What do you think of this?

Chan Tran · Apr 7, 2021

Is ist worth buying?
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pho/d/dallas-broken-nikon-fm3a/7302427865.html

ChristopherCoy · Apr 7, 2021

$50 tops. It'll cost at least $150 to repair and CLA (unless you do the work yourself), more if you have to ship it.

Huss · Apr 7, 2021

Cheapest FM3A on ebay is $660.
IF you can get it fixed, then this sweet black one looks nicer.
That is the problem though - it may be something super simple (then score!), or a response from the shop 'unrepairable, no spare parts).

BUT, I'd buy it for $100 and take the risk. Worst case scenario if it can't be fixed is to sell it on ebay for $200 for parts.

Huss · Apr 7, 2021

Looking at the pics and description, I'd buy it... I bet if you take off the baseplate u can prod around enough until it releases.

Bearman · Apr 7, 2021

Ditto what Huss said. Fiddle with the bronze piece that triggers the shutter, under the baseplate.
See this thread: https://www.flickr.com/groups/fmseries/discuss/72157625059090760/

Autonerd · Apr 7, 2021

Probably a good buy on an FM3 if you can get it for less -- a CLA shoudl fix it or it might be something easy. But I still think these cameras are way, way, way, way overpriced. Never used an FM, but give me a working $50 FG any day.

Huss · Apr 7, 2021

Autonerd said:
Probably a good buy on an FM3 if you can get it for less -- a CLA shoudl fix it or it might be something easy. But I still think these cameras are way, way, way, way overpriced. Never used an FM, but give me a working $50 FG any day.

FG? Mirror slap/shutter vibration resulting in blurry pics lower than 1/60 sec, film advance failures, electronic failures... I see now why you say 'a working..'

The FM3A is very expensive. Is it overpriced? Not according to market value which determines price.

benjiboy · Apr 13, 2021

The camera looks in pretty good condition to me and it may be something simple that's wrong with it, I think on balance I would take the risk, $150 isn't such a great deal of money and it could prove to be a real steal.

Down Under · Apr 13, 2021

Old Nikons are built like battleships. A few months ago I sold off my collection of broken down Nikkormat ELs from the 1970s to a buyer who paid $100 each for them. None were working but he got them all working again in about half an hour each. He now has four very usable cameras with even the metering spot-on which is a miracle for those ancient beasts.

The price is somewhat too high for a 'wreck'. As others have said, you can try offering less and do some tinkering at home. If nothing results from that, flog them off on Ebay as parts cameras. Someone will buy them.

mehguy · Apr 13, 2021

Oh man, if you could get it working that's a steal.

tokam · Apr 14, 2021

Superficially looks good - at least someone hasn't put a fat thumb through the shutter curtains. Bearing in mind it's heritage going back to the late 1970's I would think that mechanically it would be OK. Takes a lot to wear out a Nikon mechanically and there are plenty of FM / FE models still shooting. Not sure but I would think the shutter is electronically timed to allow aperture priority auto.

Newer electronics could be an issue or it could be a simple as a stray film chip that has lodged in there somewhere. Very tempting.

gone · Apr 14, 2021

Wow, $100 for a broken Nikkormat EL? You can buy those things all day long for $50. Here's a nice one w/ a 50 2 lens for $72 that is tested and working. I wonder why the guy paid so much for yours? The EL's are fun cameras, but have an annoying "ping" when the shutters fire that the rest of the Nikkormats don't have. I tried everything to get mine to shut up, but nothing worked. Other people told me that theirs did the same thing, so I sold mine.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Nikk...sh=item4b8eecf199:g:F~IAAOSwSMRgTVi-&LH_BIN=1

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