Nikon FM, what a joy to shoot!

[gryffinwings]

So I just recently got my Nikon FM back from being basically refurbed, initially bought it for 30 USD, and spent 83 USD at a repair shop to replace all the seals, the mirror foam bumper and to clean the prism, I think I did pretty well. Shot it will my Nikon Series E 50mm f1.8 and Nikkor 105mm f2.5 AI-s, and it was a really nice shooter, it feels so well put together. Today I shot some Kodak Ektar 100, I'm looking forward to seeing how my shots came out.

After my first excursion with my camera, I find that I am definitely lacking enough wide angle. I'm thinking a Nikkor 24mm f2.8 will do well enough for my uses, I think the 105mm f2.5 is enough telephoto for me.

 

[Derrel]

Congratulations on the FM. The FM was my second favorite Nikon of the 1980s, and I shot mine quite a lot. It's a nice body, since it offers the flip up tab on the automatic indexing follower, which allows one to use pre-AI lenses in stopped-down metering mode. The FM is a great mechanical camera!

 

[480sparky]

Look into the 35mm and / or 28mm E series lenses.

If you want really wide, check out the Tokina 17/3.5 SL. Can be had for a good price, and über-wide!

 

[Kiron Kid]

Great camera. You’d love a 24mm.

 

[DarkShadow]

That's a nice looking Camera.like restoring old cars well worth it.

 

[compur]

The FM is one of the greats.

 

[Kiron Kid]

I purchased my black FM in the late 70’s. I am still using it today.

 

[pendennis]

I own both the FM2 and the FM2n, and Nikon hit it out of the park with the FM series. It has everything I need, and nothing I don't.

The only thing I've found over time, is that they almost seem too lightweight. I miss the heft of the F2, so I've added MD-12's to both of them. I like them with my 24mm f/2.8 AIs, and it's probably the widest for wide angle, before I start to get some distortion. I miss the 105mm f/2.5 AIs that I foolishly sold a couple of years back. I do have a 105mm f/4 Micro, that's an adequate, for now, substitute.

I like a 50mm f/1.8 or even a 50mm f/2 for a "walk around" lens.

Glad you found one!

 

[Kiron Kid]

I added the MD-12 to my FE & FE-2 bodies. Great additions. Perfect grip and counter-balance to my bigger, heavier glass. If you drop lithium batteries in MD-12, it keeps them MUCH lighter. The 105 f/2.5 is a must have lens.

 

[Kiron Kid]

50mm E glass.

 

[Peeb]

$30?? Wow- nice get!

 

[gryffinwings]

I own both the FM2 and the FM2n, and Nikon hit it out of the park with the FM series. It has everything I need, and nothing I don't.

The only thing I've found over time, is that they almost seem too lightweight. I miss the heft of the F2, so I've added MD-12's to both of them. I like them with my 24mm f/2.8 AIs, and it's probably the widest for wide angle, before I start to get some distortion. I miss the 105mm f/2.5 AIs that I foolishly sold a couple of years back. I do have a 105mm f/4 Micro, that's an adequate, for now, substitute.

I like a 50mm f/1.8 or even a 50mm f/2 for a "walk around" lens.

Glad you found one!

I'm loving the camera, it's fantastic. The 105mm f2.5 has been great so far, you should definitely get another.

View attachment 166944 I added the MD-12 to my FE & FE-2 bodies. Great additions. Perfect grip and counter-balance to my bigger, heavier glass. If you drop lithium batteries in MD-12, it keeps them MUCH lighter. The 105 f/2.5 is a must have lens.

View attachment 166945 50mm E glass.

I am definitely wanting to get the MD-12, they aren't too expensive either!

$30?? Wow- nice get!

Yeah, it was a good initial cost, ebay is normally 4-5 times the price and you don't know if you are getting a good camera. I spent an additional 83 dollars on seals, mirror bumper, and prism cleaning, and the repair is warrantied for 1 year. So 113 dollars for essentially a "mint" Nikon FM, I'm thrilled.

 

[ac12]

IMHO, forget the motor drive.
It adds weight and bulk, and it tends to make you to shoot bursts. Burst shooting is expensive when you are shooting film. Think $1+ a frame (film and processing).
If you shoot fast moving subjects, then the motor drive has value, otherwise it is just bulk.
Granted it is a nice toy.

 

[Kiron Kid]

IMHO, forget the motor drive.
It adds weight and bulk, and it tends to make you to shoot bursts. Burst shooting is expensive when you are shooting film. Think $1+ a frame (film and processing).
If you shoot fast moving subjects, then the motor drive has value, otherwise it is just bulk.
Granted it is a nice toy.

I never turn my MD-12 on. It’s just there for added grip, stability. And with lithium batteries, it adds very little weight.

 

[Kiron Kid]

Oops. Wrong camera.