Nikon F3 Serial Numbers / Production Dates

[RonVol]

Hello Ron, you can add my F3P camera :

F3P (press) n° P9004909 /code : 7 402

Sold my old F3HP's n° 1788529 and 1807257 (alas without looking for the code, sorry !)

Thank you for your big datawork !
Didier

Thanks for the info Didier, will add your numbers to the list for next month's update.
Cheers, Ron.

[wroddy]

Here are the numbers from my F3:
Serial number: 1320001
Production code: 31VA

 

[David.L]

Here are the numbers from mine:-
Serial number: 1276030.
Production code: N0AF.

[Terry Breedlove]

 Can anyone tell me what these mean on my F3 HP
1686766 and 84VL

[Birna Rørslett]

First is serial number, the other presumably production code.

[mxbianco]

Can anyone tell me what these mean on my F3 HP
1686766 and 84VL

Birna's statement is correct. Since the first F3 produced had serial # 1200001, your camera is approximately the 486766th produced (in excess of the real produced cameras, we're not counting numbering jumps which occurred at the time), and production date decodes down to Aug.1984 (see message 1 in this thread for an explanation).

I can't seem to be able to find the original serial number listing, the link on flickr is dead.
A quick search on the Web yielded a listing where topic author (Ron Volmershausen) is credited, but it's probably a derived listing: see below.

http://www.nicovandijk.net/serialF3.htm

Ciao from Massimo

[Valdecus]

My latest F3:

F3P Press
Serial# P 9026774
Production Code 25O1

Cheers
Andreas

[DocWags]

My F3HP serial number is 1991766 and the code is 09VR
Am I correct in this being a 2000 made camera?

[mxbianco]

My F3HP serial number is 1991766 and the code is 09VR
Am I correct in this being a 2000 made camera?

The production code is probably O9VR (with a capital o ), not 09VR (with a zero)

Meaning O= October
9 = (last digit of year of production) either 1989 or 1999
And from the serial number (1991766) we infer that it's 1999 (serial numbers for 1989 are around 189xxxx to 190xxxx)

So, it's october 1999

See initial message in this thread for a full explanation.

Ciao from Massimo

[Bill De Jager]

The earliest serial # I have with a code is #1225494 (60AA - June 1980). Before that, a manufacturing code wasn't used.

I have two F3HPs but one is currently in hiding.  The one I have access to is #1507117 with no production code; I checked the entire interior very carefully with a torch but I couldn't find one.  This combination of serial number with no production code would seem to be out of sequence with the above.  Due to the likely age of the camera it wouldn't be surprising if the top plate had been replaced at some point.

Bill

[mxbianco]

I have two F3HPs but one is currently in hiding.  The one I have access to is #1507117 with no production code; I checked the entire interior very carefully with a torch but I couldn't find one.  This combination of serial number with no production code would seem to be out of sequence with the above.  Due to the likely age of the camera it wouldn't be surprising if the top plate had been replaced at some point.

Bill

Have you tried removing the back cover? The production # is stamped in an area of the body that is partly -if not fully- covered by the hinge of the back cover, it's easy to miss the #s (which are black on black!).

It's quite easy to remove the back cover: one of the hinges is spring-loaded and is moveable, you just press down with your fingernail on a small lever on the top hinge and off comes the back. To put it back together you insert the fixed part (bottom) of the hinge in its seat, press down the moving part of the hinge, position so both top and bottom hinges are aligned, release and voila! Longer to describe than to do it... (also see photo in reply #91)

Ciao from Massimo

[schonraker]

Recently picked up a non-hp F3, used this thread to date mine.
Feb 1981

Serial: 1301497
Production Code: 21VA

Thanks for the help! I'm looking forward to being a member here.

[gregpoulsen]

I suspect you imported The F3 SN list that was up a while ago? Can't find it now. I'll have to open up the backs and note the numbers on my F3HP's, you already have the F3AF on your list from the Flickr thread.

I have two F2's from the first batch on your F2 serial number list. Some insert link please differences between them and the later ones, the Tip on the lever advance is Metal not plastic for one.


Moderator has removed link, please provide a sensible link for the subject at hand. Thanks

[Bent Hjarbo]

Your link has nothing to do with F3’s

[Christian Fox]

I have an unusual serial number and production code combination to discuss:

Standard F3 with HP Viewfinder, serial number 20077xx, production code 37VN, no CE imprint on bottom plate.  The production code suggests March 1997 at the latest.  i doubt if any Nikon F3 was produced in March 2007.

I suspect original camera was damaged, and a user removed serial number plate 20077xx and affixed it to a clean older model for resale.  The only other possibility is that replacement serial number top plates began in the 20077xx block, not in the 201xxxx block as suggested online.  Any suggestions?

Does anyone know the approximate early (or first) serial number or production date for the CE imprint on the bottom plate?   

I am also curious as to the last standard production F3 known online (or most recent known to you).