Nikon FM3A
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Type | Single-lens reflex |
| Lens | |
| Lens | interchangeable lens, Nikon F-mount |
| Compatible lenses | Nikon F-mount lenses supporting automatic indexing (AI) with some exceptions |
| Sensor/Medium | |
| Film format | 35 mm |
| Film size | 36 mm × 24 mm |
| ASA/ISO range | ISO 25 to 5000 (DX); ISO 12 to 6400 (manual) |
| Film speed detection | Automatic selection |
| Film advance | manual |
| Film rewind | manual |
| Focusing | |
| Focus modes | manual |
| Exposure/Metering | |
| Exposure modes | Aperture priority, Manual |
| Exposure metering | silicon photodiode light meter, TTL full aperture metering, EV 1 to EV 20 (f/1.4 at 1s to f/16 at 1/1000s at ASA/ISO 100 and with 50 mm f/1.4 lens |
| Metering modes | 60/40 percent centerweighted |
| Flash | |
| Flash | hot shoe, JIS synch connection |
| Flash exposure compensation | -1EV flash compensation button |
| Flash synchronization | 1/250 s |
| Compatible flashes | Dedicated Nikon hot shoe mounted flashes with TTL capability; other non-dedicated hot shoe flashes; non-hot shoe flashes |
| Shutter | |
| Shutter | hybrid electronic and mechanical |
| Shutter speed range | 8 s to 1/4000 s [A]; 1 s to 1/4000 s [mechanical]; Bulb |
| Continuous shooting | 3.2 frame/s (High), 2 frame/s (Low) with MD-12 |
| Viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder | eye-level pentaprism |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.83× |
| Frame coverage | 93% |
| General | |
| Battery | One 3 V CR1/3N lithium battery, or two 1.55 V SR44 silver-oxide batteries, or two 1.5 V LR44 alkaline batteries |
| Optional data backs | MF-16, MF-12 |
| Optional motor drives | MD-12 |
| Dimensions | 142.5 × 90 × 58 mm (5.6 × 3.5 × 2.3 in) |
| Weight | 570 g |
| List price | $820 (chrome finish, body only) |
| Made in | Japan |
| Released | 2001 |
The Nikon FM3A is an interchangeable-lens, focal-plane shutter, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by Nikon Corporation in Japan, on small-volume assembly lines, from 2001 to 2006. The camera was available in two colours: all black and satin chrome. The introductory US list price for the chrome body only (no lens) was $820.
The FM3A was the successor to the renowned Nikon FM2N camera of 1984 and was the last member of the successful, semi-professional line of Nikon compact 35 mm film SLRs. The other members were the Nikon FM (released 1977), FE (1978), FM2 (1982) and FE2 (1983). They (and the Nikon FA) all used the superficially similar (but not identical) rugged copper-aluminium alloy chassis and high-quality Nikon vertical bearing-mounted metal shutter and ball-bearing mounted film advance, but with improved feature levels, minor external controls and cosmetic differences. The newer low-budget Nikon FM10 and FE10, while named similarly, are completely different introductory-level cameras manufactured by Cosina.
The major improvements in the FM3A compared to the FM2N are the hybrid electro-mechanically controlled aluminium-bladed focal plane shutter, the aperture priority auto-exposure mode, the match-needle exposure control system and provision for through-the-lens (TTL) off-the-film (OTF) electronic flash automation. In other words, the FM3A merged the robust mechanical systems of the FM2N with the proven, reliable electronic exposure controls of the FE2.
The FM3a is built to a high level of workmanship and material quality. It shares the advantages of the FM and the FM2N, both generally regarded as two of the most reliable cameras ever built (both in terms of operation under extreme conditions and in day-to-day reliability reports from repair shops and magazine surveys). It has an extremely strong body of copper silumin alloy. The electronics are well protected within the body and of extremely high quality, including the flexible circuits. The FM3A's film transport consists of high-strength hardened metal gears and moving parts, mounted on clusters of ball bearings. The vertical metal shutter utilises precision tapered high-strength aluminium alloy blades and oilless self-lubricating bearings. The guide rails are made of stainless steel. The mirror is made of titanium. It is large to reduce chances of vignetting with super-telephotos of up to 800 mm, and uses the same mechanism found on Nikon's pro F2, with some improvements designed to further reduce effects of vibration and mirror bounce.
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