ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
OTOH it is easier to use a polarizer on the FM3a, because you *can* see through it.
Chris
ZI vs Nikon FM3A
- Thread starter kshapero
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OTOH it is easier to use a polarizer on the FM3a, because you *can* see through it.
Chris
photo4ls
Well-known
I don't have the ZI, but i can use my FM3a w/28mm lens and my 85
Vivitar macro to do things my M3 can't. The M3 is used in other ways
and I don't ever have to worry about batteries and I prefer to use the
50 and 90 lens much more w/the M. I like them both and very happy
with the versatility.
Vivitar macro to do things my M3 can't. The M3 is used in other ways
and I don't ever have to worry about batteries and I prefer to use the
50 and 90 lens much more w/the M. I like them both and very happy
with the versatility.
photo4ls
Well-known
BTW kshapero,
I think I would love to have the ZI also
just for the meter.
I think I would love to have the ZI also
just for the meter.
Sonnar Brian
Established
The Nikon SP is about as close as you will get. The FE/FM body is about the same size as the Nikon RF's.
Sonnar Brian
Established
>but the early OM's are every bit as good, or rather the fm3a is good because the Om was
>first (but the OM's are often long in the tooth)
I worked in a camera shop earning my way through school when the OM and Nikon FM/FE were new. We had a fairly high (15%) defect rate on the OM-1MD's. They just did not hold up to the motor. The Nikons did not suffer these problems. I've had two OM's of late, an OM-1MD with a busted shutter strap and an OM-2program that was unusable due to electronics problems. I've just not had these types of problems with the Nikons, and I have a lot of Nikons.
>first (but the OM's are often long in the tooth)
I worked in a camera shop earning my way through school when the OM and Nikon FM/FE were new. We had a fairly high (15%) defect rate on the OM-1MD's. They just did not hold up to the motor. The Nikons did not suffer these problems. I've had two OM's of late, an OM-1MD with a busted shutter strap and an OM-2program that was unusable due to electronics problems. I've just not had these types of problems with the Nikons, and I have a lot of Nikons.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Yes, the OM-1, pre "n", had some issues if you gave it hard use and/or used it with the high speed motor drive. After that, I don't think there were major questions about the single-digit OMs. The SP was a consumer version of the OM-4, and as such was cheapened down. Early electronics were the bugaboo of all camera manufacturers, IMO.
Actually I was thinking about functionality rather than size (though I do also like the compact form of the FM/FE series).
What I want is 😀
* AE mode
* all shutter speeds work without batteries
* metal shutter
* 1/4000 top shutter speed
* 1/250 synch speed
* swing open door for film loading
* window on door so you can check the film
* TTL flash
* shutter release in the conventional position
* DX functionality
* Zeiss Ikon finder on top
Since I doubt we're ever going to see a camera fitting this criteria, I'll have to make do with these guys 😉
kshapero
South Florida Man
jonmanjiro, looks like a fine group to me.
slm
Formerly nextreme
I don't have the ZI nor the FM3A, but I do have a bunch of FL rangefinders, and recently, a Nikon FA. I find myself using the FA over every other camera! I have the 28mm f2.8 (the 0.2m close focus one) and the 50mm f1.8, and now I find myself gawking at the CV 20mm SL II, and of course all the Zeiss ZF lenses.
That FA is turning me into a Nikonian !
That FA is turning me into a Nikonian !
kshapero
South Florida Man
I hear you. I feel your GAS pains.😛
mfunnell
Shaken, so blurred
Hmmm... I'm looking for a really good manual SLR. I love my OMs in aperture priority or, in the case of my much-beloved OM-4T, multi-spot metering. But I positively dislike the "at the base of the lens" shutter-speed ring on my OMs, including most specifically my OM-1. Nothing wrong with the camera, mind you, but the ergonomics of fully-manual settings on OM cameras just don't suit me.
Maybe a Nikon? Maybe a Canon? Occasionally I look further afield...But what might "the collective" recommend as a not-Olympus fully-manual SLR, and why? Inquiring minds, and all...
...Mike
Maybe a Nikon? Maybe a Canon? Occasionally I look further afield...But what might "the collective" recommend as a not-Olympus fully-manual SLR, and why? Inquiring minds, and all...
...Mike
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
That shutter speed ring is a strange thing ... some seem to love it, others not!
The instant I picked an OM up for the first time I liked it!
Tuolumne
Veteran
I love my FM3a, but when my eyes got old it became harder to focus than my rangefinders. But for macro phtography I still prefer my FM3a. Much easeier to see what you are focusing on than with an RF.
/T
/T
kshapero
South Florida Man
Lots of Nikon MF's. Yashica Super 2000, etc.
kxl
Social Documentary
Is that what my problem is? Until recently I had both an FM3A and ZI. I sold the FM3A for the same reason, although I've never had any such problem with the ZI. WRT focal lengths 50mm and wider, I just prefer the RF experience. For macros and longer FL's, I grab the DSLR.
mfunnell
Shaken, so blurred
I mean all-mechanical, no-batteries-required manual. Like my OM-1 (with meter purely optional - I'm fine with a hand-held meter or sunny 16). In fact I like everything about my OM-1 except the shutter speed control.
I'm wondering if something like, say, an FM3a might work for me.
...Mike
kshapero
South Florida Man
Why not the best of both worlds and get a hybrid shutter control system which enables mechanical shutter speed control to be operated without batteries at any shutter speed, while in A mode the shutter speed is electronically controlled for Aperture-Priority Auto operation. All this and more on the Nikon FM3A. (I lifted most of this from a Nikon web site)
Prosaic
Well-known
The best thing about the FM series is the top speed of 1/4000 in fully mechanical cameras. Yeah, the FMs will work perfectly with or without a battery.
My all time favorite would be the FM2/T. T is for Titanium.
My all time favorite would be the FM2/T. T is for Titanium.
Last edited:
A
astroman
Guest
Wow talk about your camera pornActually I was thinking about functionality rather than size (though I do also like the compact form of the FM/FE series).
What I want is 😀
* AE mode
* all shutter speeds work without batteries
* metal shutter
* 1/4000 top shutter speed
* 1/250 synch speed
* swing open door for film loading
* window on door so you can check the film
* TTL flash
* shutter release in the conventional position
* DX functionality
* Zeiss Ikon finder on top
Since I doubt we're ever going to see a camera fitting this criteria, I'll have to make do with these guys 😉
novum
Well-known
First, hats off to a nice collection of Nikons! And I have to say the criteria you've laid out would make for a very desirable camera. I'd add matrix metering when you just have to rely on a meter.
Which shutter? Honeycomb titanium or aluminum? My long-gone M6's rubberized cloth was very easy on the ears.
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