Nikon FM 35mm SLRs
Nikon FM 35mm SLRs
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[Jun 29, 2003]
william quayle
Intermediate
Strength:
Build to last and I have had excellent results. It is also getting cheap to buy as well for the amount of quality you get
Weakness:
none good product built to last won't let you down if it has an occasional service. Results are very good better than most modern cameras in fact. Customer Service good Similar Products Used: nikon fe,minolta sr-1 |
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[Jul 20, 2002]
Jason
Intermediate
Strength:
What can i say, it is one of the greatest cameras ever made.
Weakness:
none This camera is almost perfect. It handles well, perfect weight and it just feels great in your hand. It has great metering, second only to that of a minolta which i used some time ago. Similar Products Used: minolta and cannon |
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[Apr 11, 2002]
vidcon
Expert
Strength:
Sturdy, never breaks down, great lens line, nice metering system.
Weakness:
None. Simply the best camera ever made. The ergonomics are perfect. Everything is where it should be. Very sturdy. A great manual camera to learn photography from. Only bested by the FM2n. Similar Products Used: Nikon FM2n, Nikon FA, Nikon FE2. |
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[Oct 13, 2001]
sanjayshrimal
Beginner
Strength:
FEELING IS VERY RUGGED AND COMPACT.
Weakness:
TILL NOW NO PROBLEM. HELLO,I BOUGHT NIKON FM(BLACK)WITH MD11,AI 50MM F1.4 LENS AND A SBE FLASH THREE YEARS BACK FROM AN OLD PERSON.I WAS VERY LUCKY TO GET THIS CAMERA FROM HIM BECAUSE IT WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION.I AM REALLY ENJOYING WORKING ON THIS COMPACT CAMERA EVER MADE BY NIKON.RECENTLY I HAVE TAKEN AIS 35-105mm f3.5-4.5 manual lens.NIKON FM IS PURELY MECHANICAL CAMERA WHICH WORKS ALMOST IN ALL CONDITIONS.METERING IS SUPERB BUT SOMEWHERE U HAVE TO STUDY THE SITUATION FINALLY I WOULD SAY IF ANYBODY GET THIS CAMERA IT WILL MOTIVATE YOU AFTER WORKING.THANKS***** Customer Service YET NOT DONE. Similar Products Used: NIKON FM10. |
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[Oct 06, 2001]
Alan Johnstone
Intermediate
Strength:
Rugged, easy to use, motordrive a real bonus when dealing with chidren and motorsports.
Weakness:
None The FM is the best way to get into the Nikon system. I got the body,50mmf2 lens and the 35-105f3.5-4.5 zoom lens all for 300 dollars. It lives up to its reputation.Would like to have another. Customer Service So far just needed lightseal replacement. Similar Products Used: Pentax SpotmaticF |
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[Sep 20, 2001]
Pradip
Expert
Strength:
Rugged construction, simple to use, TTL centre-weighted meter is accurate, never misses - use neutral spots in frame for metering for accurate exposure. I feel you can mess up this camera by NOT using it rather than using it for extended periods of time!
Weakness:
Shutter jammed once. Light leaked through back cover. Fixed it myself by aligning and placing black wool along the body grove. In the mirror box, the sponge where the mirror hits in the mirror-up position also wore away. Again fixed it myself using sponge found in packing material!! No more problems after that. Bought this camera (with Nikkor 50mm f1.4 normal lens) second-hand in 1986 along with a Kako 928 flash and tripod for $250. Excellent rugged camera. Have travelled extensively mountains, snow and also hot and humid (salty) places with it all these years. It developed a shutter jam once, but that I think was due to non-service of FM for so long. Recently have purchased a Tamron 28-300mm AF zoom and again the combination is great if not the ultimate. Yes, you should take the photograph, not the camera. Once the basics of photography are clear, this camera is an extension of your senses, believe me. Never ever lets me grope for the right switchs and buttons that are found in todays auto focus SLR wonders. If you can get one today, buy it. You will be pleasantly surprised by its feel and comfort of use. One asset that may outlive me... Customer Service Could not avail in this part of the country. Similar Products Used: Box cameras (120), Olympus 35mm rangefinder cameras, Nikkormat, Canon EOS 300, 500, Nikon N60, 8008, Praktica, Olympus OM1, etc. |
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[Sep 17, 2001]
rsage
Expert
Strength:
None
Weakness:
None I have used my FM continuosly since I bought it new in ''79. Never a problem. Rugged as all heck. I purchased an FM2n new about 15yrs ago and use both interchangeably. I have only used the 1/2000-1/4000 speeds on the FM2n a few times, but have no real need for them. The 1/250 flash sync on the FM2n is OK, but not neccesary for me as I rarely use film faster than ISO 100. I recently bought a minty early FM which is working as new. The FM has got to be at the top of all manual cameras. Similar Products Used: None |
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[Aug 22, 2000]
joe marie dela cruz
Professional
Strength:
durability of construction(metal body), mechanical shutter-can shoot w/out batteries,compact and simple design, easy to use, fully manual operation, compatibility to a vast array of good quality nikkor ai lenses both old and new (even af models)& good motordrive
Weakness:
fixed focusing screen and battery dependent metering system. since its an old model, replacement parts can be difficult if not impossible. the FM is in a class of its own. it is not legendary as the F's and F2's but certainly of the pedigree. its my first 35mm camera and learned photography with it. now i work mostly with my mamiya rb for studio commercial work but if i get 35mm requirements, i use my FM. i'm impressed with its longevity. the shutter and metering is as accurate as before. so you see it is a dependable camera, a very important asset for a photographer, pros and amatuers alike. but since it is old, replacement parts can be difficult if not impossible. i did not have the need for it. maybe i'm lucky or maybe it was built to last. i consider the FM a very good buy. Customer Service pretty good since an authorized service center is available in my area. Similar Products Used: nikon FE |
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[Aug 16, 2000]
Alan Ohashi
Intermediate
Strength:
This is my second FM - my first one was lost in a taxi in Las Vegas. It is absolutely reliable, both in terms of usage (never breaks) and quality (never a bad exposure). I prefer it to my N70 and use it when I really need results without having to think about it.
Weakness:
Heavy, and obviously can't track objects like my autofocus N70 so about the only area it's not competitive is at a soccer game with my 80-300 Nikon zoom. An FM is the best beginner camera, and I can give it to my 13-year old for photography class with no fear, of either him losing it (it's too big and heavy), breaking it (it's too tough) or getting bad shots. If something is wrong with the picture, you know why and learn how to fix it, the essence of photographic learning. Customer Service Never needed any. Similar Products Used: I've had Nikkormats, F2s, shot with Leicas, Hasselblads, 4x5's, and have a Canon ELF (hate it). Nikon lenses are the best for what I need, accurate framing and focus especially in extreme close-up. I also love wide angle lenses and use a 24mm as an everyday lens. I have a 24mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2.8 PC, 50mm f/2, 55mm f/3.5 macro, 105mm f/2.5, 28-80mm AFD and the 80-300mm AFD. All good sharp Nikon lenses. |
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[Aug 11, 2000]
mark hoffman
Expert
Strength:
Solid, mechanical, pre-AF conventional design. Great shutter speed range up to 1/4000th, fast flash synch. Nice large viewfinder. Apeture & shutter in screen. Quiet and compact for a Nikon SLR.
Weakness:
Only ever had a problem with the frame counter once in 6 years use. A Nikon classic from an era when the photgrapher's skill made the image, not a CCD Auto focus sensor and light meter CPU! M y wife even got me a framed photo of the camera - it was that notable! If you want a true manual, use any-time, anywhere camera that has access to the greatest number of lenses and accessories - the FM is it. Customer Service Very good the one time i needed it. Similar Products Used: Olympus OM-1, Pentax spotmatic, Nikon FG |