SIGNIFICANCE: If any camera in production deserves the title instant classic, it’s Nikon’s new (2001) FM3A, the latest in a longand successful line of traditional, manual-focus FM models. Whilethe layout and controls of this handsome, straightforward, all-metalmachine are all any traditionalist could ask, the FM3A has addedtwo important features new to the FM series—an aperture-priorityautoexposure mode (the one most favored by serious amateurs andpros) and a true dedicated TTL autoflash system via a four-contacthot-shoe. The latter enables units such as Nikon’s SB-26 and SB-27 to be used as a combination, as well as providing –1 EV TTLflash compensation and auto sync-speed setting. The feature manystudents and advanced photographers consider the camera’s raisond’être, manual metering, has been retained. The FM3A is now theonly SLR in production to revert to traditional match-needle con-trol (which many consider more precise) in place of the previousFM2N’s metering LEDs.