Found a Mint FM3A at the local Camera store in San Antonio while coming back from the hospital. I had my wife stop in, and I went in, and there was a beautiful FM3A w/50mm Ais lens sitting in the used case. For those who have used this camera, is it a good one?

Yes.

http://photo.net/equipment/nikon/fm3a

It has the ability to operate completely, minus the light meter, without batteries.

It's a fine camera.

You didn't say what the price is, but if it's more than $200, then you might consider a used FE2, which is basically an older version of the FM3A.

~Ted

They wanted about $600

600 is the high end of Ebay. 500 seems about average. Maybe you can haggle?

FE2 doesn't work fully without batteries. The FM3A is the ultimate body in the FM / FE / FA series. Not that the FE2 isn't a good camera...

Gerald

FM3A is the ultimate manual body. last model too, i believe. that would explain the high price. Was it at Camera Exchange?

Good camera to have if you anticipate travel to places with inclement weather and no services although a less expensive version of the FM family would be fine too. Seal-a-meal it and toss it in with your stuff and dozen rolls of film for just in case. I would include some print/negative film as well for the exposure latitude (heck, they shoot movies on it. It can't be all that bad...), write down some basic exposure rules for sunlight and overcast in case of complete electronic failure and tape it to the camera back. These old mechanical cameras can save the day. Plus they are epically cool pieces of old school manufacture.

Yes. I lust for it, but cannot come up with the cash right now.

loudtiger wrote:
FM3A is the ultimate manual body. last model too, i believe. that would explain the high price. Was it at Camera Exchange?

Price seems high. Just found this on the local CL...

"Nikon FM3A 35mm camera - purchased new in 2005, hardly used. ***This camera is a collector's item.*** Comes with Sigma 70mm lens, Nikon 70-210mm zoom lens, Seikanon macro lens, set of close-up lenses, Sunpak flash, and new carrying case"