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Shutterbug Strasse A photographer's haven for the lastest in digital or traditional film cameras. |
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Shutterbug Strasse A photographer's haven for the lastest in digital or traditional film cameras. |
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In Reply to: The Nikon FM3! What a beauty!!! Isn’t it the ultimate camera? </nt> posted by Romy the Cat who hates jj on March 9, 2002 at 05:42:04:
I've got about a thousand points to make here, so bear with me for a bit.I currently shoot a Nikon FE-2. I much prefer this to the FM-2n because of the TTL flash and the true match needle metering system. I find it much easier to use than the FM's diodes, and the fact that shutter speed is on one side of the screen and the diodes on the other. Slows you down. So from my viewpoint, the FM-3a should really be called an FE-3m. Despite the name, it's really an FE-2 with an expanded mechanical shutter speed range (only 1/250 in the FE-2). Most of the features of the camera are electronically based (DX, AE lock, TTL flash, electronically controlled shutter speeds in A mode, metering circuit, flash ready light, exposure compensation, etc. I have not found the FM-3a's view screen to be either brighter or "whiter" than my FE-2 in a head to head comparison. (I have a new K2 screen in mine) Nikon says they interchange with NO compensation. People who see differences probably should check their finder optical path for dust, dirt, discoloration, etc. I also checked the noise levels. They are a little different in character, but about the same level. (ears only, no SLM)
I wanted one because I love my FE-2, and I am not quite ready for digital. I am digital in a sense because of my negative and slide scanner on my PC (darkroom on a desktop). So my enlargements are digital. (like ADD CD's, I guess)
I was looking hard at the mid priced digital SLRs like the Canon Elan 7, Nikon N80, and Minolta Maxxum 7. I thought at first that it would be a start toward Digital since the lenses and flash would carry over. But then a horrible thought dawned on me. Digital cameras do not yet have low enough noise levels to allow consistent use of ISO 200 or 400 equivalent speeds. I can't or don't want to afford fast lenses for a $400 AF SLR, and the lenses I typically use are in the f/3.5-5.6 range with multipliers to extend them for the occassional long shot. Besides, I really don't like lugging 3# lenses. So in my opinion, the AF SLR does not provide a pathway to the Digital cameras. So I decided not to play, and stick with the FE-2 & FM-3a for a while yet.
In addition, Canon's move to CMOS AF sensors seems to be behind the poorer AF performance of the Elan 7 below EV 5 or so. That, and the elimination of the near IR focus assist light is a problem. Too bad, I really liked the USM lenses and the IS technology at realistic prices. The lack of AI and AIS compatibility in the N80 was a real blow. I'd have an N80 today if it had compatibility with my AI lens collection. The shift to G lenses with no aperture ring signals to me that Nikon is going the Canon/Minolta route with no backward compatibility for bodies or lenses. THe VR and "silent wave" lenses also signal a new era. Nikon is apparently a company in a transition period, a poor time to buy a product.
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Follow Ups
- Re: The Nikon FM3! What a beauty!!! Isn’t it the ultimate camera? </nt> - Bold Eagle 17:59:24 03/20/02 (0)
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