Nikon FA Matrix metering accuracy

pkr1979 · Aug 16, 2023

Hi all,

Im having a look at the Nikon FA and Im curious about its metering. As it is the first version there are reports claiming that the matrix metering isnt always that accurate, particularly in portrait mode. But Id like to hear from people who are using, or have used this camera how prevalent this actually is?

Cheers
Peter

BrianShaw · Aug 16, 2023

Can you show us examples of where the matrix metering has failed you... or are you just thinking about a FA at this point? Most typically, these kind of complaints come from situations where the metering contstraints of the camera versus the scene being photographed are not understood due to inexperience... or at least that's my observation. High contrast scenes seem to be a common situation whre folks have difficulty. It is rarely just the camera's fault.

JParker · Aug 16, 2023

BrianShaw said:
Can you show us examples of where the matrix metering has failed you... or are you just thinking about a FA at this point? Most typically, these kind of complaints come from situations where the metering contstraints of the camera versus the scene being photographed are not understood due to inexperience... or at least that's my observation. High contrast scenes seem to be a common situation whre folks have difficulty. It is rarely just the camera's fault.

I can agree based on my experiences with the FA.
Of course the Matrix metering in the FA is not on the same, extremely high level of the later versions of Matrix metering in later Nikons, but it is very good. And the great advantage of the FA is that you always have the additional option of using the integrated classic centre-weigthed metering. So if you are in doubt, for example in high contrast scenes, you can change the metering mode if you like.

miha · Aug 16, 2023

Be aware that most of the FAs are long dead now, so be sure to get a working one (check all the exposure modes, shutter, ...) If you get a working unite it's a great machine that never gets in the way. As for mettering when in doubt the camera chooses over-exposre - good for print film, less so for slides. There is always an option to switch from matrix to CW.

pkr1979 · Aug 16, 2023

Thanks guys. Im considering an FA. Either that or an FM3a. FM3a ticks a lot of boxes, but I do like the look of the FA and the fact that it has matrix. I do shoot a lot of slides though.

miha · Aug 16, 2023

Go for the FM3a then.

BradS · Aug 16, 2023

pkr1979 said:
... there are reports claiming that the matrix metering [in the Nikon FA] isn't always that accurate, particularly in portrait mode.

This seems ludicris to me. When used with AIS lenses, the Nikon FA metering was the best I have ever seen right up until the Nikon F100 and F5.

....but as mentioned above, the FA is OLD and likely unreliable now. I wouldn't but one now. I'd go for a Nikon FM3A that has been taken care of....and even those are getting to be 20+ years old.

pkr1979 · Aug 16, 2023

Might be - I read it here: https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfa/fa5.htm
But the issues might be pretty uncommon, so much that its pretty irrelevant.

Film-Niko · Aug 16, 2023

pkr1979 said:
Thanks guys. Im considering an FA. Either that or an FM3a. FM3a ticks a lot of boxes, but I do like the look of the FA and the fact that it has matrix. I do shoot a lot of slides though.

I had no problems at all shooting chromes when I used the FA years ago. Of course it is very helpful to know the way the meter is working.
But that is of course valid of all cameras, meters, metering techniques.
The FA has also been very reliable, I never had any issues. But meanwhile for years I am using the later, more advanced Nikons.

The FM3A is of course a very fine camera, with lots of "sex appeal". But you have pay a significant premium for that appeal.
For the price difference you can buy lots of color positive films!
And that is in my opinion the big advantage of the FA: It is overlooked on the used market, and relatively cheap. And offers a very good price-performance ratio.

pkr1979 · Aug 16, 2023

This is true - if it breaks its not really a massive financial setback. And then one could get the FM3a instead.

miha · Aug 16, 2023

Why buy twice? You've been warned

pkr1979 · Aug 16, 2023

Haha Indeed. It might not break ;-)

BrianShaw · Aug 16, 2023

pkr1979 said:
Might be - I read it here: https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfa/fa5.htm
But the issues might be pretty uncommon, so much that its pretty irrelevant.

It’s been said by other camera reviewers too. None seem to show images where there was a problem (or, at least, I could not find them). All considered it a 1 or 2% concern… making it rare.

BradS · Aug 16, 2023

like worrying about the wind of a passing fly.

MattKing · Aug 16, 2023

If you already have a more advanced model like the F5, and have learned to fully exploit the advanced metering capabilities of it, it might be important to understand any relative limitations of the FA.
But otherwise, I'd suggest that it isn't worth worrying about - learn its characteristics, and then exploit them.

ic-racer · Aug 16, 2023

A built-in 35mm camera meter that is not perfect all the time...shame! What is the world coming to...

Chan Tran · Aug 16, 2023

I had a used FA for a short time and because its shutter speed sometimes goes to 1/4000 regardless whether you set in manual for a different speed or it's in auto and the meter calls for a different shutter speed so I got rid of it and didn't really dwell into its matrix metering. I have the F5 since new bought in 2002 and I can say its matrix metering is accurate but it gives me unsatisfactory results with color negative film. It's good with transparency film. It's to the point that I don't use the matrix metering mode with color negative any more.

Nikon FA Matrix metering accuracy

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency