So Long F3HP

I finally let go of my Nikon F3HP.

It wasn’t an easy decision. The F3HP was, without question, the best 35mm film camera I’ve ever owned. Solid, dependable, and with that unmistakable pro feel that makes every frame feel intentional. The viewfinder was the best I have ever used, no question. It had a way of making photography feel serious, grounded—like you were carrying a real tool built for a lifetime.

But time catches up, even with the best of cameras. Things were starting to go wrong. Electronics falter, and with 6 months waiting times for repair, not to mention the cost of repair was more than the camera was worth to me, and as much as I loved it, keeping it on the shelf wasn’t an option. Cameras are meant to be used, not just admired.

So I sold it, and I hope the next person treats it with the respect it deserves.

And honestly? I feel lighter for it.

Because I still have my OM-1s. They may not have the same heft or reputation as the F3HP, but in practice they’re every bit as capable. They’re smaller, quieter, and they draw less attention when I’m out shooting. They are also a lot cheaper to buy, parts are plentiful, and above all they are mechanical. On the small issue, there’s something liberating about a camera that disappears in your hands, that doesn’t announce itself.

The Nikon F3HP will always have a place in my memory, my benchmark for what a professional 35mm SLR should be. But for now, my OM-1s are enough. More than enough.

Sometimes letting go of a camera isn’t really about losing anything. It’s about giving yourself the freedom to keep moving forward, with the gear that works for you today.

So long, F3HP. You were the best.