FM3a - speedflash compatibility.

[donaldamacmillan]

Hello

 

Hope someone can help me. I have owned a Nikon FM3a for a couple of years now,

i bought it originally for astro-photography purposes, being a wholly manual

unit. My astro-photography project has not quite taken-off yet so in the

meantime i've been exploring the world of general photography, and thoroughly

enjoying myself in the process too! I've got a couple of lenses and a variety

of filters but i'd like a general purpose flash ... Can anyone recommend a

nikon speedflash that is particularly compatible to the FM3a? The camera

manual does recommend a SB-27, but i cannot find (so far) a UK dealer that

stocks this model (is this model still available?). It is just advice however

that i seek just now, and i think that this site seems an ideal broad forum to

educate myself!

 

I'm a bit concerned that with the FM3a being a manual camera that i'll be a wee

bit somewhat restricted in my choice of general flash ...? I would be really

disappointed if, despite owning a beautiful camera as i do right now, if i am

going to struggle to equip it with a fairly basic accessory due to

compatibility issues.

 

Hoping someone friendly and benign can advise me! :-)

 

Kind regards to all,

Donald

[Michael R Freeman]

You have LOTS of choices for TTL flash with the FM3A. The current models (SB-600, SB-800) will work fine, but are really overkill for this camera as you can't use many of the flash features.

 

Any of the earlier film Nikon SB flash units will work fine on this camera. SB-20/22/22s/23/24/25/26/27/28/30/50DX/80DX will all work well in TTL mode with the FM3A.

 

All of the above are readily available on the used market, many for UNDER $100. Just go here (scroll down near the bottom to find "Nikon AF-TTL Speedlights"), review the specs and features, and pick one that suits your needs: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf4/flash/index.htm

[mawz]

Any Nikon TTL flash with a standard hotshoe except the new SB-400 will work on your FM3a. I'd recommend the SB24, 25 or 28 as a good, inexpensive and very capable TTL flash unit for the FM3a.

[jack_l3]

I recommend the SB-20. It's powerful, versatile, simple to use and fully compatible with the FM3a. I've used it on everything from the FE to the F100. It's very economical on the used market.

[donaldamacmillan]

Many thanks Michael, Adam and Jack

 

You have all given me some options to consider and to investigate further ... I am just a wee bit concerned still about availability here in the UK (where i am resident), but i am sure i will find the right solution for my FM3a. I can't discount the strong possibility that one day i may upgrade my camera to a higher spec digital model so i may decide on a SB-600/800 option ...??? Although, right now i really want to concentrate on the right option for my FM3a ... Hmmm, tricky!! :-))

 

Any more advice still gratefully received!

 

Many thanks again,

Donald

[lex_jenkins]

If you're considering going digital and want to buy one flash for all purposes, definitely consider the SB-800. (However it's not a CLS flash with the older D100, D1, D1H or D1X. But CLS is kind of a frill, not an essential factor in good TTL flash.)

 

OTOH, the SB-800 is a bulky, heavy beast. It feels off balance when mounted on my FM2n or F3HP. To balance things out I attach the motor drives to keep the camera from being top heavy.

 

So if you want to retain the balance of your FM3a without the MD-12, you might prefer one of the smaller Nikon TTL flashes.

[andy_blagbrough]

Hi Donald,

 

I use an SB-15 as my general purpose flash with the FM3a and an SB-24 when I want more

power/control. Where in he UK are you? I bought mine in Cambridge - Campkins will

probably have a good selection. The problem I have found in the UK is that dealers still

think Nikon film equipment is still worth as much as it did pre-digital days.

 

Hope this is of help,

 

Andy B