User Manual

Nikon FA, 1983-1989
Modern Classic SLRs Series :
Nikon FA - Specifications
Type of camera
35mm single-lens reflex
Picture format
24mm X 36mm (standard 35 mm film format)
Lens mount
Nikon bayonet mount, Maximum aperture index that works with Automatic with AI-S
and AI Nikkor lenses
Lenses
Standard lenses during its official availablity: AI-S Nikkor 50mm F1.2, 50mm F1.4,
50mm F1.8 and with options of more than 60 Nikkor and Nikon Series E lenses
available.
Viewfiner
Fixed eyelevel pentaprism type; 0.8X magnification with 50mm lens set at infinity; 93°
frame coverage; eyepiece shutter provided, Finder diopter: Minus 1+-0.5 dpt
Viewfinder information:
A: Ready-light LED
B: LCD panel; 7-segments, 4-digit
C: ADR aperture f-number in use
D: Shutter Speed in set
E) Exposure compensation mark - will light up when exposure
compensation in use
Focusing screen
Interchangeable matte/fresnel focusing screen with central split-image rangefinder spot
and microprism collar (Nikon Type K2) as standard; two other types of screens
available optionally (Type B2 and E2). How to change focusing screens: By pulling the
focusing screen, release latch at the top front of the mirror hox. A special tweezers is
provided for screens change.
Exposure metering
TTL full-aperture exposure measurement; employs two silicon photo diodes (SPD's)
with automatic multi-pattern and centerweighted metering methods; selection of
metering method via metering control button
Automatic multi-pattern metering: Light is individually measured from five
separate areas of focusing screen, providing correct automatic exposure, even in
difficult lighting situations
Centerweighted metering: Major portion of meter's sensitivity concentrated in
12mm dia. center spot of focusing screen
Exposure meter switch
Meter turned on when shutter release button is depressed halfway; meter stays on for
approx. 16 sec. after finger is lifted off button
Metering range
EV1 to EV20 at ASA/ISO 100 with f/1.4 lens
Exposure control
range
Automatic multi-pattern metering: EV1 to EV16-1/3 at ASA/ISO 100 with
50mmf/1.4 lens.
Centerweighted metering: EV1 to EV20 at ASA/ISO 100 with 50mmf/1.4 lens.
Exposure control
Three automatic exposure modes: P (programmed), S (shutter-priority) and A
(aperture-priority); M (manual) exposure mode also provided, exposure mode selected
via Mode Changeover knob.
P mode: 'P' mode: With minimum aperture setting of the lens, the the FA
automatically selects the optimum combination of shutter speed and lens aperture
settings for correct exposure by the pre-arranged program of its microcomputer. Also,
the FA's micro-computer activates the High-Speed program automatically via Focal
Length (Fmm) signal when a Nikkor, Nikon Series E or any of the AF Nikkor lenses
of 135mm or longer are used. Note: High-Speed program operable lenses are Al-S
Nikkor, Nikon Series E, AF Nikkor lenses and 'newer' teleconverters for Shutter
speed AI-S type.
S mode: Shutter speed set manually while aperture is set automatically and steplessly;
shutter speed automatically corrected for correct exposure in case shutter speed you set
is improper.
A mode: Aperture set manually while shutter speed is set automatically and steplessly
M mode: Both aperture and shutter speed set manually.
Exposure information
P mode: Viewfinder LCD shows discrete shutter speed closest to automatically
selected speed; LCD also shows HI or Lo indication to warn of over- or
underexposure or FEE to warn of aperture missetting.
S mode: LCD shows discrete f-number closest to automatically selected aperture or
discrete shutter speed closest to automatcally selected speed when manually set shutter
speed is improper; LCD also shows HI or Lo to warn of overor underexposure or
FEE to warn of aperture missetting; manually set shutter speed always shown via
shutter speed indication.
A mode: LCD shows discrete shutter speed closest to automatically selected speed;
LCD also shows HI or Lo to warn of over- or underexposure; manually set aperture
always shown via ADR window.
M mode: LCD shows manually set shutter speed preceded by M; -+ indicates correct
exposure with + or - indicating over or underexposure; manually set aperture always
shown via ADR window.
Exposure
compensation
±2 EV compensation (in one-third increments) possible via dial; red LED exposure
compensation mark visible in viewfinder when meter is on.
Film speed range
ASA/ISO 12 to 4000
Shutter
Electromagnetically controlled vertical travel, metal focal plane shutter with titanium
curtains.
Shutter speeds
Stepless speed from 1 to 1/4000 sec. in automatic exposure modes (except S mode);
ceramic-oscillator-controlled discrete speeds from 1 to 1/4000 sec. in S and M modes;
mechanically controlled, 1/250 sec. at M250 setting and long exposure at B setting
available.
Shutter Release:
At 1-1/4000 sec dial settings, depressing shutter release button halfway turns power
switch on and further depressing turns magnetic release switch on and to release
shutter. At 'M' 1/250 sec and 'B' settings, shutter releases mechanically.
Power Switch:
Power switch is turned on when shutter release button is depressed halfway; it remains
on for approx 16 sec. after finder is lifted off the button. By setting shutter dial to
M250 and B, power switch turns off.
Film advance lever
Wound in single stroke with 30° stand-off angle and 135° winding angle; doubles as
shutter release button lock
Automatic film
advance
Possible with optional Motor Drive MD-15 or MD-12
Frame counter
Additive type, self resetting until the frame counter reaches '1'. Shutter fires at 1/250
sec at any shutter speed except 'B'; LCD in the viewfinder displays 'C 250' on P, S
and A modes, while 'MC 250' on M mode.
Film rewind
Via folding crank and rewind button in baseplate
Self timer
Self timer: 8 - 14 sec delayed exposure; mechanical type: can be cancellable after
setting.
Eyepiece shutter
Prevents stray light from entering viewfinder during unmanned operation
Depth-of-field preview
lever
Provides visual verification of depth of field; with lever depressed, centerweighted
metering only available (i.e. P and S modes changed into full-aperture center-weighted
metering on A mode; A and M modes changed into stopped-down center weighted
metering.)
Shutter Speed Ring
Lock:
Release by depressing the Shutter Dial Lock release button at the back, just below the
Shutter speed dial.
Reflex mirror
Automatic instant-return type
Multiple exposures
Possible via lever
Camera back
Hinged interchangeable type with memo holder; interchangeable with Data Back MF-16
or MF-12
Data back contacts
Two contacts are provided for the Data Back MF-16 (Earlier MF-12 is not operative
thru these contacts, you MUST use the cable supplied to plug into the PC terminal).
Handgrip
Detachable type provides comfortable shooting; must be detached when attaching motor
drive
Accessory shoe
Standard ISO-type contains hot-shoe contact, ready-light contact. TTL flash auto-stop
signal contact and monitor contact; accepts Nikon SB-15, SB-16B or SB-18 or any
dedicated Nikon flash units for TTL direct flash output control using camera's SPD
metering cell.
Sync terminal
Threaded type provided for off-camera or multiple flash photography
Flash synchronization
Speeds of 1/250 sec or slower with electronic f ash: with Nikon dedicated flash unit,
flash sync automat cal y set to 1/250 sec when camera is set at any automatic exposure
mode or when shutter speed die s set at 1/500 or higher in manual mode; at slower
speed on manual, shutter fires at speed set
Flash ready-light
Viewfinder LED lights up when Nikon dedicated flash unit is completely recycled;
blinks to warn of insufficient light output or improper shulter speed dial or film speed
setting
Batteries
One 3V lithium battery, two 1.55V s Iver oxide batteries or two 1.5V
alkaline-manganese batteries. Battery power is supply by MD-15 automatically when
mounted.
Dimensions
Approx, 142.5mm (W) x 92mm (H) x 64.5rnm (D)
Weight (body only)
Approx 625 g
Download a copy of the PDF file (245k) for your future reference. Highly recommending
WWW.LENSINC.NET / WWW.CAMERA-FIX.COM
Distributed by WWW.LENSINC.NET