shauns@vice.UUCP (Shaun Simpkins) (03/28/84)
I thought I'd put my two cents in on the FA, etc.
I agree with the recent posting that the FA is quite expensive (approaching the
F3!) and that there is a certain amount of mystery to AMP's operation, but
there are some other things about the camera that I have found that should be
considered -
1) I'm a left eye focuser. The FA display is the only one I've come across
so far that doesn't disappear when you position the rewind lever to avoid your
nose. The FE-2, regrettably, has a different lever shape which prevents left
eye focusers from looking the finder square on. You wind up slightly left of
center which cuts off both the needle and the aperture window from view.
2) This is a big one. The FA is one of the few full program cameras that can
be used with non-proprietary lenses and still retain full function. It also
doesn't care if the lens you use has a variable maximum aperture. This is my
biggest gripe against the Super Program, and I feel they have really shot
themselves in the foot by creating a mount that does not allow variable max
apertures. Compare the single aperture Pentax zooms to other manufacturers
offerings. The Pentax models are substantially heavier (in the 35-105 zoom,
the Pentax f/4 is almost 1/2 pound heavier than the Tokina and 1/3 pound
heavier than the Nikkor). By doing this, Pentax has rendered moot one of their
strongest selling points, their size and light weight. In fact, the SuperP
with the above 35-105 weighs MORE than the FA with Nikkor 35-105. Admittedly,
if you don't shoot with zooms, the question never comes up.
Of course, Nikon charges you about $200 for its versatility, which removes a
lot of the reason for buying independent manufacturer's lenses in the first
place - price.
The FA test report in the latest issue of Modern Photography pointed out what
I thought would be the case - AMP isn't necessary most of the time and
effective in about half of the cases where exposure correction is necessary.
However, it's probably the best program camera on the market, one where you
can really `point and shoot' and not worry. This has more application than
just the amateur market. Nikon's pricing says that the FA is being aimed at
the news photography market, too (sports, etc.).
By the way, something was not brought up in the test report that I thought was
very thoughtful of Nikon - the metering changeover switch is lockable in the
depressed (centerweighted) position, so if you're in a situation where you
don't want to second guess AMP, press and twist, and you're back to 60%
centerweighting.
I like the FA. Except for the exposure lock feature, it's an FE-2 with full
program and a readable viewfinder. But considering its price, if Pentax hadn't
come up with the KA mount I would have certainly bought the Super Program
instead.
the wandering squash,
--
Shaun Simpkins
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