The Nikon FM3a

Nikon's most advanced, advanced amateur camera body and arguably the most desirable Manual Focus body that Nikon ever produced. Couples perfectly to any AI or more advanced manual focus lens ever produced as well as many auto focus lenses. (HINT: Stay away from "G" type [GELDED] lenses.) With an advanced electronic shutter mechanism backed up with Nikon's most advanced mechanical shutter speed governing system. This camera body is easily the most advanced and most stable over time ever produced. It is as if Nikon produced it in order to set the standard for what could be produced and Nikon obviously succeeded. This is as wonderful camera body as exists and it takes a great many of the most wonderful lenses that can be found.

Nikon's FM3a ("a" represents "automatic shutter speed control" or aperture priority automatic automation) could well have been designated "FE3m" with the "m" standing for mechanical shutter speeds when the electronic (battery operated) system fails. In fact the FM3a is an optimal combination of the best features of the FM2n and the FE2 plus some additional features such as DX encoding contacts for setting film speed.

Detailed FM3a Specifications from the Nikon Website:

Film format         35 mm (135) format
Picture size         24X36 mm
Lens mount         Nikon F mount
Type of camera: SLR Electronically-controlled and mechanically-controlled 35 mm single-lens reflex focal-plane shutter camera
Exposure control         Aperture-priority auto (A) and manual (M) exposure control
Eye point         14 mm at -1.0 -1(dpt.)
Focusing screen         K3 type (splitprism-image microprism type, Cear matte Screen II) standard, B3 type and E3 type optional
Viewfinder information         Shutter speed, exposure meter indication, shutter indication, direct aperture value, exposure compensation mark, ready light
Finder coverage         Approx. 93% (objective screen)
Magnification of finder         Approx. 0.83X (with 50 mm set to infinity)
Exposure meter sync.         AI type
Metering range         EV 1 to 20 (ISO 100) with use of f/1.4 lens
Metering system         TTL center-weighted, full-aperture exposure metering system, approx. 60% of the meter’s sensitivity concentrated on a 12 mm diameter circle
Film-sensitivity setting         DX system or manual. With DX: ISO25 to 5000 Manual: ISO 12 to 6400
Exposure compensation         Exposure compensated to + or - 2EV in units of 1/3
AE lock         Enabled by pressing the AE lock button
Shutter         Vertical-travel metal focal-plane shutter
Shutter speed settings         A (Aperture-priority auto): 8 to 1/4000 s. electronic stepless control (indications are 1 to 1/4000) M (Manual): Bulb,1 to 1/4000 s. mechanical control
Self-timer         Mechanically controlled, countdown time of approx. 4 to 10 seconds, cancellation possible
Lens aperture         Instant-return system, with aperture lever
Sync contact         X-contact only; synchronized with the flash at a low speed of less than 1/250s
Speedlight control         TTL flash
Sync. terminal         JIS sync terminal provided as standard, with lock screws
Flash ready light         Lights up when SB-27, SB-28 and others have been fully charged; Blinks to warn of insufficient light output, and shutter speed setting at 1/500 to 1/4000 sec.
Accessory shoe         Standard ISO518-compliant shoe: Provided with flash sync. contact, ready-light signal contact, monitor signal contact, TTL auto flash stop signal contact, and safety lock hole
Film advance         Lever provided, 30-degree standoff angle and 135-degree winding angle, automatic film advance enabled with MD-12 motor Drive (Sold separately)
Frame counter         Additive type (S, 1 to 36), automatic reset
Film rewinding         film reset button and rewind crank provided
Camera back         Detachable hinged back; MF-16 Data Back can be attached in place.
Multiple exposure         Activated with multiple exposure lever
Meter-on timer         ON when the shutter button is half-pressed and automatically OFF 16 seconds after the shutter button is released. ON when the shutter button is half-pressed and automatically OFF approx. 66 seconds after the shutter button is released when the motor drive unit MD-12 is used.
Battery power check         Displayed for 16 seconds with the meter-on timer. The exposure meter does not work if the batteries are exhausted.
Tripod socket         1/4 (ISO 1222)
Dimensions & Weight (Approx.)         142.5 (W) X 90 (H) X 58 (D) mm, 570 g (including batteries)