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Nikon FM3a

kivis

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
312
Location
South Florid
Format
35mm
Price aside, can any respectable Film manual focus user say anything bad about a Nikon FM3a? Just re-bought one and I have to say it is a pleasure to shoot with. Bright screen. built like a tank yet light. I have it mated to the fabulous Nikkor 50 mm 1.8 AIS lens (not the plastic E). The whole thing just exudes confidence.
Just saying.
 
That's what I think of my FE.. Rock solid unit.

Todd
 
I bought one new when it came out and I love it. Feels like old-school, handles nicely and I love the 45 mm pancake lens too.
It's a keeper.
 
The FM3A is a classic "manual" camera, well-built and the endpoint of F-series evolution. But I actually prefer the FM2N because it has less redundant bells n' whistles (even one auto-anything is too much for me!)
 
When the FM3a was introduced, I bought a black one and put a new 55/2.8 AIS Micro-Nikkor on it. I love the viewfinder readout.

Not that I'd ever sell it, but these cameras hold their value. I've seen some well-used ones sell for much more than a pristine F5.
 
See also: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
 
Is the viewfinder the same for FM2n and FM3a? How do they compare to OM-1n viewfinder?
 
MartinCrabtree said:
According to the FM2n user's manual it too provides 93% viewfinder magnification.
Click to expand...

93% is viewfinder coverage while .86X is the magnification.
You will not find the magnification listed in the manuals for the FM & FM2 as it only lists viewfinder frame coverage but it is listed in the FM3A manual as well as on the MIR site -> MIR FM2 spec & MIR FM2N spec.
 

So I get from 7% up to 14% extra image with evert shot? Cool!
 
Nothing to forgive since Nikon omitted that spec in their manuals. Truth is all of those models - FM, FM2, FM3, FE & FE2 have the same VF specs and only the FA got an even smaller magnification of .80X. Of course smaller magnification means better eye relief and preferred by people who wear glasses. Since I don't wear glasses (yet!) I prefer the larger magnification particularly on the Pentax MX at .97X and even greater on a couple of viewfinders for the LX.
 
Since you ask if one can say anything bad about this lovely camera - the one omission that would have made it perfect for me is spot metering. Even without this I rate it as one of the best.
 
The FM3A is an awesome camera. I sold mine in 2006 and still regret it. Maybe with next year's tax refund I'll get another one. Hopefully my refund will be enough to get another FM3A and send my other F2 to Sover Wong.
 
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