A gift from my dad during my college days back in 87. Black noir Nikon FG with 35-105 macro lens and sb 15 flash. Used it for a thesis proj and couple of mountain trips. All i can say it never fails an all wheather small slr. even the battery is out i can use the manual setting at m90.
I seldom use it during those years maybe around 20 rolls of film only up to now. Now i still love the handling compare with dslr. if you can see my FG still like new all the controls are like new even the strap in full yellow and the lens look like never been touch.from the shutter and the curtain the stainless coatings are all intact.. I love this camera being a part of my own history, scanned all the images i took with this camera.
I can sell my dslr but never this one. I still use it once in awhile using a velvia 50.
Not a pro level camera then, but a first nikon try with program mode, very simple, manual and just a 2- Lr44 ?battery is all you need.
Everytime i look at my Old FG. it feels like back in 87 again coz looks like new even the passed sticker on top of the hot shoe it's still there. and all the screws are still the original. These one is for keeps.
Strengths:
Small and compact, can used it all weather from cold to hot seasons.
Weaknesses:
I dont know any coz i only exposed 20 rolls for this camera. How long will the shutter last? or the curtain fails?
Having bought MY first Nikons (Nikkormat FTN's) in the 70's I bought a couple of EM's in the 80's as lighter carry faster handling snappers, the EM's getting limited use for the last 10 years, the FTN's none at all. Then last year we had a major fire at work, £125M, and having to work alongside the demolition team I started carrying a compact digital to gather data. Compling the photo files for the insurance claims I found some of my shots I'd taken with the EM's of what we did in the labs, and having started taking LOTS of photo's a day again I felt the need to look at my kit again. The FTN's are still good, but HEAVY, and the lenses likewise, the EM's too limited, lets look for something between them: FG!
Now I've used F2/F3/Mamiya TLR/'Blads and thought long and hard about digital slrs, but a small film slr still seems to suit ME for MY own use best.
The first FG I got was an almost mint chrome body, I fitted an FA "E" focusing screen (I like the grid and lack of split prism for some duties) and an MDE I already had, great results from word go, the older EM I was using as back-up started playing up (years of motorcycling with it in a pannier have taken its toll). So I went after a second body, this time a black FG, with some of the black polished off on the corners under the straps (Brassing?, more like resin-ing), this will be my main day to day body, with the better EM as back-up. The chrome FG will be kept for other things where the screen is of benefit, the failing EM as a flash/M90 only use expendable with old damaged/cheap lenses bought for perpose off e-bay, no point in wrecking good ones (motorcycle/cycling/4x4 carry is HARD on cameras).
The FTN's act as final back-ups, they've been well used and though still good I don't feel carrying that weight does my back any favours. Oh and the SB15 TTL makes flash very simple too.
Strengths:
Light weight, capable with reasonable manual speed control, accurate meter that can be read easily in low light, able to use most Nikon lenses and a good range of other makers Nikon fit too.
Weaknesses:
None, though DoF would have been nice (the FTN's have it) its not too much of an issue.
Similar Products Used:
Nikon EM, Nikkormat FTN. Pentax MV1.
Customer Service:
Nikon pro-dealers, always helpful. General camera shops, forget it!
I bought my first FG in the early 80's when I still had an F2AS. This little body felt like a store dummy compared to that F2! I fell in love with its light weight and ergonomics. At the time it was a drawback that I couldn't use any non-AI lenses (I still had a few). My biggest gripe at the time was lack of aperture in the VF, which I was used to. I got over that. Even though I also had an F3 I found I used the little FG more and more when I wanted something small and light. It would just happen to be the Nikon I carried with me. I found the metering spot-on, never used the compensation button. I bought the little winder that it shared with the EM and it was still relatively light. It truly was the perfect second body. I sold it in the late 80's along with the other Nikon equipment when I switched to Leica-R. However, a few years ago I bought a mint used one and fell in love with it all over again! A few AI lenses and I had another perfect little traveling outfit. I just used it for a two-week trip to California on business, took a dozen rolls of slide film and every exposure returned perfect. It's quiet, attractive, and an attention-getter in this age of slick molded bodies. I've since bought two other FG bodies and will be keeping them this time. Incidentally, should opportunity arise, don't overlook the FG-20 either. It's the same basic camera, only without program (which I don't use) and with a meter needle instead of LED's (battery lasts longer).
Strengths:
Superlight weight, good looks, reliability, flexibility, ability to take winder/drive.
Weaknesses:
No aperture in finder, no full info in program mode, cannot use non-AI lenses (will damage camera)
This is a good, compact, lightweight body for general purpose photography. The LED's are easy to read in low light compared to match needles. It offers bulb, M90(1/90 shutter) if batts go dead, aperture priority, program mode, and TTL flash capability. If you need mirror lockup, 1/2000 or 1/4000 shutter speed, or multiple exposures, the FG won't do that.
Strengths:
dependable
doesn't take up much space in the camera bag
cute
fun to use
Here is a serious camera in a compact, lightweight package. It has 3 metered exposure modes plus TTL flash. Even a 3 fps winder capable. Mine has withstood years of abuse in rain and spray while outdoors walking or fishing. Bright viewfinder, clear speed indication. Solid metal frame, mechanical parts, back up m90 shutter speed inspire confidence to take out on extended trips. Try that with a digital!
With a small prime lens it is as easy to carry as a cheapo compact and will deliver far superior pictures. If you want an affordable versatile SLR with great optics available where YOU control the picture, this has got to be one of the best. A pity they still dont make them this way...
Strengths:
nikon build quality, access to nikon optics, multi exposure modes, good viewfinder, compact size, uses standard LR44 batteries, affordable.
Weaknesses:
More mechanical speeds beyond 1/90th would have been the icing on the cake.
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