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Nikon F3AF s/n 8300085
AF-Nikkor 80mm/2,8 s/n 182044
AF-Nikkor*ED 200/3,5 s/n 182083
AF Finder DX-1
By the early 80's, the F3 series established itself as the mainstream press photographers pet. Many say that the F3 series was the last 'real' press camera that Nikon made before competition from Canon set in, in the late 1980's. The F3AF was launched in April, 1983 amidst rising pressure to create an AF SLR. Being a professionally orientated camera, the F3AF is a landmark camera from Nikon. It was also among the first SLRs (if not the first) to have an AF system that was based on TTL contrast detection. The early FD series Canon's did come up with a series of early AF lenses, but these were based on active infrared sensors fitted directly on the lens.
Like all F3 series cameras, the F3AF still maintains the 150,000 cycle shutter reliability rating and the excellent 80/20 Centre-Weighted metering system. It also accepts about all the lenses that other F3 cameras will take along with the matching accessories. However, there are limitations owing to the unique nature of the camera. All will be discussed within.
The F3AF was launched in 1983 together with two AF Nikkor lenses, both the AF 80mm f/2.8 and AF 200mm f3.5 ED-IF. Naturally, the F mount was retained so that the progression to AF lenses would not hamper the use of older Nikkor lenses on the F3AF. As an interesting technological note; the AF Nikkor lenses made for this camera have their driving motors in the lens and not in the body. They are in a sense, the predecessors to the current AF-S series lenses. These first* generation AF Nikkor lenses also predate the electronic EF series lenses for the Canon EOS based SLR cameras, by 5 years. Unlike most other members of the F3 family of cameras, the F3AF does differ in its construction, despite being very similar to the other F3 series cameras. The main difference being a set of contacts that exist in the pentaprism area and the lens mount. The F3AF also has a very unique pentaprism, the AF Finder DX-1. The F3AF is the only F3 series camera that has a viewfinder area that is less than 100% (approx. 92% coverage with the DX-1).
