Nikon Flash SB50 with the FM3A

I recently purchased an FM3A and while considering which flash to

use I became intrigued with the SB50. Right now I am in the process

of replacing stolen equipment and have decided to start out with

manual or basic equipment to refine my skills. Next year, if things

go well I may look into the D100 and SB28D. I was thinking that if

I went with the SB50 now, it would make a good slave later. But

will it be an adaquate flash as a primary for now with the FM3A?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Adequate? Why not? You get TTL control or a one-setting (full power) manual flash, with a tilting head for bounce.

Reasons to consider the SB-80DX instead: if you want more power, if you want swivel (for bounce off anything other than the cieling), if you want more choice in levels of manual output, if you want Auto mode in addition to TTL and manual, if you want to be able to use AA batteries instead of a pair of pricey CR123 batteries every 250 flashes.

But of course the SB-80DX is more expensive.

You could also employ any of a number of older Nikon speedlights on the FM3a, since it does not use modern wizardry like matrix- or multisensor- or 3D matrix-balanced fill flash. To your FM3a, a used SB-24 would be the cat's pajamas, for example.

But the SB-50DX will work fine with an FM3a so if its feature set is all you need, don't hesitate to slide one onto your hot shoe.