Nikon FA 35mm SLRs
Nikon FA 35mm SLRs
USER REVIEWS
[Sep 24, 2000]
Leif Luscombe
Intermediate
Strength:
- Manual focus
Weakness:
- Flash metering seems to take some skill to execute well. A truly great MF camera. It would be unfair to rate it with AF cameras, as they are a different tool. For my work I prefer MF. It has more bells and whistles than the F3, like P and S mode, as well as a choice of 2 meters. The AMP meterning has given very consistent meterings, even in difficult situations. I use it with both manual and auto-focus lenses with excellent results. I always use it for snapshots, I prefer the F3 on the tripd, as it has longer shutter settings, and removing the finder can really help to compose a shot without fatigue. Overall, I am very happy with it for travelling, and shooting hand held pictures of people. Customer Service Haven't needed any. Similar Products Used: Nikon F3HP |
[Nov 16, 2000]
R.D. Kenwood
Intermediate
Strength:
All the indicators are neatly arranged at the top of the viewfinder, where they can be used or ignored at will. Perfect! The indications for over/under in manual mode are similar to the FM2/T (+/±/-), but not significantly worse. At any rate, I find the FA in manual mode easier to use than the FM-series bodies.
Weakness:
There are times (rarely) when I wish it had mirror lock-up. What a camera body! Light, compact, and just jam-packed with features. Did you know the top plate is plastic?My FA is worn through the black paint, through the copper-colored plating, all the way down to the gray-colored plastic. No matter; it's rugged and reliable. I also have the MF-16 back, which provides a nice little alarm clock when traveling. The FA is my absolute favorite of the manual Nikon bodies, edging out even the F3/T. Customer Service Not needed. Similar Products Used: N8008s, N90s, FG, FG-20, EM. |
[Dec 20, 2000]
Tom Bates
Expert
Strength:
Durable, Durable, and it is also Durable.Multi-matrix metering system. Shoots in all Modes P,S,A, & Manual. If your batteries die you can still shoot in a manual mode. Shutter speed up to 1/8000. This is the best camera for someone who is serious in learning about Photography and doesn't have a lot of money to spend. Mine two have been from the base of Matterhorn to the swamps of Louisiana to the beachs of the Virgin Islands. In the swamps would be more like it, turned the canoe over in the middle to the night photographing alligator's, but that is another story
Weakness:
They quit making it. The best over all camera Nikon ever made. Durable. I own two of them. If you can find one snatch it up. I don't leave home without it. One stays in my car all the time. Ready to shoot. You never know when that pic of a life time comes and goes. Customer Service Parts are getting hard to get and have had to replace two chips in it. Similar Products Used: F3HP F4 AE-1 EOS-1 FG FM FE |
[Jan 10, 2001]
Randy De Leon
Expert
Strength:
AMP metering, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Program, Manual, X synch 1/250, top shutter speed 1/4000, TTL flash, depth-of-field preview.
Weakness:
LCD not illuminated cannot not see information in low light conditions, not a true MLU. A well made multi-mode camera. Highly recommended for beginner's to serious amateurs. Not as popular as the FE-2 or FM-2, but offers "more bang for the buck" in the used camera market. Customer Service None needed. Similar Products Used: OM-2S, OM-1n, Pentax ME Super, F-3T, FE-2 |
[Feb 07, 2001]
Alex Charles
Expert
Strength:
Built like a tank, extremely reliable metering, 4 different shooting modes. Good styling/control layout. Need I go on..?
Weakness:
LCD not illuminated, parts can be tricky to find (though it shares many with the FE/FM2) eyepiece cover can be a pain (shutting on it's own) An excellent camera for an amateur or pro. Has all features needed for both. Takes consistantly excellent pictures with the matrix metering. It may be old, but they got it right. Customer Service Good. Nikon dealers tend to be serious about it. Similar Products Used: Olympus OM2n, Minolta X300, Nikon FE/F301. |
[May 18, 2001]
Dean Massingill
Expert
Strength:
Substantial body with many options
Weakness:
As with 2 FE models I have had, this FA has been subject to sudden and unexplained shutter hangup. Very annoying, as of course always happens in midst of shooting session. Also, the rewind know decides to fall apart now and then. I have puzzled again and again why of three separate Nikons and two diff. models they have all been prone to intermittent shutter lockup. It just frees when it decides to, after a period of time, and twice had to take it for repair. If it were not for this I would probably give it a 5 Star rating. If you can get a good used one without this problem you should be very happy. Customer Service Happened after warranty expired, took to authorized factory service but problem reoccured at least five times. Similar Products Used: Two Nikon FE's |
[Jul 12, 2001]
Martin Dybdal
Professional
Strength:
Perfect flash exposure, simple to understand and use, excellent quality; feels rugged and dependable without being crude.
Weakness:
Not as comfortable to grip as my Contax, doesn't feel as refined either. I had a chance to shoot a few rolls with this one, indoor flash photography of stuntman I know and some students of his. I had borrowed the Nikon from a friend and didn't have a manual, so I just stuck the flash onto the camera and started. All the shots were correctly exposed. Similar Products Used: Contax 167MT. Minolta SRT 100b. |
[Jul 07, 2001]
Susannah Seefeldt
Beginner
Strength:
Great all around camera.
Weakness:
None Great Value, Great Camera. Similar Products Used: None |