Nikon FM3A INSTRUCTION MANUAL
(E)
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
E
Getting Started
Thank you for purchasing this Nikon FM3A camera. Please read this instruction manual
carefully for complete details on getting the most from your Nikon FM3A.
Your new Nikon FM3A features a Manual Exposure mode for total control of exposure, as
well as a semi-automatic Aperture-Priority Exposure mode. Aperture Priority mode lets
you adjust the aperture for the desired depth of field while the shutter speed is automatically adjusted accordingly. The FM3A incorporates a special hybrid shutter mechanism
that offers the advantages of a mechanical focal plane shutter for use during manual
operation, as well as an electronically controlled focal plane shutter for use during Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure operation. Even when the FM3A's battery power is fully exhausted, all shutter speeds remain functional in Manual Exposure mode.
The FM3A features a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 sec., a flash sync speed of 1/250,
multiple exposure control, interchangeable focusing screens, and the ability to use the
MD-12 Motor Drive for high speed sequence photography. The Nikon FM3A's flash system
offers TTL control in both Manual Exposure mode and Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure
mode, and includes a flash compensation button that provides a natural looking flash
result.
We hope you enjoy using your new Nikon FM3A camera, and would like to thank you for
choosing Nikon.
Symbols used in this manual
Tips
Indicates items in boxes that contain important matters to be noticed first.
Indicates items to be checked, such as requirements and restrictions.
Indicates pages for reference.
...
Indicates supplementary descriptions.
2
Notice
Take trial shots
Take a few test shots before shooting important events like weddings or graduations.
Have Nikon spot-check your camera regularly
Nikon recommends that you have your camera serviced by an authorized dealer or
service center at least once every two years.
Using your camera correctly
The Nikon FM3A’s performance has been optimized for use with Nikon brand accessories. Accessories made by other manufacturers may not meet Nikon’s criteria for
specifications, and nonconforming accessories could damage the FM3A’s compo-
nents. Nikon cannot guarantee the FM3A’s performance when it is used with other than
Nikon brand accessories.
Supplied accessories
Body cap (white) Battery (CR-1/3N)
...
When using a tripod with a lens of such large diameter that the lens touches the tripod, insert
the tripod mat between the camera and tripod.
Tripod mat
3
Contents
Prior to Use
1
Getting Started -----------------------------------------------------------------------2
Symbols used in this manual -----------------------------------------------------2
Notice ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
Camera Parts (Body, Viewfinder indications) --------------------------------- 6
Basic Operations for Shooting--------------------------------------- 9
2
Installing Batteries ----------------------------------------------------------------- 10
Checking the Battery Power ---------------------------------------------------- 11
Attaching/Detaching a Lens----------------------------------------------------- 12
Loading Film ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13
Setting the Film Speed (DX-Coded Film)------------------------------------ 15
Holding the Camera (How to press the shutter-release button) ------- 16
Focusing ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17
Shooting------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 18
Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure Mode -------------------------------- 18
Manual Exposure Mode --------------------------------------------------- 20
Rewinding the Film ---------------------------------------------------------------- 22
4
Controls in Detail ------------------------------------------------------- 23
3
Shutter-Speed Dial ---------------------------------------------------------------- 24
Film-Advance Lever --------------------------------------------------------------- 25
Manual Film-Speed Setting ----------------------------------------------------- 26
Exposure-Compensation Indicator -------------------------------------------- 27
Frame Counter --------------------------------------------------------------------- 29
Depth of Field Preview Lever --------------------------------------------------- 29
Film-Plane Indicator--------------------------------------------------------------- 30
Accessory Shoe and Sync-Cord Terminal----------------------------------- 30
Steps of Advanced Photography---------------------------------- 31
4
Flash Photography ---------------------------------------------------------------- 32
AE-Lock Photograph y ------------------------------------------------------------ 36
Self-Timer Photography---------------------------------------------------------- 37
Multiple-Exposure Photography------------------------------------------------ 38
Additional Information ------------------------------------------------ 39
5
Shutter Speed and Aperture Setting ------------------------------------------ 40
Depth of Field----------------------------------------------------------------------- 41
Light-Metering Methods ---------------------------------------------------------- 41
Lens Compatibility ----------------------------------------------------------------- 42
Optional Accessories ------------------------------------------------------------- 44
Changing the Focusing Screen ------------------------------------------------ 46
Tips on Handling the Camera and Batteries -------------------------------- 48
Glossary------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 50
Specifications ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 54
5
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1
Camera Parts
Body
Meter-coupling lever
Lens mounting index
TTL flash-compensation
button p.33
Lens-release button
p.12
Sync-cord terminal
p.30
Neckstrap
eyelet
Film-rewind
crank
p.22
Film-rewind knob
p.13
Film-plane
indicator
Film-speed index
p.26
Aperture index window
Depth of field preview lever
p.29
Self-timer lever p.37
4
5
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2
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8
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Shutter-release button
p.16
Frame counter
p.29
Multiple-exposure
lever p.38
Film-advance lever p.25
Auto-lock release button
p.24
Shutter-speed dial p.24
Shutter-speed indication
Shutter-speed index
Speedlight sync contact
Accessory shoe p.30
Exposure-compensation
lock release button p.28
Exposure-compensation indicator p.27
Exposure-compensation index
Exposure-compensation mark
Film-speed setting ring
6
Film confirmation window
Film anti-curl roller
Film-takeup spool p.13
AE-lock button p.36
Film guide rails
Shutter curtains p.13
Viewfinder
Eyepiece
Film-pressure
plate
Camera back
Motor-drive coupling
Motor-drive shutter coupling
Film-rewind button p.22
Data Back contacts
Film sprockets p.13
Socket for tripod/motor drive
Battery chamber lid p.10
Film guide pin
Motor-drive sync contacts
DX contact
Rewind fork
About CE marking
CE stands for Conformité Européenne. This marking guarantees that the product meets all applicable EC regulations.
7
Camera Parts (Continued)
Viewfinder indications
77
7Exposure compensa-
77
tion indicator (red)
11
1Overexposure
11
alert zone (red)
22
2Shutter-speed
22
indicator
(blue)
33
3Exposure-meter
33
indicator (black)
Shutter speed display
44
4Underexposure
44
alert zone (red)
11
44
1
4 Overexposure/underexposure alert zone
11
44
This is the alert zone, which indicates that the
shutter speed is out of range and will result in
over/under exposure. Change the aperture setting and/or shutter speed so that the exposure
meter indicator does not fall into this zone.
22
2 Shutter-speed indicator
22
Moves synchronously as you turn the shutterspeed dial. For example, if you set the shutter-speed dial to “A,” the shutter-speed indicator points to “A.” In Manual mode, it points
to the selected shutter speed.
33
3 Exposure-meter indicator
33
With a light press of the shutter-release button, power is supplied to the exposure meter
and the indicator (needle) swings according
to the brightness of the subject and the aperture setting, and indicates the correct shutter
speed. When the shutter-speed dial is on “B,”
8
55
66
6Ready
66
light (red)
55
5 Aperture indication
55
66
6 Ready light (
66
77
7 Exposure-compensation indicator
77
88
8 12mm-diameter reference circle
88
Note: The background of the shutter speed display in the viewfinder is shown white in this manual
to clearly show the shutter speeds and indicators, but it is actually transparent and you can
see the picture.
5Aperture
55
indication
the needle will not move.
The current lens aperture setting is indicated.
Lights if you perform exposure compensation.
(Remember to return the exposure compensation dial to “0” after shooting.)
The exposure meter of this camera employs a
center-weighted metering system. You can obtain proper exposure by metering the light with
the main portion of your subject located within
the center 12mm-diameter circle in the viewfinder.
88
812mm-diameter
88
p. 32)
reference circle
Basic Operations for Shooting
• In aper ture-pr ior ity auto exposure shooting, select the aper-
ture setting appropriate to your desired result. ( p.18)
Full aperture settings Intermediate aperture
For an out-of-focus
background or
foreground
settings
For a distant view that
requires precedence of
definition
Narrow aperture
settings
For sharp focus of both
foreground and
background
• In manual e xposure shooting, you can freeze a moving sub-
ject by using a high shutter speed, or you can accentuate
the flow of water by using a low shutter speed.
With skillful use of shutter speed and aperture, you can obtain the desired effect in your photographs. ( p.20)
Installing Batteries
Tips
Three types of batteries can be used with this camera.
1) One 3V lithium battery (CR-1/3N type)
2) Two 1.55V silver-oxide batteries (SR44 type)
3) Two 1.5V alkaline batteries (LR44 type)
...
Use new batteries of the same type when you use two batteries.
1
Remove the battery chamber lid.
2
Install the battery (batteries).
...
Use a coin or equivalent to unscrew the lid
counterclockwise.
Return the battery chamber lid to
3
its closed position.
10
One 3V
lithium
battery
...
Make sure that the + pole faces upward.
or
Two silver-oxide
alkaline batteries
or
Checking the Battery Power
Check the battery power after installing a new battery (or new batteries) before starting
shootings.
Pull out the film-advance lever
and lightly press the shutterrelease button
1
...
Pressing the shutter-release button lightly and
stopping it halfway is called a “Light press.”
The power is turned on and the exposure meter
is activated when you pull the film-advance lever out to the standoff position and lightly press
the shutter-release button.
• When the shutter-speed dial is set to the “B” position, the exposure meter is not
activated. Be sure to set the dial to another position.
• If the exposure-meter needle stops moving while the camera is being used, set the
shutter-speed dial to the “B” position first and then change to another position.
Make sure that the exposure-meter needle is moving.
• If you load non-DX-coded film with the film-speed index set to , or if no film is
loaded, the exposure-compensation indicator and the ready light blink alternately as a
warning. ( p.15)
22
2 .
22
11
1
11
Check that the exposure-meter
2
needle moves in the viewfinder.
...
When battery power is sufficient, the indicator keeps moving for approx. 16 sec. after
you take your finger off the shutter-release
button.
Reference for battery replacement
1) Replace the battery (or batteries) at the earliest opportunity if the exposure-meter
needle moves only when you hold the shutter-release button pressed and then falls
down at once when you release it.
2) Replace the battery (or batteries) immediately if the shutter curtains do not open
and the mirror stays at the upper position disabling film advance or if there is no
change in the viewfinder indications when you press the shutter-release button with
the shutter-speed dial set to the “A” position.
...
In this case, set the dial to a position other than the “A” position to restore the
original state.
11
Attaching/Detaching a Lens
1
1
.
2
2
.
2
Attaching a lens
Align the mounting index on the
lens with the mounting index of
1
the camera body.
Detaching the lens
...
Press and hold the lens-release button 1 and
twist the lens clockwise 2, (as shown by the
arrow) to detach.
Insert and twist the lens counter-
2
clockwise (as shown b y the arrow).
...
Twist the lens slowly until it clicks into place.
• Use an Ai-type lens with this camera. There are some non-Ai-type lenses that can
be used with this camera. See page 42 for lens compatibility.
•Avoid direct sunlight when attaching/detaching a lens.
• When attaching a lens, take care not to press the lens release button.
• When you leave the camer a unattended without a lens attached, be sure to attach
the supplied body cap (page 3), or the optional body cap BF-1A. (The BF-1 body
cap for previous models can also be attached.)
12
Loading Film
200001
Tips
When you use DX-coded film, the camera automatically detects the film speed and
makes the appropriate setting.
Open the camera back.
1
...
When you lift the film-rewind knob, the camera back will open.
Insert the film leader into one of
3
the slots of the film-takeup spool.
200001
Insert a roll of film
2
the rewind knob
Fit the film sprocket holes of the
film onto the spool’s sprockets.
4
11
1 and push
11
22
2 back down.
22
...
Slowly rotate the film-takeup spool inward with
your thumb, making sure the latch is in the
slot such that the film sprocket holes of the
film are meshed with the sprockets.
Caution when loading/unloading film
The shutter curtains are very thin. When loading/unloading film, be careful not to touch the shutter curtains with your fingers or the film leader.
13
Loading Film (Continued)
Advance the film on the film-
5
takeup spool.
200001
...
To advance the film on the film-takeup spool,
pull out the film-advance lever to the standoff
position and wind it slowly.
Close the camera back and take
up the film slack.
7
...
1 Slowly close the door of the camera back
until it snaps shut into the camera body.
...
2 Pull out the film-rewind crank and rotate it
in the direction of the arrow until it stops to
take up the slack inside the film cartridge.
Check the position of the film.
6
...
Make sure that the film sprocket holes are perfectly meshed with the film sprockets and that
the film is correctly set between the film guide
rails.
8
Make a few blank exposures.
...
Wind the film-advance lever 1 and press the
shutter-release button 2 until the frame
counter indicates frame 1.
...
Adjust the shutter-speed dial to a high speed
other than “A.”
• If the film-rewind knob fails to rotate when you wind the film-advance lever , reload
the film cartridge.
• Repeat making blank exposures until the frame counter indicates frame 1.
14
Setting the Film Speed (DX-Coded Film)
Tips
When using DX-coded film, set the film-speed index to . When using non-DXcoded film, set the film speed manually. See page 26.
...
When the film-speed index is set to , the film speed is automatically set (ISO
25 to 5000).
Pull up the film-speed setting
ring.
1
Set the film speed to .
2
...
Turn the ring in the direction of the arrow.
If you load non-DX-coded film with the film-speed index set to , or if no film is
loaded, the exposure-compensation indicator and the ready light blink alternately as
a warning.
Film confirmation window
•You can check the film type, the number
of frames, and the ISO film speed in the
film confirmation window.
15
Holding the Camera (How to press the shutter-release button)
How to hold the camera
Grip the camera in your right hand and look through the viewfinder. Keep your left elbow
propped against your body to keep the camera steady.
To hold horizontally To hold vertically
How to press the shutter-release button
The shutter-release button of this camera has a 2-step mechanism.
...
Pull out the film-advance lever to the standoff position and press the shutter-release
button lightly stopping about halfway. This operation is called a “Light press.” The
shutter is released when you press the shutter-release button completely down from
the lightly-press position.
...
With a “Light press,” the exposure meter turns on, and the meter-on timer is activated.
The timer on duration is for approx. 16 seconds from the time you remove your finger
from the lightly-pressed shutter-release button, and it is also on for approx. 16 seconds after the shutter is released.
Press lightly Slowly press
•Moving the camera while pressing the shutter-release button may cause “camera
shake” and result in a blurred photograph. Choose a high shutter speed of faster
than 1/(focal-length-of-lens) second for handheld shooting. Use a tripod and the
AR-3 cable release to eliminate camera shake.
• Do not press the shutter-release button abruptly or sharply. Do a “Light press” with
the bulb of your index finger, then squeeze to press the button slowly to the end to
release the shutter. Pressing abruptly may cause camera shake.
• When the shutter-speed dial is set to “B,” the exposure meter is not activated.
16
down
Focusing
Focusing ring
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
5
0
5
2
25
1
60
0
3
15
8
4
2
1
B
Microprism
collar
Split-image
rangefinder
Matte field
Look through the viewfinder and put the subject in focus by rotating the focusing ring of
the lens.
Tips
•To focus using the split-image rangefinder, turn the focusing ring of the lens until the
upper and lower images coincide perfectly to form a single unbroken image .
Example: In focus Example: Out of focus
•To focus using the microprism grid or matte, turn the focusing ring so that the fuzzy
image becomes sharp.
• Get your main subject in focus.
...
If you want to photograph a flower, focus on a stamen or pistil, and for an animal
or person, focus on the eyes.
17
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