Nikon FM3A User Manual

Crafted for personal control

35mm SLR

Hybrid Shutter Control System:

Hybrid shutter system providing exposure automation and the use of all shutter speeds even if the batteries fail. In Aperture Priority Auto mode shutter speeds are controlled electronically and in Manual mode all shutter speeds are mechanically timed and requires no battery power.

Personal Control: Manual mode for complete control of both aperture and shutter speed along with Aperture Priority Automatic when time is not a luxury.

Light Metering: Classic 60/40 Center Weighted metering. Match needle exposure display makes it easy to gauge over and under exposure

Versatile Exposure Extras: Auto Exposure Lock (AE-L) lets you lock exposure and recompose the shot as you like. Exposure Compensation lets you vary exposure from the metered value from +/- 2EV in 1/3 EV Steps.

Body Construction: Rugged copper, silumin aluminum alloy construction chassis and metal outer body

TTL Flash Metering System:

TTL (through-the-lens) flash exposure control with 1/250th sec. sync speed provided when used with compatible Nikon speedlights. Pressing the TTL Flash Compensation button reduces flash output for a balanced fill-flash effect or to avoid overexposure of subjects against a dark or distant background Slow Sync Fill-Flash possible in Manual Exposure Mode

New Brighter Viewfinder: Bright split image rangefinder and matte surface focusing screen for critical manual focus.

Shutter Speed and ISO Range:

Super fast 1/4,000 sec. to 1 sec. plus Bulb, in Manual Mode, 1/4,000 sec. to 8 sec. (stepless control) in Aperture Priority Mode ISO 25 to 5000 with DX-coded film; manual: ISO 12 to 6400

Interchangeable Focusing Screens:

Bright B3 matte / Fresnel screen for close-up or long telephoto shooting and E3 grid-line screen for architecture and landscape photography.

™

Also available in black

FM3

™

35mm SLR Specifications:

1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747 www.nikonusa.com / 1-800-Nikon-US

Type of camera: Manual focus 35mm single-lens reflex Picture format: 24mm x 36mm (standard 35mm film format) Lens mount: Nikon F mount; meter coupling lever provided; meter coupling lever release button not provided Compatible lenses: AI, AI-s, AF-D, AF-S, P -(except IX and G-type Nikkor lenses) Exposure modes: Aperture-Priority Auto; Manual Viewfinder: Eye-level pentaprism type; 0.80x magnification with 50mm lens set at infinity; finder coverage

approx. 93% of picture field

Focusing screen: Split-image microprism type (Type K3) provided as standard; matte type (B3) and matte with horizontal

and vertical line etchings (E3) also available

Eyepoint magnification: 14mm at –1.0 m-1 (dpt.) Viewfinder information: Shutter speed exposure meter indication, ADR (aperture direct readout) f-number in use, exposure compensation

mark, and flash ready-light

Reflex mirror: Automatic quick-return type incorporating special control gear and wheel mechanism for reduced mirror bounce;

non-lockable type

Metering system: Through-the-lens (TTL) 60/40 center weighted full aperture exposure metering system using a pair of

SPDs (silicon photodiodes) and metering IC circuit

Metering range: EV 1 to 20 at ISO 100 and with f/1.4 lens (i.e., from 1 sec. at f/1.4 to 1/4000 sec. at f/16) Exposure meter coupling: AI type Exposure compensation: Exposure compensated in ±2 EV range, in 1/3 steps Auto exposure lock: Detected exposure value locked by pressing AE-L button Film speed setting: DX: ISO 25 to 5000 with DX-coded film; manual: ISO 12 to 6400 Shutter: Vertical-travel, metal, focal plane shutter with aluminum alloy curtains Shutter release: Electronically controlled in A mode and mechanically controlled in M mode; Center-threaded shutter release button

accepts AR-3 Cable Release; button locked when film advance lever is flush with camera body

Shutter speed range: M Mode-1/4,000 sec. to 1 sec., B (Bulb), A Mode-1/4000 sec. to 8 sec. (stepless control) 14 discreet settings in all Sync contact: X-contact only; flash synchronization up to 1/250 sec. Flash synchronization: Built-in ISO-type hot-shoe; threaded sync cord terminal provided for off-camera or multi-flash photography;

synchronization with electronic flash units at speeds up to 1/250 sec.

Flash ready-light: LED provided; visible inside viewfinder; lights up when SB-28/28DX, SB-27, SB-50DX, SB-22s, SB-16B or SB-29

Speedlight Unit used is fully charged; blinks to warn that the shutter speed set is beyond the electronic flash’s sync range or for full output warning

Accessory shoe: Standard ISO-type hot-shoe contact (sync contact, ready-light contact, TTL auto flash contact, monitor contact,

GND), safety lock hole provided

Self-timer: Set/cancel mechanical type provided; approx. 4 to 10 sec. duration Depth-of-field preview button: Stops down lens aperture when pressed Film advance: Single-stroke type; 30 degree stand-off angle and 135 degree winding angle Film rewind: Manual via rewind crank Motor drive coupling: Electrical contact and coupler built in for operation with Motor Drive MD-12; the MD-12 is operable when film

advance lever is flush with camera body

Multiple exposure: Provided; disengages frame counter for correct count Power source: Choice of one 3V CR-1/3N lithium battery, two 1.55V SR44 silver-oxide batteries, or two 1.5V LR44 alkaline batteries;

optional Anti-Cold Battery Holder DB-2 accepting two 1.5V LR6 (AA-type alkaline), 1.2V KR-AA (AA-type NiCd) or

1.5V R6 (AA-type manganese) batteries available

Exposure meter switch: Lightly pressing the shutter release button switches meter on; meter stays on for approx. 16 sec. after finger leaves

button, then automatically switches off; meter automatically turned off when shutter speed dial is set to B

Camera back: Pops open when the film rewind knob is pulled up; detachable and interchangeable with Data Back MF-16;

film cartridge confirmation window provided

Body finish: Black or silver-color available Dimensions (W x H x D): 142.5 x 90 x 58mm Weight (without batteries): Approx. 20.1 oz. Product number: 1666 Chrome, 1667 Black

All specifications apply when two fresh SR44 or LR44 batteries are used at normal temperature (20°C - 68°F). For more complete specifications and compatibility information, refer to the Nikon FM3

A product brochure and/or the Nikon FM3A instruction manual. Specifications and design are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.