The Nikon F3/T is one of the toughest and most collectible versions of the already legendary F3. It keeps the elegant electronic/manual shooting experience of the standard F3, then adds titanium construction that makes it feel more like a professional field instrument than a casual 35mm camera.

I bought my first Nikon F3 in 2015, before the trend really started and prices climbed. After using it for a year alongside my Minolta SRT-101, a college teacher offered me his own Nikon F3/T, which he had used for years as a film stills photographer. His only condition was that the camera had to be used, not kept on a shelf as a collector's piece. From then on, I could carry two film bodies using the same lenses, often one loaded with monochrome film and the other with colour.

There is not much more I can say here that I have not already said in my reviews after ten years with the F3. The important thing to understand is that, despite the F3 carrying the professional aura of Nikon’s F line, recent price hikes make it harder to justify today. There are cheaper, newer, and in some ways more practical Nikon film bodies that still give you access to the same excellent Nikkor lenses.

The Good:

• Titanium construction gives it extra durability and a distinctive professional feel. It looks even better in the limited champagne finish.

• F3 metering and aperture-priority automation make it fast without removing manual control.

• Nikon F-mount compatibility opens a deep catalogue of excellent manual-focus lenses.

• High-eyepoint finder is comfortable, especially for longer shooting sessions or for glasses wearers.

• Modular system design makes it one of the most complete professional 35mm SLR platforms, with interchangeable prisms and focusing screens.

The Bad:

• Collectible value makes it expensive compared with less famous but equally reliable Nikon SLRs.

• It is battery-dependent for most shutter speeds, despite having a mechanical backup at 1/60 sec, awkwardly placed on the body.

• Flash workflow is clunky compared with cameras that have a standard hot shoe.

• The liquid crystal viewfinder display can age, fade, and is no longer easy to replace.

• Get it if you want a premium Nikon manual-focus film body with real professional heritage.

• Get it if the F3 shooting experience, Nikon glass, and titanium build all matter to you.

• Get it if this is a long-term keeper rather than a cheap utility body.

• Pass if you are just starting out. Plenty of cheaper Nikon bodies offer great features and access to the same Nikkor lenses; the FM line is excellent.

• Pass if you plan to use this camera without batteries.

As with most used film cameras, do not buy an F3 online unless you can return it or inspect it properly. Check for shutter lag, check the brightness of the liquid crystal display, and check the battery compartment for corrosion.

For the U.S. market, KEH Camera is always a good place to start looking.