Quick question re: camera purchase (FM3a)

[Colden]

Sorry for a very self-centric thread--I'll keep it brief,

FM3a is currently my main camera. I have an opportunity to buy another one new with warranty, in silver, from a photo store for $559 + tax. Given that these have been hard to find (even used) lately, do you think it's a good idea to get it as a backup to my current one, or perhaps to hold on to, etc.?

 

[PhotoJim]

Do you need another camera? If you do, will this camera do what you want and provide you with good value for the money? Bear in mind that a clean used FE2 will do 99.7% of what an FM3a will.

As for buying it as an investment, you could easily make money on the camera by keeping it in perfect condition in the box somewhere cool and dry, but you can average 20% in aggressive mutual funds. Buying camera gear as an investment is always a gamble. Cameras are tools, not investments, in my opinion, although good cameras hold their value well if you take care of them while you use them.

I like cameras and I have far too many, so I'm not really the one to ask. Having a second SLR is not at all overkill for many reasons, which I'm sure have been discussed ad nauseum on this site among others. The question is this: is this the best way you can spend $559 to improve your photography? If so, buy the camera. If not, buy the alternate camera, or the film, or the lens, or the combination of those three, that is the best way.

 

[roteague]

It depends upon what your primary focus is. If it is 35mm, then I would go ahead and buy it (if that is the camera that you like). I was faced with the same question a few months ago, about buying another N80, and decided not to, since my main format is 4x5.

 

[Colden]

Well, I ended up doing it. Now I have a brand new silver FM3a which will wear a fast normal lens most of the time.

I was thinking I would like a fitted hard leather case to make it more portable day-to-day. Nikon's CF-27 (http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=56&productNr=4427) seems to be the native and recommended case for the FM3a, but it looks soft or semi-soft and perhaps a bit too futuristic (rounded) for my taste. Does anyone know what other similar cases will fit the FM3a (isn't it the same externally as a host of older Nikon all-manual SLRs?).

Thanks!

 

[John Koehrer]

CF27 I believe is a plastic material, not leather.
I don't think they've made a leather case for years.
You could check with kameraleder in Ca to see if they make one.

 

[Colden]

Hmm, looked around the net, the CF-27 indeed seems to be generally disliked by all. I'll see if I can find it locally just to take a closer look. Any other options? Maybe someone remembers an older leather case which I can find by name on Ebay or elsewhere.

(Except of course the excellent but $350 custom-made leicatime.com case. Also, kameraleder.com does not make cases for SLRs [Sep/2006]).

 

[David H. Bebbington]

My FM3a lives in a CF-28S case:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Cf-28...sr_1_19/026-0167095-4979646?ie=UTF8&s=gateway

This is supposed to be for a camera plus 35-> 70 zoom, it takes a 50 mm f1.4 plus lens hood and filter comfortably. I also have a CF-29 case, similar to the other but deeper to take camera with motor drive. Both case are black leatherette.

CF-27 is same style:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/37197-REG/Nikon_4427_CF_27_Eveready_Case_for.html

but has shorter nose, will take standard lens only without hood.

Regards,

David

 

[Colden]

Hah, there are posts about Nikon CF-27/8 cases falling apart from minor use or humidity, ripe with suggestions that these are "glued from cardboard" and such similar sentiments. Must say this scares me away a bit from these Nikon marvels, and it also seems that no other affordable options are available at all!

Oh, why do people hate the leather eveready cases so?

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Hah, there are posts about Nikon CF-27/8 cases falling apart from minor use or humidity, ripe with suggestions that these are "glued from cardboard" and such similar sentiments. Must say this scares me away a bit from these Nikon marvels, and it also seems that no other affordable options are available at all!

Oh, why do people hate the leather eveready cases so?

I have had no problem with mine, but I carry the camera in the case inside a rucksack. Ever-ready cases are of course not padded or waterproof - if you need more camera protection, various brands of padded nylon cases are available quite cheaply.

 

[John Koehrer]

Someone out there makes "universal" camera cases from neoprene materials
they just stretch over the camera. Unfortunately I can't remember the mfr.
There were several. You might check B&H or Adorama.

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

OpTech makes a few nice neoprene (wetsuit material) camera pouch cases. When I checked dimensions, their rangefinder case was small enough to fit an FM or FE series Nikon SLR and normal lens. Several camera equipement suppliers stock these. If you want to use one with a short telephoto or zoom lens, then consider the next size larger.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio