nikon fm3

aaron001 · 31st October 2004

hi i'm hoping to get some advice on the nikon fm3. Isit an entry model slr and does it go with the current range of lens? I was surpose to be looking at the canon lineup since i already am using a canon dslr. However since i'm only gonna go as far as aquiring only 1 body and 1 lens for film....i thought no harm trying a nikon. also would like to know what is the estimated price i can get the body for?

justarius · 31st October 2004

The FM3A is a manual focus camera. Is that what you want? All Nikon cameras uses the F-mount, so you can mount any Nikon lens on the FM3A, but because it's a manual camera, you would not get high end functions like AF-S (Canon USM) or VR (IS), and you also cannot use G type (no aperture ring to allow manual control of aperture) lenses (unless you don't mind shooting at f22 all the time).

A good entry level Autofocus film camera from Nikon would be the F80, which is roughly equivalent to the Canon EOS-30, if I remember correctly.

Anyway, why aren't you sticking with Canon if you are already using a Canon DSLR?

bernardsia · 31st October 2004

He did menton, he's only intending to get a body and one lens. I guess he doesn't mind experimenting with a Nikon. I must say the FM3a is really sexy.

aaron001 · 31st October 2004

yeah well aware that the fm3a is MF. however rite now i can't decide on the fm3 and the fm10......fm10 is max 1/2000 whereby fm3 max is 1/4000, is that why fm3 is more ex? any other differences besides shutter speed? do you guys think its worth paying more for the fm3?

amateur_photographer · 1st November 2004

Try yashica FX-3 2000 if you can find one! you'll fall in love

Feel better at your hand than FM3A (i have both of the camera, FYI). It can take carl zeiss lens

arttl · 1st November 2004

Originally Posted by aaron001

yeah well aware that the fm3a is MF. however rite now i can't decide on the fm3 and the fm10......fm10 is max 1/2000 whereby fm3 max is 1/4000, is that why fm3 is more ex? any other differences besides shutter speed? do you guys think its worth paying more for the fm3?

FM10 body: Plastic

FM3A Body: Rugged copper, silumin aluminum alloy construction chassis and metal outer body

So do you think the price difference is worth it?

Btw, I'm a FM3A user. All I can say is it's

. Esp with the MD12 motor-drive.

If you need to compare the specs in the detail, go check them out in the Nikon Website. Get the black one instead of chrome (personal preferance). Though it's abt $100 bucks more. Class!

XXX Boy · 1st November 2004

Originally Posted by aaron001

yeah well aware that the fm3a is MF. however rite now i can't decide on the fm3 and the fm10......fm10 is max 1/2000 whereby fm3 max is 1/4000, is that why fm3 is more ex? any other differences besides shutter speed? do you guys think its worth paying more for the fm3?

Besides shutter speed, the FM3a have better built-quality as compared to FM10 (manufactured by Cosina not Nikon).

kex · 1st November 2004

and u get aperture mode with the fm3a too..

aaron001 · 1st November 2004

ok seems to me like a good choice to get a fm3 at this point (esp the black body one!

), i went to the nikon website and saw that the list price is abt $1200 ( body only i surpose) , so not really sure of its retail price, any owners can suggest?

arttl · 1st November 2004

Got mine at CP abt 6 months back. Paid abt $1050 for the black one. However, not sure if the price has dropped.

B.B.B!!

ericp · 2nd November 2004

Since you sound like you're experimenting, may I suggest a good condition FM2N instead ? Should set you back about $400+ only, and couple that with a good MF AIS lens (eg. 50mm f/1.8), that should be just the ticket. And way cheaper than a new FM3A body alone. If you want a zoom, a good one is a 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 ... though it's a bit hard to find. I've got one and am not letting it go, even though I'm shooting digital most of the time.

To me, the functions of the FM3A is not significant enough over the FM2N ... though if you want new, there are very few FM2Ns left. I think the FM2N was $700+ new.

Kho King · 3rd November 2004

how about a 2nd hand FE2? With TTL flash sync at 1/250s, metal body just like FM2 and FM3A, A mode (aperture priority like FM3A), max shutter speed 1/4000s...etc. The only lacking part is that it relies on battery (button type) to operate, but with a reserve mechanical shutter at 1/250s. 2nd hand price is quite cheap less than S$300 or thereabout...look around at buy/sell forum.

31st October 2004	#1
aaron001 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: serangoon area Posts: 262	nikon fm3 hi i'm hoping to get some advice on the nikon fm3. Isit an entry model slr and does it go with the current range of lens? I was surpose to be looking at the canon lineup since i already am using a canon dslr. However since i'm only gonna go as far as aquiring only 1 body and 1 lens for film....i thought no harm trying a nikon. also would like to know what is the estimated price i can get the body for?

1st November 2004	#9
aaron001 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: serangoon area Posts: 262	ok seems to me like a good choice to get a fm3 at this point (esp the black body one!), i went to the nikon website and saw that the list price is abt $1200 ( body only i surpose) , so not really sure of its retail price, any owners can suggest?

1st November 2004	#10
arttl Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Planet PJ Posts: 1,349	Got mine at CP abt 6 months back. Paid abt $1050 for the black one. However, not sure if the price has dropped. B.B.B!! __________________ WWW.JONYEAP.COM

3rd November 2004	#12
Kho King Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,799	how about a 2nd hand FE2? With TTL flash sync at 1/250s, metal body just like FM2 and FM3A, A mode (aperture priority like FM3A), max shutter speed 1/4000s...etc. The only lacking part is that it relies on battery (button type) to operate, but with a reserve mechanical shutter at 1/250s. 2nd hand price is quite cheap less than S$300 or thereabout...look around at buy/sell forum. __________________ KOH KHO KING http://ShaShinKi.com ~ Malaysia Online Camera Shop! :cool:

31st October 2004	#2
justarius Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Western side of Singapore Posts: 1,163	The FM3A is a manual focus camera. Is that what you want? All Nikon cameras uses the F-mount, so you can mount any Nikon lens on the FM3A, but because it's a manual camera, you would not get high end functions like AF-S (Canon USM) or VR (IS), and you also cannot use G type (no aperture ring to allow manual control of aperture) lenses (unless you don't mind shooting at f22 all the time). A good entry level Autofocus film camera from Nikon would be the F80, which is roughly equivalent to the Canon EOS-30, if I remember correctly. Anyway, why aren't you sticking with Canon if you are already using a Canon DSLR?

31st October 2004	#3
bernardsia Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 321	He did menton, he's only intending to get a body and one lens. I guess he doesn't mind experimenting with a Nikon. I must say the FM3a is really sexy.

1st November 2004	#5
amateur_photographer Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 448	Try yashica FX-3 2000 if you can find one! you'll fall in love Feel better at your hand than FM3A (i have both of the camera, FYI). It can take carl zeiss lens

1st November 2004	#8
kex Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: beebox Posts: 2,101	and u get aperture mode with the fm3a too..

2nd November 2004	#11
ericp Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 577	Since you sound like you're experimenting, may I suggest a good condition FM2N instead ? Should set you back about $400+ only, and couple that with a good MF AIS lens (eg. 50mm f/1.8), that should be just the ticket. And way cheaper than a new FM3A body alone. If you want a zoom, a good one is a 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 ... though it's a bit hard to find. I've got one and am not letting it go, even though I'm shooting digital most of the time. To me, the functions of the FM3A is not significant enough over the FM2N ... though if you want new, there are very few FM2Ns left. I think the FM2N was $700+ new.