Was the Nikon FM3A a professional camera or a consumer model?

[Leigh B]

Definitely not a pro camera.

I was repairing Nikons when the FMxx were popular. Since our clientele was 90% pro, I never saw one that I recall.

- Leigh

[Les Sarile]

I was repairing Nikons when the FMxx were popular . . . I never saw one that I recall.- Leigh

Reliability is definitely the first requirement . . .

[MattKing]

A "Professional" camera is/was one that the manufacturers and distributors would:
1) "accessorize" with professionally oriented features and accessories;
2) market to professional photographers; and
3) support with enhanced repair and accessory resources.

This means that there are a wide variety of types of "professional" cameras. For example, a photojournalist requires one type (a Nikon F2?), whereas someone doing high volumes of photo-micrography might choose an Olympus OM body.

Was an FM3A a body that Nikon would support in the same way they would support an F5?

[Pumalite]

It's funny that when the F3 was on sale; nobody wanted to buy it,Everybody stuck to his Niko F, F2, F2AS,Nikkormats, but would not buy the F3.Nikon had to raise the price of the F2 AND lower the price os the F3 for that to happen.

[CGW]

It's funny that when the F3 was on sale; nobody wanted to buy it,Everybody stuck to his Niko F, F2, F2AS,Nikkormats, but would not buy the F3.Nikon had to raise the price of the F2 AND lower the price os the F3 for that to happen.

Funny but the F3 had a much longer production run than the F2. Price wasn't the only reason.

[Pumalite]

Funny but the F3 had a much longer production run than the F2. Price wasn't the only reason.

Price ws the reason they started to buy it over the F2

[Chan Tran]

Price ws the reason they started to buy it over the F2

Yes price was the reason I bought the F3. Because in 1982 it's less expensive to buy the F3HP and the MD-4 than just the MD-2 and the MB-1 battery pack for my F2AS. But after using the F3 it grew on me and although I like both, if I have to make the choice I would pick the F3 over the F2. The long production run of the F3 I think has to do with the fact that the F3 has been proven its worth because even after I used the F5 for a while I come back to the F3. It's just the right amount of camera for me.

[brucemuir]

These days all you need is an iPhone to be a pro.

[Klainmeister]

These days all you need is an iPhone to be a pro.

Yes, I just place my iPhone in the 4x5 enlarger and get great 16x20 prints!

[Pumalite]

Yes price was the reason I bought the F3. Because in 1982 it's less expensive to buy the F3HP and the MD-4 than just the MD-2 and the MB-1 battery pack for my F2AS. But after using the F3 it grew on me and although I like both, if I have to make the choice I would pick the F3 over the F2. The long production run of the F3 I think has to do with the fact that the F3 has been proven its worth because even after I used the F5 for a while I come back to the F3. It's just the right amount of camera for me.

I agree. I also found out the F3 and F4 are excellent cameras.