File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Hey /p/, is there someone who knows about old Nikon cameras? I want an oldskool camera with an aperture-priority mode, preferably simple and light, but I'm kinda lost in all this FM-EM-FA stuff.

Pic probably related
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
FM rocks, just like the FE. FM only has manual. EM is the lady SLR, compact and with only Aperture mode. FA and FE have full manual and Aperture mode. FA had the first simplified matrix metering system.
>> Anonymous
What about FD?
>> Anonymous
>>109632
How easy is using manual mode on the FM/FA? I'm not quite ready to relive the horror of shooting with a Zenit...

And why are FMs so fukken expensive? An used FM2 sells for more than a medium format Pentax, WTF!
>> Anonymous
>>109635
You mean Canon?

I like the prices, but I want some degree of interoperability between my film and digital stuff, so that kinda rules FD out (along with MD and OM).
>> Anonymous
>>109642

Oops, sorry, Nikon FG.
>> Anonymous
>>109645
I'll consider that
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
>>109639
fairly easy, its center-weighted with 3LED indicators. I own 2nikon FM's :)
>> Anonymous
>>109632

Where does the FG fit into that?
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
>>109669
its in the class of the EM, with even more gimmicks. I wouldn't say its very reliable like the FM/FE's
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
     File :-(, x)
have a few photos of my stuff. the silver FM needs some fixing.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D200Camera SoftwareVer.1.00Maximum Lens Aperturef/1.0Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern672Focal Length (35mm Equiv)82 mmImage-Specific Properties:Horizontal Resolution240 dpiVertical Resolution240 dpiImage Created2008:01:06 15:16:12Exposure Time1/250 secF-Numberf/11.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating200Lens Aperturef/11.0Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceFlashFlashFlash, Return Not DetectedFocal Length55.00 mmRenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceManualScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastNormalSaturationNormalSharpnessSoftSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
     File :-(, x)
if you're on a budget, you could get a cheap canon AE. Nikon FM/FE series will last much longer, I'm using my father's body/lens he bought in the 80's. it is worn but still works *perfectly*. i scanned some BW photos of me & my brother, theres zero quality loss compared to the films I develop myself

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D200Camera SoftwareVer.1.00Maximum Lens Aperturef/1.0Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern672Focal Length (35mm Equiv)82 mmImage-Specific Properties:Horizontal Resolution240 dpiVertical Resolution240 dpiImage Created2008:01:06 15:16:46Exposure Time1/250 secF-Numberf/8.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating100Lens Aperturef/8.0Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceFlashFlashFlash, Return Not DetectedFocal Length55.00 mmRenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceManualScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastNormalSaturationNormalSharpnessSoftSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> fence !!POey2hdozCZ
the fm2 is exactly the same as the fe2, except it's all mechanical. assuming that you have an external meter or know how to guesstimate sunny 16, you can run it without batteries. that's pretty fucking impressive for a camera that has a 1/4000 - 1 sec shutter speed range. the reason they're so expensive is because of the people that own and sell the fm2 in the first place. they're all snobby purists who swear place a premium on intangible abstracts that don't really matter, like the fact that the camera is all mechanical. these people also still swear by their 40 year old lp's run through their 60 year old tube amps.

i shoot an FE2. it meters from 1/4000 out to several minutes at night, no matter what the brochure says. the viewfinder is huge, the camera's built fairly tough (just as tough as the fm2), it's physically light, it's got 1/250 flash sync, so on and so forth.

i would say that the fe2 and fm2 were the D200-D300 class cameras of the 80's, although comparisons like that are trite.
>> Anonymous
The FE is a great camera if you're set on aperture-priority.

I would recommend an FM/FM2/FM2n over all, it's pretty much the perfect manual SLR. If you can't work it, you need to give up photography.

One other option is the FM3A, it's a fantastic camera that has a full range of both mechanically timed and electronically timed shutter speeds. It's the last incarnation in the FM line, but adds a second metering/shutter control system to give it aperture priority and matrix metering. It will still work perfectly without the batteries, but only in manual mode. The only downside to the camera is the price. Not a whole lot were made, and they were bought up pretty quickly, so you can expect to drop $500 on a body pretty easily.
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
>>i would say that the fe2 and fm2 were the D200-D300 class cameras of the 80's, although comparisons like that are trite.
I agree wholeheartedly. I worked with the FM for a few years before I went to digital, and would have disliked anything in the Dxx series.
>> des
>>109599
FE2 or n8008s(af af lol) would be my suggestions
FA is a great camera if you want matrix metering or more AE modes, but it has kind of high prices, comparitively

>How easy is using manual mode on the FM/FA?
For me, the FE/FE2 had the best UI in the whole nikon lineup. You don't have to remove your eye to check any of the settings because they're all there. The match needed lets you know exactly how off the exposure is.
The FMs are just LEDs that tell you under-ok-over. Better if you're shooting in very low light but if it's so low you can't see the needle, you probably couldn't focus either :P

The downside to the FM3a is expense, you could buy a flagship body for the prices they go for. Downside to the FE/FMs is availibility of parts. N8008s is a good compromise with a nice LCD match-needle and Av. They're cheap and more ubiquitous, but have a built in winder which might not be what you want.
>> Anonymous
>>109674
well, I already said above that I don't want Canon FD, as it'll be quite stupid to build another system from scratch when I already have some quality Nikon glass.

>>109754
>>109731etc.
Thx guys. I looked up the prices for FEs and N8008 (F801 here in eurofagland), and purists selling their FM series for 500 euros can go fuck themselves; if the shutter works fine, the image quality depends only on my lens and my film, doesn't it?

Oh, by the way, I understand that FM/FE series all have split prism viewfinders for manual focusing, but how about the 8008? Manual focusing with a plain matte viewfinder on my current DSLR sucks badly even with a magnifying eyecup.
>> Anonymous
I just started taking pictures with that Nikon EM I found of my mom's. I have like 6 shots left and then I can go get the film developed. Then we shall see how good they turn out.
>> des
>>109826
It's not as horrible as you'd think with your dslr because the viewfinder is HUEG and bright in comparison. Although if it still bothers you, there are microprism focusing screens availible for it.