ralph
Latte Land, Washington

Good morning, all;

While I cannot really claim that it is a "new" camera, neither in terms of recent production nor being a recent arrival here, my Nikon F2AS is on the way to Sover Wong for his capable ministration. When it comes back, it will be just like (or even better than) "new." Does that count?

Enjoy;

Ralph
Latte Land, Washington

Good morning Ralph,

If your F2AS operates in the same manner as the F2AS and the pair of F2s of mine that have been "Soverized," then I would suggest that, yes, you will be entitled to consider your F2AS as "new." I have three more F2 bodies that will be on their way to Mr Sover Wong in short order (including an F2A that was, until some nagging by one John L., a shelf queen). Following their return, I will most likely send over a couple of my latter MD-2s for gear replacement (two have begun "quacking" under prolonged use).

Regards,

BLK

Good morning, Bradley;

Yes, I have developed at least a speaking acquaintanceship with Sover Wong also. Earlier this year he did look at one of my F2 bodies, also an F2S, and determined that it had probably been used as a camera school training camera body. It had sub-assemblies from at least three different Nikon F2 production runs it it. Right now my F2AS is waiting for me to send to Sover the requested quantity of sheckles to compensate him for the work that has been done on the F2AS, and then it will be returned to me. I do like the way that his work is done.

Enjoy;

Ralph
Latte Land, Washington

Good evening Ralph,

I admire Mr Sover Wong for several reasons, not the least of which is his obvious love and enthusiasm for "things F2." He is thorough, his workmanship is first rate, he has integrity and he keeps you fully apprised of the progress of repairs. Anyone who has the good fortune to own one (or more) of these marvelous cameras should have it, at some point in time, Soverized - bringing the camera up to factory spec. As I mentioned earlier, three more of mine will be making the journey across the pond immediately after New Years ( I am embarrassed to admit the cameras have been packed and ready to go since June?)

Oh so that is what "Soverized" is all about.. Does he work on all Nikon MF bodies?

I bought myself a couple of F3s recently, for the first time in my life finally! They are such anawesome camera to use. I love the weight, mmost of the time. Just one dumb thing is the way the film is exposed if you wanna remove the MD. That is just one other superior tick for Om gear... but no I am very glad to have some F3s. They just keep on keeping on, it seems. Where can you get in touch with Sover? What country is he in? I am in Oz.

I am lookin for all the small caps and cover for one of the F3s and a drive cap for the other one. Any tips?

M6F6E6,

AFIK, Sover works on F2s exclusively. However, if you care to contact the man himself, his email is: soverf2repair@gmail.com

He is located in the United Kingdom (Cambridge, if I recall). You can also pull up his site to see the services he offers.

Went to my local indie Camera store (Burlington Camera between Toronto and Hamilton On.) traded off my Ai 28 f2.8 and Ai converted H 28 f3.5 for a late serial number Ais 28 f2.8 lens in pristine condition. I can't wait to try it out.