Gone for a FM3a

kshapero said:
Ya like my pre-AI 50mm/f1.4 and my 28mm/f3.5 (which is actually sharp as hell on my D200)
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I have the 28mm f/3.5 as well and it's incredibly sharp, one of my favourite lenses actually if not the favourite.

What's the 50mm f/1.4 like, in comparison to the 28mm say? I have the standard AI 50mm f/1.8 and it's okay, but nothing special.
 
Benjamin said:
I have the 28mm f/3.5 as well and it's incredibly sharp, one of my favourite lenses actually if not the favourite.

What's the 50mm f/1.4 like, in comparison to the 28mm say? I have the standard AI 50mm f/1.8 and it's okay, but nothing special.
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pre AIS 50mm/f1.4 is not as sharp as the 28. I use it very little.
 
I had the original FM (1977); now an FM2T (titanium clad FM2n) two FM3A's...of course several F2's from the Titan to the AS, and an arsenal of 22 "heavy metal" AIS mount manual Nikkor lenses.

Oh, also a ZM with a CV 40mm/1.4 MC.

IMO, the FM3A has the best overall mechanical shutter ever made...high-speed, AE with battery, all speed and full-function still without, no gizmo if you don't want it.

My favourate lens with the FM3A is the Nikkor 35-70mm/f3.3-4.5 zoom, that with a Nikkor 1.4 tele-extender and perhaps the 24mm Nikkor on the wide side is all I really need.

Besides, the FM3A uses also two SR44 or LR44 battery [same as the ZM] available anywhere, even on Sunday.
 
How are you guys mounting those cv's on there? Are they m-mounts or some kind of nikon rangefinder to ai mount adapter? I've got an FE2 that I love (the thing is a tank) and would love to use other lenses on it...
 
kshapero said:
Pre AIS lenses have aperture rings.
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All Nikkor lenses except the latest AF-G series have aperture rings. Even the AF-D series have aperture rings.

AIS is the last of the manual Nikkors which did not need the "rabbit ears" to index the lens [they are there only for backward compatibility...back to the original F and Ftn]; a notch in the aperture ring now did that job.

AIS is identifiable with orange coloured smallest aperture number, and a scoop in the flange of the bayonet mount. AIS is usable even on the latest full-frame D3X but with only 5 point metering [and without AF, naturally].
 
I had the original FM (1977); now an FM2T (titanium clad FM2n) two FM3A's...of course several F2's from the Titan to the AS, and an arsenal of 22 "heavy metal" AIS mount manual Nikkor lenses.

Oh, also a ZM with a CV 40mm/1.4 MC.

IMO, the FM3A has the best overall mechanical shutter ever made...high-speed, AE with battery, all speed and full-function still without, no gizmo if you don't want it.

My favourate lens with the FM3A is the Nikkor 35-70mm/f3.3-4.5 zoom, that with a Nikkor 1.4 tele-extender and perhaps the 24mm Nikkor on the wide side is all I really need.

Besides, the FM3A uses also two SR44 or LR44 battery [same as the ZM] available anywhere, even on Sunday.
 
i have to second (or third) the 28mm f3.5 accolades. it is a daily user for me and is a stellar performer!

i think i paid $60 for mine.
 
Chris101 said:
Makes sense since Cosina also makes an F-mount camera.
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The FM10? A friend of mine had one, and it looked and felt horrible. One could probably buy a used FE or FM for the price of one of those as well. I wonder why they made it? I guess as a backup, but it didn't look like it could backup a cat flap let alone work reliably as a spare body.
 
Hi Benjamin,

Don't forget the Asian market. Built the same it may not be but the FM10 is much more accessible and certainly affordable than used FE and FM on much of this side of the world. And didn't Galen Rowell advocate the FM10 when climbing with a light rucksack?

All the best,

Mark
 
Prosaic said:
Congrats! I like the FM2(n) better because it´s absolutely free of electronic gizmo but the FM3A is still pretty cool. ;) Bet it will easily outlive both your F6 and D700.

Manual focusing is good with the split screen (K2) which comes as standard.

Enjoy the camera!
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Pull the batteries out of an FM3A and you're just as "electronic gizmo" free as an FM2, plus you get the brighter K3 focus screen (can be installed in an FM2 as well).
 
I will practise without batteries just in case Dec 20/22th - 2012 prophecy turns out true... :rolleyes: ( sweet and sour comment.. I mean, if it is, I guess we'll have other things to think of ! )

Have a nice day ! Allow me to joke now and then !
 
italy74 said:
Hi guys

Just to share with you some excitement.. A few days ago a stumbled upon a CANON (!) user from Rome who wanted to sell an used FM3a (but apparently very well kept and with local warranty card) for a reasonable price, so today I sent him money and in the next few days I should get the camera.

Honestly FM3a is the 3rd camera I have always wanted to have (after F6 and D700) so now only the Zeiss Ikon is still out there !
biggrin.gif

I hope to get soon a 200 F/4 AIS in excellent condition from a neighbour who neither knows how to use it.

This should be the incoming baby.... (link to the sale thread)

http://www.canonclubitalia.com/publi...t-t153838.html
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Hi Dino,

Your progression through different gear sounds similar to mine. I went from D70 to D200, but haven't yet made the jump to D700 or beyond.

Instead I took a left turn and ended up in rangefinder land. Now I have two Zeiss Ikon bodies and a bunch of Nikon RF bodies.

Congrats on the FM3A! Its a great little camera :)

Cheers,

Jon
 
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