But the camera I really want is not even made (yet). Prior to going digital four years ago, I shot with a Nikon FM3a. It was a thing of beauty, both simple and reliable. I saw the writing on the wall for film and sold my Nikon kit to buy a Canon 10D. To this day, I still miss the handling of the FM3a. So Nikon, if you’re listening, here’s what you should do:

Use the FM3a body but gut it and replace with a 12MP full-frame sensor (same as on D700). Keep the all-manual setup (focus, exposure) and even use the lever for cocking the shutter/mirror. Sensor and viewfinder should run off 2 AA batteries, so that they can easily be replaced anywhere in the world. From the front, the camera should look the same as an FM3a. The back should be minimalist — basic buttons to review/delete images, format card, minor exposure tweaks. It should shoot the raw image format. What I want is the classic Nikon SLR feel in a digital format, similar in concept to the Leica M8.2.

Yes, I know Nikon would never build it, but an “FM3d” would be my dream camera.