Nikon FM3a

kivis · Mar 20, 2015

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.

ToddB · Mar 20, 2015

That's what I think of my FE.. Rock solid unit.

Todd

TheToadMen · Mar 20, 2015

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.

mweintraub · Mar 20, 2015

That's how I feel about the FM2n too... but I wish it had Flash TTL.

DREW WILEY · Mar 20, 2015

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!)

Theo Sulphate · Mar 20, 2015

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.

TheToadMen · Mar 20, 2015

See also: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

danfogel · Mar 20, 2015

Is the viewfinder the same for FM2n and FM3a? How do they compare to OM-1n viewfinder?

Theo Sulphate · Mar 20, 2015

danfogel said:
Is the viewfinder the same for FM2n and FM3a? How do they compare to OM-1n viewfinder?

The FM3a viewfinder has a shutter speed scale on the left. There's a needle indicating the speed selected, or suggested, by the exposure system and a nice blue "flag" showing your selected speed or "A".

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photograph...mseries/fm3a/manual/htmls/index1.htm#viewinfo

Les Sarile · Mar 20, 2015

danfogel said:
Is the viewfinder the same for FM2n and FM3a? How do they compare to OM-1n viewfinder?

The OM1 viewfinder hass a visibly larger magnification at .92X compared to the FM2/3 at .83X.

MartinCrabtree · Mar 20, 2015

According to the FM2n user's manual it too provides 93% viewfinder magnification.

Les Sarile · Mar 20, 2015

MartinCrabtree said:
According to the FM2n user's manual it too provides 93% viewfinder magnification.

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.

TheToadMen · Mar 21, 2015

Les Sarile said:
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!

MartinCrabtree · Mar 21, 2015

Les Sarile said:
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.

Oh. Forgive me my mistake o wise one.

Les Sarile · Mar 21, 2015

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.

andrew.roos · Mar 22, 2015

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.

kivis · May 11, 2015

danfogel said:
Is the viewfinder the same for FM2n and FM3a? How do they compare to OM-1n viewfinder?

Focus screen on the FM3a is brighter (K3). You buy it and put it on your Fm2n. I have it on my FE. Makes a difference.

f/16 · May 12, 2015

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.

Vilk · May 12, 2015

kivis said:
...can any respectable Film manual focus user say anything bad about a Nikon FM3a?

the logotype, ughhh...

Nikon FM3a

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