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

Keith

Keith

The best camera is one that still works!
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After much soul searching and then briefly contemplating a swap for an FM3A with lenses for my S2 black dial and f1.4 Nikkor I actually got lucky. I spotted a black FM3A on Oz eBay a week ago and have been watching it as I have others but more interested this time because it was conveniently on the other side of Brisbane not too far from where I live. I've seen a couple go on Australian eBay recently for silly prices and expected this to do the same but put a fairly conservative bid in any way and amazingly won the camera for a little less than I was prepared to pay.

Maybe I wont like this Nikon SLR but I have to give it a try or I'll never know whether it's a better system for me than my OM's ... it has a couple of advantages that can benefit me I'm sure and if it does turn out that I don't like it it won't be hard to sell and I'll still have my OM's to fall back on ... if they'll forgive me for being unfaithful that is! 😛

I now need a couple of lenses to get me going ... a 50mm and a 35mm and if I do like the camera I'll look for a decent portrait lens in 85mm or longer at a later date. Without spending a lot of money what exactly should I be looking for? In 50mm I would like something that gives me similar results to my 50mm f1.4 Zuiko which I rate as very good for black and white. In 35mm I want f2 or faster and probably suited more to black and white also.

I can't believe I've actually bought a Nikon SLR ... my poor OM's are bleeding I'm sure and for some reason I feel a little dirty! 😀
 
Keith said:
After much soul searching and then briefly contemplating a swap for an FM3A with lenses for my S2 black dial and f1.4 Nikkor I actually got lucky. I spotted a black FM3A on Oz eBay a week ago and have been watching it as I have others but more interested this time because it was conveniently on the other side of Brisbane not too far from where I live. I've seen a couple go on Australian eBay recently for silly prices and expected this to do the same but put a fairly conservative bid in any way and amazingly won the camera for a little less than I was prepared to pay.

Maybe I wont like this Nikon SLR but I have to give it a try or I'll never know whether it's a better system for me than my OM's ... it has a couple of advantages that can benefit me I'm sure and if it does turn out that I don't like it it won't be hard to sell and I'll still have my OM's to fall back on ... if they'll forgive me for being unfaithful that is! 😛

I now need a couple of lenses to get me going ... a 50mm and a 35mm and if I do like the camera I'll look for a decent portrait lens in 85mm or longer at a later date. Without spending a lot of money what exactly should I be looking for? In 50mm I would like something that gives me similar results to my 50mm f1.4 Zuiko which I rate as very good for black and white. In 35mm I want f2 or faster and probably suited more to black and white also.

I can't believe I've actually bought a Nikon SLR ... my poor OM's are bleeding I'm sure and for some reason I feel a little dirty! 😀
Click to expand...


I sympathize with your feelings: I have a OM-1n, OM-2n, and OM-10, and a few lenses, but also a FM3A, NIB, bought a few years ago. I'm sure I would like it if I would use it more (one (1) roll of film until now; I'm too much of a collector 😛). The Nikon 85mm 1.8 is a very nice portrait lens, imho. The viewfinder of the OM's is (as far as I know) unsurpassed in SLR world.

Stefan.
 
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Keith,
Congratulations on the FM3a. I think that you will notice a bit of a difference in shutter noise between that and your OM's. If I recall correctly the Olympus is a good bit quieter. It's my main gripe about the camera - I have an FT3 (tank) and an FA and both are quieter.
Regarding lenses you will get lots of advice on the qualities of the older series however you will be best to look for an Ai or AIs - AIs being the more recent but in most cases with the same optics however with a shorter focus throw.
50 mm f2.0 AI is good as is the 50 mm f1.4 AIs
35 mm AIs gets some mixed reviews and can be pricey (cheap though compared to Leica) 😀
85 mm f1.4 AIs is outstanding but large, hefty both in lbs and £
105 mm f2.5 AI or AIs is excellent and can be had for decent money.
Try the following web sites:
http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html#top1
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/index.htm
It will be a different experience from your OM's that I'm sure you will enjoy.
Regards

Harry
 
Hello Keith,

I would like to be sympathetic but since I have owned Nikon almost exclusively for 30 yrs it is hard for me<s>. I have three FM3A. In my very small opinion they are a wonderful camera. I have modern film and digital slrs with 2.8 zooms but they are too heavy for today's airline environment and frankly also for a long day's walkabout in new places. Whenever we travel I take the FM3As or S3s.

The 50 1.2 AIS is very good (as is the 1.4 AIS) and of course the 35 1.4 also. I also enjoy the 28mm f/2 AIS. The 85 f/2 is not well spoken of but I like it and the 105 2.5 is wonderful. Actually, you cannot really go wrong<s>.
The nikkor 45 f/2.8 P is not a novelty lens as some have described but it is not cheap or easily found now. I enjoy it very much and it makes the camera very small. Equally so the Voigtlander40mm. I hope you enjoy. If you do, I promise not to tell anyone.
 
congrats for the excellent camera! if I didnt have already FE, would go same path you did. interesting to wait what Nikon has 2010 in their sleeves for digital as well 🙂

how bout Zeiss offering ? yes, expensive but one at the time ?
 
Right now in my everyday bag is a black FM3A with the CV Pancake 40/2 and a Nikon AIS 85/2. Both are very compact and sharp as can be. Did I say the Nikon SB-30 is the perfect Flash for the FM3A? I also have a Nikon 50/1.4 AI'D for real low light. Go Silver!
 
I have a piece of paper somewhere with the following written on it.

Wants:
Nikon FM3a
28/2.8 AIS
50/1.8 AI
105/2.5 AI or AIS

I keep this piece of paper hidden as much as possible because I really don't want another camera system. But... the FM3a just seems like such a great camera. Enjoy, and yes, beware the dark side.
 
Keith,

Congratulations! I guess it's one of the greatest SLRs of all time...

If you can try one, the 50 1.4 AI (not AIs) is my favourite Nikkor 50 because of its very long focusing throw... Anyway it can be focused very fast... And the 105 2.5 AIs is just addictive and its bokeh is magical.

I have never tried any 35, but the 20 2.8 AIs is great for covering the wide shots: it's never soft, and can be incredibly sharp stopped down AND handheld... I refused to lose speed or quality, so for small size I use the RFs...

Years ago I've been thinking I need to get an FM3A so I can have two lenses mounted and ready to shoot, instead of keeping one of them in my pocket... I hope I'll get lucky as you one day!

You'll enjoy it a lot... Lots of features, and not old at all... Soon I'll have to find one too!

Cheers,

Juan
 
The 105/2.5 is a must. Any version.

The 85/2 is under-rated. The 28/2 is also under-rated. The 85/2 is not as sharp as the 105, but for portraits it is a plus.

In 50s- the later 50/1.4 is improved optically over the earlier lens.
 
It seems the FM3A is the secret 'Holy Grail' of SLR's for a few here! 😛

I got the camera for a little over $300.00 which seems reasonable compared to prices I've seen recently ... one black example I was watching on Oz ebay a couple of weeks ago went for over $500.00 which is definitely on the high side.

Harry's comment about the shutter being somewhat louder than an OM is interesting but I must admit I like the rather sharp matalic sound of the copal shutters and the fact that it runs to 1/4000 mechanically is a real bonus IMO.

I was checking the Zeiss site before after jarski's post and a brand new 50mm f1.4 ZF Planar is not actually that expensive ... has anyone used this lens in this mount?

Also I'm not expecting the viewfinder to be a match for the OM-1 but I gather it is still very good by SLR standards!
 
Brian,

I know you are really deep about lenses, so your opinion is more important than mine, even for myself...

Just wanted to comment again (did it some months ago) that there's a test somewhere with many 50s, and the test was done with a bottle of Jack Daniel's... As the test is available with some resolution, I printed it, and the sharpest one was the 1.4 AI, at least for the close distance shown in the test: sharper than the more modern versions including the AF ones.

Of course it can be a samples thing, or even a focusing thing, but the one I got (KEH's Bargain) is amazing: beautiful bokeh and comfortable, precise focusing. Wide open it's not soft at all, it has just that great glow for portraits...

Cheers,

Juan
 
Keith said:
I can't believe I've actually bought a Nikon SLR ... my poor OM's are bleeding I'm sure and for some reason I feel a little dirty! 😀
Click to expand...

I have owned and used a couple of systems extensively and I always felt Nikon was overrated. The AI / AIS wide angles are all soft in the corners unless you stop far down. The 35/1.4 is ridiculously soft wide open (much softer than the 35/1.4 pre asph summilux). The 50/1.2 and 1.4 are "ok" but not better than what any other manufacturer is offering. The 50 "noct" is great but sells for a few thousand dollars. The 85/1.4 may be fine but is bulky and heavy and most of them have developed some sort of mechanical problem by now.

Overall I think the new Voigtlander SL lenses might offer more "bang" for your Nikon SLR than vintage Nikkors. That aside, I dont see any advantage in chosing Nikon over your Oly OM system.

The greatest SLR gear I ever tried was Canon FD (brech look) by the way. Some great aspherical designs there too (24/1.4, 55/1.2, 85/1.2)...
 
Congrats, Keith. From what I know, only certain electronic cameras with Program mode need the AIs lenses to be fully functional. Nikons without Program mode do not, and can work fully with AI lenses. I suggest the 28f2.8, 35f2, and 50f1.4. If you want a portrait lens, then 105f2.5. Have fun with the new camera!
 
Oh, the Zeiss one is superb, so if you find a good price, get it over ANY Nikkor, because it's sharper and new. Some say it's by far the best F Mount 50 for b&w... Once I saw a color large print: I thought it was medium format! And the colors are so clean!

FM3A and the ZF must be as good as it gets...

Cheers,

Juan
 
Juan Valdenebro said:
Just wanted to comment again (did it some months ago) that there's a test somewhere with many 50s, and the test was done with a bottle of Jack Daniel's... As the test is available with some resolution, I printed it, and the sharpest one was the 1.4 AI, at least for the close distance shown in the test: sharper than the more modern versions including the AF ones.
Click to expand...

While there are differences in barrel design and the amount of focus throw, the K (new), Ai, Ai-S, AF, AF (new), and AF-D versions of the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 are the same basic seven element six group optical formula. So there shouldn't be much difference between them. Sample variations and user preference are probably greater factors.
 
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Juan Valdenebro said:
Oh, the Zeiss one is superb, so if you find a good price, get it over ANY Nikkor, because it's sharper and new. Some say it's by far the best F Mount 50 for b&w... Once I saw a color large print: I thought it was medium format! And the colors are so clean!

FM3A and the ZF must be as good as it gets...

Cheers,

Juan
Click to expand...


I checked eBay and a Hong Kong seller has the brand new 50mm f1.4 ZF Planar for $640.00 ... if I like the camera one of these could be in my future as I'm an habitual 50mm shooter!
 
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