Nikon F3 - potential purchase

[Reschsmooth]

Not being able to view the camera in person before potential purchase, would this comment cause concern or was it reasonably common and of little concern:

The previous owner had the top plate changed as there was a paint defect from the Nikon factory so Nikon replaced it free of charge,

the Box serial No is the original to the body.

Pictures suggest the camera is otherwise in mint condition. The current price seems reasonable for a camera of such condition.

[ATJ]

Does that suggest that the serial number on the camera doesn't match the box? Why wouldn't Nikon replace with the correct serial number?

[Reschsmooth]

Does that suggest that the serial number on the camera doesn't match the box? Why wouldn't Nikon replace with the correct serial number?

Yes and I don't know.

[tommyg]

Does that suggest that the serial number on the camera doesn't match the box? Why wouldn't Nikon replace with the correct serial number?

Yes and I don't know.

just get them to take a photo and check the EXIF for the correct serial

[the foto fanatic]

I would be cautious Patrick.

[sirhc55]

693 feedback of 100% - I would say that this is dinky di. I read the sentence to mean that the body number and the box are the same. The top plate has nothing to do with a serial number.

I retract my last sentence. The pics show it to be in first class condition.

[aim54x]

If the F3 has been rebuilt from cannibalised parts it wont matter so long as the technician doing the work does it properly. I don't buy the Nikon story (seems fishy that they would replace a top plate and not reissue a warranty card - it will cause issues if the owner ever had to bring it in for service again), but I know that the F3 is a marvelous camera that that many technicians know their way around.

Depending on the price....I would consider it