Instruction Manual
Page 2
... plane shutter for use during Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure operation. 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 be checked, such as a semi-automatic Aperture-Priority Exposure mode. Indicates pages for complete details on getting the most from your new Nikon FM3A camera, and would like to be noticed first. Your new Nikon FM3A features a Manual Exposure mode for...
... plane shutter for use during Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure operation. 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 be checked, such as a semi-automatic Aperture-Priority Exposure mode. Indicates pages for complete details on getting the most from your new Nikon FM3A camera, and would like to be noticed first. Your new Nikon FM3A features a Manual Exposure mode for...
Instruction Manual
Page 4
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 4
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 4
Instruction Manual
Page 6
Camera Parts Body Meter-coupling lever Lens mounting index TTL flash-compensation button p.33 Nikon Lens-release button p.12 Sync-cord terminal p.30 R O K 45mm 1 NIK 1 m Nikon Neckstrap eyelet KO :2.8P Aperture index window Depth of field preview lever p.29 Self-timer lever p.37 Shutter-release button p.16 Frame counter p.29 R 45m Film-rewind crank p.22 Film-rewind knob p.13 Film-plane indicator Film-speed index p.26 6 Multiple-exposure lever p.38 Film-advance lever p.25 Auto-lock release button p.24 Shutter-speed dial p.24 Shutter-speed indication Shutter-speed index ...
Camera Parts Body Meter-coupling lever Lens mounting index TTL flash-compensation button p.33 Nikon Lens-release button p.12 Sync-cord terminal p.30 R O K 45mm 1 NIK 1 m Nikon Neckstrap eyelet KO :2.8P Aperture index window Depth of field preview lever p.29 Self-timer lever p.37 Shutter-release button p.16 Frame counter p.29 R 45m Film-rewind crank p.22 Film-rewind knob p.13 Film-plane indicator Film-speed index p.26 6 Multiple-exposure lever p.38 Film-advance lever p.25 Auto-lock release button p.24 Shutter-speed dial p.24 Shutter-speed indication Shutter-speed index ...
Instruction Manual
Page 8
... shutter speed so that the shutter speed is out of range and will not move. 5 Aperture indication The current lens aperture setting is indicated. 6 Ready light ( p. 32) 7 Exposure-compensation indicator Lights if you set the shutter-speed dial to "A," the shutter-speed indicator points to the brightness of this manual to clearly show the shutter speeds and indicators, but it points to the selected shutter speed. 3 Exposure-meter indicator With a light press of the shutter-release button, power...
... shutter speed so that the shutter speed is out of range and will not move. 5 Aperture indication The current lens aperture setting is indicated. 6 Ready light ( p. 32) 7 Exposure-compensation indicator Lights if you set the shutter-speed dial to "A," the shutter-speed indicator points to the brightness of this manual to clearly show the shutter speeds and indicators, but it points to the selected shutter speed. 3 Exposure-meter indicator With a light press of the shutter-release button, power...
Instruction Manual
Page 11
...; If you load non-DX-coded film with the shutter-speed dial set to restore the original state. 11 Be sure to set to , or if no change to the standoff position and lightly press the shutter-release button. ... Checking the Battery Power Check the battery power after you pull the film-advance lever out to another position. • If the exposure-meter needle stops moving while the camera is being used, set the dial to...
...; If you load non-DX-coded film with the shutter-speed dial set to restore the original state. 11 Be sure to set to , or if no change to the standoff position and lightly press the shutter-release button. ... Checking the Battery Power Check the battery power after you pull the film-advance lever out to another position. • If the exposure-meter needle stops moving while the camera is being used, set the dial to...
Instruction Manual
Page 16
... out the film-advance lever to eliminate camera shake. • Do not press the shutter-release button abruptly or sharply. With a "Light press," the exposure meter turns on, and the meter-on for approx. 16 seconds after the shutter is released. Press lightly Slowly press down from the lightly-pressed shutter-release button, and it is also on timer is set to keep the camera steady. Do a "Light press" with the bulb of...
... out the film-advance lever to eliminate camera shake. • Do not press the shutter-release button abruptly or sharply. With a "Light press," the exposure meter turns on, and the meter-on for approx. 16 seconds after the shutter is released. Press lightly Slowly press down from the lightly-pressed shutter-release button, and it is also on timer is set to keep the camera steady. Do a "Light press" with the bulb of...
Instruction Manual
Page 19
Lightly press the shutter-release 5 6 button. If the indication is low. Check the shutter speed, observing the exposure-meter indication in the alert zone, use an ND filter. • If the exposure-meter needle points to 1/(focal-length of f/16 19 Select a wider aperture setting. Tips • If the exposure-meter needle points in the alert zone, use flash photography. Camera shake may occur because the shutter speed is still in the...
Lightly press the shutter-release 5 6 button. If the indication is low. Check the shutter speed, observing the exposure-meter indication in the alert zone, use an ND filter. • If the exposure-meter needle points to 1/(focal-length of f/16 19 Select a wider aperture setting. Tips • If the exposure-meter needle points in the alert zone, use flash photography. Camera shake may occur because the shutter speed is still in the...
Instruction Manual
Page 20
... disabled, but major mechanical systems, such as desired. • By changing the combination of the screen. 20 Shooting: Manual Exposure Mode Tips • In this mode, you can manually select both the shutter speed and the aperture setting as the shutter and aperture control, remain functional, enabling you can change the dial setting from "A," rotate the dial while holding the auto-lock release button pressed. 3 Compose your picture and focus. 4 Lightly press the shutter-release button. ...
... disabled, but major mechanical systems, such as desired. • By changing the combination of the screen. 20 Shooting: Manual Exposure Mode Tips • In this mode, you can manually select both the shutter speed and the aperture setting as the shutter and aperture control, remain functional, enabling you can change the dial setting from "A," rotate the dial while holding the auto-lock release button pressed. 3 Compose your picture and focus. 4 Lightly press the shutter-release button. ...
Instruction Manual
Page 21
... the motion of lights at night, choose B. This will cause overexposure. If you want to create a motion effect by intentionally mismatching the shutter-speed indicator and the exposure-meter indicator. If you want to accentuate the flow of the water, choose a shutter speed of f/2.8 21 To align the two indicators, adjust the shutter -speed dial and/or the aperture setting. A 4000 2000...
... the motion of lights at night, choose B. This will cause overexposure. If you want to create a motion effect by intentionally mismatching the shutter-speed indicator and the exposure-meter indicator. If you want to accentuate the flow of the water, choose a shutter speed of f/2.8 21 To align the two indicators, adjust the shutter -speed dial and/or the aperture setting. A 4000 2000...
Instruction Manual
Page 24
... following shooting modes: A (Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure mode) Once you make the aperture setting, the camera automatically selects the appropriate shutter speed (stepless control). cally). Use this function when shooting scenes that require extended exposure (e.g., night time stars, etc.). Therefore, we recommend you remove the battery to save the battery power when you plan to take many pictures using the AR-3 cable release (sold separately), to 1/4000 second (Manual mode) In Manual mode, you can lock the shutter release open as...
... following shooting modes: A (Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure mode) Once you make the aperture setting, the camera automatically selects the appropriate shutter speed (stepless control). cally). Use this function when shooting scenes that require extended exposure (e.g., night time stars, etc.). Therefore, we recommend you remove the battery to save the battery power when you plan to take many pictures using the AR-3 cable release (sold separately), to 1/4000 second (Manual mode) In Manual mode, you can lock the shutter release open as...
Instruction Manual
Page 25
... film-advance lever out to prevent the shutter from being inadvertently released. ... In rare cases the film-advance lever meets strong resistance. When you might damage the film or the camera. The lever stops advancing when the film roll reaches the end. Do not forcibly advance the lever further or you pull the film-advance lever to the standoff position and lightly press the shutter-release button, the exposure-meter turns...
... film-advance lever out to prevent the shutter from being inadvertently released. ... In rare cases the film-advance lever meets strong resistance. When you might damage the film or the camera. The lever stops advancing when the film roll reaches the end. Do not forcibly advance the lever further or you pull the film-advance lever to the standoff position and lightly press the shutter-release button, the exposure-meter turns...
Instruction Manual
Page 34
...) Procedure for TTL flash photography Tips • Applicable film speeds for your picture and focus. The following example shows the Nikon SB-27 Speedlight attached to ISO 1000. • The flash-sync speed is automatically set to 1/ 250 second. 3 Confirm that the the viewfinder. mark lights in 4 Compose your speedlight. 1 Set the exposure mode. 2 Set the mode switch of 1 to 1/250 second. ... In Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure mode, the speed is 1/250 second...
...) Procedure for TTL flash photography Tips • Applicable film speeds for your picture and focus. The following example shows the Nikon SB-27 Speedlight attached to ISO 1000. • The flash-sync speed is automatically set to 1/ 250 second. 3 Confirm that the the viewfinder. mark lights in 4 Compose your speedlight. 1 Set the exposure mode. 2 Set the mode switch of 1 to 1/250 second. ... In Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure mode, the speed is 1/250 second...
Instruction Manual
Page 35
... (guide number)/f (aperture) • Equation to obtain the aperture: f (aperture) = GN (guide number)/D (distance to -subject distance, aperture setting, and range of flash-shooting distance, and shoot again. Make sure the subject is within 5 the range of flash-shooting distance, then shoot. (Example: with Nikon brand accessories. immediately after firing the flash, check the camera-to subject) If the ready light blinks for approx. 3 sec. Lightly press the shutter release button and check that the Speedlight flash flashes...
... (guide number)/f (aperture) • Equation to obtain the aperture: f (aperture) = GN (guide number)/D (distance to -subject distance, aperture setting, and range of flash-shooting distance, and shoot again. Make sure the subject is within 5 the range of flash-shooting distance, then shoot. (Example: with Nikon brand accessories. immediately after firing the flash, check the camera-to subject) If the ready light blinks for approx. 3 sec. Lightly press the shutter release button and check that the Speedlight flash flashes...
Instruction Manual
Page 36
... in the viewfinder. 1 Locate the subject in the center of the viewfinder and focus. 2 Lightly press the shutter-release button. 3 Press the AE-lock button. 4 Compose your shot, and shoot with the AE-lock button held pressed. • Apply the auto exposure lock when the exposure meter is active. • The exposure-meter indicator in the viewfinder is possible in AE-Lock mode. 36 AE-Lock Photography Tips • AE-lock photography is fixed in Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure mode.
... in the viewfinder. 1 Locate the subject in the center of the viewfinder and focus. 2 Lightly press the shutter-release button. 3 Press the AE-lock button. 4 Compose your shot, and shoot with the AE-lock button held pressed. • Apply the auto exposure lock when the exposure meter is active. • The exposure-meter indicator in the viewfinder is possible in AE-Lock mode. 36 AE-Lock Photography Tips • AE-lock photography is fixed in Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure mode.
Instruction Manual
Page 37
.... 1 Pull the self-timer lever in a group shot or to include yourself in the direction of approx. 10 seconds. ... Nikon 2 Check the focus and exposure, then shoot. The countdown time of the self-timer can be set it is already in operation, the shutter is released the moment the lever reaches its original position.) • When you shoot without looking through the viewfinder in Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure mode, cover the eyepiece to...
.... 1 Pull the self-timer lever in a group shot or to include yourself in the direction of approx. 10 seconds. ... Nikon 2 Check the focus and exposure, then shoot. The countdown time of the self-timer can be set it is already in operation, the shutter is released the moment the lever reaches its original position.) • When you shoot without looking through the viewfinder in Aperture-Priority Auto Exposure mode, cover the eyepiece to...
Instruction Manual
Page 45
... the shutter-release button. With the FM3A, the filter factor need not be considered except with your pocket, power is steadily supplied even when the ambient temperature is low. (AA-type NiCd, NiMH and Lithium batteries cannot be used .) DG-2 Eyepiece Magnifier When attached to assure precise focusing in close-up photography, duplication work and telephotography. Neck straps The leather AN-1 (black...
... the shutter-release button. With the FM3A, the filter factor need not be considered except with your pocket, power is steadily supplied even when the ambient temperature is low. (AA-type NiCd, NiMH and Lithium batteries cannot be used .) DG-2 Eyepiece Magnifier When attached to assure precise focusing in close-up photography, duplication work and telephotography. Neck straps The leather AN-1 (black...
Instruction Manual
Page 50
... the camera on the aperture specified by the camera in clear focus with the AE button). When the subject is automatically adjusted by repeatedly releasing the shutter and winding the film until the film counter indicates the first frame. Center-weighted metering Light is required by reading the information. 50 Aperture-priority auto exposure An automatic mechanism to shoot. Correct exposure The exposure setting for the film that best reproduces the lighting condition...
... the camera on the aperture specified by the camera in clear focus with the AE button). When the subject is automatically adjusted by repeatedly releasing the shutter and winding the film until the film counter indicates the first frame. Center-weighted metering Light is required by reading the information. 50 Aperture-priority auto exposure An automatic mechanism to shoot. Correct exposure The exposure setting for the film that best reproduces the lighting condition...
Instruction Manual
Page 52
... correct exposure can flatly decrease the light level without masking out any specific wavelength (color). Aperture value (f) = Guide number (GN) / Shooting distance (meters). M Manual exposure Shooting is available. With manual exposure, shooting can be obtained by the following equation. Its advantage is called "stop -down metering." O Overexposure A state in the viewfinder making focusing difficult. After you release the shutter. G Guide number Used as a bellows attachment), only stop -down metering is performed by manually setting the shutter speed and aperture value...
... correct exposure can flatly decrease the light level without masking out any specific wavelength (color). Aperture value (f) = Guide number (GN) / Shooting distance (meters). M Manual exposure Shooting is available. With manual exposure, shooting can be obtained by the following equation. Its advantage is called "stop -down metering." O Overexposure A state in the viewfinder making focusing difficult. After you release the shutter. G Guide number Used as a bellows attachment), only stop -down metering is performed by manually setting the shutter speed and aperture value...
Instruction Manual
Page 54
... to 1/4000) Manual: Bulb, 1 to 1/4000 sec., mechanical control Viewfinder Eye-level pentaprism Eyepoint 14mm (at -1.0 m-1) Focusing screen K3 type (splitprism-image microprism type, Clear Matte Screen IIa) standard, B3 type and E3 type optional Viewfinder frame coverage Approx. 93% (objective screen) Viewfinder magnification 0.83× with 50mm lens set to infinity Viewfinder information Shutter speed, exposure meter indication, shutter indication, direct aperture value, exposure compensation mark, ready light Reflex mirror Quick-return type Exposure meter sync Ai type (automatic compensation...
... to 1/4000) Manual: Bulb, 1 to 1/4000 sec., mechanical control Viewfinder Eye-level pentaprism Eyepoint 14mm (at -1.0 m-1) Focusing screen K3 type (splitprism-image microprism type, Clear Matte Screen IIa) standard, B3 type and E3 type optional Viewfinder frame coverage Approx. 93% (objective screen) Viewfinder magnification 0.83× with 50mm lens set to infinity Viewfinder information Shutter speed, exposure meter indication, shutter indication, direct aperture value, exposure compensation mark, ready light Reflex mirror Quick-return type Exposure meter sync Ai type (automatic compensation...
Instruction Manual
Page 55
... film-rewind lever Power source One 3V lithium battery (CR-1/3N type), two 1.55V silver-oxide batteries (SR44 type), or two 1.5V alkaline batteries (LR44 type) Meter-on timer To turn the camera on when the shutter-release button is pressed lightly, turning it turns off 16 seconds after your finger leaves the button. Camera-back opening Achieved with 36-frame film rolls, a shutter speed of 1/250 second in place. Number of film rolls that can be shot...
... film-rewind lever Power source One 3V lithium battery (CR-1/3N type), two 1.55V silver-oxide batteries (SR44 type), or two 1.5V alkaline batteries (LR44 type) Meter-on timer To turn the camera on when the shutter-release button is pressed lightly, turning it turns off 16 seconds after your finger leaves the button. Camera-back opening Achieved with 36-frame film rolls, a shutter speed of 1/250 second in place. Number of film rolls that can be shot...