In praise of Nikon FM/FE/1/2/3

[J enea]

MY FM3 developed an issue about 2 years ago. Nikon still fixed it for free under warranty. Didn't expect that, was figuring i was gonna have to pay. but it still had 2 months left, so I lucked out. figure it has 20+ more years of good shooting left, even if I dont.


I love mmy fe-2 and fm3. when I shoot 35mm, those 2 are the most used cameras of all that I own. I really prefer the match needle metering.to bad the F3 doesn't have one, as for me that would be the perfect camera

 

[retinax]

IMHO The FM3a is an underrated gem. I have never had the slightest issue with mine, and it has a big clean and clear viewfinder and all the solidity people value in a Leica.

Underrated by whom? Certainly not the used market... As they go for more than nearly all comparable pro bodies.

 

[kshapero]

I have owned and used FM, FM2n, FE2 and FE models.
The original FE is my favorite.

Chris

I have had them all and I agree with you. Simple, cheap, reliable.

 

[jamin-b]

Underrated by whom? Certainly not the used market... As they go for more than nearly all comparable pro bodies.

I just meant that you tend to hear a lot of enthusiasm and long term use of FM2s and somehow the FM3a is often missed, and has the perhaps unique combination of full mechanical and full auto-exposure.
Let's face it, these cameras are all pretty awesome workhorses...

 

[BillBingham2]

I was wrong, I was wrong, I was WRONG. I trashed the not-made-of-metal Nikons many years back. While I owned a couple of FMs way back, I never expected them to last as long as they have.

B2 (;->

 

[dtcls100]

I was wrong, I was wrong, I was WRONG. I trashed the not-made-of-metal Nikons many years back. While I owned a couple of FMs way back, I never expected them to last as long as they have.

B2 (;->

The FM, FE series cameras all have metal bodies.

 

[Uncle Bill]

Camera: Nikon FE2, Nikkor Ais lenses.
Film: Kodak Color Plus 200.

Lime Green Vespa by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Kew Gardens Bandshell Surrounded by Green by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Along the Board Walk at Leuty Beach by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Most of the Lifeboats are Out by Bill Smith, on Flickr

 

[robert blu]

It's always nice to see old threads alive!

And yes, I love my FM2T !

Nikon FM2/T.jpg by robert, su Flickr

Ilford Delta 100; 50mm 1,4 AIS; FM2

I should use this camera more...

robert

 

[raydm6]

Nikon FM2 w/HK-14 Lens Hood for 20mm by rdc154, on Flickr

 

[haempe]

Let me join in the choir of FE praise ...

Had early last year a bit of bad luck with my M cameras, ended with having all my 3 M bodys in 3 different workshops scattered over europe.
Had to shoot a concert, so I grabbed my fathers old FE with 50/1,8 and this worked surprisingly well. Got better yield than usual with the Ms, so I kept going...
Fetched me a second FE body, a few lenses (16/2.8; 24/2; CV40/2 and 85/2) and later another FE body as a backup.
Pretty cheap too, compared with the M stuff, all less then 1000 toads.
I did all my stuff of the last 20 months with this rig, I'm pretty happy at the moment with this gear. 🙂

One from the first eve with FE:

the creepshow

50/1.8 ai ; hp5@1600 microphen

and two more from last year:

eyehategod

85/2 ai-s hp5@1600 microphen

napalm death

16/2.8 ai-s ; hp5@1600 microphen

Don't get me wrong, there is no love in the first sight relationship between the FE and me.
The FE is just the camera I've made my first steps into photography in the 80s. I can use it, completly without thinking, what helps a lot.
I don't think there is something special about the FE or there is something special about my photography, maybe that's why it works... 😀

cheers, -h

 

[twvancamp]

I don't think there is something special about the FE or there is something special about my photography, maybe that's why it works... 😀

Well put, and I think that is special. Many cameras I try to convince myself to love, but alway fall back on the unexceptional comfort and function of my FM or K1000.

And the concert photos are amazing!

 

[petronius]

The FM and Kodachrome 64 back in 1980

 

[haempe]

Many cameras I try to convince myself to love, but alway fall back on the unexceptional comfort and function of my FM or K1000.

Thanks, Thom, and yes, I am familiar with this situation too.

The FM and Kodachrome 64 back in 1980

Hi Zeno, sorry to say, but your giraffe looks ... hm ... dead?

btw, I really enjoy your tumblr... still any polypan f in use?

cheers, -h

 

[petronius]

Hi haempe,
it was alive and had a good appetite this day. Polypan F photos can still be found in my Rollei 35 blog. I have just 8 rolls left and are desperately seeking for more!

 

[Jeremy Z]

My experiences:

- Bought a used FM in the early 90s. Was great. I felt like I HAD to upgrade to the FM2n.
- Sold the FM and got an FM2n. It was about my best camera ever.
- Got out of Nikon for years. (decades now) Just used my old OM1N for film then onto digital.
- Just got back into MF Nikons a few weeks ago with an FG. It's even more compact than the FM/FE series, maybe a bit TOO compact at times. That little grip booster on the front helps. I sure do like how capable it is though, and how the film advance, shutter speed/function dial and shutter release are all concentric.

One thing we have to remember is that aside from durability, the body is not such an important part. It's more emotional than anything. If you're going to REALLY beat it up, you want something in the F series. If you can be reasonable and not beat it really hard, something in the FM/FE/FG series would seem to do fine. In my eye, with a limited budget, it's better to get the cheaper body and throw down some money on optics.

Even there though, a fellow can get nice optics at a nice price, as long as the lens doesn't say 'Nikkor' on it. (ex. Tokina AT-X, Vivitar Series 1, etc.) Prime selection is not good; just the odd 24, 28 and super teles. But the zooms? MUCH better value than Nikkor zooms.

I got a slow (3.5-4.5) Tokina AT-X 28-85 (macro focusing) for $30, and it is a cracking good lens. Two touch. All metal.

Vivitar 75-205/3.5 is a good one too; punches well above its $5 price.



What are you favorite optics for your MF Nikons?

How about your favorite "best value" optics? Why?

 

[nikon_sam]

A chrome FE was my first Nikon...still have it along with a second FE...plus two FM's...all of them in chrome and together with the MD-11 or MD-12...
I shot a lot of Velvia 50 with the FE...it never let me down...

 

[Uncle Bill]

Camera: Nikon FM2n, Nikkor Ais 24 f2.8 lens.
Film: Ilford HP5 400, HC110 B.

Buck Lake, Limberlost Forest, Muskoka Region, Ontario Canada.

Buck Lake at it's Finest by Bill Smith, on Flickr

 

[Uncle Bill]

Camera: Nikon FM2n, Nikkor Ai 50 f2 lens.
Film: Ilford HP5 400, HC110 B.

South end of Buck Lake, Limberlost Forest, Muskoka, Ontario Canada

Buck Lake Mini Waterfalls by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Stream out of Buck Lake_ by Bill Smith, on Flickr

 

[GarageBoy]

I ended up back with a Nikon Fe that I tried selling - buyer wouldn't believe me when I told him it was wonky because of dead batteries (which worked ok when I tested it) - got it back, played with it and thought screw it, it's a great camera, it'll tide me over until I get that mint black fe2 I want

 

[crsantin]

My Nikon I own an FE, FM, F90x, F80, and F100. If I had to pick just one it would be the FE. I need to use it more often. I have too many cameras but I can't bring myself to part with any of them.