Paul: The F3 and the FM2n are two different beasts. The former is a full member of the Nikon professional family, complete with 100% (interchangeable) viewfinder, and long-life shutter. The current version of that camera is the F3HP, which added the high-eyepoint finder (useful for those of us who wear glasses). The FM2n is also a fine camera, but has a fixed 92% finder, less info in the finder, and a shutter not certified to the same standards as the F3. The FM2n does have a shutter that goes to 1/4000 and faster flash sync (1/250), but it also is missing (sort of) mirror lockup (the self-timer can be used as a poor-man's MLU). The F3 derives from the F, F2 line, which continued with the F4 and F5--these are Nikon's top-of-the-line cameras. The FM2n derives from the FM, FE line, which continued with the FA, amongst others. One significant difference between the FM2n and the F3 is weight. I use an FM2n because it's only 540g versus the 700g of the F3HP. When backpacking, every ounce counts. But, both are fine cameras, suitable for a professional who wants a manual focus, manual control camera. Thom Hogan Executive Editor, BACKPACKER Magazine author, The Nikon Field Guide (Silver Pixel Press) www.bythom.com
