M250 and B Settings - You may need to know what can you do with these settings, should one day...Most manual focus Nikon cameras has a very considerate feature in either as back up mechanical lever or shutter speed setting(s). The Nikon FA has two shutter speeds that are not battery dependent in M250 and B (bulb). In the case of the mechanical FM series bodies, battery(ies) are meant only for exposure reading and doesn't relate to camera shutter mechanism.
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In the case of FA, these two speeds will not made your light meter activated, even if your battery condition is perfect. Compared with earlier models, both FE-2 and FA use 1/250 sec instead of the conventional 1/90 sec on quite a number of bodies, including the latest FE-10 (Others: FE, EM, FG etc). |
Why 1/250 sec ? It is very practical
to have that speed. Let us assume: Should one day, your battery(ies) in the camera
has drained out or fails to function amidst an photo session, the 1/250 sec can handle
upper end of the shutter speed setting even for syncro-sunlight photography, while
the 'B' can be used for manually timed or time exposure at the lower speed setting
(At 'B', the shutter remains open for as long as the shutter release button is depressed.
B is especially useful for making long time exposures). The 1/250 sec is quite close
to a normal 1/125 sec in which common film speed are used. Both speeds should have
allowed a seasoned SLR users to retain some form of control for manual exposure calculations
based on experience when needs arise.
A locking mechanism is provided between 1 and M250 on the shutter speed dial. To
set either M250 or B, depress the locking button and rotate the dial to either M250
or B. (Referred to the Reference
Map) Note:
At these mechanical settings, you must depress the shutter release button a little
bit more than at other settings to trip the shutter .With the Soft Shutter Release
AR 9 attached, you cannot release the shutter at these settings.
Before we go on to the Flash AE/Manual Flash, there is another exposure metering system available in the FA through mechanical means - the Stopped-Down Metering method. Note: But since this method requires you to understand of how to use the depth of field lever, you may check the DOF section and get familiarize with the function it provides before you read this. Warning: Skip this page if all your current lenses are AI, AIS or AF- type lenses. If you attempt to make a stop-down exposure measurement when an Al-S lens or equivalent mounted directly on the FA, incorrect exposure will result.
Stop-Down Exposure Mesurement The stopped-down metering measurement allows the FA's meter to be used for lenses that do not couple with the meter coupling lever on the camera (Non-AI and manual lenses). Please note the FA (FE2 & newer series) has a FIXED meter coupling lever. Older Nikkors needs to be modified (AI conversion) to be used in conjunction with the FA. However, due to some of the Nikkor Lenses like PC Nikkor doesn't has the meter coupling, there can be used in this stopped down method. The term 'Stop-Down' sounds very technical or confuse to many new SLR users. What it meant was just close down the iris of the lens to the indicated/selected aperture value that you set in your lens (Often by the Depth of field (DOF) preview lever (2) just next to the lens mount, with the exception of Nikkormat FT series, where their DOF button is at the top panel).
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The illustration shown is with a AI manual focus Nikkor lens, the red arrow (3) is the auto coupling device (You can turn the aperture ring to see the iris open and close, corresonding to your setting). The aperture stop-down lever (1) at the side of the lens mount (Camera Body) will trip your aperture selected on your lens to the exacting value during the exposure. Other times, the lens will stay open to the maximum aperture value of your lens (eg.f.1.4 will be display) to present you with the brightest available lens opening (f1.4 in this case) for easy view, focus and composing. Please note the FE2 (FA & newer series) has a FIXED meter coupling lever (4). |
Stop-down exposure measurement
must be made whenever the aperture ring of the lens doesn't couple with the meter
coupling lever of the camera. After focusing and switching on the meter, follow these
procedures You may skip this section if all your lenses owned are AI, AI-S, Series
E or AF Nikkor lenses. But IF you have a older Nikkor lens that doesn't have a metering
coupling ridge or if you are using a PC (Perspective Control) Nikkor lens or if you
are working with some older extension tubes, bellows or attachments that doesn't
have a direct meter coupling facilities, then the Stopped down metering method should
be used. In short, Stop-down exposure measurement must be made whenever the aperture
ring of the lens doesn't couple with the meter coupling lever of the camera. After
focusing and switchinq on the meter, follow these procedures:
For Lenses with
Automatic Diaphragms In
P, S, or A mode: Push the depth-of-field preview lever all the way down, manually
stop the lens down or open it up to your desired f-number, and trip the shutter while
holding the lever. Note that, with the lever depressed. metering is automatically
switched to centerweighted In M mode: Hold down the preview lever and turn
the shutter speed dial and/or lens aperture ring until the LCD shows -+, indicating
correct exposure on manual. Release the preview lever and take the shot. NOTE: If the depth-of-field /ever is pushed down
in the P or S mode, the shooting mode is automefically switched to the A mode; also the LCD shows the shutter speed
selected by the camera for the aperture in use . In the S mode, the shutter speed
indication showing the shutter speed set on the dial does not
disappear.
For Lenses or Accessories
Without Automatic Diaphragms In
A mode only: P and S modes should not be used. Stop the lens down manually until
the desired shutter speed appears in the viewfinder. Then take the picture. In
M mode: Adjust the shutter speed or aperture until the -+ indication appears
above M.
For Fixed-Aperture
Lenses, Photomicrography, or Astrophotography In
P, S, or A mode: No adjustment of aperture and shutter speed is necessary; just
take the picture. In M mode: Adjust the shutter speed dial until the LCD shows
-+, indicating correct exposure on manual. If correct exposure is unobtainable, use
an ND (neutral density) filter or electronic flash unit As a last resort, change
to a faster or slower film.
| Back | to Main Index Page of Nikon FA
Other Technical
Issues
Relating to Nikon FA
Camera Instruction
Manual - HTML | PDF
(1.4 MB)
Main Reference
Map for Body -
HTML | PDF
(731k)
Specifications - HTML
| PDF (245k)
The AI-S Nikkors (related info | TTL OTF Flash Metering | Interchangeable Focusing Screens. The MD-15/MD12/MD11 Motor Drives | 3rd party Power Winder (new) | Flash Units - | SB-15 | SB-10 | SB-16B & Other Options | Databacks | Titanium Shutter | Variation : Mr Y K Wong from Singapore contributing 11 images of his Nikon FA GOLD
| Nikon FM series |
Nikon FE series |
Nikon
FA |
W A R N I N G: The New G-SERIES Nikkor lenses have no aperture ring on the lens, they CANNOT ADJUST APERTURES with any of these manual focus Nikon FE series SLR camera models; please ignore some portion of the content contained herein this site where it relates.
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Others:- Nikon AF-TTL Speedlights | SB-20 (1986) | SB-22 (1987) | SB-23 | SB-24 (1988) | SB-25 (1991/2) | SB-26 (1994) | SB-27(1997) | SB-28 (1997) | Nikon SB-29(s) (2000) | Nikon SB-30 (2003) | Nikon SB-600 (2004) | Nikon SB-800 (2003) Nikon AF-TTL Speedlight DX-Series: Nikon SB-28DX (1999) | SB-50DX (2001) | SB-80DX (2002)
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Special
Application lenses: Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm |
MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm
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Recommended links to understand more technical details
related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my
friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen,
Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html
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A contributing effort to Michael C Liu's Classic Nikon Site.
Credit: Chuck Hester for some of his beautiful images used in this site; Ted Wengelaar®, Holland for his continuous flow of input; Lars Holst Hansen, Danish 'Hawkeye' who shares the same passion; Mr Poon from Poon photo for their input; Ms Miss Rissa (Sales Manager) & members of the Technical Service dept. of Shriro Malaysia, local distributor of Nikon cameras in Malaysia & Singapore, in providing so many useful input to make this site possible. Special thanks to Mr MC Lau, who has helped with his images of the MF-12 databack. Michael Tan, Pertama Photo (603-2926505) for lending his original Titanium Shutter Display Unit. Dave Hoyt who has prepared the introductory page and offer some images of his FE2 in this site.. Hiura Shinsaku, Nikomat ML, Japan for his contribution on all the various images; A contributing site to a long lost friend on the Net. Note: Certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their own work to publish in this site based on educational merits. The creator of this site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from such possible dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Made witha PowerMac.