FM, F3 (non HP), or something else?

hark

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For some reason I've been looking at SLR's...specifically the more mechanical ones as I have an N90s and an N70. There is an FM locally that is in decent cosmetic shape, and the shutter and seals look good. For $50 more, there is an F3 (not the HP) that cosmetically has seen quite a bit of use, but its seals and shutter look pretty good.

I know their shutter sync speeds are different as are their highest ISO/ASA. The F3 is a more professional body (meaning more durable). I'm not sure if the F3 has a titanium shutter. Any pros or cons with these? Or is there a different mechanical Nikon I should consider such as the FM2n? Unfortunately I haven't seen an FM2n locally. Thanks for any info.
 

coolbus18

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Hiya! ---well if I were to purchase another film camera, it would be aF3. But consider the F4, which are now selling at really low prices. Not mechanical but a beauty of a machine (I love mine)and it has all that neato manual setting knobs and a manual rewind crank too! I haven't used the others , so I can't speak about them. I use a lot of manual lenses and the F4 will give you matrix with Ai, Ais lenses and cut power usage down. I hope this has been a bit helpful.
 

hark

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Hiya! ---well if I were to purchase another film camera, it would be aF3. But consider the F4, which are now selling at really low prices. Not mechanical but a beauty of a machine (I love mine)and it has all that neato manual setting knobs and a manual rewind crank too! I haven't used the others , so I can't speak about them. I use a lot of manual lenses and the F4 will give you matrix with Ai, Ais lenses and cut power usage down. I hope this has been a bit helpful.

Thank you, but I think I saw one and passed on it. I even passed on an F100 because I really only want a mechanical body. I learned on a Minolta XG-M which offered manual mode and aperture priority and am looking for something classic without all the bells and whistles. Since I still have my N90s (which I LOVED using), I want to get away from anything too advanced.

I'm not too sure about the differences between an F3 and an F3HP. My guess is it's only the high eye point that is different although not having the eye high point probably wouldn't be a problem. But also not sure about the FM2n or any other mechanical models.
 

STM

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If you want a mechanical camera, the FM is your bet. The F3 is reliant on batteries for operation. If you can find one, an FM2 would be a better choice. It has a higher top shutter speed and flash sync (1/4000 and 1/250 vs 1/1000 and 1/125 for the FM) and a titanium shutter.
 

hark

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If you want a mechanical camera, the FM is your bet. The F3 is reliant on batteries for operation. If you can find one, an FM2 would be a better choice. It has a higher top shutter speed and flash sync (1/4000 and 1/250 vs 1/1000 and 1/125 for the FM) and a titanium shutter.

Thanks for the info. I can't remember the specifics of each body, but I *think* the F3 had a second shutter button on the front of the body that allows the shutter to operate at 1/80" without batteries. One of them had a titanium shutter although I'm not sure which one. The other was aluminum.
 

Bob Blaylock

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Thank you, but I think I saw one and passed on it. I even passed on an F100 because I really only want a mechanical body. I learned on a Minolta XG-M which offered manual mode and aperture priority and am looking for something classic without all the bells and whistles. Since I still have my N90s (which I LOVED using), I want to get away from anything too advanced.

I'm not too sure about the differences between an F3 and an F3HP. My guess is it's only the high eye point that is different although not having the eye high point probably wouldn't be a problem. But also not sure about the FM2n or any other mechanical models.

The last all-mechanical member of the top-of-the-line F-series is the F2, in its various incarnations. The F3 and beyond all have electronically-controlled shutters.
 

hark

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The last all-mechanical member of the top-of-the-line F-series is the F2, in its various incarnations. The F3 and beyond all have electronically-controlled shutters.

Thanks for that info, Bob. The F3 can trigger with a different button on the front (with restrictions using a shutter speed of 1/80" or so). But I really am leaning towards an all mechanical body. So most likely that leaves me with the FM, FM2, FM2n, and F2. I still need to look at these differences to narrow down my order of preference. Am definitely leaning towards the FM2n as it is one of the more recent all mechanical bodies. There aren't any around here locally right now to check out in person. *Sigh*
 

Samo

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FM2n is the last mechanical Nikon. They all seem to have started with the honeycomb titanium shutters but then were changed to aluminum. Probably because titanium is more brittle. As I recall I think the change occured because of something to do with the 4000 shutter speed. FM3A will work all mech but it is actually a hybrid shutter. It is the last of the great metal bodies but carries a high price. Same with the FM2/T. If you like small go with the FM2n. Cheap and small the FM. Also consider the F, which is the one that really got the ball rolling for Nikon. F and F2 are great see Sover Wong F2 site for more details on F2 and some stuff on F. F2 is quite an improvement on F. Most any of these bodies will have to be refoamed but should still work good. Watch out for all the usual ills like body fungus be sure to inspect the shutter looking for kinks in the curtains.

Best bet is going to be FM2n, F, or F2 mechanical wise. If money is no issue than FM3a, FM2/T, or F2/T. Any of them if taken care of will outlast any of us.

Mir website outlines all of them very well.
 
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Samo

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Sorry for the double post but one more important thing to mention. The FM cameras have the tiny lever on the mount which allows them to use all F mount lenses.
 

hark

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FM3A will work all mech but it is actually a hybrid shutter. It is the last of the great metal bodies but carries a high price. Same with the FM2/T.

Will read up on these two bodies. I wasn't aware of the FM2/T. Thanks so much, Samo! ;)
 

Samo

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Hark the T designates titanium otherwise they are the same. Every titanium camera I've ever held in my hands have seemed to operate more smoothly than their normal counterpart. Maybe they do more handwork on those bodies?

If I were going to buy one last of the lifetime film camera (I already have the others mentioned some in multiple copies) for myself it would be the FM3. Nikon really did put the last huzzah into that camera. If one is patient they can be bought at $500. That is a lot of dough for a film camera in 2017 however.

Look into the FE2. People gush on that camera and for very good reasons. I've never saw one that was broken and it is the only film camera I own that will shoot 36 perfectly without a glitch every single time I use it and I have had it for 20+ years.
 
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nzswift

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No, it's FM2/T.

Box.jpg

MD-12 motordrive goes well with it or the straight FM2N (new)
 

carguy

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Thanks for the info. I can't remember the specifics of each body, but I *think* the F3 had a second shutter button on the front of the body that allows the shutter to operate at 1/80" without batteries. One of them had a titanium shutter although I'm not sure which one. The other was aluminum.
This is correct. My F3/T has this shutter release on the front.

I've been shooting this camera for a few months now, I love it! A nice F3 can be had for $150-$300 depending on your desired condition.

Based on your question, check out this recent thread on the Rangefinder forum, good info here - Thinking of an FM3a kit - Rangefinderforum.com

Nikon F3/T black by Joe Lopez, on Flickr
 

hark

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Once again, thanks for all the info. I looked through some manual bodies on ebay and even bid on one but was out-bid. And I'm quite fine with that. Getting a manual body isn't a necessity...it's really just NAS. ;) Since I'm getting triggers, which are something I need, I will keep watch for manual bodies. Maybe one day the timing will be right. Until then, I still have my N90s and N70 if I want to play with 35mm film. Thanks again!
 

hark

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Quick update: I wound up buying a mint Nikon FM2n. The camera store had the seals replaced before I purchased it. Except for some marks where it gets mounted on a tripod, it looks new. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions!
 
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