Nikon FM VS Nikon F2A VS F3

[DNG]

I agree with the FM2 or FM2n.(or FE2)... (unless you hate LED metering) I have an F2 with the DP-1 and the DW-1 with a 24mm or 28mm is a great street combo, but, the FM2n (I also have) is my first grab many times.

Plus the guts of the FM2 is a large upgrade from the FM.... BUT... the FM2 👎 can not mount Non-Ai because the Ai pin is not hinged like the FM

 

[Fraser]

I've had a couple of f3s one a p and always liked the thought of them but once I started using them was never that impressed, all these nikons are easy to buy and sell so why not just choose one and see how it goes and you can always sell it later on.
One thing I would say is if you like chrome cameras fm are a lot cheaper.

 

[rumbliegeos]

I have owned all of these, still use an FM and and F2A. While the AE on the F3 can be very useful for fast shooting on the street, one thing that has not been mentioned in the comparisons (I think) is that the F3 metering pattern is different than the other two candidates, it is more center-weighted. So the metering might be faster but not necessarily more accurate for a new owner. I also did not like the lcd meter display in the F, and the diodes in the FM can be used under lower light conditions more easily than the needle in the F2A, although the F2A is my favorite SLR. One last thing in the FM's favor is that is has an ordinary hot-shoe on it instead of the specialized flash interfaces on the other two candidates.

 

[farlymac]

You could get a Nikkormat EL/ELW (for non-AI), or EL2 (for AI). They can be bought inexpensively. And also used as a weapon of last resort, just in case.

PF

 

[BillBingham2]

Owned all three and frankly you can't go really wrong with any of them.

When looking at the three cameras you have now the lack of AE doesn't seem to be a big deal. FMs and FEs have held up better than I expected when they first came out. Perhaps I was spoiled by the robustness that Nikon built into so much.

Between the three I'd go F2 and keep an eye open for a plain prism, I just love the look.

Price-wise there's not a lot of difference between good users. Lots of great glass with a wide range of signatures out there to choose from, old and new.

If you really want to freakout take a look at a Nikon F with a plain prism with early 105/2.5 and a Nikon S2 with a tiny Nikkor 50 of your choice. Back open the same way, focus and aperture adjust the same direction, one has a 1:1 viewfinder, the other shows 100% of the frame, one is RF, class SLR.

B2 (;->

 

[Huss]

F or F2 with waist level finder so you can shoot it Vivian Maier style. Otherwise your shots would just look like the ones you get with your Leica.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Gotta go with Bill on this one. Having owned an FM2N, just never fit my hands well, and the film advance lever always felt like it was going to fall off the camera; have an F3HP, and though a nice camera, just can't bond with it; and the F2 I used to own (albeit I got it second hand and it had a traumatic previous life) was nothing but shutter problems, and after months of having it in the repair shop, by the time I finally got it fixed properly, I no longer trusted it.

Now the Nikon F that is currently in my bag, with the plain prism (in black) is a dream to use, and my recently acquired Nikon S2 (with the 3.5cm, not the 5cm, sorry Bill) I have a hard time putting down. I dearly love shooting with both cameras. YMMV.

Best,
-Tim

 

[rbsinto]

I've owned and used an FM, and still have and regularly use an F2AS, and an F3P.
All are excellent cameras, but each has its drawbacks and deficiencies.
The FM has no auto-exposure modes, while the other two are larger and heavier.
I'd like to suggest another choice you might consider: Nikon FG.
For about the last year or two, I've also used an FG body for street-shooting.
I got it because it was the smallest and lightest of the Nikon film bodies, and had an Aperture-Priority mode which I find especially useful for street-shooting. Worn around my neck, it offers less weight strain than any of the other bodies.
It's one drawback is the lack of a depth of field preview, but experience makes this useful but not necessary. They are cheap and plentiful and even have a motor drive (MD-14) if you like that feature (as I do).
The FG doesn't have the sexy allure or reputation of the eyelevel F's and F2s, but is an excellent shooter and because of it's price a disposable solution.
I hope this information is helpful.
Robert

 

[narsuitus]

For street shooting with film cameras, my two favorites are the Nikon F2 and the Leica M6 with a 35mm f/1.4 lens.

If I am shooting in an environment where the cameras are at risk for theft or damage, I prefer to carry a Canon Canonet rangefinder with 40mm f/1.7 lens or a Nikon EM or a Nikon N70 SLR with a 50mm f/1.8 Series E lens.


Leica M6 & Nikon F2 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[ferider]

I have and use both FM and F3. Like them both for different reasons, but when it "counts", I use the F3. Quieter and more tactile than the FM, allows WLF, and I prefer the 100% finder (non HP prism). Also, the F3 has the most accurate in-camera meter that I've ever used. My 3rd Nikon, an "F", stays mostly at home, too clunky.

My "Walking Safari Setup", a couple of years back, photos below taken with F3 and FM (there is a mistake, the 28 is a 28/2.8 AIs):