smadakcin's Full Review: Nikon FM3A 35mm Film Camera
The title of this review may be overly simplistic, but I feel it is the best way of doing justice to this body. It may be an old camera, but I feel it does perform almost all of the functions that most modern cameras do ( at least up to high-end amateur status ).
The wheels on top of the body are easy to use, and quick to adjust whilst using the camera, with the right amount of buttons and wheels so as to cover the necessary processes whilst still remaining simple to use ( I found that I could handle the operation of the camera to a competent degree after an hour or so, with a little practice ). I have generally found the F3MA to cope with my requirements effectively, working well with a selection of flash guns and lenses.
For such an outlay of a considerable amount of money, a camera needs to stand up to the physical demands of photography, and the FM3A is nothing if not robust. I think I would struggle to break this model if I tried, something not always said of some of the more modern examples of photographic equipment.
As I am sure is obvious, I like this camera, even though making use of features such as auto-focus can make your life slightly easier when using newer models. I have only two slight whinges. Firstly, I find the grip on the left of the camera as you look at it head-on is poorly designed, and a little clumsy to use. This issue was addressed by Nikon, and models such as the F65 and F80 feature a much-improved version. Secondly, my aperture ring broke after a while, and was constantly stuck on f22. However, as I purchased a second - hand model, this could well be down to wear and tear and previous owner's use, and is likely not broadly a fault of the model.
In summary, this camera, though lacking one or two features which increase ease of use that are present in later models, does an excellent job, is easy to use, and should be a very satisfying purchase for any buyer, irrespective of experience and ability, as long as the respective buyer notes the constraints of any such older model.
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