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The top panel of the FM3a is clean, neat and well illustrated. Most frequently used controls are readily available and easy to understand. It is very well made with quality materials but the familiar leatherlette-covered film advance lever base knob has been removed. Note: Illustrations among 3 cameras here are not to scale. |
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Comparing views of the top panels among FM3a, FM2n and FE2, You will find both FM3a and FE2 have more common features than to the simpler outlines of the FM2n. |
An overview of the FM3a's top panel and a brief outline of
the respective controls and their functions before we go into the details:
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The right hand section is usually referred as the command centre of a typical SLR camera. Here, it controls various shutter speed settings, auto/manual modes, shutter release action/lock, meter ON/OFF, film advance, multiple exposure and keeping track on number of frames used. |
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The center portion is the accessory shoe. It serves as the direct connection between TTL/Manual flash operation with the camera. The left section is far simpler than the right, it controls film speed indexing, exposure compensation during auto mode and film rewind action after completion of film roll. |
One beauty of the FM3a is in its sheer simplicity of camera control and operation. The camera has two basic exposure/operating modes (AUTO or Manual control), It is still extremely easy to understand and operate, even for beginners. If you are new to SLR photography, for a start - simply set the shutter speed to 'A' setting - then depending on your personal objectives and the desire effects, you can select any aperture value on the lens and shoot. Most likely, under normal circumstances, you should able to get satisfactory and accurate exposures.(refer to the manual section).
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To avoid accidental exposures, the FM3a camera retains the simple but highly practical way of using the film advance lever as an shutter release lock. You need to pull the film advance lever to a 30° standoff angle in order to get the camera ready for metering/shooting. The nicely contoured film advance lever has a short throw of approx. 135° winding angle which permits reasonable rapid-fire sequences (manually). |
Note: I forget to check if the film advance lever can perform multiple short strokes like the Nikon F3 (Since it has a mechanical mechanism, but I doubt it can, but do post your finding at the Message Board section).
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Generally, Nikon manual focus SLR cameras use low torque in its film transport system. It only takes someone who has handled rivaling camera brands to appreciate how smooth the film advance action perfoms. It is always so efforless and assuring to wind a frame with the film advance lever. |
This has also contributed to the power efficiency when the camera is used in conjunction with a Motor Drive unit. Some Interesting technical notes so that you may understand how well the Nikon cameras benefit from the low torque, high efficiency design: The 3.2 fps FM2n/MD-12 combination with only 8 AA-cells can power up to 100 rolls of 36 exposure film, as compared to the 5 fps Canon Motor Drive MA Set with 12 AA- cells is only able to manage 60 rolls ! The awesome Nikon F3/MD-4 is even more impressive in its 100/140 rolls capacity powered with only 8 AA cells (Carbon/Alkaline), almost DOUBLE that of the 12 AA-cell charge Canon New F-1/Motor Drive FN's miserable performance of 50/70 rolls.
Note : During manual film advance, even though the FM3a's film advance has been designed so smooth, DO NOT apply excessive pressure in winding the lever. You cannot wind the lever when the film is at the an end of film roll - double check this with the frame counter and you should then rewind the film.
Next, the shutter release button is located just above the film advance lever. It serves two major functions: to turn the meter on and release the shutter for an exposure and another secondary function to allow cable releasing the shutter.
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Employing a similar design first used on the Nikon FM2 back in 1982, it has two levels of function. Nikon terms it as "Light pressure" in the FM3a's leaflet. Pull out the film-advance lever to the standby position and press the shutter-release button lightly will activate the meter-on. The shutter is released when you completely depress the shutter-release button from the lightly-press position. |
The meter display inside the finder will turn off in16 seconds
automatically, after your finger leaves the button to conserve battery power. With
the MD12 Motor Drive, the camera is turned on when the shutter release button of
the MD-12 is pressed lightly, and it turns off approx. 66 seconds after your finger
leaves the button.
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The shutter release button is threaded to accept JIS-type cable release. It is useful in many photographic situations where absolute stable shutter release action is required. In some ways, it can also be used for remote photography via extension of cable. But most often, photographers need this feature for long time exposures control where using the finger keep depressing the shutter release button for extended time becomes in practical. Many commercial readily available cable releases have locking mechanism and you can make use of it to lock the shutter used in conjunction with bulb mode. For time lapse control photography, you can invest into a motor drive as Nikon cable-less remote photography uses add-on accessories with a motor drive unit. |
Positioned just next to the shutter release button is the frame counter. Its main function is to let you keep track of the remaining unexposed frames, and assist you in remembering the registration of the exact frame number prior to multiple exposure operation. Many Nikon SLR bodies introduced during the early 80's such as F3/FE2/FA, set the camera's shutter speed automatically on first few rames at their respective maximum sync speed. For an example, FE2 and FA will set the camera shutter speed to 1/250 sec until the counter reaches frame 1; the Nikon F3 will fire constantly at 1/80 sec.etc. Such design was good, considering many busy photographers often forget to turn the shutter speed ring to manual speed(s) after film installation; so when they set the camera shutter speed ring to auto mode ('A') to shoot, this will cause the mirror to flip up as the camera's metering system maybe misled for long time exposures. This is worse when you shoot in dim light or at night when using a flash. But many seasoned photographers hate this feature because they cannot squeeze a frame of two out from the film roll with a locked pre-frame of one exposure. Again, I made a mistake and forgot to check this when I had the camera for testing, so, if you have a FM3a, do verify this missing link for me to update this section - i.e. what will be the shutter speed be if you have set the shutter speed ring to 'A' (auto) position prior to frame one. Naturally, when turning to manual control, the shutter will fire away with any set speed indicated on the shutter speed ring.
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The additive type frame counter of the FM3a has indications of S, 1, 2, 4, 6 and up to 36 in even numbers. Frames of odd numbers are indicated by dots between the even numbers. |
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Even if there is no film in the camera, the frame counter is operative and advances by a single frame every time you wind the advance lever. After frame 36, the counter will not operate even if you wind the film advance lever; film will be advanced, however, up to the actual end of the film roll. The frame counter is automatically reset to "S" when the camera back is opened * . |
* Note: Mechanism on frame counter reset was explained earlier section.
The lever located just beside the rectangular frame counter window is the Multiple Exposure Lever. Multiple exposures is to expose many repetitive or add any new image onto the same exposed frame. So, when you intend to perform multiple exposure operation, ALWAYS remember the exact frame number prior to perform this task. In operation it is very simple and you can do it in one hand (do practice this operational sequence with no film roll installed inside). Just pull the lever with your index finder while using your thumb to advance the film, if the counter moves, it means you have done something wrong.
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Performing this task with Nikon cameras prior to the Nikon F3 and FM2 was very tedious (In fact, none of the older Nikkormat models have this and Nikon has not even highlighted it in their marketing literature(s). The F2(s) used a conventional method via film rewind button at camera base and requires manually rewinding the film backward. The button first seen on the FM was improved but was not positioned conveniently for ease of operation. |
The current feature with the lever moved next to film advance
lever to allow one hand operation was first seen in the Nikon FE back in 1978 and
it has been retained ever since).
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Lover's Moon... |
Well, multiple exposures with many of the MF Nikon SLRs mentioned is quite amazing. Because this easy-to-operate feature works on respective Motor Drives too, theoretically you can expose unlimited * number of frames onto the same pictures as long as the lever is held and pulled while has the shutter release button depressed while shooting in continuous mode. As far as this feature is concerned, it is a Nikon exclusive and has been unrivaled because for many years, none of the competition have had such simple, positive and assuring operation than the Nikons. Actually, many creative effects are awaiting you to explore regardless if you are using it singularly or in conjunction with a rapid firing motor drive. Unfortunately, I have seen very few creative works resulting from this useful and lovely feature over the years.
* Note: If images
are to be overlapped in the background, exposure compensation is required to offset
the increased of light onto same exposed frame. Depending on the number of exposures
used in multiple-exposure photography, you can make use of the guide below for reference
(When images do not overlap, no compensation is necessary.)
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Number of exposure(s) |
2 |
3 |
4 |
8 or 9 |
|
Standard Compensation Value |
-1.0 EV |
-1.5 EV |
-2.0 EV |
-3.0 EV |
| Previous | NEXT | The shutter speed ring/Mode selector
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Other
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Main
Reference Map
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Standard
production Nikon FM Series models:-
Nikon FM | Nikon FM2 | Nikon FM2n | Nikon FM10 | Nikon FM3a |
Known
variants:-
Nikon
FM Gold
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FM2/T
| Nikon
FM2N Tropical Set
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FM2/T Limited Edition
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FM2N LAPITA
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Nion
FM2n Millennium 2000
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Page of Nikon FM series Bodies
Shared Resources: MD-11 | MD-12 | Focusing Screens | Titanium Shutter | older dedicated Flash Units for FM series -SB-16 | SB-15 | SB-10 or other Options | Databack | Nikkor lens mount (related info)
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) (updated)
Nikon
BC-flash Series |
Original
Nikon Speedlight
SB-2
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SB-11
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Pilot Lamp
Instruction
Manual: Nikon FM (HTML | PDF) | Nikon FM-10 (HTML) | Nikon FM2n's
User's Manual
available only in HTML format (6
parts) | Nikon FM3A (HTML)
Specifications: Nikon FM, FM-10, FM2, FM2n and FM3A
Main Reference Map: (HTML) Nikon FM, FM2, FM-10, FM2n (Applicable
to FM2T, FM2 "Year of the Dog"; Millennium 2000") and FM3A
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Nikon F | Nikon F2 | Nikon F3 | Nikon F4 | Nikon F5 | Nikon F6 | Nikkormat / Nikomat | Nikon FM | Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital SLRs | Nikon - Other models |
Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main
Index Page
Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:- Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame |
Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm15mm18mm20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm28mm35mm | Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto
Lenses - 85mm105mm135mm180mm & 200mm | Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |
 Index Page |
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
Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E
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
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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History of Nikon SLRs
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Credit: To all the good people who has contributed their own experience, resources or those who are kind enough granting us permission to use their images appeared in this site. Mr. MCLau®, who has helped to rewrite some of the content appeared this site. Chuck Hester® who has been helping me all along with the development of all these Nikon websites;LarsHolst Hansen, 'Hawkeye' who shares the same passion I have; Ms Rissa, Sales manager from Nikon Corporation Malaysia for granting permission to use some of the official content; TedWengelaar,Holland who has helped to provide many useful input relating to older Nikkor lenses; Some of the references on production serial numbers used in this site were extracted from Roland Vink's website; HiuraShinsaku from Nikomat Club Japan. t is also a site to remember a long lost friend on the Net. Note:certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures, sales manuals or publications published by Nikon over the years and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.