Price for a new Nikon FM3A?

[astroman]

Hi All
I seen a new yes new Nikon FM3A for sale
And need some opinions on what its worth

Thanks!

[BillBingham2]

I would also ask over at Nikonians. I'm sorry to say I have no good idea, though I have seen a number of them pass through here over the past year.

Great camera, good luck.

B2 (;->

[jonmanjiro]

There's a shop in the Ginza, Tokyo that has a new silver FM3A displayed in the window they're selling as a set with a silver 45mmP lens. Their price is a whopping 248,000 yen (over US$2,500).

[astroman]

$2500:eek:

[Nikon Bob]

I think that a new FM3a is selling or was selling for nearly what they were when introduced and decent used ones are/were going for what Nikon sold them for on close out specials. They are very nice cameras but personally I would not pay the premium prices I have seen of late. A good user FM2n is a far better deal price wise IMHO.

Bob

[digitalintrigue]

$450 or so on RFF for a nice black one a few weeks ago. ;)

[stupid leica]

i'd not be surprised to see a new black one go for 750-900.

[Brian Sweeney]

If you must have one new, who knows.

$2,500 is insane and only someone with way too much money on their hands would buy it for that. Same kind that uses $100 bills to light cigars.

My new in the box Black Nikon FM was $250 when I bought it 15 years after it was out of production. Back room find at a camera shop.

I would not pay more than $600 for a new FM3A, and would get a Mint Nikon F3HP in the box instead. That is what I did...

[Kozhe]

You might consider the excellent FM2 and the really cheap FM

[kully]

It's odd how quickly the prices go up. In 2006 they were selling these off for £350 with the 45/2.8 lens... It was the same time that I bought a new F80 for £100 (which is worth nothing now).

[Jake06]

Ffordes.com have some "Mint-" used chrome ones in for £349...
They're still pricy compared to other manual SLRs...

[rxmd]

On Nikonians there was one in Canada recently for $500 "like new with box and manual".

[italy74]

Hi guys
no idea for outside Europe but here in Italy they go (body only) for 400 - 550 € (thus, make your calculation in local value) depending on the condition (always used, at best LNIB) and the shop. Actually, I had the luck to get mine for 350 € from someone who didnt use it and want to get some money. I think the chrome one is somehow more desired, especially if paired with the silver 45 F/2.8P, but I might be wrong here. Actually, if you're thinking about an alternative choice, please consider also the Voigtlander 40/2 which is roughly as expensive as the Nikkor 45 F/2.8 but offers a whole stop advantage.
I had the luck to get the whole combo for around 600€ all included (so I paid the Ultron MUCH less than its actual price, always around 400 € or so)

p.s. Don't even compare the silent Zeiss shutter with the funny and clumsier "clock" of the FM3a... but enjoy it equally as something really personal.

[FA Limited]

There's a shop in the Ginza, Tokyo that has a new silver FM3A displayed in the window they're selling as a set with a silver 45mmP lens. Their price is a whopping 248,000 yen (over US$2,500).

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm317/pf_k100d/Film%20SLR/Yodobashi%20Film%20Fridge/AAA021.jpg

[FA Limited]

p.s. Don't even compare the silent Zeiss shutter with the funny and clumsier "clock" of the FM3a... but enjoy it equally as something really personal.

which camera has a zeiss shutter?

[dcsang]

He was referring to Voigtlander. If Cosina keeps this up long enough, many will begin to believe they are Zeiss.

Ah branding, yesterday I watched Italian tourists, buying reproduction Italian bags, from Chinese vans, on Lispenard Street, below canal street in Manhattan...

and I could not help but think how Zeiss has pulled off convincing photographers that they are really not just selling rebadged Cosina cameras.

People are funny when they spend money.

Isn't the standard response "Well, they really are Zeiss because they're built to Zeiss specifications and the lenses use Zeiss formulae."

That's what we've always been told - but you're correct about branding Fred. I'm not knocking Cosina because, God love Mr Kobayashi, without that company, it would be Leica and nothing but Leica for anyone wanting to shoot RF (the one Nikon offering aside) brand new. Yet it is a very smart move they made snagging the Voigtlander brand and then building Zeiss cameras and lenses - not to mention helping out Epson with their digital RF offering.

If anything, Cosina is a savvy company that knows that a brand does speak volumes.

I wouldn't put it past Cosina to gobble up other "classic" brands should they be put out to pasture. . .

Cheers,
Dave

[Al Kaplan]

Leica should have marked their cameras as "Hermes Leica".

[btgc]

I'm not about to stomp on Holy Nikon....rather about new old stock. Recently I bought new, never used, boxed Ricoh SLR - to make a gift. In fact, gift is only thing I can figure out of it. For me it's too new, too shiny, and it smells like....new camera. Doesn't work for me!

Aside from aesthetical aspect, I realized this only later, I were lucky that it haven't gummed up from sitting without any use. For so inexpensive gear it wouldn't be problem, though when paying extra for "Wow! it's new!!" factor for camera like this Nikon, considering adding extra for potential CLA to get it running properly screams buyer should love that model a lot. Truly, simply love it.

But that's just me, nevermind :)

[Tuolumne]

I have an FM3a. Would never part with it. $2500, though, is a ridiculous price. That's for a collector version. User versions, even in near mint condition are much much cheaper. Check eBay. It's a fine camera. You won't regret the purchase.

/T

[rxmd]

On German eBay there's currently a silver FM3a with warranty for 499 EUR BIN.

[dcsang]

I've been eying them myself - you guys (and this thread) is not helping my gear lust..

cheers,
Dave

[HarryW]

The FM3a is a camera that I had always wanted to get to replace my FA and I bought a Black one about 4-5 months ago. The seller refused to classify it as mint in case I found something wrong with it which I didn't. Having bought new Nikon bodies previously I new what to expect and I would say that the FM3a I purchased was in brand spanking new condition, fully boxed with all papers etc. The previous owner admitted to having used it but there was absolutely no sign of this. if I had not known that it was previously owned I would have said it was new.
I have obviously stopped watching auction sites and second hand dealers but prior to buying mine my view was that in less than mint condition Black commanded a 5 - 10% premium over Silver. In the UK you would expect to pay £325 - £350 for a mint example in Black with the original box and papers.
As Dino mentioned the shutter noise is different - in fact different from any other Nikon that I own or have owned. Having been used to a Leica M2 for some time now its positively loud and I don't know if it is because of the hybrid shutter arrangement. The other point that I would make is that they have gone from LED's in the previous FM range to a match needle system however in low light conditions it is very difficult to use and I tend to put it on to Aperture Priority to get over that problem.
Would I do it over again? - Yes, I bought this as my FA is getting too long in the tooth and I wanted to retain a smaller form manual Nikon for my AIS lenses without getting into the larger bodied F3, F4, F5 range.
Regards

Harry

[angeloks]

I got one, like new condition, for 500 cad a month ago.

[italy74]

Thanks Harry, you got my point.
I didn't mean to talk about shutter brands, rather about the "noise" or the "silence" produced when you press the button: nearly zero with the Ikon, definitely much "louder" on the FM3a. I meant to warn him because if he has been used only to rangefinder shutters he could be surprised of the stronger "clock"

[Austerby]

....I bought a new F80 for £100 (which is worth nothing now).

Not true - I recently sold my F80 (with lens) for £90 on t'internet.

[mfunnell]

cambridge world [...] i'd be interested if anyone has actually made a successful purchase (of any camera) from them?!As would I: I was looking for something, the other day, and Google led me to their eBay store. I looked, but caught a hint of indefinable smell coming off them so decided to do nothing. I'd like to be wrong but decided not to chance it.

...Mike

[TWoK]

A black with the 45/2.8P just went for $1200 BIN not more than a week ago.

[jonmanjiro]

There's a shop in the Ginza, Tokyo that has a new silver FM3A displayed in the window they're selling as a set with a silver 45mmP lens. Their price is a whopping 248,000 yen (over US$2,500).

Just so ya'll don't think I'm making up what I said in the quote above, here's a pic I took today at the shop ;)

The actual pricing is more than I thought it was - 260,000 yen for a new silver FM3A/45mmP set, and 268,000 yen for a new black FM3A/45mmP set :eek:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73611&stc=1&d=1254130862

[rxmd]

On photo.net and fredmiranda there is an FM3A body for sale for $460 (in excellent condition, with motor and some accessories).

[kshapero]

I see a new one here at RFF for $1000. Geez I got a Excellent condition (super small brassing on the rewind dial) for $449 from KEH. They usually have them at good prices. For an "evil" SLR they are an awesome rig.

[degruyl]

For the price of these in Japan, you would think that there was a collector's market for three year old cameras...

Not getting it, but I don't get collecting.

[emraphoto]

i was always under the impression the 45mm was a lack luster performer? why do they still command such high premiums?

[TWoK]

i was always under the impression the 45mm was a lack luster performer? why do they still command such high premiums?

Well it is the smallest f-mount lens and it is a superb performer. Probably the most contrasty lens I have. Sharp as all get out from wide open on down.

[NIKON KIU]

Hi All
I seen a new yes new Nikon FM3A for sale
And need some opinions on what its worth

Thanks!
Unless it's offered by a Nikon Dealer with full Nikon warranty, it's not new.
You didn't say if it's silver or black?
Either way, I wouln't pay more than $700

Kiu

[kdemas]

I agree, the 45mm P is one of my favorite lenses around. The price of the black FM3a set, $1200, is getting boosted by the fact that the black lens alone, used, tends to go for more than $550.

Kent

Well it is the smallest f-mount lens and it is a superb performer. Probably the most contrasty lens I have. Sharp as all get out from wide open on down.

[jonmanjiro]

Well it is the smallest f-mount lens and it is a superb performer. Probably the most contrasty lens I have. Sharp as all get out from wide open on down.

That's been my experience as well.

I think most of the ho-hum reputation stems from people who have never used the lens ***-***-ing it because its pricey for a slow normal (in Nikon lens terms at least).

[Tuolumne]

If anything, Cosina is a savvy company that knows that a brand does speak volumes.

I wouldn't put it past Cosina to gobble up other "classic" brands should they be put out to pasture. . .

Cheers,
Dave

Can you say "Leica". :D

/T

[Ken Shipman]

Bought a new black FM3A+45 when they were in production. Didn't care for the rough winding mechanism and tinny sounding shutter, or the thin little focusing ring. Sold them for what I paid. Got a mint F3T and 50/1.8 instead for less. Much better.

[Tuolumne]

The winding mechanism is ratcheted; it isn't "rough". What tinny sounding shutter?

/T
BTW, every moving part is mounted on roller bearings or ball bearings. This camera will stand up to any Leica out there.

[Ken Shipman]

On the FM3A I bought the winding was rough like what you find on an OM. I know the difference between ratcheted and rough. The shutter sounded tinny. Maybe twangy describes it better. I had it serviced by Nikon. No improvement. I didn't care for it.

[Tuolumne]

Maybe you had a bad copy?

/T

[Ken Shipman]

Could be. I'm happy with the F3.

[kshapero]

I got the CV Pancake 40mm/f2 with my FM3A. Couldn't be happier. Match with the Nikon SB-30 flash and I am the bomb.

[jonmanjiro]

I have three FM3A bodies here (all purchased new). The winding mechanism on one is a little rough, but the other two are silky smooth - easily the equal of a smooth F3.

[Ken Shipman]

Excellent. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy the F3.