Nikon F3 can't focus to infinty

[TBsq]

Hi, I tried to focus to infinty with several lenses on my Nikon F3, and they're all a millimeter away from that. How can I adjust that?

 

[pendennis]

Can you provide some additional information, such as the lenses that are being used? Also, have you replaced the focusing screen, or any of the seals? Is the prism fully seated? There can be a myriad of reasons, but the real proof would be in the images on film.

 

[TBsq]

Thanks for the ansewer. I used Nikkors 50mm f1.4 AI, 35mm f2 AI, 135mm f2.8 AI and 50mm f1.8 AF and the results are the same. I bought it used so I don't if anything was changed. The focusing screen is a H2 type. I think the prism is fully seated but I don't know how to be sure.

 

[pendennis]

The prism has two spring loaded buttons on the side of the prism which are pushed to the rear, and the prism then lifted straight up. This is pretty much a foolproof method, but I just wanted to put this on your checklist. You may want to try a different screen to determine if it's just a screen quirk, or a bigger problem.

Since you're using the H2 screen, I'm pointing you to a web site which has a PDF you can download. It's a great chart which shows the compatibility of various Nikon screens and their lenses. It looks as though the 35mm f/2 isn't listed, though.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf3ver2/screens/NikonF3screens.pdf

 

[TBsq]

Maybe I found the issue, it might be that the focusing screen is a one that goes on a Nikon F, not a F3.

 

[TBsq]

I got the new screen. It's better, but it still slightly can't focus to infinity. I don't know where else to look.

 

[Kiron Kid]

Which screen did you get? Sounds more like a lens issue to me. Have you tried multiple lenses?

 

[TBsq]

Yes, I mentionned it earlier.

 

[Kiron Kid]

How far from infinity? Which screen did you put in it? I’ll call my repair tech.

 

[TBsq]

Not really far. I put a B type screen. What do you mean you'll call your repair tech?

 

[Kiron Kid]

Not really far. I put a B type screen. What do you mean you'll call your repair tech?

I’ll call him and ask what the issue is.

 

[TBsq]

Ok thank you for taking your time to fix my issue, I didn't expect this!

 

[Kiron Kid]

Ok thank you for taking your time to fix my issue, I didn't expect this!

I cannot locate him today. You mentioned that you dropped a type B screen in your rig. That one has no split image in it, making it more difficult two know that the scene is perfectly focused. Could it be that it is just difficult to ascertain focus?

 

[Derrel]

I wonder if you have the focusing screen placed into the camera upside down?

 

[TBsq]

Nevermind, I don't have the time to find the problem, I'm gonna re-sell it