Nikon F3 HP 'NASA'
The Nikon F3 HP 'NASA' is a specially modified version of the Nikon F3 HP 35mm film SLR, prepared for use by NASA on Space Shuttle missions during the 1980s. These cameras were built to operate in the conditions of spaceflight and exist in very small numbers, making them a collector-grade item rather than a general-use body.
Sales data is extremely thin: only two UK auction hammer results are on record, at £8,500 in 2013 and £15,000 in 2011, giving a recorded range of roughly £8,500–£15,000. With so few data points, today's value of a NASA-marked F3 HP at saleroom level is heavily dependent on documented provenance, completeness of accessories, and condition, and any current price guide should be treated as indicative rather than firm. Buyers researching what an F3 HP 'NASA' is worth or sells for should expect figures well above a standard F3 HP, but only when NASA attribution is properly evidenced.
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
Prices updated: May 2013
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| May 2013 | EUR 8,500 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 23 (Lot AI_23_14893) Title: Nikon F3 HP 'NASA' Set
Description:
very rare original NASA camera with many special features, produced for Space shuttle Challenger and Columbia missions, the camera has special motor drive with connection to the intervalometer, counter to 72 frames, typical NASA inventory numbers and stickers, sports finder engraved with NASA numbers 'P/N SED33101574-301 S/N 1002', with very first Zoom-Nikkor 3.5/35-70mm in totally different design with NASA numbers 'P/N SED33102540-301 S/N 1001' and NASA Property and inventory stickers, battery pack with NASA numbers 'P/N SED33101573-002 S/N 1081', battery cover with NASA numbers 'P/N SED33101573-003 S/N 1022', regular back with NASA numbers 'P/N SED 33101585-002 S/N 1027', special SB-17 flash with NASA numbers and stickers, HP finder with NASA numbers 'P/N SED33101585-007 S/N 1009', cable release with NASA numbers P/N 'SED33102473-301 S/N 5013', inventory sticker and flight records (flew on STS-65, Space Shuttle Columbia Mission on July 8th 1994) Estimate: EUR 16,000 - EUR 18,000 |
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| May 2012 | EUR 7,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 21 (Lot AI_21_13892) Title: Nikon F3 HP 'NASA' Set
Description:
very rare original NASA camera with many special features, produced for Space shuttle Challenger and Columbia missions, the camera has special motor drive with connection to the Intervalometer, counter to 72 frames, typical NASA inventory numbers and stickers, battery pack no.1123, special SB-17 flash with NASA stickers, data back no.1105 with flight record Estimate: EUR 14,000 - EUR 16,000 |
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| Nov 2011 | EUR 16,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 20 (Lot AI_20_13221) Title: Nikon F3 HP 'NASA' Set
Description:
very rare original NASA camera with many special features, produced for Space shuttle Challenger and Columbia missions, the camera has special motor drive with connection to the Intervalometer, counter to 72 frames, typical NASA inventory numbers and stickers, with Nikkor 1.4/35mm in totally different design with NASA numbers P/N SED33101579-302 S/N 1006 with NASA inventory stickers, battery pack with NASA numbers P/N SED33101573-002 S/N 1085, battery cover with NASA numbers P/N SED33101573-003 S/N 1023, data back with NASA numbers P/N SED33101588-303 S/N 1070, special SB-17 flash with NASA stickers, cable release with NASA numbers P/N SED33102473-301 S/N 5015 with inventory sticker and flight records (flew on IML-2) Estimate: EUR 16,000 - EUR 18,000 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 15,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12603) Title: Nikon F3 HP 'NASA' Set
Description:
very rare original NASA camera with many special features, produced for Space shuttle Challenger and Columbia missions, the camera has special motor drive with connection to the Intervalometer, counter to 72 frames, typical NASA inventory numbers and stickers, sports finder engraved with NASA numbers P/N SED33101574-301 S/N 1002, with very first Zoom-Nikkor 3.5/35-70mm in totally different design with NASA numbers P/N SED33102540-301 S/N 1001 with NASA Property and inventory stickers, battery pack with NASA numbers P/N SED33101573-002 S/N 1081, battery cover with NASA numbers P/N SED33101573-003 S/N 1022, regular back with NASA numbers P/N SED 33101585-002 S/N 1027, special SB-17 flash with NASA numbers and stickers, HP finder with NASA numbers P/N SED33101585-007 S/N 1009, cable release with NASA numbers P/N SED33102473-301 S/N 5013, inventory sticker and flight records (flew on STS-65 (Space Shuttle Columbia Mission on July 8th 1994) Estimate: EUR 14,000 - EUR 18,000 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 22,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12604) Title: Nikon F3 HP 'NASA' Set
Description:
very rare original NASA camera with many special features, produced for Space shuttle Challenger and Columbia missions, the camera has special motor drive with connection to the Intervalometer, counter to 72 frames, typical NASA inventory numbers and stickers, battery pack S/N 1022, flat 'finder' engraved with NASA numbers P/N SED33101585-008 S/N 1013 (camera flew on STS-28 (Space Shuttle Columbia Mission on August 8th 1989) and on STS-50 (Space Shuttle Columbia Mission on June 25th 1992), with the very first and very rare black anodised Nikkor-S Auto 1.2/55mm no.800001 with NASA numbers P/N SEB33100009-301 S/N 1001 with matching rear and front cap, rear cap marked inside: P/N SED33101579-003 S/N 1001 (in total only 18 of these lenses were produced for NASA), Nikon Intervalometer MT-2 with NASA numbers P/N SED33102500-302 S/N 5001 with matching cable, NASA inventory stickers and flight records (flew on STS 46 Space Shuttle Atlantis Mission on July 31st, 1992), STS-56 (Space Shuttle Discovery Mission on April 8th, 1993), STS-51 (Space Shuttle Discovery Mission on September 12th, 1993), STS-73 (Space Shuttle Columbia Mission on October 20th, 1995)and STS-76 (Space Shuttle Atlantis Mission on March 22nd 1996), HP finder with NASA numbers P/N SED 33101585-007 S/N 1028, data back with NASA numbers P/N SED33101588-302 S/N 1013 with inventory stickers, cable release with inventory sticker NASA numbers P/N SED3102473-301 S/N 5001 and flight records (flew on STS 46 Space Shuttle Atlantis Mission on July 31st,1992), STS-56 (Space Shuttle Discovery Mission on April 8th,1993), STS-51 (Space Shuttle Discovery Mission on September 12th,1993), STS-73 (Space Shuttle Columbia Mission on October 20th,1995), STS-72 (Space Shuttle Endeavour Mission on January 11th,1996), STS-83 (Space Shuttle Columbia Mission on April 4th,1997) and STS-89 (Space Shuttle Endeavour Mission on January 23rd,1998) Estimate: EUR 20,000 - EUR 24,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Nikon F3 HP 'NASA' worth today?
The two recorded UK auction hammer prices are £8,500 and £15,000, so a realistic value range based on that limited evidence is roughly £8,500–£15,000, with provenance the main driver.
How much does a Nikon F3 HP 'NASA' sell for at auction?
Recorded hammer prices sit between £8,500 and £15,000, but with only two data points the price any individual example sells for can vary widely depending on documentation and condition.
Why is the price so much higher than a standard F3 HP?
The NASA variant was produced in very small numbers for spaceflight use, so scarcity and collector interest push its value well above a regular F3 HP body.
What should I check before buying one?
Prioritise provenance and NASA-related documentation, then verify the standard F3 HP mechanics — shutter, meter LCD, prism, and electronics — before agreeing a price.