The Nikon FA has been high on my “Would Like to Have” list. The internet is full of praise for this often overlooked electronic wonder. Popular Photography magazine in it’s May 1984 edition provided an in-depth review. Here is a link to the review – Here
In their concluding comments the reviewer offered this opinion :- ” I thoroughly enjoyed using the FA in its various modes, and was impressed with its accuracy, ease of use, and substantial “feel.”.. I cannot think of a 35-mm photographer who would not find the FA an extremely useful and versatile tool.”
Just how versatile and useful? What would my initial experience be like with my newly acquired FA? Only one way to find out! I had a partial roll of expired Kodak 400, which I rated at 100 ISO, and a roll of Kodacolor 200 which I rated at 25 ISO.
Along with the FA I was fortunate to get hold of a Motor drive MD-15. Attaching this to the camera clearly adds to it’s weight, but I like that. Just listen to it in action by clicking onto the photo below.
Here are some photos from my first outing.
In the words of the reviewer in Popular Photography ” I thoroughly enjoyed using the FA.”
Unfortunately I think my developing chemicals have come to the end of their life. Or the film has been stored incorrectly as there is a horrible cyan colour cast. Or it could be a bit of both. I will just have to revisit this camera another time,. What a hardship 🙂
arhphotographic 
I have this camera and winder as well. It’s a very nice kit. I own several manual-focus Nikon bodies: this, two F2s, an F3, and EM, and an N2000 — and the only one I could dream of getting rid of is the EM. The FA is so good.
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I’ve been trying to quantify what it is about some cameras that you just feel an affinity for. Any ideas?
The F2 is also on my list, I think it will be there for some time in view of the price they still command. What is that like to use?
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