Film Photography, Camera ReviewMorten ByskovFebruary 16, 2022SLR Camera, Film Camera, Sample Images, Sample Photos, Nikon FM3a review, Nikon FM3a sample images, Nikon FM3a sample photos, Ilford HP5 sample images, Ilford Delta 100 Sample Images, Fujifilm Superia 200 Sample images, Nikon FM3a history, Nikon FM3a specs8 Comments

Nikon FM3a Review

A Nikon FM3a, chrome, 35mm film SLR camera shown with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AIS — Nikon FM3a, chrome, shown with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S

A Long Road to the Nikon FM3a

It was an interesting journey that led me to the Nikon FM3a. Heavily influenced by my high school buddy, Ole (forty years ago), I picked up a Nikon FE2 a few years ago but sold it shortly after as my sole focus was on our travel project at the time.

I liked the FE2 but the timing was not right. Last summer I found a mint Nikon FM2n on eBay that was hard to resist. I quite enjoyed it also but missed the aperture priority mode from the FE2. This led me to a camera I once had in the mid-eighties, the Nikon F3.

I had fun with the Nikon F3 but it was heavier than I was comfortable with for a daily-carry film camera. As it happened there were a couple of issues/defects with the F3 and hence, I ended up returning it to the eBay vendor without any problems.

Nikon FM3a shown with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AIS — The Nikon FM3a shown with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S

Nikon FM3a - the Be All End All Camera?

I checked pricing for quite some time for the Nikon FM3a on eBay but they all came in slightly higher than I was comfortable with. When a mint copy showed up on our local buy-sell before Christmas, I met up with a friendly photographer.

The FM3a was indeed mint. I was tempted but cooled my jets, at least for a few weeks till after the holidays when I finally gave in to G.A.S. (gear acquisition syndrome).

The question is; Is the Nikon FM3a the be-all-end-all of the FE and FM series of Nikon cameras? Or could I be just as happy with a Nikon FE2 or another camera at a lesser cost for that matter?

The Nikon FM3a 35mm SLR film camera shown with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AIS — The Nikon FM3a shown with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S

Nikon FM3a - History

The Nikon FM3a was manufactured from 2001 to 2006 and was indeed the last hurrah for the Nikon FE and FM series 35mm film SLR cameras. In essence, Nikon merged the fully mechanical FM2n with the FE2 which had an AE, auto exposure, and aperture priority shooting mode.

The Nikon FM3a was introduced at a time when digital SLRs were becoming mainstream but many photographers still clung to the Nikkor manual focus lenses and at launch, the FM3a was a popular choice among pro photographers.

Only the finest staff at Nikon was gathered to manufacture this high-quality product.

A man takes a moment to rest on his walker outside the Astoria Hotel in East Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon FM3a on Ilford HP5 Plus — East Vancouver, Nikon FM3a, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S, Ilford HP5 Plus

Nikon FM3a Specs

To this day the fact that the Nikon FM3a can shoot with shutter speeds up to 1/4000s is a big plus considering many film cameras from this era, including many Leica cameras, would max out at 1/1000s. Not that I want to turn this into a Leica vs. Nikon post. I would love to shoot a Leica at some point.

This fast shutter speed is especially useful if you tend to shoot your lenses wide open and find yourself in bright daylight with a high-speed ISO film.

The Nikon FM3a is an electronically-controlled and mechanically-controlled 35 mm focal-plane shutter SLR camera and the headline feature is the fact that it, like the FM2 and Nikon FM2n, works at all shutter speeds without the use of a battery.

The Seymour Building in downtown Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon FM3a on Ilford HP5 Plus — East Vancouver, Nikon FM3a, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S, Ilford HP5 Plus

For the light meter to work and to shoot in aperture priority mode you will need batteries.

The metering is TTL center-weighted 60/40. For film sensitivity settings (ISO), unlike the FE2 and FM2n, the Nikon FM3a has a DX system that automatically detects the proper ISO setting for your film (ISO 25-5000). I find this quite handy. Manual ISO can also be set from ISO 12 to 6400.

Exposure compensation can be adjusted to ±2EV in units of 1/3 of a stop.

The film rewind, exposure compensation dial, and ISO dial on the Nikon FM3a. The ISO setting at the DX setting — Nikon FM3a film rewind, exposure compensation dial, and ISO dial at the DX setting which automatically detect your film speed

The Nikon FM3a weighs 20.1 oz, 570 g, and feels very sturdy. In comparison, the Nikon F3, which I found a bit too heavy weighs 25.2 oz, 715 g, and my main go-to digital mirrorless camera, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 weighs 15.8 oz, 447 g.

Perhaps surprisingly the X-Pro3 has a larger footprint and the main camera body overall feels taller with the range finder style design and only the hot shoe of the FM3a is a bit taller than the X-Pro3.

For an extensive spec list and history of the Nikon FM3a head over to Nikon’s official FM3a page.

Nikon FM3 hot shoe, shutter speed dial, shutter button, and film advance lever

Nikon FM3a - First Impressions

You can argue that the looks of a camera are completely irrelevant as performance and capability should always take precedence.

I happen to adore the looks of the Nikon FM3a. Gazing at it and knowing what is under the hood, it does feel like the culmination of film cameras from an era that shaped my photographic journey, and the rugged and good looks are reasons I now have one.

You could probably say the same about a Nikon FE2 or Nikon FM2n but with the FM3a it feels as if the refinement has been taken to a new level. Combine this with the fact the camera is much newer than any camera you could find in the FE or FM series and it should be a solid performer for years to come.

The FM3a is also highly functional with easy-to-access buttons and dials that firmly move and are easily adjusted. Especially the shutter speed dial is very solid to the touch.

Nikon FM3a with the film advance lever in the un-lock position — The Nikon FM3a. The film advance lever is in the unlocked position. As a left-eye shooter, this is problematic as the film advance lever can get in the way making it harder to see the shutter speed information on the left side of the viewfinder.

With the Nikon FM3a, you have to move the film advance lever from its flush position with the camera to unlock it. You cannot trigger the shutter unless you do this and it makes for an ergonomic challenge for me.

The reason is the fact I am a left-eye shooter and it takes a bit of getting used to when putting your eye up to the viewfinder as the film advance lever sticks out.

It makes it hard to get a good angle to see the light meter reading on the left side of the viewfinder. If you are a right-eye shooter this should not be an issue at all and as a positive, the film advance lever can double as a thumb grip.

A couple enjoys the sunshine on a winter day at Fisherman's Wharf, False Creek, in Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon FM3a and Ilford HP5. — Fisherman’s Wharf, False Creek, Vancouver, Nikon FM3a, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S, Ilford HP5 Plus

Nikon FM3a After Three Rolls

The sample images in this review are from my first three rolls of film with the Nikon FM3a. The first roll was an Ilford HP5 Plus, then an Ilford Delta 100, and finally a roll of Fujifilm Superia 200.

I am pleased with the results and most of my images were in focus. I do feel that my aging eyesight is challenged by manual focusing but the K3, split-image micro prism type, matte screen is very bright and better than older models which does help in nailing focus.

Nikon FM3a, chrome, shown with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AIS — The Nikon FM3a shown with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S

Nikon FM3a Conclusion

To answer my question as to whether the Nikon FM3a is the be-all-end-all SLR camera, it is too soon to pass final judgment but the answer is probably, No!

It is, however, a very nice camera. With film cameras, unlike digital cameras, you do not have to worry about the sensor playing a role in determining image quality.

The final image quality will come down to the lens you use, the film you have chosen, and if your end goal is a digital file, the post-processing and how you copy your negatives will play a part as well.

The Nikon FM3a may be the ticket for you but a Nikon FE2 comes close at about half the cost and there are also many other choices when it comes to film cameras so you should take a good look at what ticks your boxes.

The Nikon FM3a will give you something in return when it comes to durability and for me, the aesthetics of the camera gives me pleasure that is hard to quantify.

The Nikon FM3a shown with a Voigtländer Ultron 40mm f/2 SL II S Aspherical

The ergonomics of the Nikon FM3a are not perfect for being a left-eye shooter but for right-eye shooters, this will be irrelevant. For handling, I prefer my Canon AV-1 but I plan to give the FM3a more time as many other facets of this camera are perfectly suited for my needs.

I have just received a new Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2 SL IIs and look forward to testing it out. I did manage to grab a few shots on Fujifilm Superia for this review. Stay tuned for a full review of the Ultron 40mm f/2 coming up.

The Nikon FM3a also comes in black which usually would have been my first pick. The fact that I found a local deal resulted in the chrome version now having a home with me. After having used it for a while I am not sure I have a color preference.

Stay tuned for more to come from the Nikon FM3a and please check the sample images below.

Nikon FM3a - Sample Images

The negatives in this post were copied using a Fujifilm X-Pro2, an AF Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D lens, and Skier Sunray Copybox 3. RAW files were imported to Lightroom and I used the Negative Lab Pro plugin to convert the files.

Please click to view larger images.