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This is an all-manual, all-mechanical camera which can use almost every Nikon lens made. The simplicity of this camera removes a layer of complexity from photography, allowing the photographer to concentrate on the art of photography rather than the craft of camera-operation. There is no "Auto" mode to control shutter speed or aperture. There is only a light-meter. Set ASA to match your film speed. Set shutter speed at 125. Adjust aperture until the light meter says OK. Too dark or too light, adjust shutter speed one click. Once you become accustomed to shooting film in this primitive manner, a digital camera will only seem like a "camera simulator" or "the thing that one fiddles with instead of taking pictures". Advantages: GREEN: Uses no electricity unless you want to put a battery in the light meter (It isn't required). Uses no computer software or electronic data storage/retrieval system, so you aren't burning coal when you want to flip through a stack of photos. No laptop required. When traveling, just drop your film at the corner store. Drawbacks: Limited supply: All of these cameras have already been built. The existing number only gets smaller with time. Get one working now so you have it later when no one else can get one. Age: These cameras are old. Most of them will need repair in the near future. Some need repair right now. They are repairable and hold their value as working tools. No auto-anything. No auto-focus, auto-aperture, auto-shutter speed. Just a light meter. Heavy. Especially with a classic zoom lens on it. That's a lot of weight to hang around one's neck for 24 or 36 photos you don't get to look at until they're processed. Cost comparison: For what I have invested in one digital camera with one lens, I could purchase a film camera + lens and shoot thousands of pictures; almost 20 years worth. Add in the cost of computer + software, I could shoot film for the rest of my life and not get there.Read full review
The Nikon FM replaced the beloved Nikkormat series in 1978 and brought with it the AI indexed lenses. AI made lens changes easier and permitted improved light metering to be developed. We still benefit from the AI and later AIs lenses which even today can be used on Nikon's DSLR's. Nikon lenses have always been among the very finest optics available and many of the manual focus lenses can be bought very cheaply today. The FM is a manual focus camera with full manual control of exposure. Light is measured by highly sensitive through the lens metering using gallium photo-diodes (GPD) cells and three red LED's in the viewfinder to guide and set exposure. These cells respond to light instantaneously compared to the older CDS cells which were slow to respond in many situations. This was a very big improvement over the other cameras available at the time. The lifesize image on the focusing screen is much larger and brighter than what you will find on a modern Digital SLR. This is one very good reason to continue to use the Film SLR -the viewing is better and this encourages better composition. The Nikon FM is a great teaching tool for photography fundamentals. Today, it is still a joy to use for more creative advanced photography! Using an FM is about getting back to basics and learning to contemplate your subject and use light creatively. The operation is very simple - you focus on your subject using the excellent split image and microprism focusing screen, then meter a selected area by turning the aperture or shutter speed dials until only the center LED is lit. This operation takes less than a second to accomplish and you are ready to take a well focused and exposed picture. The FM I bought on Ebay was in nice condition and everything works well. It exudes the quality materials and craftsmanship that are sadly lacking in many more modern products.Read full review
It is another example of why Nikon made some of the best cameras in the world during this era in photography. The camera is not like the professional level Nikon F series, but it works perfectly as a mid-tier level between the consumer and the professional.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
As always with the old Nikon equipment, great stuff! This is a mechanical camera, so the shutter will work without batteries, even in the coldest environment. The meter need batteries and is accurate. Speed limited to 1 second and 1 1000th. The Nikon FE goes down to 8 seconds in manual, and about 30 seconds in automatic, enough to take pictures in the darkest conditions. This FM will take every Nikkor lens, even the non-AI (just lift the sensor. Get the manual for that). A solid little film camera, if you find one in good condition; a lot of them have been used by professionals, and are worn out! Enjoy it! Marc
Verified purchase: Yes
Excellent film camera. Worthy of note: -- Full-aperture metering with AI lenses, stop-down metering with non-AI lenses -- LED metering, easy to read even in available-light conditions -- Smaller and lighter than Nikon F and F2, but still offers Nikon build quality and durability -- Very straightforward to use, with all the controls it needs and none it doesn't need -- Excellent viewfinder
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