Nikon Fm3a User manual

Getting Started

   Thankyou for purchasingthis NikonFM3ncamera Pleasereadthis instructionmanual
   carefullyfor completedetailson gettingthe most fromyour NikonFM3n
   Yournew NikonFM3nfeaturesa ManualExposuremode for totalcontrolof exposure,as
   well as a semi-automaticAperture-PriorityExposuremode.AperturePrioritymode lets
   you adjustthe aperturefor the desireddepth of fieldwhilethe shutterspeed is automati-
    callyadjustedaccordinglyThe FM3nincorporatesa specialhybridshuttermechanism
   that offersthe advantagesof a mechanicalfocal plane shutterfor use during manual
   operation,as well as an electronicallycontrolledfocal planeshutterfor use duringAper-
    ture-PriorityAuto Exposureoperation Evenwhen the FM3n'sbatterypower is fullyex-
   hausted,all shutterspeedsremainfunctionalin ManualExposuremode
   The FM3nfeaturesa maximumshutterspeed of 1/4000sec.,a flashsync speed of 11250,
   multipleexposurecontrol,interchangeablefocusingscreens,and the abilityto use the
   MD-12 MotorDrivefor highspeedsequencephotographyThe NikonFM3n'sf lashsystem
    offersTTL controlin both ManualExposuremode and Aperture-PriorityAuto Exposure
   mode, and includesa flash compensationbuttonthat providesa naturallookingflash
   result
  We hope you enjoyusingyour new NikonFM3ncamera,and wouldliketo thankyou for
   choosingNikon


                                                                                                                                                                        '
  Symbolsused in this manual

      IlEl     Indicatesitemsin boxesthat containimportantmattersto be noticedfirst.

     S      Indicatesitemsto be checked,such as requirementsand restrictions
       !g     IndicatesPagesfor reference.
             Indicatessupplementarydescriptions,



                                www.butkus.us


I 2

Notice

I Take trial shots
  Takea few test shotsbeforeshootingimportanteventslikeweddingsor graduations.
I Have Nikon spot-check your camera regularly
  Nikonrecommendsthat you have your cameraservicedby an authorizeddealeror
  servicecenterat leastonce everytwo years.
I Using your camera correctly
  The NikonFM3n'sperformancehas been optimizedfor use with Nikonbrand acces-
  sories.Accessoriesmade by other manufacturersmay not meet Nikon'scriteriafor
  specifications,and nonconformingaccessoriescould damage the FM3n'ScorTlpo-
  nents.Nikoncannotguaranteethe FM3n'sperformancewhen it is usedwithotherthan
  Nikonbrand accessories
I Supplied accessories



    Body cap (white)         Battery(CR-1/3N)           Iripod mat
" Whenusinga tripodwith a lens of such large diameterthat the lens touchesthe tripod,insert
  the tripodmat betweenthe cameraand tripod

Filmconfirmationwindow
Filmanti-curlroller
Film-takeupspool le  p 13
AE-lock button r€ p 36
Filmguiderails
ShuttercurtainsrFpr3
Viewfinder

Eyepiece

                                                     Film-pressure
                                                               plate
                                                Cameraback

                                                    Motor-drivecoupling
                                                Motor-driveshuttercoupling

                                                    Film-rewindbutton@ o.22
                                                  DataBack contacts
                                                          Film sprockets 19 p 13
                                            Socketfor tripod/motordrive

                                                Batterychamberlid ls p ro
                                                        Filmguidepin
                                                  Motor-drivesync contacts
                                             DX contact
                                                   Rewindfork



( € About CE marking
CE standsfor Conformit6Europ6enneThis markingguaranteesthat the product meels all applicableEC regulations.

CameraParts (Gontlnued)

       I Viewfinderindications
                  @Exposurecompensa-  @neacy @Aperture  @t zmm-oiameter
                            tion indicator(red)         light (red) | indication     referencecircle
    @overexposure
        alert zone (red)




    @shutter-speed
        indicator
       (blue)
    @Exposure-meter
        indicator (black)

     Shutterspeed display


    @underexposure
        alertzone(red)

   O @ Overexposurey'underexposure alert zone     the needle will not move.
        This is the alert zone, which indicatesthat the @ Aperture indication
        shutterspeed is out of range and will resultin    The currentlens aperturesetting is indicated.
        over/underexposure.Change the apertureset- @ Ready light ( rs  p.32)
         ting and/or shutterspeed so that the exposure                          @ Exposure-compensation indicator
       meter indicatordoes not fall into this zone.        Lightsif you performexposurecompensation.
    O Snutter-speed indicator                   (Rememberto return the exposure compen-
       Moves synchronouslyas you turn the shutter-    sationdial to "0" after shooting.)
       speed dial. For example, if you set the shut-                          @ tZmm-diameter reference circle
        ter-speeddial to "A," the shutter-speedindi-    The exposure meter of this camera employs a
        cator pointsto "A." In Manual mode, it points     center-weightedmetering system. You can ob-
         to the selectedshutterspeed.                     tain proper exposureby meteringthe light with
   @ Exposure-meter indicator                       the main portion of your subject located within
        With a light press of the shutter-releasebut-     the center 12mm-diametercirclein the viewfinder.
         ton, power is supplied to the exposuremeter                                                 Note: The backgroundof the shutterspeed dis-
       and the indicator(needle)swings according                                                   play in the viewfinderis shownwhitein this manual
         to the brightnessof the subject and the aper-                                                          to clearly show the shutter speeds and indica-
         ture setting,and indicatesthe correctwww.butkus.usshutter                                                          tors, but it is actually transparentand you can
        speed. When the shutter-speeddial is on "8,"                                             see the oicture.
Fg

I     I I I I                  I     I I I I                  I I I              I I I I I I I I I I
BasicOperationsfor Shooting
I I I I I I I I T I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

o In aperture-priorityauto exposureshooting,selectthe aper-
  ture settingappropriateto your desiredresult.( ls p.18)



      Fullaperturesettings   Intermediateaperture    Narrowaperture
                                   settings            ,        settings
     For an out-of-focus   For a distant view that    For sharpfocus of both
     backgroundor         requires precedence of  foregroundand
     foreground            def inition            background
    il|.4Oil2  f,12.8il4   f/5.6    il8     ill1     il16      il22  o o
o ln manualexposureshooting,you can freezea movingsub-
  ject by using a high shutterspeed, or you can accentuate
  the flow of water by usinga low shutterspeed.
  Withskillfuluse of shutterspeed and aperture,you can ob-
  tain the desiredeffectin your photographs.( rs p.2O)

W'f<;}1:.iE$,il...:..5.;11;;".:::]JV:.'t,...'...'...,..,..,.l.:j,t,,''j':].o+]:i1..'.I}..;;s+;]r..
i  InstallingBatteries


     Threetypes of batteriescan be used with this camera,                              )       I      t)or)One 3V lithiumbattery(CR-1/3Ntype)      I     2)rw)Two 1.55Vsilver-oxidebatteries(SR44type)      |
        3))TwoTw 1.5Valkalinebatteries(LR44type)
           " U' Uses  new batteriesof the same type when you use two batteries


     1 Removethe battery chamberlid.
                                   2    nstatl the battery (batteries).

                                       One 3V              Twosilver-oxide
                                                   lithium                         or
                                                      battery                    alkalinebatteries



      Use a coin or equivalentto unscrewthe lid
       counterclockwise
                                      Makesurethat theOpole facesupward
     11 Returnthe battery chamberlid to
     J   its closed position.





                                www.butkus.us

Checkingthe BatteryPower

Checkthe batterypowerafterinstallinga newbattery(ornewbatteries)beforestarting
shootings.
     Pull out the film-advancelever O
    and lightly pre  the shutter-   i
   f  release button
                                         ;1 Check that the exposure-meter
                                          Z'  needle moves in the viewfinder.





  Pressingthe shutter-releasebuttonlightlyand
  stoppingit halfwayis called a "Light press."
                                                                                                                       ' When batterypower is sufficient,the indica-  Thepoweris turnedon and the exposuremeter
   is activatedwhen you pull the film-advancele-     tor keeps moving for approx 16 sec. after
                                        you take your finger off the shutter-release  ver out to the standoffpositionand lightlypress
                                               button.  the shutter-releasebutton.
           JfI'
   When the shutter-speeddial is set to the "B" position,the exposure meter is not
    activated.Be sure to set the dial to another position.
      lf the exposure-meterneedlestops movingwhilethe camerais beingused,set the
   shutter-speeddial to the "8" positionfirst and then change to another position.
   Make sure that the exposure-meterneedleis moving.
       lf you load non-DX-codedfilm with the film-speedindex set to lDxl, or if no film is
    loaded,the exposure-compensationindicatorand the readylightblinkalternatelyas a
   warning.(re p.15)

I Reference  for battery replacement
  1) Replacethe battery(or batteries)at the earliest opportunityif the exposure-meter
    needlemovesonly when you hold the shutter-releasebuttonpressedand then falls
   down at once when you releaseit.
  2)Replacethe battery (or batteries)immediately if the shuttercurtainsdo not open
   and the mirrorstays at the upper positiondisablingfilm advance or if there is no
    change in the viewfinderindicationswhen you pressthe shutter-releasebuttonwith
    the shutter-speeddial set to the "A" position.
      "  ln this case, set the dial to a positionother than the "A" positionto restorethe
      originalstate.                                                            11

ffiffi'tr
  Attaching/Detachinga Lens

      I Attaching a lens
        Align the mountingindexon the
        lens with the mountingindexof
        the camerabody.
                                              Insert and twist the lens counter-
                                          clockwise(as shown by the arrow).





                                                   Twrstthe lens slowly until it clicks into place

      I Detachingthe lens





       Press and hold the lens-releasebutton   and
        twist the lens clockwise      , (as shown bv the
        arrow) to detach
             -ffn?\ /
      Use an Ai-typelenswiththis camera.Thereare some non-Ai-typelensesthatcan
      be used with this camera.See page 42 tor lens compatibility.
       Avoiddirectsunlightwhen attaching/detachinga lens.
     When attachinga lens,take care not to pressthe lens releasebutton.
     When you leavethe cameraunattendedwithouta lens attached,be sure to attach
       the suppliedbody cap (page3), or the optionalbodycap BF-1A.(The BF-1 body                                www.butkus.us      cap for previousmodelscan also be attached.)
t_p

LoadingFilm



 When you use DX-codedfilm, the cameraautomaticallydetectsthe film speed and
  makesthe appropriatesetting.

   f  open the cameraback.                                             Insert a roll of film   t and push
                                                                                                    +ar  the rewind knob  r back down.





  When you lift the film-rewrndknob, the cam-
   era back will open
     lnsertthe film leaderinto one of
    the slots of the film-takeupspool.                                                Fit the film sprocket holes of the
                                             film onto the spool's sprockets.
      fr6oe

                                                                      o 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0    0 0



                                                                      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   0 Q o o


                                                 Slowly rotate the film-takeup spool inward with
                                                your thumb, making sure the latch is in the
                                                         slot such that the film sprocket holes of the
                                                         film are meshed with the sprockets
          I   Caution when loading/unloadingfilm
  The shuttercurtainsare very thin.When loading/un-
  loadingfilm, be carefulnot to touch the shuttercur-
  tainswithyourfingersor the film leader.

                                                                                  *t                                                  13

Loading Film (Continued)

        r  Advance the film on the film-
     3   tareup spool.





                        a e s e e e g 9 9 s 9 e e e e o 0 0

                                                                             8 0 0 Q 0 0 0 0 a s 0 0 o o o 0 0 0

                        o o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0 0 0

                                                                             o o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0    0 0 0 0 0
      To advance the film on the film-takeupspool,
         pull out the film-advance lever to the standoff
        position and wind it slowly                  Make sure that the film sprocket holes are per-
                                                                 fectly meshed with the film sprockets and that
                                                         the film is correctly set between the film guide
                                                               ratls
      ar Close the camera back and take
         /   up the film slack.
                                                                                                                                  6't
                                   #   u"r" a few blank exposures.





             r  Slowly close the door of the camera back
         until it snaps shut into the camera body
                                             Wind the film-advance level   and press the
                :  Pull out the film-rewindcrank and rotate it                                                 sh u tte r-re le a se b u tto n  2  until the  fr am e
         in the direction of the arrow until it stoos to                                                   counter indicates frame 1
       take up the slack insrde the film cartridge
                                                     Adlust the shutter-speeddial to a high speed
                                                      other than "A "
                  JfIt/\ /
             '   lf the film-rewindknob failsto rotatewhen you wind the film-advancelever,reload
       the filmcartridge.
             '  Repeatmakingblankexposuresuntilthe framecounterindicatesframe 1.
                                www.butkus.us

,-   14

Setting the Film Speed (DX-codedFirm)



 When using DX-codedfilm, set the film-speedindex to lDxl.When using non-DX-
  codedfilm, set the film speed manually.See page 26.
      ''' Whenthe film-speedindexis set to lDXl,the filmspeed is automaticallyset (lSO
    25 to 5000)

     Pull up the film-speed setting    i   t  nng.
                            2         fitm speedto loxl.
                                         ".r.the





                                         Turnthe ring in the directionof the arrow
   g
    lf you load non-DX-codedfilm with the film-speedindex set to EXl, or if no film is
  loaded,the exposure-compensationindicatorand the readylightblinkalternatelyas
  a warnrng.

I Film confirmationwindow
                                                                         . Youcan checkthe film type,the number
                                              of frames,and the ISO film speedin the
                                                film confirmationwindow.





                                                            15 .r

.av.
HOlding thg Camgfa (Howto presstheshutter-reteasebutron)

I How to hold the camera
Gripthecamerain yourrighthandandlookthroughtheviewfinderKeepyourleftelbow
proppedagainstyourbodyto keepthecamerasteady.
  To hold horizontally                        To hold vertically





I How to press the shutter-release button
The shutter-releasebuttonof this camerahas a 2-stepmechanism
'  ' Pullout the film-advanceleverto the standoffpositionand oressthe shutter-retease
  buttonlightlystoppingabout halfwayThis operationis called a "Light press." The
  shutteris releasedwhen you pressthe shutter-releasebuttoncompletelydown from
  the lightly-pressposition
''' Witha "Lightpress,"the exposuremeterturnson, and the meter-ontimeris activated.
  The timeron durationis for approx.16 secondsfromthe time you removeyour finger
  from the lightly-pressedshutter-releasebutton,and it is also on for approx. 16 sec-
  onds afterthe shutteris released.




   g
   Movingthe camerawhile pressingthe shutter-releasebuttonmay cause "camera
   shake"and result in a blurredphotograph.Choosea high shutterspeed of faster
   than 1/(focal-length-of-lens)secondfor handheldshooting.Use a tripodand the
   AR-3 cablereleaseto eliminatecamerashake.
   Do not pressthe shutter-releasebuttonabruptlyor sharply.Do a "Lightpress"with
   the bulb of your indexfinger,then squeezeto pressthe buttonslowlyto the end to
   releasethe shutter.Pressingabruptlywww.butkus.usmay cause camerashake.
  When the shutter-speeddial is set to "B,"the exposuremeter is not activated.
 1 6

Focusing



                                                                  Microprism
                                                                               collar
                                                                      Split-image
                                                                            rangefinder

                                                                    Mattefield

Lookthroughthe viewfinderand put the subjectin focusby rotatingthe focusingringof
the lens.


  . To focususingthe split-imagerangefinder,turn the focusingring of the lens untilthe
   upperand lowerimagescoincideperfectlyto form a singleunbrokenimage.

 Example:In focus                         Example:Out of focus





   . To focususingthe microprismgrid or matte,turn the focusingring so that the fuzzy
   imagebecomessharp.
   . Get your main subjectin focus.
     "' lf you wantto photographa flower,focuson a stamenor pistil,and for an animal
     or person,focus on the eyes.

Shooting:Aperture-PriorityAuto Expsure Mode


           . The aperture setting lets you adjust the exposureand control the depth of field.
            '"  lf the subjectof your pictureextendsintothe distanceand/oryou want the entire
         subject to be sharp, choose a narrow aperturesetting. lf you want an out-of-
         focus backgroundandlorforeground,selecta wide aperturei. e. t12.8.lfyour
         subjecthas littleor no depth of field,such as flat wall,choosean intermediate
         aperturesetting.
           .  In Aperture-PriorityAuto Exposuremode, you can make the aperturesettingas
        desired,and the cameracontrolsthe shutterspeed automatically.


               I
          I  Set the shutter-speeddial to "A."
                                   2   ,uuout the film-advancelever.





        In the "A" (Auto)position,the shutter-speed
         dial is locked


                                Composeyour picture and focus.





                                                                                                       '' Placethe main subjectinsidethe 12mm-di-
                                www.butkus.usametercircle in the centerof the screen

-L-*- 18

5 Lightlybutton.press the shutter-release    Slowly depress the shutter-
                                      release button all the way.





 Check the shutterspeed, observingthe ex-
 oosure-meterindicationin the viewfinder.         ''  lf the exposuremeter indicationis between
                                          1/60 and 1/4000second, squeezeto press
                                            the shutter-releasebuttonall the wav


 .   lf the exposure-meterneedlepointsin the 1 to 1/(focal-lengthof the lens) second
  range:
  "'Camera shake may occur becausethe shutter speed is low. Use a tripod or
    flash.
 .   lf the exposure-meterneedlepointsto the upperalert zone:
   "' Makea narroweraperturesetting.lf the indicationis stillin the alertzone,use an
   ND filter.
 .   lf the exposure-meterneedlepointsto the loweralert zone:
   "' Selecta wideraperturesetting.lf the indicationis stillin the alertzone,use flash
    photography.

     Example:Apertureol 112.8                Example:Apertureof f/16

Shooting:ManualExposureMode


  .  In this mode,you can manuallyselectboth the shutterspeedand the aperture
   settingas desired.
  . By changingthe combinationof shutterspeedand aperturesetting,youcan change
   the photoeffectwithoutchangingthe exposure.
  . Youcan createvariouseffects,likecontrollingthe depthof fieldby varyingthe aper-
    ture settingor freezingthe motionof a fast-movingsubjectwith high shutterspeed.
  . Whenthe batterypoweris completelyexhaustedor diminishedin a cold place,all
   the electronicdisplaysare disabled,but majormechanicalsystems,such as the
   shutterand aperturecontrol,remainfunctional,enablingyou to continueshooting.

    Set the shutter-speed dial to a
     position other than "A."
                                             Pull out the film-advance lever.
            ,l6;"'^.*




  To change the dral setting f rom  nn      -r ^u lt ^drt ^u  +UAI U^
   dr a wh re h o l d n g  t h e a u t o - l o c kretease Dut-
     t on pre s s e d

   Composeyour pictureand focus.
                                             Lightly press the shutter-release
                                           button.




  Pac e  t he ma i n s u b j e c t i n s i d e t h e 1 2www.butkus.usmm-d i-   cj'reter crrcle l  tl-e center o{ the screer

 20

Align the shutter-speedindicator
   and the exposure-meter5                                   Slowly press the shutter-release
                                      button all the way.                       indicator.6





' To align the two indicators,adjust the shutter
 -speed dial and/or the aperturesetting.


    It is possibleto perform exposure compensationby intentionallymismatchingthe
  shutter-speedindicatorand the exposure-meter i ndicator.
               This will cause underexposure.            This will cause overexposure.

                  Shutter-soeedindicator
                                                     Exoosure-meterindicator
                 Exoosure-meterindicator
                                                          Shutter-speedindicator

 .  Referencefor shutter speed selection:
   "'  lf you want to treezethe motionof a fast-movingsubject,choosea shutterspeed
    over 1/500.
       lf you want to create a motion effect by blurringthe       choose a shutter
   speed under 1/60.
       lf you wantto accentuatethe flow of the water,choosea shutterspeedof under 1/15.
       lf you want to shoot fireworksor tracks of lightsat night,choose B.

     Example:Shutterspeed of 1/15 with          Example:Shutterspeed of 1/500with
              apertureof f/16                            apertureol112.8

Rewindingthe Film

  Whenthe end of the rollof filmis reached,the film-advanceleverwillnot advancefurther
   Rewindthe film.
       -t  Return the film-advance lever to
         f   its folded position.
                                     Press the film-rewind





                                                 Just pressthe buttononce Youdon't haveto
                                              hold it pressed

                                             4  Open the camera  back and                                 a#                                   removethe film cartridge.





       Pull out the film-rewind crank and turn it in       the direction of the arrow  U
      As you approach the end of film rewind, you      Pull up the film-rewindknob to open the cam-
                                                     era back, and take out the film cartridge        will feel a slight resistance in the crank Con-
       tinue turning and stop when resistanceto the
      crank is released and feels liohter
            Jfrt                \ /
    Do NOTopenthe camerabackuntilyouare sure rewindingis complete.


                                www.butkus.us

i-   22

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
Controlsin Detail
I I I I I I I I T I I I I I T I I I I I I I I


    Touse the cameraskillfully,you needto understand
      its functionsand features.

     Shutter-SpeedDial                                              ....p.24
     Film-AdvanceLever                                                   .. p.25
     ManualFilm-SpeedSetting                                  ......p. 26
     Exposure-CompensationIndicator..                  p.27
     FrameCounter.....                                           ......p. 29
     Depth of Field PreviewLever                                     ... p. 29
     Film-PlaneIndicator                                                .. p.30
     AccessoryShoe and Sync-CordTerminal.                   ... p. 30

.#tr$ffif$ffiq:l                                                         ;'*.:j:tiH,.:.]1i{.rflJxi,Esffw
  Shutter-SpeedDial

                                                                               . Dependingon the conditionsand your
                                                intentionof shooting,alignthe shutter-
                                      speedindexto the figuresor markson
                                             the shutter-speeddial.Youmaychoose
                                        from among the followingshooting
                                      modes:


   IA  (Aperture-Priority  Auto Exposure mode)
   Onceyou makethe aperturesetting,the cameraautomaticallyselectsthe appropriateshut-
    terspeed(steplesscontrol)Thisis the simplestshootingmodewiththiscamera.( rs p.18)
    ffiffi::ffil
     Lockingand releasingthe shutter-speeddial:
      Onceyou set the shutter-speeddialto "A,"the dial is lockedto preventinadvert-
        ent changes.
        To move the dial to anotherposition,rotatethe dial while holdingdown the
          auto-lockreleasebuttonat the centerof the dial

    I1  to 1/4000 second (Manual mode)
    In Manualmode, you can set both the shutterspeed and aperturemanuallyto create
   variouscreativephotographiceffects ( rs  p.20)

      I B (Bulb mode)
    In thismode,the shutterstaysopen as longas the shutter-releasebuttonis depressed.Use
    thisfunctionwhen shootingscenesthat requireextendedexposure(e g , nighttime srars,
    etc.).Forverylongexposures,usea tripod,and insteadof holdingthe shutter-releasebutton
   downwithyourfinger,you can lockthe shutterreleaseopen by usingthe AR-3cablerelease
   (soldseparately),to takesteady,long-exposureshotswithoutworryingabout"camerashake"
    E
        . Youcannotuse intermediatepositionsbetweenshutter-speeddial clicks.
            '  In B (Bulb)mode, the shutteroperationis performedmechanically(not electroni-
        cally).However,a very small amountof batterypowermay be drained.Therefore,
     we recommendyou removethe batterywww.butkus.usto savethe batterypowerwhen you planto
      take many picturesusing B mode.
    24