kshapero
South Florida Man
(actually more like a flea market). Anybody have experience with this rig? It really looked sweet.
Saw a Nikon FM3a at a camera show
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emraphoto
Veteran
oooh it is... very sweet. how much if you don't mind me asking?
ishpop
tall person
I always wanted one to be a brother to my OM1n.
Nh3
Well-known
there is one in the classified for $500.
scottwallick
ambition ≥ skill
I bought a Nikon FM3a new off the shelf back in 2002. It has been a great camera. Mechanical shutter that switches to electronic in aperture-priority. TTL. Top shutter of 1/4000. Great build. Mine has been snapping away ever since without issue.
I would suggest the FM3a over the FM2👎 for two reasons: ((a) an FM3a is going to be up to 10 years younger than an FM2; (b) the FM2 has an overly simply LED-based viewfinder meter. I much prefer the match-needle meter in the FM3a.
I would suggest the FM3a over the FM2👎 for two reasons: ((a) an FM3a is going to be up to 10 years younger than an FM2; (b) the FM2 has an overly simply LED-based viewfinder meter. I much prefer the match-needle meter in the FM3a.
kshapero
South Florida Man
$359 excellent shape
dfoo
Well-known
Do you have trouble seeing the needles in dark situations? I have an FM2n and an FE2, and while the needle match in the FE2 gives more information, I find it impossible to see unless the situation is brightly lit!
hans voralberg
Veteran
The FM3A is very very nice and quite sought after by Nikon enthusiast 😉 I used to have one, regret selling it every day
Go back and BUY IT!!!!!
If you don't want it let me know and I will buy it from you. (really!!!!)
fbf
Well-known
I bought a newer splitscreen for my fm2n and i got to say it is at least as good as my leica m6 at night.
with that price, i would have bought it with no hesitation. It is one of the best SLRs ever made.
with that price, i would have bought it with no hesitation. It is one of the best SLRs ever made.
Jan Van Laethem
Nikkor. What else?
Same experience here, I bought one when it was new in 2002 and it is my main camera for daily use. The F3HP is nicer in certain ways, but nothing beats the FM3A for size and weight. It has everything a camera should have and nothing more, it is the perfect picture taking machine. Basic manual controls placed in the exact right places, ergonomically it is absolutely perfect.
I like it so much I'm thinking of buying a second one, my local camera store has one new in the box that they desperately want to get rid off... 😀
I like it so much I'm thinking of buying a second one, my local camera store has one new in the box that they desperately want to get rid off... 😀
kshapero
South Florida Man
I just called the owner (he gave me his number), it is still available. Am I missing something here? At $359 this is an absolute steal. When I compare it to my rangefinders, the body was so much more sturdy than my ZI and Bessa R3M. Anyway I ma going to see this guy at lunch. Yahoo!!
fbf
Well-known
I am the second in line (after Rover) if you decide to sell it...
I like the fm3a much more than the f3(hp). The latter is too heavy and complex for a casual shooter like me .
I like the fm3a much more than the f3(hp). The latter is too heavy and complex for a casual shooter like me .
Exactly. It is a wonderful camera, and at that price you can't turn it down.
Matt(1pt4)
Established
I owned a pair of FM2s for over a decade. They were solid, no nonsense little cameras. If I had still been shooting SLRs when the FM3a came out, I would have probably upgraded to it. Whenever I see a cheap used one somewhere I have to fight the temptation to get it and a 105 f2.5. That's a great lens.
Avotius
Some guy
My friend had an FM3a, we were out on a trip and the shutter started giving him those dreaded problems that plagued a few of these FM3a's, sold it immediately and just stuck to his FE2, other then that, wonderful camera, I have thought about buying one from time to time but then I remember my friends problems with his...
ruby.monkey
Veteran
If the camera is working well then it's a bargain at that price. The 45/2.8P, on the other hand, isn't really anything special unless you need the absolute smallest package possible.
One thing I found with mine is that the shutter release is a bit harsh (compared to an F or F2) and really benefits from the addition of a soft release. The other (minor) niggle is that setting exposure compensation is a pain in the proverbial. It's a shame that the Nikon engineers never played with a Voigtlander R3A before coming up with what they did.
One thing I found with mine is that the shutter release is a bit harsh (compared to an F or F2) and really benefits from the addition of a soft release. The other (minor) niggle is that setting exposure compensation is a pain in the proverbial. It's a shame that the Nikon engineers never played with a Voigtlander R3A before coming up with what they did.
Nh3
Well-known
With mechanical Nikon SLRs every press of the shutter is a thrill, because it feels so convincing and you literally feel the mechanical heart of the camera at work. Every time you 'fire' and rewind, it feels like using a high powered sniper rifle.
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Actually the 45/2.8P is considered one of the best pieces of glass that Nikon has put out in a very long time.
boy_lah
Discovering RF
I bought my friend's unit off him and it's what got me started on film again. I just loved the mechanical feel of this camera compared to today's modern d-slr!
