Rugged, easy to use, motordrive a real bonus when dealing with chidren and motorsports.

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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.

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Pentax SpotmaticF

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!

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.

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Box cameras (120), Olympus 35mm rangefinder cameras, Nikkormat, Canon EOS 300, 500, Nikon N60, 8008, Praktica, Olympus OM1, etc.

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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.

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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

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

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.

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.

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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.

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.
Could take all the lenses you could need from the Nikon stable. Batteries are still easily available and last for ages. Light meter auto powers down if shutter isnt pressed for 30 seconds.

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.

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Olympus OM-1, Pentax spotmatic, Nikon FG

Nothing can kill it. Mine has a nice dent in the pentaprism housing from falling off a table onto a concrete floor. Still works fine. Another strength is the ability to use "legacy" Nikon lenses with minimal modification.

The rubber eyepiece. I replace two of them, then just put some bumpers around the eyepiece so I wouldn't scratch my glasses.

I bought this as a replacement for a Rollei 35 that was stolen in 1981. Almost 20 years and this camera hasn't needed a day of service work. How can you beat that?

Customer Service

no experience

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Minolta SRT101

Range and availability of lenses, both new and second-hand.
Mechanical shutter.
Mirror swings up early when used with the self-timer: this is a substitute for mirror lock-up, and it's better than nothing.

No major weaknesses. A well rounded design.

It's a lovely camera, but of course what really matters to me are the optics that I use with it. Nikon's old 85f1,8 is absolutely fantastic. The 105f4 Micro-Nikkor is FAB. Nikon's 200f4 and 35f2 work out fine, and a Sigma 24f2.8 is excellent for the price. Makes a nice pair to an FM2 which I can borrow from a family member.
The fact that it is fully mechanical is a plus, just as it is with the FM2. So there you have it, a viable philosophy for doing photography - no zooms, nothing electronic, only prime lenses and mechanical bodies. Foot-Zoom is the BEST zoom. Anyways, the FM is a genuine classic.

Customer Service

I have had to have it repaired three times in eight years, service was OK, I suppose that parts are readily available because of similarities to FM2 which is still in production. I must say that I was a bit surprised about the rewinding system breaking twice - I thought this camera was not gonna fail that way. It must have been partly my own fault, I was rewinding it too hastily.

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Minolta AF cameras.

Bought mine the first year they came out and that baby is still cranking and I've only had it profesionaly cleaned once. It's about ready for another clean up again and some of the screw around the lens mount need some retighning but with 20 abusive years of use that fine by me. It's light and with the MD-12 motordrive attached fits my hands perfect.
It does not depend on electronic shutter so if your batteries go out this baby still takes a likin' and keeps on tiking.

I really can't think on any. It has served me well for 20 years or so and prefer it over any of the new "gizmorized" cameras. The meter is not currently working but I have never used it.

If you can find one in decent shape snag that baby up it's a great value and will serve you for years to come if you own the older non AI lenses. The later model FM2 I believe have a little tab on the meter coupler ring that flips up or down and you can use both the AI and non AI lenses. Currently I use an FM, FE2 and a 1967 F with a polaroid back.

Customer Service

Can't say much on this since the only time I had it serviced was many years after the warranty was up and all I had done was a check clean and lube.

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Nikon F, F2, F3, Nikomat . I still have my 1967 F which is still alive and well. I happened to find a mint Forscher pola

I bought it new in 1981. I have dropped this camera when attached to a heavy tele lens and motor drive 3 feet onto a metal step and it was unmarked. I have stood on it. It will last longer than me. The body is quite small and reasonably light (580gm) compared to a new SLR, but gets heavy when you add the MD12 motor drive (1150gm plus lens).

Because it is a mechanical camera, when the battery is flat you can still take pictures at all speeds and apertures (sunny f16 etc.) or if you have a MD12 motor drive, that will power the meter anyway. The meter is accurate and centreweighted enough so that it can be used to expose for the highlights and I have exposed many many rolls of Kodachrome with excellent results. This is a good test of the meter.

The viewfinder is uncluttered, but shows speed, aperture and exposure.

Has good controls including multiple exposure, depth of field preview and the mirror locks up at start of the self timer sequence to cut vibration.

The camera controls are in the right place for me (but after nearly 20 years I would have to say that).

It is the camera to take to the Australian outback or Alaska, but you still need to keep the dust and water out of it please.

Of course the range of lenses is a big strength.

I can sell it for almost twice what I paid new 19 years ago.

If you have a dominant left eye (and use your left eye at the viewfinder) the film advance lever can stick in your eye a bit, as the lever must be moved out from the body to unlock the shutter and turn on the meter.

You must remember to turn off the meter when you put the camera down.

Both of these problems go away if you have the MD12 motor drive as the meter is turned on by a half press on the motor drive .

A rugged mechanical classic that handles very nicely with the MD12 motor drive for general shooting and is a good travel camera without the motor.

FM2 very similar but has faster flash sync (1/200 or 1/250 later instead of 1/125) and faster shutter.

Customer Service

Mine has never needed service except when a friend put a finger into the shutter blades when nearly new. The Australian agent straightened them in warranty even though I said it was my problem.

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I also own a Nikon FE, similar but auto exposure. Also 17 years trouble free service.

I also have Leica M3, Olym