Have FM3A ... but where to for a couple of lenses?

[former member]

Oh for goodness sake Brian stop posting pics of your F collection, please. I have clicked the "add to cart" button on the Fs at KEH three times today already (didn't buy though). I cant hold the temptation much longer! 😛

Okay...

i lied.

 

[Keith]

When I had my F3, my 50mm f1.2 AIS practically lived on that camera, it has great character as mentioned and i love the bokeh to death (cliche maybe). I love that lens!

Now that i've migrated to the OM bodies, i'm still looking for a body to pair with that lens, i refused to sell that lens! lol, i got it mint from a collector, its the one with the late 4xxxxx serial.

I hope you get to test out ure FM3a asap!

PS: did you get the film i sent you for xmas?🙂 Never heard from u.

PM sent about that ... I mentioned it in another thread that you posted in but can't remember which one it was. 😛

That film will be so useful ... thanks heaps Shawn. 🙂

 

[Keith]

I'm getting a little worried that by the time I get a lens for the FM3A I may have actually fondled it to death! 😛

It is very, very nice! 🙂

 

[former member]

YOU MEAN YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY LENSES!

Too bad you are not in the US, I would have sent one by now.

 

[Sparrow]

I was always a dyed-in-the-wool OM type untill I found one if these

would do this

the old f2 SC lenses can be had for next to nothing and are very good indeed

 

[denmark.yuzon]

the Fm3a.. my dream cam.. oh, and in my dreams, i still dream about it.. because i cant afford it.. congratulations Keith..

 

[italy74]

is it so expensive FM3a in Philippines? Here whatever DSLR costs more and even some expensive p/s... Don't lose hope...

 

[italy74]

Just for the files here is a FM2N / Titan in good conditions (some minor marks on the bottom side) for 420 € - maybe some European member could be interested. They offer 1 yr. warranty

http://www.newoldcamera.com/Scheda.aspx?Codice=IC3254&Sql=%20HIKNlAITN8UUbvAeTXmfwrd2l8IxoXjJFHEYQSdFn%203Y19Vs/E9i82Owe5OxgCjpvB17URNvX1y9Frg/gJmExfi/%20uF8olRZklrphQCqxKW8tzIKetCYxgOyI2bpSn9G4%20yRRxiPahITo3/Qy%2016fSkbY/XUOk4saKaXsjtUyBu/m6bomY7WKfFQ9TmBuN9

 

[Philip Whiteman]

I've only recently got into Nikons. The prices aren't quite in OM territory, but for info I paid £125 for a minty chrome FE body, £40 for a pancake 50/1.8 AIs, £65 for an excellent 135/3.5 AI, and £190 for a minty 28/2 AIs that had a couple of near invisible dinks in the front element.

No one's mentioned the unfashionable 135 as a good tourist's lens: it is relatively light and compact, takes 52mm filters and is very sharp.

 

[denmark.yuzon]

is it so expensive FM3a in Philippines? Here whatever DSLR costs more and even some expensive p/s... Don't lose hope...

there is none available here.. if there's one.. it would cost a fortune.. i saw one, but in a user condition selling for a price of a mint one..

 

[BillBingham2]

Keith,

Check you PMs.

B2 (;->

 

[Keith]

I like the camera and think it's great but I can't believe the price of this!

What were these things worth new as a matter of interest?

 

[jonmanjiro]

about 480US, most ppl think they are not available from dealers anymore, so thats why you see those stupid prices

The FM3A was discontinued in January 2006. They aren't available from dealers anymore.

 

[Keith]

Keith
another congrat from the other side of the planet. I've too the FM3a and I'm very happy with it. I agree with those suggesting to get a silver model if you can (better look and probably slightly higher value if you want to resell)
About lenses, this is what I suggest you:

1) try to make a kit with only one filter size (52mm). It's possible and here's how
a) Get the 105 F/2.5 AI-S, really one of the best ever Nikons, which is easily recognizable due to the integrated hood (nice touch) and the silver ring where focus marks are
b) Before getting any other lens, 50mm or 35mm (of course everyone here lusts for ZF build quality) try to think differently for a moment. Maybe a CV 40mm F/2 might serve you as good as the others and be exceptionally compact (it's a pancake) - hint: if you get it, the FM3A should be BLACK. (while Nikon pancake, 45 F/2.8 is SILVER, so should be the camera if you could) Both CV and Nikon are two great lenses.

Give a look how "little" it is with the 40 on it: it's the camera leaning from my right shoulder in this funny picture (compare it with the F6 and the flash hanging from my neck)

c) lots of options: 28-50 F/3.5 (already suggested): 52mm filter thread, as well as 28 F/2 AIS and CV 20 F/3.5 and Nikon 200 F/4 AIS (I have the 40, the 105 and the 200, I still have to get the wider ones and eventually the zoom)

Flash: A very compact one is the SB-22s (I have it too) - Note that the FM3a has even a button for fill-in backlit shots. It's the one mounted over the F6. Be sure to get the newer SB-22s (improved in 1997 and able to work with more bodies than the older SB-22 version, with a 1987 design and compatibility)

The only thing you might have to learn (if any) is the metering (60% center, 40% sides) which can be tricky. FM3A doesn't have spot metering as OM.

Bottom line, I'm setting up this kit for my trips in those countries where security might be an issue and where reliability must not depend on batteries. If you plan to work in A - mode, one of the simplest symptoms your battery is dead is the mirror staying up and the shutter which doesn't open. Back to manual mode, it works again, but since exposure meter will be off, the only way in this case is being trained with the sunny 16 rule and do everything manually.

I meant to say the other day ... that's a great shot Dino.

What a beast the F6 looks next to the FM3A! 😛

 

[jonmanjiro]

suit yourself...funny how i found some...

some of the mom and pop stores no doubt still have some dead stock floating around, but its no longer possible to order a new one from amazon, b&h, or nikon etc.

 

[Keith]

some of the mom and pop stores no doubt still have some dead stock floating around, but its no longer possible to order a new one from amazon, b&h, or nikon etc.

Or eBay if you're feeling flush! 😀

 

[jonmanjiro]

Or eBay if you're feeling flush! 😀

That's cheap! Take a look at this post 😱

 

[Keith]

That's cheap! Take a look at this post 😱

😱 ... that makes this one that I started a thread about a couple weeks ago seem quite reasonable.

 

[Chris101]

The FM3a seems to have taken on Nikon deity status, much like the 28mm f/1.4 did when everybody wanted it for their normal lens on a DX digislr.

 

[jdvf]

I would make a rather strange recommendation here. A Korean optics named Samyang makes a superb manual focus 85mm, f/1.4 lens and sells it under various names (samyang, polar, bower, rokinon). There is also a Vivitar branded one, that has a different body.

I've got mine the previous week and it's marvelous on my aps dslr, though I have yet to test it on a film / ff body. It's rather cheap as well, so take a look, there are some reviews out already.

solar_sea,

I had the same strange idea: FM3a/FM2 + Samyang 85/1.4 could be a nice combo. There are lot of positive reviews and comments of the Samyang with a DSLR, e.g. here:
http://forum.manualfocus.org/viewtopic.php?id=14608

But I would be interested about the results with a film camera. So I would really appreciate if you could share your experiences after your tests.

Greg