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

Well if they did rate the Zeiss 50/1.4 the best, they were wrong.

The Carl Zeiss Sonnar "T" 5cm f1.5 is the best lens ever made. Just ask me...

Keith- there are a lot of great Nikkor lenses that are not too expensive.

1) 24/2.8 Nikkor-NC Converted to AI is long-throw, but great optically. I like my older version better than the 24/2.8 AIS.

2) Micro-Nikkor 55/3.5. Again, not expensive- mine was $25 for non-AI. 55/2.8 is also great, adds a floating element. I have both, you cannot tell the difference.

3) 50/1.4 AI. Mine was under $100.

4) 85/2 Ai, mine was $100 at a show.

5) 105/2.5 any version. Older version is a Sonnar, newer versions (most are multicoated) are planar based- sharper but not Sonnars.

6) 180/2.8 Nikkor-P. Mine is butt-ugly, was $75 with factory AI conversion.

7) 300/4.5 Nikkor-H. This is a 6-element Telephoto, 13ft close focus. But I kept mine over the 300/4.5 ED-IF version which I sold.

8) 80~200 F4.5 Zoom-Nikkor. These were $700 zooms in the day, mine was $20 at a camera store. The zoom action can get a little loose.

9) 43~86/3.5 Zoom-Nikkor AI version. 11 element design, much imrpoved over the older 9-element version. CHEAP! Mine was $50, perfect glass.

CULT lenses: 5.8cm F1.4 Nikkor-S, 45/2.8 GN-Nikkor, 2.1cm F4, and others.

The non-AI lenses can be converted to AI by cutting the aperture ring. A good repairman can do this fairly cheaply.
 
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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)

621275468_xiemd-X3.jpg


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.
 
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Hi Keith, I would recommend the 105/2.5 PC for a portrait lens. A heavy, but great zoom is the 80-200 fixed f4.5 12 element AI lens.

I'd avoid any AF lens, they're mainly cheezy.
 
Keith,

I have a chrome FM3a with the 45mm Nikkor and it is a great combo. I also have an early versions of the 20 mm AF & 24mm AF-D. I can recommend the 35/1.2 and the 55 mm Macro.

In terms of longer lenses I have the CV 90 mm, the 105mm Nikkor, the 200 mm & 300 mm Nikors as well. Frankly, for my personal style, anything past the 105mm on the FM3a makes the camera difficult to use without a tripod.
 
My FM3A is coupled with the 20 3.5, 50 1.4 and 105 2.5 Ais lenses. All great optically and built to last.

I'd say the 50 1.4 stays on there most of the time and gives lovely results in both colour and B&W.

The only downside I feel with the 105 is the camera is a tad small, so if the 105 goes on, so does the MD-12 which balances it up nicely. Its a loud but satisfying combo.

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I have the chrome FM3A. I almost prefer to use it with the MD12, because the my finger rubs up against the self-timer switch. In addition to the 105/2.5, I like the 55 micro too. Nice camera. Exposure needle matching can be a drag though (the price you pay for this little mechanical beauty).


/
 
The FM3A has just arrived in the mail which is impressive seeing as I only won the auction on Sunday night! It seems to be in very nice shape with only the odd user mark apparent ... it definitely doesn't have the grace of my black OM-1 but it certainly has a look to it that says it's all business ... feels nice in the hands too.

But not a lens in the cupboard that fits it! 😛
 
This is a good time to buy them... 1.5 years ago they were going for 600-900 on average.

I sold mine a month ago, but it served me well (w/ 20mm 2.8 and 35mm 1.4).
 
If you're on a budget I'd get the 50/2 Ais; it's plenty sharp. If more so, the Series-E 50/1.8 is more plastic than metal but holds up with the rest of them. The 100/2.8 Series-E is also a nice sharp tele for the money. I usually use these two along with a 24/2.8 Ais as a light carry kit.

If you want new, the CV 40/2 Ais is a compact lens. Of course, if you want to break the bank then the latest Zeiss offerings are great.

I've never met a Nikon that I didn't like, and I really shouldn't have passed up on the FM3a when it first came out (now that their prices are up in the collectibles arena) :bang:
 
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.
 
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?


Hi Keith, I have been using the 50 1.4 zf for around a year on a d200(now sold) and my trusty FM2n, and it`s easily the best slr 50mm I`ve ever used.
The build quality is supurb, focussing very smooth and image quality a big step up from all my previous nikon glass.
I`m up on the Sunshine coast, so if you are ever in the area, give us a pm and i`d be happy to let you shoot a few rolls with it, cheers,Parkes
 
> it definitely doesn't have the grace of my black OM-1 but it certainly has a look to it
> that says it's all business

OH YEAH! Well, If you have a daughter i expect you to change her name to Olivia.

I have a Black OM-1. What's up with the ASA dial being the size and place of a shutter speed dial and them copying the Nikkormat for the shutter-speeds? Rather than ruining the top deck with a dial, at least they could have copied the Nikkormat for setting the ASA as well.
 
well, being a Nikkormat user as well, I was not fooled for a minute!

59seconds maybe.

and- i have an OM-1 with 50/1.8 coming in. This will be the third try for an Olympus camera. First broke a strap (OM-1md), second had a short (OM-2P), so ONE MORE TIME!

Wish I had saved the Oly 135 and 28. I think I sold them on RFF for $75 for the pair. That was after the second camera was DOA.
 
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You might consider the classic National Geo kit: 24/2; 85/1.4; 180/2.8. Those are the 3 standouts.

Or go with just one great lens: 50/1.2 -- it may not be the absolute sharpest but it has the most character of all their lenses IMHO.

The Nikon 35/2 lenses have always been sharp but I never got into it with an slr, maybe it is a rangefinder thing? Then again I can frame more accurately with an slr, so maybe I can go wider because I have more control?
 
Just a report. To fight the urges induced by this thread I have purchased a Pentax MX. I have lots of lenses for the MX, so am counting this purchase as a $ savings action.
 
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.
 
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