Black Nikon FM3a for indoor stage photos

[dtcls100]

Just purchased a black, very nice condition Nikon FM3a for $450. Price is high, but seems OK for what these cameras generally go for. I'm a long time Olympus OM user, but got this camera to address the one real weakness of the Olympus OM cameras -- the slow 1/60 flash synch speed. I was looking at some indoor auditorium pics that I took last month using a tripod mounted 300mm using a T32 flash with zoom head and found that a number of the pics had motion blur due to the ambient spot lighting, slow synch speed, and use of a super telephoto lens that magnifies subject movement, notwithstanding my use of flash. The FM3a's 1/250 synch speed should help greatly in that regard. While the OM-4T synchs at all shutter speeds up to 1/2000 second, higher speeds require you to be very close to the subject, given the limited power of the Olympus F280 flash in high speed synch mode, unless you are using the flash purely for fill.

Probably could have achieved the same result if I got a much cheaper FM2 or FE2, as they have the same synch speed, but couldn't resist getting the FM3a with its hybrid electronic/mechanical shutter. I am rationalizing spending the extra money by swearing not to buy any Nikon mount lenses, as I have a bunch of excellent Tamron SP Adaptall 2 mount lenses.

 

[sepiareverb]

I am rationalizing spending the extra money by swearing not to buy any Nikon mount lenses, as I have a bunch of excellent Tamron SP Adaptall 2 mount lenses.

For now. Give yourself a few weeks.

 

[dave lackey]

Just purchased a black, very nice condition Nikon FM3a for $450. Price is high, but seems OK for what these cameras generally go for. I'm a long time Olympus OM user, but got this camera to address the one real weakness of the Olympus OM cameras -- the slow 1/60 flash synch speed. I was looking at some indoor auditorium pics that I took last month using a tripod mounted 300mm using a T32 flash with zoom head and found that a number of the pics had motion blur due to the ambient spot lighting, slow synch speed, and use of a super telephoto lens that magnifies subject movement, notwithstanding my use of flash. The FM3a's 1/250 synch speed should help greatly in that regard. While the OM-4T synchs at all shutter speeds up to 1/2000 second, higher speeds require you to be very close to the subject, given the limited power of the Olympus F280 flash in high speed synch mode, unless you are using the flash purely for fill.

Probably could have achieved the same result if I got a much cheaper FM2 or FE2, as they have the same synch speed, but couldn't resist getting the FM3a with its hybrid electronic/mechanical shutter. I am rationalizing spending the extra money by swearing not to buy any Nikon mount lenses, as I have a bunch of excellent Tamron SP Adaptall 2 mount lenses.

Congratulations! That is one of three cameras that are on my bucket list! Got my eye on one now. How about some photos of that beauty?

 

[philipaloft]

Black Nikon FM3a for indoor stage shots

Wow ! You're lucky to be allowed to use flash during public performances.
Most performers find it distracting. ( and performance - goers ).

As to the image - as long as the subject's eyes are sharp, I find motion blurr in performances - esp. in playing musical instruments or dance can often add interest.
Good luck with such a nice camera.
Philip

 

[daveleo]

The FM3A is a fabulous camera. Have fun with it.

I am also amazed that you are allowed to use a flash during a performance of some kind. If the people running the show don't stop you, someone in the audience might ! !


EDIT: My one complaint about the camera is the very loud mirror & shutter noise - it is my loudest camera.

 

[kshapero]

FM3A is one of the few Film SLR's that holds up its price. Has a sort of cult status as the last serious film SLR ever made. Good luck with this fine rig.

 

[mfogiel]

Check the focus accuracy. I have two of them and they are both off substantially.

 

[Ranchu]

Check the focus accuracy. I have two of them and they are both off substantially.

That's appalling. I thought it only happened with Nikon's Digital cameras. Best luck to both you and the OP. Nikon has no excuse for that.

 

[agricola]

Mine was stolen recently. It was a tough little thing. But I preferred the manner of operation of my old FE, which I still have. And I agree with the comment above about the FM3A being lound and harsh sounding.

I liked it a lot, but I am having doubts about replacing it. The animals who stole it did not get the 45mm f2.8 P which is a lovely lens (had no focus problems with my FM3A), so I just might use the 45mmP on the FE and treat the FE to a CLA (I purchased it new when they came on the market).

The thing I love about the FE (and the FM3A) is the aperture priority auto. But it sounds a lot more harsh than my M4 and IIIf. I'm sure that if I could convince myself to spring for an M7 I'd be a happy camper.

 

[dtcls100]

I am also amazed that you are allowed to use a flash during a performance of some kind. If the people running the show don't stop you, someone in the audience might ! !

The performance was a concert at my kids' private school, not some professional performance. Lots of other parents are taking photos with flash and no one ever makes an issue of this. Of course, using flash during professional performances or during sporting events is a big no-no. But I guess parents and the school administrators make allowances given the private tuitions being paid!

 

[dtcls100]

Got the black Nikon FM3a today. Looks to be in very nice shape. In firing the camera, it doesn't seem particularly loud at all. Also, the vibration level is quite muted. Picked up a MD-12 motor drive for this camera as well for $25.00 and a Tamron Adaptall 2 mount for Nikon AIS for about $20.00. Hopefully this will be the end of the photo purchases for a while.

 

[dave lackey]

Got the black Nikon FM3a today. Looks to be in very nice shape. In firing the camera, it doesn't seem particularly loud at all. Also, the vibration level is quite muted. Picked up a MD-12 motor drive for this camera as well for $25.00 and a Tamron Adaptall 2 mount for Nikon AIS for about $20.00. Hopefully this will be the end of the photo purchases for a while.

Congrats! Post some photos!