Nikon FM3A INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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 Aper- ture-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.

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 components. 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)

Tripod mat

... 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.

Contents

1 Prior to Use
Getting Started -----------------------------------------------------------------------	2
Symbols used in this manual -----------------------------------------------------	2
Notice -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------	3
Camera Parts (Body, Viewfinder indications) ---------------------------------	6
2 Basic Operations for Shooting ---------------------------------------	9
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

3 Controls in Detail -------------------------------------------------------	23
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
4 Steps of Advanced Photography ----------------------------------	31
Flash Photography ----------------------------------------------------------------	32
AE-Lock Photography ------------------------------------------------------------	36
Self-Timer Photography ----------------------------------------------------------	37
Multiple-Exposure Photography ------------------------------------------------	38
5 Additional Information ------------------------------------------------	39
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

Camera Parts

Body

Meter-coupling lever

Aperture index window

Lens mounting index			Depth of field preview lever
TTL flash-compensation
			p.29
button	p.33
		N i k o n	Self-timer lever	p.37
Lens-release button
			Shutter-release button

p.12

p.16

Sync-cord terminal

Frame counter

p.30

p.29

Neckstrap

1 n o ki

eyelet

Film-rewind

crank

p.22

Film-rewind knob

Multiple-exposure

lever

p.38

p.13

Film-advance lever

p.25

Film-plane

Auto-lock release button

p.24

indicator

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

Film-speed index

Exposure-compensation mark

p.26

Film-speed setting ring

Film confirmation window

Film anti-curl roller

Film-takeup spoolp.13

AE-lock button p.36

Film guide rails

Shutter curtainsp.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.

Camera Parts (Continued)

Viewfinder indications

	7Exposure compensa-	6Ready		5Aperture		812mm-diameter
1Overexposure	tion indicator (red)		light (red)		indication	reference circle


alert zone (red)
alert zone (red)

2Shutter-speed indicator (blue)

3Exposure-meter indicator (black)

Shutter speed display

4Underexposure alert zone (red)

14Overexposure/underexposure alert zone

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.

2Shutter-speed indicator

Moves synchronously as you turn the shutterspeed dial. For example, if you set the shut- ter-speed dial to “A,” the shutter-speed indicator points to “A.” In Manual mode, it points to the selected shutter speed.

3Exposure-meter indicator

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,”

the needle will not move.

5 Aperture indication

The current lens aperture setting is indicated.

6Ready light (p. 32)

7Exposure-compensation indicator

Lights if you perform exposure compensation. (Remember to return the exposure compensation dial to “0” after shooting.)

812mm-diameter reference circle

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.

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.

Basic Operations for Shooting

•In aperture-priority auto exposure shooting, select the aperture setting appropriate to your desired result. (p.18)

Full aperture settings	Intermediate aperture	Narrow aperture
	settings	settings

For an out-of-focus background or foreground

For a distant view that			For sharp focus of both
requires precedence of			foreground and
definition			background

•In manual exposure shooting, you can freeze a moving subject 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).
One 3V	or	Two silver-oxide
lithium		or
battery		alkaline batteries

... Use a coin or equivalent to unscrew the lid

counterclockwise.

... Make sure that the + pole faces upward.

Return the battery chamber lid to 3 its closed position.

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 1 and lightly press the shutter-

1 release button 2 .

... 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.

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.

•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)

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.

Attaching/Detaching a Lens

Attaching a lens

Align the mounting index on the lens with the mounting index of

1 the camera body.

Insert and twist the lens counter- 2 clockwise (as shown by the arrow).

... Twist the lens slowly until it clicks into place.

Detaching the lens

... Press and hold the lens-release button 1and twist the lens clockwise 2, (as shown by the

arrow) to detach.

•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 camera 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.)

Loading Film

Tips

When you use DX-coded film, the camera automatically detects the film speed and makes the appropriate setting.

1 Open the camera back.

Insert a roll of film 1 and push 2 the rewind knob 2 back down.

... When you lift the film-rewind knob, the camera back will open.

3 Insert the film leader into one of

the slots of the film-takeup spool.

Fit the film sprocket holes of the

4 film onto the spool’s sprockets.

200001

... 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.

Loading Film (Continued)

Advance the film on the film- 5 takeup spool.

6 Check the position of the film.

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 7 up the film slack.

... 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.

... 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.

... Wind the film-advance lever 1and 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.

Setting the Film Speed (DX-Coded Film)

Tips

When using DX-coded film, set the film-speed index to . When using non-DX- coded 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 1 ring.

2 Set the film speed to

... 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.

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
	down

•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.

Focusing

Focusing ring
4000
2000
1000
500
250
125
60
30
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.

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