jerryc41 wrote:
Watching a lot of photography channels on YouTube, the presenters often say that their favorite camera of all time is the Nikon FM3. Looking on eBay, they are being offered and sold for very high prices in comparison with other Nikkormats. I'm not interested in buying one, but I thought the difference in pricing was surprising. I have no experience with the Nikkormat. I had an F Photomic back in the day.
I agree that the FM3A (2001) is a very nice camera....
However my favorite Nikon is the one generation older FM2n (1989). I have two of them... one that's matte chrome and the other black (and "like new").
The Nikon FM cameras are all manual exposure models. They have a built in meter that can be used for "match needle" method setting exposure, but I tend to use a separate handheld meter or just the "sunny 16" rule (and it's derivatives). The Nikon FE-series ran parallel to the FM-series, the primary difference being that the FE-series have both manual and aperture priority auto exposure modes.
Both FE-series and FM-series Nikons were more compact cameras, in response to the success of the Olympus OM-1. They also represent a transition from fully mechanical operation to electronics, which in part allowed for the more compact design. Even with the transition to electronics, these Nikon models didn't give up any of the brand's reputation for durability and reliability. However they do require batteries for full operation (there is just one shutter speed possible without battery power).
The Nikon FE2 (1983) got a titanium bladed shutter, which allowed it to have a 1/4000 top shutter speed and 1/250 flash sync. While common today, those were practically unheard of speeds in those days. But I'm not sure if the FE2 was the first to offer them. These were then incorporated in the FM2n in 1989, however by then they had switched to an aluminum bladed shutter (early FM2n have honeycomb shutter blades, later ones have smooth blades).
A main difference between the FM2n and the FM3A is in the exposure system, the newer model offering improved metering accuracy. But even more notably, aperture priority auto exposure was added to the FM3A. In a sense, the FM3A represents a merging of the FM-series with the FE-series. Reportedly, Nikon had noticed the high prices the FM2, FM2n, FE2 and FA models were bringing on the used market and decided to bring out the manual focus FM3A model in spite of the predominance of auto focus cameras and the beginnings of the transition to digital.
Both FM2n and FM3A cameras can be fitted with Nikon MD-12 motor drive, which advances the film at about 3.5 frames/sec. I know the FM2n also works with the earlier MD-11 drive, but am not sure it's compatible with the FM3A. The modestly redesigned MD-12 was concurrent with both FM2n and FM3A (and also works on the earlier Nikon FM and later Nikon FA, as well as the FE-series cameras). Nicknamed "the AK-47 of motor drives" for the loud noise they make, I have both my FM2n's fitted with MD-12s. In addition to film advance (slow by modern standards), MD-11 and especially MD-12 offer a secure and comfortable grip, more like many modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
Spirit Vision Photography wrote:
...FM3A is fetching ridiculous prices. Get the FE-2, which is almost identical, and better built...
I don't know if the earlier models are better built (I've handled an FM3A, but not used one long term)....
But I'd say...
If you want aperture priority auto exposure mode, along with manual, get the FE2. They were built from 1982 to 1987.
If you want aperture priority AE, shutter priority AE, and program AE, as well as manual, get a Nikon FA (1983 to 1987).
If you are happy with manual exposure only, get an FM2 (1983 to 1989) or FM2n (1989 to 2001).