35mm SLR

Nikon F3 Value and Price Guide (1980–2001)

Condition-adjusted values, full specifications, production history, and live links to current listings.

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Low (good)

£180

Median (excellent)

£320

High (mint)

£600

Market value by condition

ConditionRange

Mint

As-new, full kit, original box

£500 to £600

Excellent

Clean cosmetics, fully working

£320 to £500

Good

Honest user, minor signs of use

£180 to £320

For parts

Not working, sold for spares

£50 to £120

Values are estimates based on real sale data and are not formal appraisals.

Price history

Median value, last 12 months

Sourced from sold listings

Specifications

Format
35mm SLR
Mount
Nikon F
Country
Japan
Production
1980–2001
Type
Professional 35mm SLR
Mount
Nikon F (AI)
Shutter
Electronically controlled titanium focal-plane, 8s to 1/2000s
Meter
80/20 centre-weighted, silicon photocell
Weight
715g body only
Notes
HP variant has a high-eyepoint DE-3 finder.

Production history

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and built for a 21-year run, the F3 is Nikon's longest-lived professional body. The titanium shutter, MD-4 motor drive option, and the bombproof brass chassis put it on every magazine shoot of the 80s. The HP variant commands a premium because the high-eyepoint finder is far more comfortable for spectacle wearers.

Frequently asked

How much is a Nikon F3 worth?

A Nikon F3 in working condition typically sells for £180 to £600, with a median around £320. Mint or boxed examples can exceed the top of this range; non-working "for parts" bodies sell well below it.

When was the Nikon F3 made?

The Nikon F3 was produced from 1980 to 2001 in Japan.

What format is the Nikon F3?

It is a 35mm SLR camera using the Nikon F mount.

Are these values formal appraisals?

Values are estimates based on real sale data and are not formal appraisals. For insurance or auction-grade appraisals, consult a specialist.

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