Hi guys!

My girlfriend is about to buy a Nikon film camera for her soon photography class (next term in January). The camera that the school is "lending" them is the Nikon F3.

Right now, someone's selling her a slightly used Nikon FM10 for 6,5k.

We're wondering what's the difference between the FM10, F3 and FM3a... and what would be the wisest pick. We're on a budget too since the camera will only be used for her photography class.

Hmmmm ... :Thinking:

Help? :D

I think there is no FM3 but I know there is an F3. The FM10 is an entry level film cam. It's plasticky that why it's cheap. The FM3a is metal. I'd chose the FM3a anytime over the FM10. I have no experience with the F3.

Many thanks Sir Edwin! Corrections made. :Grin:

Does anyone have an idea how much the FM3 and FM3a sells nowadays? Bnew / 2nd hand? :)

The FM10 isn't really a Nikon... It was made by Cosina for Nikon. Anyway, any of those can be a good camera for students. They can only differ in the toughness and perhaps the extra features provided with buying the more expensive models...:)

F3 is a great camera. Its my first cam handed down to me by my father who bought it 1983. Up to now, it still works. :)

Hi guys!

My girlfriend is about to buy a Nikon film camera for her soon photography class (next term in January). The camera that the school is "lending" them is the Nikon F3.

Right now, someone's selling her a slightly used Nikon FM10 for 6,5k.

We're wondering what's the difference between the FM10, F3 and FM3a... and what would be the wisest pick. We're on a budget too since the camera will only be used for her photography class.

Hmmmm ... :Thinking:

Help? :D

FM10 is a good entry level camera, my wife has this one and it still works.

F3 is a professional camera and one of Nikon's best film camera.

FM3 haven't seen one but FM2 wow its very good a total workhorse same with F3.

Cheers man.

Jeffrey

F3 (1980) comes from the F line of pro bodies: F F2 F3 F4 F5 F6.

FM10 (1995) and FM3a (2001) are from the smaller mid-range FM line.

Though its the oldest of the 3, the F3 has the most solid, indestructible feel to it, like a metal brick. Maybe a little heavy for your girlfriend. FM3a has the best balance of build quality and features (DX coding, TTL flash, faster sync speed, etc).

FM10 is fully manual/mechanical: manual selection of aperture and shutter speed. FM3a & F3 has an automatic shutter speed option (Av mode). These latter models can still fetch a high sum, the best bet would be the FM10 if its strictly for the class.

FM10 was release 1995 while FM3A was release 2001. I have not heard of an FM3. FM10 is still in production and it is the only film camera in the Nikon line up, together with the F6. But if you can get your hands on an F3 it is better. This is in the line of PRO level camera, I think claimed to be the best film camera NIkon made. And IMO film has still the edge over digital cam when it comes to color. And still the best tool to learn photography. I have read from another site, PROs still use films 75% of the time they shoot. I still have my FM and FE. Bought it way back 1979 and I'm still using it. :)

Sir Enzo, Sir Errol, Sir Jeffrey, Sir Roger:

Thank you very much for the input! Your opinion will definitely help her choose which camera to get. :)

Sir Bong:

Thanks for the input! :) Yes, the camera will be used strictly for class. I will tell her to get the FM10 if the prices of the other cameras are too expensive for her pockets. I have a feeling that she will eventually sell the camera after she passes her photography class. It wouldn't be wise if she gets an expensive one if she will just sell it afterwards. Hehehe.

Anyone here who has an idea how much the FM3a and F3 are? We visited Hidalgo yesterday but we failed to check the prices. :KO:

FM10 was release 1995 while FM3A was release 2001. I have not heard of an FM3. FM10 is still in production and it is the only film camera in the Nikon line up, together with the F6. But if you can get your hands on an F3 it is better. This is in the line of PRO level camera, I think claimed to be the best film camera NIkon made. And IMO film has still the edge over digital cam when it comes to color. And still the best tool to learn photography. I have read from another site, PROs still use films 75% of the time they shoot. I still have my FM and FE. Bought it way back 1979 and I'm still using it. :)

I confused the FM3a with the F3. (equals FM3 .. haha!) Hehehe.

Thanks for the info Sir Antonio! Using film would be a good training for her. She'll be trained to use the correct settings so she could produce the best photos. :D

I remember seeing an F3 at ACEL. Mang Ogie quoted me 7.5k body only. But I got one right across the street for much less. Seems to have a slight sticky mirror problem at slow shutter speeds. I took a pic of it when I got home, with a friend's 20mm lens attached. If it's a temporary thing there are lots of cheaper alternatives.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1022/1444004216_f5d548f931.jpg

Hi guys!

My girlfriend is about to buy a Nikon film camera for her soon photography class (next term in January). The camera that the school is "lending" them is the Nikon F3.

Right now, someone's selling her a slightly used Nikon FM10 for 6,5k.

We're wondering what's the difference between the FM10, F3 and FM3a... and what would be the wisest pick. We're on a budget too since the camera will only be used for her photography class.

Hmmmm ... :Thinking:

Help? :D


Hi Chris, there's a similar thread to this http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=9092&highlight=film&page=3

Ria, is also planning of getting one maybe you can follow the developments of this thread and check out their suggestions. As for me I started with FM10 way back in 1996, Columbia had a special offer of 10,000 pesos with 10 rolls of film free. Then 3 years back, I bought the F55 for my wife. Now I'm using a D50 and the lenses of both cameras can also be utilized with my D50. By the way what camera do you have? You don't have to worry about Nikon film cameras since your gf is just starting out you could go for whatever her budget can afford for the meantime and later move on to a much more advanced and expensive camera models. Just a suggestion. :)

FM10 is a waste of money. Check out FM2. Buy cameras that will last you for a long time, if you're sticking with film. Although digital if fun to use, there are times i go back using film. I guess its the drama of waiting to see your photos.

An FM2 with a 35mm lens can capture anything the world has to offer for a long time. :)

@ Sir Roger: I'll try to look for a cheap F3 in Hidalgo. If I can't, we'll get a cheaper alternative. Like what you said, it'll be only for temporary use. :)

@ Sir Alex: I'm using a Canon 350D. My girlfriend is using a Nikon D80. The film camera will really be used primarily for school purposes since it's a requirement that they shoot film in their basic photography class. Could you tell me more about the F55? How much did the F55 cost you? :)

@ Sir Errol: I've read that the FM2 has full manual operation and that its successor is the FM3A. Very interesting. :) Why'd you say that the FM10 is a waste of money? Any idea how much the FM2 is now?

Im sorry guys if I keep on asking about the cameras and their prices. Hehe. It's just that I'm so clueless about film cameras and I'm not sure what's the best gear to get for my girlfriend. :KO:

@ Sir Roger: I'll try to look for a cheap F3 in Hidalgo. If I can't, we'll get a cheaper alternative. Like what you said, it'll be only for temporary use. :)

@ Sir Alex: I'm using a Canon 350D. My girlfriend is using a Nikon D80. The film camera will really be used primarily for school purposes since it's a requirement that they shoot film in their basic photography class. Could you tell me more about the F55? How much did the F55 cost you? :)

@ Sir Errol: I've read that the FM2 has full manual operation and that its successor is the FM3A. Very interesting. :) Why'd you say that the FM10 is a waste of money? Any idea how much the FM2 is now?

Im sorry guys if I keep on asking about the cameras and their prices. Hehe. It's just that I'm so clueless about film cameras and I'm not sure what's the best gear to get for my girlfriend. :KO:

@Chris - The F55 came with a Nikkor 28-80mm, it's quite adaptable to women most specially my wife because of her small built. This is the smallest film SLR of Nikon as far as I know, it performs well considering my wife and I are only using the kit lens. It was around 12-13T pesos during that time when I bought it 3years ago. Your gf definitely will benefit from what ever film SLR she decides to buy, because her D80 will be able to use the lens as well or vice versa except the DX lenses.

Ah sayang, I had a F70 a few weeks ago. I was going to sell it for 2.5k if I couldn't swap it with a Pentax-mount SLR. But the swap came first. Would have been able to share AF-D lenses with D80. Look for the little stalls across ACEL, they have some nice-looking AF bodies like the F90x and F801. That's where I got my F70 and F3.

http://www.pinoyphotography.org/forum/index.php?topic=19287.0

@ Sir Alex: Thanks! We'll try to look for an F55. It looks pretty good. I hope we find one that's in her budget. :)

@ Sir Roger: Awww... sayang nga! It looks cute pa naman. We'll go around ACEL. Thank you very much for your help! :)

hi ! :Grin: pm'd you, re: F55. thanks!