I own an FM3a, an F3 and an F2AS. I like them all a lot, but the FM3a is only second best behind a shared first place of F2 and F3. And that is only because I enjoy them more due to the look, the haptics and the sound of the cameras - qualities that really have nothing to do with the capability of the camera to take pictures. Nerdy as it might sound: The brutish, mechanical CLACK of the F2 and its equally brutish look with its meterin prism and (even more nerdy) the butter smooth feel of the advance lever of the F3 combined with its 80s angular look make them somehow more of an event compared to the rather small, unobtrusive FM3a. That being said: If I want to go with only one camera and one lens, I almost always grab the FM3a, because it just works perfectly well, the AE always is on spot and the match needle really is a nice meter visualisation. But if I had to sell two cameras, I would throw a dice between F2 and F3 and sell the FM3a without thinking much. After thinking about it, I would also sell the F3, because in the really long run I trust a mechanical camera most.
I'm lucky to own two of these, one in black (with a nice patina after use) and one in chrome. Both have non-functioning light meters and are cosmetically poor, but these beauties give a lot of joy with amazing images. Using them and owning them is a charm, as they are the most beautiful (to me) of all the Nikkormat/FM/FE series cameras and the most technologically best (being made in the 2000s is also a benefit to their build quality and mechanical youth, especially that this was a "handicraft" project by the staff at Mito Nikon, who even rehired retired engineers to build this camera). I also feel myself more comfortable using these cameras compared to my Leicas and other cameras, probably because growing up I consider this model as my "dream" camera.
The FM3a is on bucket list I am a proud owner of the FM2N and FE2 and F3hp and a few other Nikons I really don’t want to sell any of them to fund my FM3a so just have to wait a little longer 🤞
I’m curious if you ever managed to do research on replacing the mount with the fe mount like you mentioned here: 10:18 @japanvintagecamera I’m now an fm3a user and would be curious if it’s possible at all
I've had the worst luck with my Nikon FE2 suffering all kinds of shutter mech, film lever advancing and mirror lock up issues. I really wanted to love the camera because of the way it handled, the metering interface and it was cosmetically in amazing shape too. I only managed to get three rolls of films through it in a one year span and it has been a pain. Sometimes the shutter would fire before the film advance sequence was completed. It was wild! I took it into the shop to get fixed, but the issues returned about a month or two later. It was just a major lemon of a camera. Was it just bad luck? Should I give the FE2 another chance, or would it be worth investing in a Nikon FM3a considering it's somewhat newer'ish? I ended up selling my Nikon FE2 for parts. So sad..
You can buy a mint FA for less than the cost of fixing the FE2, and get all the extra functionality of ze teknocamera! But then the troublesome old cameras sitting on the shelf just call to you and you end up fixing them anyway, and then you have too many cameras. What can you do.
My FM2ns have a 4000th shutter speed. I've long wanted an FM3a for their rarity, but it turns out that a a Fm2n + an FE2 provides the same features albeit with two bodies saving about 3 to 400 dollars.
Sorry for nitpicking, but it would be more correct to say that the meter always assumes that whatever it is looking at is 18% gray. That's why the exposure compensation must be used in cases where that assumption is not correct, like in the snow.
@@furiouzzzz yeah, I know. In my case, as a french speaking person, I would naturally pronounce it properly since ni is pronounced as you mentioned above, nee. But when I speak in English, tend to prononce like Jeffrey, bad habit.i guess.
Maybe but when that FE2 battery dies and you don’t have any extras, you’re stuck with 1/250. or when the electronics fail, you’re left with a paperweight. The FM3a will just keep going, no batteries needed. It’s also only 20 years old max, whereas any FE2 is 35 years old minimum.
Sorry but there is so much wrong and incomplete in this review... The FM2 does have 1/4000 sec shutter, there is no distinction between the fm2 or the fm2n. Further more ais means that the aperture lever is standardised so that the follow-up models can use it for Programm. The main feature of the FM3a is the hybrid shutter. Mechanical controled in the shutterspeed mode and electronicly controled in the A modus. Further more the FM3a uses the modern day ttl flash system, it even has a flash compensation button next to the lens. You can use the latest generation flashes! The ai coupling is not retractable because Nikon has defaulted that years before the Nikon FM3a... It is a beautiful camera, but it makes a horrible release sound compared to the FM and FE. But that is the only thing not to like about it...
Perhaps it's worth remembering that he's just using this channel to sell cameras from his stores. Encyclopedic knowledge of every model he's currently selling probably isn't his priority.
Very proud owner of an FM3a and F6. Both beautiful pieces of engineering but more importantly a joy to use👏
same same buddy and I have added on the FM2N as well
You should have mentioned the lovely needle meter that is visible in the viewfinder. (As opposed to the led lights in the FM2.)
05:46 You probably meant 1/4000th with the FM2. Unless you wanted to say "1/2000th with the F2" (instead of FM2)
Or f3
This and the F2 are (to my opinion) the best cameras Nikon has ever produced.
I own an FM3a, an F3 and an F2AS. I like them all a lot, but the FM3a is only second best behind a shared first place of F2 and F3.
And that is only because I enjoy them more due to the look, the haptics and the sound of the cameras - qualities that really have nothing to do with the capability of the camera to take pictures.
Nerdy as it might sound: The brutish, mechanical CLACK of the F2 and its equally brutish look with its meterin prism and (even more nerdy) the butter smooth feel of the advance lever of the F3 combined with its 80s angular look make them somehow more of an event compared to the rather small, unobtrusive FM3a.
That being said: If I want to go with only one camera and one lens, I almost always grab the FM3a, because it just works perfectly well, the AE always is on spot and the match needle really is a nice meter visualisation.
But if I had to sell two cameras, I would throw a dice between F2 and F3 and sell the FM3a without thinking much. After thinking about it, I would also sell the F3, because in the really long run I trust a mechanical camera most.
The Nikon FA is also a great one. Had two of them, one was stolen during one of my trips.
I'm lucky to own two of these, one in black (with a nice patina after use) and one in chrome. Both have non-functioning light meters and are cosmetically poor, but these beauties give a lot of joy with amazing images. Using them and owning them is a charm, as they are the most beautiful (to me) of all the Nikkormat/FM/FE series cameras and the most technologically best (being made in the 2000s is also a benefit to their build quality and mechanical youth, especially that this was a "handicraft" project by the staff at Mito Nikon, who even rehired retired engineers to build this camera). I also feel myself more comfortable using these cameras compared to my Leicas and other cameras, probably because growing up I consider this model as my "dream" camera.
The FM3a is on bucket list I am a proud owner of the FM2N and FE2 and F3hp and a few other Nikons I really don’t want to sell any of them to fund my FM3a so just have to wait a little longer 🤞
Thank you, great review!
It’s such a beautiful camera.
Beautiful camera!
A very likable camera!
Beautiful camera
But Olympus OM4 T is the King.
Nice camera.
I’m curious if you ever managed to do research on replacing the mount with the fe mount like you mentioned here: 10:18 @japanvintagecamera
I’m now an fm3a user and would be curious if it’s possible at all
Did you ever try to change out the coupling ring?
I've had the worst luck with my Nikon FE2 suffering all kinds of shutter mech, film lever advancing and mirror lock up issues. I really wanted to love the camera because of the way it handled, the metering interface and it was cosmetically in amazing shape too. I only managed to get three rolls of films through it in a one year span and it has been a pain. Sometimes the shutter would fire before the film advance sequence was completed. It was wild! I took it into the shop to get fixed, but the issues returned about a month or two later. It was just a major lemon of a camera. Was it just bad luck? Should I give the FE2 another chance, or would it be worth investing in a Nikon FM3a considering it's somewhat newer'ish? I ended up selling my Nikon FE2 for parts. So sad..
You can buy a mint FA for less than the cost of fixing the FE2, and get all the extra functionality of ze teknocamera! But then the troublesome old cameras sitting on the shelf just call to you and you end up fixing them anyway, and then you have too many cameras. What can you do.
My FM2ns have a 4000th shutter speed. I've long wanted an FM3a for their rarity, but it turns out that a a Fm2n + an FE2 provides the same features albeit with two bodies saving about 3 to 400 dollars.
Is this the camera on which the film-transport-lever will stick into your eye...when using ity?
Nice
How does the film winder smoothness compare to the F3?
It has a longer travel, but it is smoother than the f3. The shutter is louder on the FM3a though, has a sharp muffled sound compared to fe2, f3.
@@Jayysam95 - Wow, that's saying something. My f3 is super smooth.
The meter always wants to shoot 18% grey. Regardless of the scene.
Correct,
Sorry for nitpicking, but it would be more correct to say that the meter always assumes that whatever it is looking at is 18% gray. That's why the exposure compensation must be used in cases where that assumption is not correct, like in the snow.
it is NOT NAYKON you pronounce it NEEKON
Well he lives in Japan, so pretty sure he knows how to pronounce it.
@@thebendu33 I'm sure he knows it but he pronounced it wrong
@@furiouzzzz yeah, I know. In my case, as a french speaking person, I would naturally pronounce it properly since ni is pronounced as you mentioned above, nee. But when I speak in English, tend to prononce like Jeffrey, bad habit.i guess.
The FM3a is just too much 💵. The FE2 or even AF F100 much easier on the pocket book.
Maybe but when that FE2 battery dies and you don’t have any extras, you’re stuck with 1/250. or when the electronics fail, you’re left with a paperweight. The FM3a will just keep going, no batteries needed. It’s also only 20 years old max, whereas any FE2 is 35 years old minimum.
Sorry but there is so much wrong and incomplete in this review...
The FM2 does have 1/4000 sec shutter, there is no distinction between the fm2 or the fm2n.
Further more ais means that the aperture lever is standardised so that the follow-up models can use it for Programm.
The main feature of the FM3a is the hybrid shutter. Mechanical controled in the shutterspeed mode and electronicly controled in the A modus. Further more the FM3a uses the modern day ttl flash system, it even has a flash compensation button next to the lens. You can use the latest generation flashes!
The ai coupling is not retractable because Nikon has defaulted that years before the Nikon FM3a...
It is a beautiful camera, but it makes a horrible release sound compared to the FM and FE. But that is the only thing not to like about it...
Perhaps it's worth remembering that he's just using this channel to sell cameras from his stores. Encyclopedic knowledge of every model he's currently selling probably isn't his priority.
The FM2 has a 1/200 sec flash sync speed. The FM2n has a 1/250 sec flash sync speed.
Have you heard the FA’s shutter? The FM3a’s shutter is music next to it.
FM3A also has an auto exposure lock AEL button on the back