Nikon FA 35mm Film SLR. It Is So Amazing Of A Camera OMG!

First time owning and using a Nikon camera (other than a small digicam) and I have to say it is an incredible piece of old tech, and it takes amazing photographs.

[@Skux720]

I've tried the whole FM/FE/F3/FA series and the FA was the one I kept. The grip is the best out of all of them, 1/4000s shutter speed beats the F3, you get full PASM exposure modes, and the flat prism top cover just looks super 1980s cool.

[@leicestershirejim1558]

It is a great camera and have had mine now for 40 years, as I couldn't part with it. My other camera of a similar size is the Sony 7R2 with I use for everyday use. Enjoyed your video, thank you.

[@artistjoh]

I like the Nikon FA so much I have three of them.

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

Yeah I am in love with mine. I just got a Nikon EM with the 50mm f/1.8 for $26 yesterday. Not as good of a camera but I am thinking it will be a fun and easy almost mindless camera to bring out and shoot with. It's aperture priority which is fine for me as I tend to use that when out doing some fun photography.

[@GirdHerd]

I agree with you, Matt, I love the brassing on black bodies. All of my Nikon film cameras (Ftn, Nikkormat, F2AS, and F4s) are in mint condition with no brassing but if I had one with some brassing I would "brass" all of the sharp edges to make it look like gold trim. I just recently "discovered" the FA and am looking for one in Mint or Near Mint condition. I noticed on ebay that many of them are missing the removable right grip. I guess the owners took them off and lost them. So make sure the one you are buying has the grip.

[@haneyfrancis2780]

Thanks for this great video. I have had a F3 and its a wonderful camera but I love something about the FA. The metering has never let me down in landscape photography. This camera is so underrated.

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

I just got back from a week long road trip to Colorado and used the FA and the exposures were spot on. It really is a wonderful camera. Video coming soon of the trip

[@wayofthewheel3543]

Nice video, glad you got an FA and are enjoying it. I've been shooting an FE2 as my go to Nikon since 2006 and it is bomb proof plus has waaaaay more shitter speeds than my FA ( I just got my first FA) Film advance lever and titanium shutter are the same as well as most of the controls. I recommend an FE2 as a companion to the FA. I've put hundreds of rolls through my FE2 and the shutter speed still measures perfectly on point. Looking forward to seeing more of your FA videos.

[@markheywood5626]

Still got mine from 1988 and still going strong. I had 2 the silver and black I sold the silver about 20 years ago I wish I didn’t

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

ouch sucks you sold it, but who would have known that film would be popular again!?

[@markheywood5626]

@@MattRyanPhoto55 I sold it to fund buying my 1st digital camera. I'm trying to find a mint condition silver one now.

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

@@markheywood5626 good luck! They are out there

[@UncommonSense1776]

I’ve been shooting with an FE since 1981. I have my dad’s FA and have never used it, I guess that I’ll need to give it a try. That 135mm is a good portrait lens.

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

You should try it! I am not sure why the FA get's less love than some of the other Nikon models, but it's exposure matrix is fantastic spot on every time, the best out there on a film camera, and titanium shutter allowing for up to 4000 shutter speed is just nuts. I am posting the first part of a road trip I recently took to Colorado where most of my shots where done on the FA. That video is uploaded and in the middle of processing now, so should be done shortly. Enjoy!

[@gewglesux]

I found mine just 2 weeks ago for $75 came a md12 winder and a 35-135 and an old school Nikon speedlight.

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

Nice find!!

[@gewglesux]

@@MattRyanPhoto55 slapped in some portra 400@$23

[@Fotznerwin27]

Number 8 here! Lovely video about a lovely camera! If you love the mechanical sturdiness of this FA, especially with the film advance lever and the shutter, you should definitely check out a Nikkormat FTN. I picked one up a few years ago, all black and with all those brass edges coming through as you described. What a stunner! And man, is that thing a tank! It's heavy, it's solid and both the advance lever as well as the shutter are a dream to listen to and to feel!

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

Great advice, I will keep an eye out for one! Thanks for subbing!

[@Fotznerwin27]

@@MattRyanPhoto55 You really should! I got mine two years back for less than 100 € in Germany. Another great bonus is that you can use pre-AI lenses. So for around ~150 € you should be able to get both the body as well as a 50mm 1.4 and therefore an absolute killer-setup!

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

@@Fotznerwin27 It's great how inexpensive some amazing cameras from our past can be, and even more amazing is that they still work even after all this time

[@vdubs17]

Found my black body in a bargain bin at a camera show. Paid $90CDN for it. Have a FM, F, F3 & F90X. But it’s the FA I reach for. I should get a silver for a companion.

[@xjr1618x]

Number 14 here 🎉

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

Thanks for subbing!!

[@Pablo-sr5bx]

The FA is an awesome camera. But just to clarify @4:39. The FA can only use the 1/4000 sec shutter speed WITH a battery. The FA is not fully mechanical like the FM and FM2 (the FM2 can shoot at 1/4000 without a battery). The FA can only shoot at 1/250 sec and bulb without a battery.

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

You are correct, thank you for catching that!

[@kevinmarkham6385]

when i briefly had this camera i thought the viewfinder wasn’t as bright as the f3 and i felt like i missed focus.

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

I find the viewfinder to be pretty bright compared to other cameras. I have not put an F3 to my eye for comparison but I am sure you are pretty correct as the F# series is touted as some of the best

[@d.r.martin6301]

What a great find! I had an FM2, FM, and FE2, but never an FA. Wish I had. Before that I had an F, which I mostly shot with the pre-AI 28/3.5, which I assume is the precursor to your 28. Loved that lens, wish I'd kept it and AI'd it. Got lots of great street photography done with it.

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

I’m in the market for some other bodies. Just waiting for a good deal. Maybe I’ll collect them all. Also I have a second video for the FA coming soon. Just did some street photography in Minneapolis with so it should be out this week.

[@d.r.martin6301]

@@MattRyanPhoto55 Where I shot as a college kid, along with Duluth.

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

Duluth is awesome, very fun to photograph

[@Fat-totoro-cat]

The FA is fine - I am nit picking, but I find the PASM dial a bit cheap. Also - take this with a grain old salt, but my local film camera repair place told me that the FA is almost impossible to repair. Honestly I think he could be bothered though.

[@venteach.6289]

Is there any way to turn the camera on without the film advance sticking out? It’s somewhat complicated especially with glasses when the lever is out

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

It that I am aware of. That is the on switch. I wear glasses as well and it doesn’t bother me. Are you left eye dominant? In which case I can understand

[@wayofthewheel3543]

I believe that with the motor drive attached the switch on the MD takes over and the film advance lever can stay put. The lever on function is found on many Nikon film models.

[@chrisreich40]

You are correct. I use the MD-12 motor drive with my FM3a and the advance lever stays 'closed', that is, not poking behind the back of the camera, when you are using the camera. The MD-12 is the motor drive which is compatible with this entire family of Nikons. The only 'gotcha' with the FA is that the MD-12 does not also power the camera, so you need to keep a good battery in the camera during use. Otherwise, the MD-15 can be used instead with the FA; good luck finding one.

[@Fat-totoro-cat]

That design is why I prefer the F3 over the FM, FM2, FE, FE2, FA.

[@carolingrimaldi]

but the top plate layout is really functional and well thought! We all the features, actually EUR 270,- with winder is absolutely worth it.

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

The film advance lever is amazing, so smooth, and the shutter sound is so satisfying, everytime I pick the camera up I have to advance it and release the shutter a few times. Brings a smile to my face each time.

[@smd1uk]

Interesting video, I started with an FM in 1978 and it’s had a lot of use, brass showing around the edges etc but it’s still working fine. Since I’ve had the FA though it’s almost the only 35mm film camera I’ve used although I have about a dozen. Interestingly in the USA you say nigh-kon whereas here in the UK it’s pronounced nik-kon. Nikon’s official slant on that is, pronounce it anyway you wish as long as you buy Nikon 😂

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

Yeah I have seen that in videos from all over the world. I might have to re-train my brain lol

[@garnieross9958]

Nikons are beautifull cameras. Fuji and Lumix are not in the same class.

[@norbert_engel]

I’m number five. Couldn’t quite double it on my own👀

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

Damn! Good attempt though! Thanks for subbing!

[@milesian1]

Totally agree. The FM and FE lines get more attention, but the FA is a unique gem. I’ll never be without one. That 28/3.5 lens is actually also really great. Something about the coating renders skies especially well.

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

I agree! I am totally in love with the camera. And that lens does a wonderful job. Currently bidding on more lenses. THanks for Subbing!

[@milesian1]

@@MattRyanPhoto55 Just call me #8, hehe

[@cazarildelupe3887]

Great to hear from someone who loves their FA as much as I do! Great pics, btw. Subbed

[@carolingrimaldi]

great camera; I wish it was cheaper in Europe. Here in Germany you pay EUR 200 up.

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

Still worth it in my opinion, it's a solid, and amazing camera.

[@carolingrimaldi]

@@MattRyanPhoto55 yes, I think so, too - 1/4000 and not as old as my Canon AE1, F1.

[@xdfckt2564]

I'm number 96 👍

[@paulodefeyter]

Hey I got one.... in GOLD! ...... yeap.... Gold in like 24k gold....

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

Damn. Nice!

[@ciprianoravet]

6th ❤

[@MattRyanPhoto55]

Nice! Thanks for subbing!