Nikon's autofocus F3 variant — the F3AF, electronic aperture-priority, Nikon F mount, 1983.
The Nikon F3AF, introduced in 1983, was an autofocus variant of the professional F3, using a special DX-1 finder and dedicated AF lenses to provide early through-the-lens autofocus. It sat within Nikon's flagship F3 line of the early 1980s and was an experimental step toward the later F-501 and F4 autofocus systems. It used the Nikon F bayonet mount, part of a lens system with a long production life.
This is an electronically controlled 35mm SLR on the Nikon F mount, with a horizontal-travel titanium-foil focal-plane shutter that is electronically timed with speeds to 1/2000 second plus B. Metering is centre-weighted TTL using a silicon photodiode; exposure modes are aperture-priority automatic and manual. Because the shutter is electronically timed, the body depends on battery power to fire, though a mechanical backup release gives a fixed emergency speed. The DX-1 AF finder houses the focus-detection electronics.
The F3AF suits collectors and users interested in Nikon's early autofocus development on a professional body. In manual use it behaves like a standard F3, with aperture-priority and manual exposure; autofocus requires the specific AF lenses and the DX-1 finder. It is a heavy, modular professional camera, though the AF system is limited compared with later bodies.
On the used market, this is a scarcer variant, so verify the DX-1 finder and AF lenses are present if autofocus matters. Being electronically timed, it needs working batteries to fire beyond the mechanical backup speed, so test the meter and battery. Check shutter speeds, inspect the prism for foam haze, look for perished light-seal foam around the back, and try advance and rewind. AI and AI-S F-mount lenses meter and mount normally in manual use.