HP Authorized Customer wrote in message <01bd044e$698ab4a0$55f11ace@adjbias.transport.com>...

>I need help. I have an old Nikon F3 and am presently using an SB-12 flash.
>This is not always a satisfactory arrangement. The SB-12 does not deal with
>large rooms in dim light at all well. I understand that the Sb-16A and
>SB-17 were the only other dedicated designs for this camera.


Yes - though the SB-24/5/6 in auto mode on the AS-4/7 F3-ISO shoe adapter,
or using faster film with the SB-12 should work well (I like the ability
of a raised SB-24 to evenly light a room front to back, due to its soft
out-of-coverage illumination roll-off).

>Any experience with them out there? Am I correct in my model number
>designations?

Yes.

>Also, what is available as far as connectors for crossflash?This is one
>tough, solid camera that has some particularly odd limitations. The FA's
>and FE's now look better (and cheaper) to me on paper anyway.

Yes - but the F3 will do TTL fill-ratios (with the AS-7 or remote cord,
but limited by the 400 ASA maximum). For real flash improvement, I would
jump to the 8008, which also has the 1/250th sync, unlimited ASA (I never
found a practical limit, anyway...), and selectable TTL fill-ratio with
compatible flashes...

>Also, my 25-50 4.0, 28 2.8 E, 75-150 3.5 E, seem very sharp
>(non-photographers always comment on picture "clarity" with them), but my
>85 2.0 and 35 1.4 don't seem to stand out as I expected. I really only need
>2 lenses, 35 and 85 mm.

Hmmm, I never had a very high opinion of the 28E, but all the others
you mentioned are first-rate, especially if stopped down a bit...

>What is considered tack sharp in these lengths? DO I have to buy a newer
>autofocus lense to achieve sharpness nervana?


No! ;-) You may want to see my Nikkor evaluation list on my web page,
under "I babble"...

>Is there a killer new 35-85 zoom from Nikon nowadays?


A pretty good (though limited-range) 35-70mm f2.8, and a surprisingly
good (though slow) 24-120mm f3.5-5.6...
David Ruether
http://www.fcinet.com/ruether
ruether@fcinet.com