Roger Warren
AddlepatedWight
menos
Veteran
Many thanks guys, especially JSU for the deep insight on the drive!
I have started, getting more interest back into Nikon gear after using exclusively the small Leicas for some months due to a lucky finding of a 58 f1.2 Ai-S lens.
I don't like focussing this lens on the digital Nikon (which is also a plasticky, heavy gum brick), nor did I get more satisfaction with my FM3a (which I thought of as a "premium" super light and small MF SLR, before getting a M6 - lol, talk about shifting views on gear).
The FM3a gave me a lot more confidence, focussing the fast lens, but is a boner, to use for me comfortably:
- awful not illuminated needle meter (I officially hate needle meter readouts after loving the Leica meters and I shoot mostly in low light, so the FM3a meter is like having no meter at all to me)
- too small viewfinder, very uncomfortable to use as a left eye shooter also (need much bigger eye point + right eye poking due to the compact build)
- very, very rough feel overall, compared to the Leicas (film advance especially)
It all seems, that a F3HP with optional DE-2 would make me a lot happier with the fast primes. Also does it look very intriguing, to get one or the other longer focal length in fast glass (105, 180, …) There is just nothing, you could have like this for the Leica.
The 105 1.8 looks so compact (and I know, it will balance fantastically with a SLR), there is nothing comparable for the Leica.
The 135 f2.8 Leica is like mounting a fridge on a matchbox car.
The modern 135 Telyt is ages nicer, but costs a fortune compared to the excellent Nikon Ai-S offerings (I wish, I had gotten the F3 fever earlier, although I love my Telyt).
The different focus screens - and man, that metal block motor drive look so intriguing!
I will receive a Motor-M for my M7 in a week or two (it is waiting in a packed bag of a friend, bringing it ;-) ), my MD-12 for the FM3a died on me last weekend :-(
I might make new friends with an MD-4 (how well does it take Eneloops?).
Oh and don't stop posting the camera porn on the F3 + drive - keeps the fever alive until I find one ;-)
I have read somewhere, the F3T has improved (even more durable) circuit boards over the standard F3HP (and F3P) - what is that about?
I have started, getting more interest back into Nikon gear after using exclusively the small Leicas for some months due to a lucky finding of a 58 f1.2 Ai-S lens.
I don't like focussing this lens on the digital Nikon (which is also a plasticky, heavy gum brick), nor did I get more satisfaction with my FM3a (which I thought of as a "premium" super light and small MF SLR, before getting a M6 - lol, talk about shifting views on gear).
The FM3a gave me a lot more confidence, focussing the fast lens, but is a boner, to use for me comfortably:
- awful not illuminated needle meter (I officially hate needle meter readouts after loving the Leica meters and I shoot mostly in low light, so the FM3a meter is like having no meter at all to me)
- too small viewfinder, very uncomfortable to use as a left eye shooter also (need much bigger eye point + right eye poking due to the compact build)
- very, very rough feel overall, compared to the Leicas (film advance especially)
It all seems, that a F3HP with optional DE-2 would make me a lot happier with the fast primes. Also does it look very intriguing, to get one or the other longer focal length in fast glass (105, 180, …) There is just nothing, you could have like this for the Leica.
The 105 1.8 looks so compact (and I know, it will balance fantastically with a SLR), there is nothing comparable for the Leica.
The 135 f2.8 Leica is like mounting a fridge on a matchbox car.
The modern 135 Telyt is ages nicer, but costs a fortune compared to the excellent Nikon Ai-S offerings (I wish, I had gotten the F3 fever earlier, although I love my Telyt).
The different focus screens - and man, that metal block motor drive look so intriguing!
I will receive a Motor-M for my M7 in a week or two (it is waiting in a packed bag of a friend, bringing it ;-) ), my MD-12 for the FM3a died on me last weekend :-(
I might make new friends with an MD-4 (how well does it take Eneloops?).
Oh and don't stop posting the camera porn on the F3 + drive - keeps the fever alive until I find one ;-)
I have read somewhere, the F3T has improved (even more durable) circuit boards over the standard F3HP (and F3P) - what is that about?
nobbylon
Veteran
I just cant help it! arghhhhhhh, bidding on another!!!!!
nobbylon
Veteran
won it! hahar another NIKON!
erik
Established
If I was KEH I'd start a thread like this from time to time. I'm not much of a Nikon guy but I do have a F3, it just works, no messing about. Crazy how inexpensive they are now. Photo students... listen up, don't bother with the K-1000s, get yourself an F3 and then you really have something that can do most anything 35mm filmwise.
ironhorse
Joe DuPont
I have been following this thread with interest, so when I saw an F3 advertised for $79.00 I couldn't help myself. Perfect working order with some lovely brassing.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
Oh I hate that moment! Into slow motion... Nooooooooooooooooooooooo (bounce) ooooooooooooooo (bounce) oooooooooooooooooo (bounce) ooooooooooo!.................. (picks up camera... click-whir... click-whir... click-whir)... (sigh.)
migtex
Don't eXchange Freedom!
gilpen123
Gil
Thanks I had it before and foolishly sold it :bang: If I use the F3 more now, I will consider buying one again.
MRohlfing
Well-known
hans voralberg
Veteran
You miss the "If" mate 
This thread make me think about the F3 alot, though I still prefer the old styling of the F and F2
This thread make me think about the F3 alot, though I still prefer the old styling of the F and F2Zodiac
future to the back
the F3 is (and looks) bad ass, but if I'm not mistaken the FM2n is every bit as good internally, almost as bulletproof, and a bit smaller and lighter.
Think I'll keep my FM2n.
Think I'll keep my FM2n.
menos
Veteran
It has no AE,
it has an abysmal finder, compared to any of the F3 finders (I own an FM3a and fell in love with the HP finder for the F3 on first sight),
it feels gritty, compared to the F3 (film advance).
The F3 indeed is a fantastic camera.
I bought my FM3a back then because of the things, you mention about the FM2n - small, lightweight and bulletproof.
The issue is, the FM series takes shortcuts, where the F3 is just without compromise.
I am still looking, to own one of my own.
Oh … and did I mention that gorgeous viewfinder!
Zodiac
future to the back
Yes, you lose the AE.
But I love the VF in my FM2n, it works well for me. I've used the F3 and feel no difference in it's advance (they both have HG bearing mounted internals and ball bearing clusters).
And it shared the same mirror mechanisms as the F2.
Shortcuts or not, the old FM2's seem to be grabbing quite a lot more money on ebay then the F3s.....
To each his own I guess. Unless I was in a real warzone (or just wanted to look like Dennis Hopper's Michael Herr's character in Apocalypse Now), I'd take the FM2n any day for typical world use.
PS - the FM3 is not the FM2.
menos
Veteran
Never written that ;-)
Nevertheless, it shares the same form factor, same crappy viewfinder, same advance.
FM3a only adds a different meter, AE, hybrid shutter for AE, exposure lock, TTL flash + fill light flash button.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
Only defect that I see in that VF is that it's 94 rather than 100% coverage. Eye relief is shorter than an F3 with the hp prism but similar relief and magnification to the standard prism. The magnification is high, the image bright, the focus snappy.
I've used all these cameras (except the FM3) and I think the difference is much, much smaller than you do.
dimitris
Established
I wish Nikon came up with a digital version of it. That would be sweet.
alistair.o
Well-known
Hi,
Thank you for this thread.
I have an F3 with standard prism. It is my 'main workhorse' with a Nikon 35mm F2 on the front - lovely. Everything that has been written regarding the F3 is true; it is a marvelous piece of engineering but! ...
Recently I bought a Nikon FM2n as a backup - little did I know what was to come. I set about changing the screen for a B2 (I am not so keen on the split image of the K2). Installed a CRN1/3 battery; took note of the need to be cautious regarding the meter not being 'accurate' i.e. need to have 0 & - showing for most things and set off. Wow am I impressed! What a lovely camera and that meter readout is superb in all lighting conditions.
For me there is little or no difference between the two.
Al
Thank you for this thread.
I have an F3 with standard prism. It is my 'main workhorse' with a Nikon 35mm F2 on the front - lovely. Everything that has been written regarding the F3 is true; it is a marvelous piece of engineering but! ...
Recently I bought a Nikon FM2n as a backup - little did I know what was to come. I set about changing the screen for a B2 (I am not so keen on the split image of the K2). Installed a CRN1/3 battery; took note of the need to be cautious regarding the meter not being 'accurate' i.e. need to have 0 & - showing for most things and set off. Wow am I impressed! What a lovely camera and that meter readout is superb in all lighting conditions.
For me there is little or no difference between the two.
Al
L. M. Tu
Established
The F3 does several things that the FM series won't do, but there are a couple of areas where an FM/FM2/FM3a might be better. The meter display in the viewfinder of an FM* is easier to see in dim lighting; it's similar to an F2AS or F2SB display, which I love. And it works at all shutter speeds without either metering or batteries. I grew up with F and then F2 cameras and I've never gotten used to smaller Nikon bodies, so I would still pick the F3 over the FM or FE series, but if I used an F3, I would carry spare batteries and something smaller (FM, FG) for a backup.
/FM3a might be better. The meter display in the viewfinder of an FM* is easier to see in dim lighting; it's similar to an F2AS or F2SB display, which I love. And it works at all shutter speeds without either metering or batteries. I grew up with F and then F2 cameras and I've never gotten used to smaller Nikon bodies, so I would still pick the F3 over the FM or FE series, but if I used an F3, I would carry spare batteries and something smaller (FM, FG) for a backup.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
I am in the same camp as others regarding the F3 vs the FM2n in that I do not find the FM2n lacking too terribly much in comparison to the F3. I think either are just as reliable for the average Joe, me, although I would say the 100% vf of the F3 is nice but I could and have lived without it. For what the FM2n gives up to the F3 if you need a smaller, lighter package to photograph with then the FM2n is a better bet.
Bob
Bob