5 Frames with a Nikon F3 HP and Portra 400

By Bradley Newman

A retired moto-journalist friend loaned me his old photography bag when he heard I’d been shooting a lot of film. When I first returned to film, I’d mostly been using the FM my dad gave me; the same FM I borrowed for my high school photography class. More recently, I enjoyed shooting the FE I was given by a guy I’ve known since the 90s. We worked together at All American Racers, preparing Dan Gurney’s fire-breathing Toyota Eagle GTP race cars. Interestingly, this camera came to him from the photographer paid by Toyota to follow us around in-period. In the last year, my focus (pun-intended) has primarily been on my Leica M3.

Lance’s bag was full of Nikon F-Mount goodness. I’d used the spectacular 85mm f/1.4 and the 35mm f/2.8 on my FE with great results. Buried in the bag and yet untried, are a 24mm f/2.8, a 180mm f/2.8 and a 400mm. I’d previously ignored the 105mm, because I’d been using Dad’s Nikkor 105mm f/2.5. That lens, by the way, may be my favorite lens of all time. But, the 105mm in Lance’s bag was a Micro f/2.8. It’s a fascinating piece. My description would simply be – it’s a ridiculously close-focusing, ultra-sharp 105mm.

Finally, tucked into the bottom of the bag was his beloved F3 HP body with a motor winder attached. My initial impression was that nothing could compare to my FE in terms of intuitive user-friendliness. I’m not going to go into too much detail about the F3, as apart from a Leica M3, it may win the award for most-reviewed camera in the history of the internet. The first thing I noticed was how much larger it felt than my beloved FE. With some fresh batteries installed and a quick internet tutorial, (there is a power switch at the front of the film advance lever) the F3 came to life. Unlike the superbly-intuitive match needles of the FE, the F3 has a small LCD window at the top left of the viewfinder. The LCD shows what mode the camera is in, the shutter speed, and then a +/- sign reminiscent of the FM’s LEDs. Lance’s camera has the grid focusing screen, which I find to be helpful for composition.

I grabbed the 105mm f/2.8 Micro, loaded a fresh roll of Portra400, grabbed the keys to my 1965 Mustang, and headed towards Pacific Coast Highway. The car was purchased new by my grandfather Martin Newman from Hollywood Ford in 1965. My dad and I bought it back from a distant cousin in 1994, and it’s been a labor of love getting it to its current condition. Most importantly in the context of this article, it’s become one of my primary photographic subjects. I’ve found the car to be pretty good at taking posing suggestions, hugely photogenic, and always up for an adventure.

Someone else’s photo shoot. Nikon F3, Portra400
Coastal reflections. Nikon F3, Portra400
Mustang headlight, Point Mugu Rock in the distance. Nikon F3, Portra400
Mustang at Malibu Dunes, Nikon F3, Portra400
Crashing waves at Point Mugu Rock, Nikon F3, Portra400

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About The Author

By Bradley Newman
Financial professional, vintage auto racer, and hugely amateurish photographer located somewhere close to Los Angeles, California.
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Comments

Gary Smith on 5 Frames with a Nikon F3 HP and Portra 400

Comment posted: 02/04/2024

I wish somebody would lay a goody bag of gear on me to play with. Seems that you were able to make the most of it. I have never held or shot with a Nikon. I suspect that will have to change before I leave this mortal coil although the question will be: vintage or current? Time will tell.
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Bradley Newman replied:

Comment posted: 02/04/2024

Thanks for reading, Gary. What can I say? I'm a lucky guy.

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Paul Quellin on 5 Frames with a Nikon F3 HP and Portra 400

Comment posted: 02/04/2024

Great images Bradley. I particularly liked the coastal reflections image. A lovely looking car that highlights the 'sameness' of so many modern vehicles I suppose. Not sure if that is true of modern cameras too. Having owned a few brands I started feeling that I should have at least tried an analogue Nikon having missed out first time around. I have been using an F501 with failed autofocus and I have rather enjoyed it. I have a second body with failed metering, but functioning autofocus. I had an idea I might be able to transplant the motor, but I haven't successfully managed to get at it yet.
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Bradley Newman replied:

Comment posted: 02/04/2024

Thanks, Paul. As you might imagine, the car is quite the conversation starter. Same, too, for vintage film cameras - particularly the Leica.

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Art Meripol on 5 Frames with a Nikon F3 HP and Portra 400

Comment posted: 02/04/2024

As someone who used Nikon's for work as a photo journalist and as someone who has owned and restored four classic mustangs I can't decide which I liked better here. Great fun!
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Bradley Newman replied:

Comment posted: 02/04/2024

There are no wrong answers! Thanks for reading.

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Ibraar Hussain on 5 Frames with a Nikon F3 HP and Portra 400

Comment posted: 03/04/2024

Strange, I left a comment yesterday but it seems to have vanished - either that or I made a mistake.
Wanted to say that I really enjoyed the article and the photos have a very nice subtle tone and color which is fantastic. And LOVE the car!
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Bradley Newman replied:

Comment posted: 03/04/2024

Thanks, Ibraar. Portra 400 has become my go-to film for that very reason.

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Akiva a on 5 Frames with a Nikon F3 HP and Portra 400

Comment posted: 07/04/2024

Great photos, i am still using my Nikon FE and NIKKOR 50mm f1.4 AiS lens with wonderful Tri-X B/W film. About the gorgeous Mustang, my dear ol' mother always said I would look good with a Mustang and that was in 1965. Maybe she was right.
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Bradley Newman replied:

Comment posted: 07/04/2024

Thanks, Akiva. I have a theory about Mustangs, though this probably only works in the US. That is - everyone has a Mustang story. I cannot tell you how many times someone has said "My sister had one," or "I came home from the hospital in one," or "Wish I'd never sold mine!" And, I think a Mustang makes everyone look good. I need all the help I can get!

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Mike McNelly on 5 Frames with a Nikon F3 HP and Portra 400

Comment posted: 12/06/2024

Great article and love the pictures! I also own a 1965 Mustang (Rangoon Red GT Fastback) and a F3 Nikon (HP and WD-3), among other film and digital Nikons. You’re right that both bring a lot of enjoyment and attention. Happy shooting/driving! Mike in Orange County, CA
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