Nikon FA User manual

NOMENCLATURE
CD Aperture-direct-readout (ADR) window
® Shutter speed indication illumination window
® Neckstrap eyelet
@ Focusing screen holder release latch
® Depth-ot-field preview lever
® Handgrip
(j) Handgrip attachment s
crew
® Self-timer lever
® Metering control buttbn
@) Aperture coupling lever
@ Lens mounting flange
3
LCD illumination window @
Meter coupling lever @
Sync terminal ®
Lens mounting index @
Len s type signal pin @
Len s release button @
Lens release pin @
Focal length indexing
le ver ®
Maximum aperture indexing lever @
Reflex mirror @

@ Shutter speed dial locking button Film sprockets @
@ Viewfinder eyepiece Film take-up spool @
Camera back locking catch @
@ Eyepiece shutter lever
® Film rewind fork
@ Shutter curtains
® Film ca i chamber
@ Film guide pin
@ Film guide rails
@ Data back contacts
® Motor drive shutter release coupling
(for MD-12) . Tripod/motor drive coupling socket @
@ Motor drive coupling Motor drive electrical contacts (with cover)
@J
@ Film rewind button Battery clip @
@ Memo holder
4

@ Aperture/distance index Depth-of-field indicators ®
@ Focusing ring Distance scale
~
@ Mounting ring
@ Infrared focusing index Aperture scale @
@ Meter coupling ridge Aperture ring ®
@ Meter coupling shoe An''''''r<'-n'rect-readout (ADR) scale @
® Hot-shoe contact Monitor contact ®
® Exposure compensation index Shooting mode selector @
® Exposure compensation scale
@ Exposure compensation dial Shutter release button @
@ Film rewind knob Frame counter ®
@ ASAIISO film speed index lever @
® ASA/ISO film speed scale
® Film rewind crank Film advance lever
@ camera back locking lever Shutter speed dial ®
~ Exposure compensation dial locking button Film plane indicator @
® Ready-light contact Shutter speed index @
® TIL flash auto-stop signal contact Accessory shoe @
5

CONTENTS-------------------------------------- -
NOMENCLATURE . . ... . . . . .. . . . . . ... 3- 5 MULTIPLE EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY. . .............. 55
POREWORD ....................... ........... ... . ...... 7 UNMANNED PHOTOGRAPHY.
.............. ... . .... .. 56-57
BASIC OPERATION ................ ...... .. . .. . .. ... . .... 8-38
Self-Timer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
INSTALLING BATTERIES. . . .. . .. . .. .
........ 8 Eyepiece Shutter . .
............ _ ........ 57
CHECKING BATTERY POWER . . ...... 9 INFRARED PHOTOGRAPHY . .
....... 57
MOUNTING THE LENS .
.. 1 0-11
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY . ................. ........ .... 58-6 1
Usable Len ses. . ...... 10
Accessory Shoe and Sync Terminal . . ..... 59
AI·S Nikkor: An Updated Version of AI-Nikkor Len ses. . ...... 11
Ready-Light Indication in th e Viewfinder .......... _. _.. . . 60
LOADING FILM . .
............. 12-15
Nikon FA /Speedlight Combination Chart . . .. 61
Frame Counter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... _ .. . ........... 15
CLOSE·UP PHOTOGRAPHY. . ..62
Film Advance Lever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............... 15 Close-Up Equipment . . ..... 62
Memo Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 15
ACCESSORIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . .. ... ... . 63-69
SETTING FILM SPEED. ................... . .... .. ...... .... 16
ELECTRONIC FLASH UNITS. . .. ... . .. .. .. .. . . . ......... 63
SELECTING THE SHOOTING MODE . .
... 17-31
Speedlight SB-15 . .. 63
Viewfinder Information . . 19
P(Programmed) Mode. . 20-23
S(Shutter-Priority) Mode .. . . . .... _ ...... _ .. .... .. . _ .... 24-27
A(Aperture-Priority) Mode. . ........... 28-29
Speedlight SB-16B. . ... 63
Speedlight SB - 18 . . . ... _ ... _ ..... 63
MOTOR DRIVES. . .. . ... . .. . . . ............ 64
Motor Drive MD-15 . . ............. 64
M(Manual) Mode . . ....... _. . . . 30-31
Motor Drive MD-1 2. ........... .... 64
HOLDING THE CAMERA. . . .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . . .. . . . . . 32-33 MISCELLANEOUS .. . . .. .. .. . . .. . . .. . . . .. . . ... 65 - 69
Detachable Handgrip . . ....... 33 Data Back MF-
16 .......................... . .............. .. 65
FOCUSiNG
.............. . . . .... 34-35
Interchangeable Focusing Sc reen s. . ... 66-67
TAKING PICTURES . .......... . ..... . ... .. ... .. .... ........ 36
Filters. . . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. . .. . . . . .. .. . . . . ..... ... 68
UNLOADING FILM
'....................... . 37-38 Len s Hood s. . . . ........... 68
TECHNICAL INFORMATION'
Anti-Cold Battery Pack DB-2 ................. . . _. _. . ... 69
PHOTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES . . 39-62
Cable Release AR-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
EXPOSURE METERING SYSTEM .. . . .. . .. . .. . . .
39-45
Right-Angle Viewing Attachment DR-3 ........... _. . ........... 69
Metering Control Button ..................... . . . _ .. .......... 40
Eyepiece Magnifier DG -2 .................................... 69
Comparison of Automatic Multi-Pattern and Rubber Eyecup
.................. .... ........•.•.•. _. _ ...... 69
Centerweighted Metering. . ..................... .. 41-45
Eyepiece Correction Len ses. . . . . . . . . . . . .......... 69
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHUTTER SPEED Camera Cases . . . . . . . . . . . .
........ 69
AND APERTURE . . .......................... 46-47
Neckstraps. . ........ _. . ....... 69
DEPTH OF FIELD. . . .. . .. . .. .. .. . .
... 48-49
EV RANGE OF THE CAMERA . . .... ..... ... 70-71
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION . . .... 50-53
What is EV ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 70
In Automatic Exposure Modes. . .. .. . _. . . . ..... 50-51
EV Chart. .. ... ... ... . .. .. . . . ... 70-71
In the Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... 52 TIPS ON CAMERA CARE .. . ......... 72-7 3
Duplication Work and Photomicrography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... 53
TIPS ON BATTERY USE . . 74
STOp·DOWN EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT . .... .. . .. . .. .... 54
ABOUT THE LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY (LCD). . ...... 74
6
SPECiFiCATIONS .................................. . .... 75-77

FOREWORD---------------
Welcome to Nikon's exciting world of picture-taking ease.
To put you in total control, the Nikon FA offers three automatic
exposure modes, in addition
to full manual override. For fast-
breaking events, the
programmed mode automatically sets
both shutter speed and aperture for correct exposure in any
light. Or when action must be stopped
or blurred, such as in
sports photography, shutter-priority lets you choose the
shutter speed manually, then the
FA automatically sets the
aperture
to match. If depth of field is important, aperture-
priority allows you to select the precise aperture with the
matching shutter speed set automatically.
But possibly even more important are the
FA's two separate
metering methods. In Nikon's revolutionary automatic multi-
pattern metering system, the brightness from 5 areas of the
focusing screen is analyzed by the camera's microcomputer;
this automatically ensures the correct
exposure-even in
tricky lighting
situations-without any exposure compensa-
tion whatsoever.
Traditional centerweighted metering isreserved forthe manual
mode, but is usable in any of the three automatic modes with
the metering control button. Other features
of the FA include
1/4000sec. top shutter speed, 1/250sec. flash sync, inter-
changeable focusing screens, and a comprehensive line of
Nikon accessories.
Before using the camera, please read this instruction manual
from cover
to cover. A few minutes invested now will payoff
in years of rewarding picture-taking experiences.
7

BASIC OPERATION-----------------
INSTALLING BATTERIES
1 Remove the battery clip@. Use
• a coin to unj)crew it
in a counter·
clockwise direction.
8
2 Insert batteries. Wipe the battery
• terminals clean
and insert the bat-
teries, making sure that the + signs
are
up . Usable batteries for the Nikon FA
camera are:
-One 3V lithium battery
-
Two 1. 55 Vsilver-oxide batteries (3.1 V)
-Two 1.5V alkaline-manganese bat-
teries(3V)
3 Reattach the battery clip. Slip the
• clip back into the camera body and
screw it tightly into place.

CHECKING BATTERY POWER
1 Pull ou t the film advance lever ®
• to unlock the shutter release button
®l . The lever doubles as a shutter release
button lock.
2 Depress the shutter release but·
• ton halfway to activate the ex
po-
sure meter.
3 Check the LCD_ Confi rm that the
•
LCD (liquid crystal display) is shown
at the upper left in the viewfinde r. This
indicates that battery installation
is cor-
rect
and power is sufficient. If the LCD
does not appear, recheck battery orienta-
tion
or, if necessary, replace with a new
set.
With sufficient battery power, the
LCD
stays on for 16sec. after you take your
finger off the button.
If the batteries are
almost depleted, the
LCD will turn off
immediately when you take your finger
off the button.
In this case, replace bat-
teries
as soon as possible. With exhaust-
ed batteries, you cannot trip the shutter
unless the shutter speed dial @
is set at
amechanical setting of M250 or B.
• The LCD does not appear when the shutter
dial is setat M250 orB. 9

-BASIC OPERATION-continued- --------------
MOUNTING THE LENS
Lenses usable with the Nikon FA are AI-S Nikkor, Nikon Series E,
AI-Nikkor, most AI-modified, and certain special lenses shown
at the right. First line up the aperture/distance index @ on the
l
ens with the lens mounting index @ on the camera body. Then
twist the lens mounting ring @ counterclockwise until the lens
clicks into place. Confirm that the aperture/distance index
is
exactly at the top.
To remove : While pushing the lens release button @, turn the
len s mounting ring clockwise until·the lens comes off.
o When changing lenses with film loaded in the camera, be careful not to
expose the mirrorbox to direct sunlight.
10
Usable Lenses
The lollowing lenses are usable with the Nikon FA :
AI -S Nikkor lenses
Nikon Series E lenses
AI -Nikkor (including AI-modilied Nikkor) lenses
Rellex-Nikkor 500mm 1/8
PC -Nikkor 28mm 1/3.5
Medical-Nikkor 120mm 1/4 IF
Rellex-Nikkor 1000mm fill (No. 143001 or higher)
Rellex-Nikkor 2000mm 1111 (No. 200311 or higher)
PC-Nikkor 28mm fl4 (No. 180901 or higher)
PC-Nikkor
35mm 1/2 .8 (No. 851000 or lower or No. 906201
or higher)
Zoom-Nikkor 180-600mm 1/8 ED (No. 174167 or higher)
Zoom-Nikkor 200-600mm
1/9 .5 (No. 300491 or higher)
Zoom-Nikkor 360-1200mm
1111 ED (No. 174088 or higher)
o The last seven lenses having serial numbers not listed above
cannot be mounted on the
FA as they hit the camera 's meter
coupling lever@. However, they can
be used aftermodification.
In addition, AI-modification of most non-AI lenses having a
meter coupling shoe @ is available. Do not attempt to mount
older Nikkor lenses which have not been AI-modified, as they
might damage the camera. For further information concerning
lens modification, please contact your local authorized Nikon
dealer.
o The following lenses cannot be used on the FA even if they are
modified
to have the AI facility:
55mmf/I . 2(No . 184 7 11 -97 011O)
28mm f/3.5 (No. 625611-999999)
35mm f/ I.4
(No. 385001-400(00)
olf you use len$es other than those manufactured by Nikon, pro-
per performance may not be obtained and they may even
damage the camera.

AI·S Nlkkor: An Updated Version of AI·N l kkor Lenses
In 1977 , Nikon introduced AI-Nikkor lenses which feature full-
aperture metering via Nikon's "Automatic Maximum Aper-
ture Indexing" or
"AI" system. Just by mounting an AI lens
on the camera, the maximum aperture is automatically
indexed into the camera's metering system. All AI-type
lenses feature ameter coupling ridge @and a meter coupling
shoe having two holes
(1IIust. 1).
Then in 1981, Nikon modified their entire line of AI-Nikkor
lenses,
so that they would be fully compatible with the up-
coming Nikon
FA. These new lenses, called AI-S Nikkor, are
easily distinguishable by (a)
an orange minimum aperture on
both regular aperture
~ and aperture-direct-readout (ADR)
scales ®
(1I Iust. 2), and (b) a special notch on the bayonet
mount (Illust.
3). In addition, the AI-S symbol appears on the
front cover
on the instruction manual for each lens.
When used with the Nikon FA in the programmed mode, AI-S
lenses provide either a normal or high-speed program de-
pending
on the focal length in use; in the shutter-priority
mode, they give you uniform exposure control
in any lighting
situation.
Nikon Series E lenses also have the same features
as AI-S
Nikkors, but do not have a meter coupling shoe. Of course,
older AI-Nikkor and AI-modified Nikkor lenses can be used
with
all current and older Nikon cameras, including the FA.
Nikon 's new series of teleconverters-the TC-201, TC-301,
TC-14A and TC-14B-have been specially designed for AI-S
Nikkor lenses, but can
be used with older AI-type lenses, too.
As soon as they are attached, they automatically switch the
FA to the high-speed program in the programmed mode.
"'ust.2
Illust. 1
AI-Type Lens
Lens type signal notch
"'ust. 3
AI-S NikkorLens
11