Nikon FM10 info needed.

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seany65

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Hello all, I'm thinking of getting a Nikon FM10 for any indoor work that I think needs an slr but doesn't need the flash metering or the built-in autowinder, (or its noise), of my F301. Yesterday I read on the interweb that FM10's have pentamirrors instead of pentaprisms and I also read that pentamirror systems can be a little bit darker and a little less easy to focus than pentaprism systems.

So I'd like to ask if anyone knows if the FM10 does have a pentamirror system and how the viewfinder image compares to that of an F301?

Any help would be much appreciated.
 
It's built by Cosina for Nikon. Plastic fantastic. Cheaper finder for sure. I'd recommend an old FM or FE on a budget, FM2n with more coin. I would only consider the FM10 if I could get it for less than $20. Not a bad camera, just not as well made as some.
 
You'd be better served with a Nikon FG or even EM. If I had to pick the 10 manual focus Nikon bodies I would use today an FM10 would be 19 or 20 on that list. Yuk...
 
The FM10 does not have a pentamirror. You can see in the service manual that it has a glass prism.

https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=185

As others have pointed out, it was made for Nikon by Cosina, the same company that made the Voigtlander Bessa R-series rangefinders. Cosina had a basic standardized SLR they sold to various companies to put their name on. Nikon had the FM10; Olympus had the OM-2000; Canon sold one, too. So did Vivitar.

They were attractive as low cost entry level cameras, but today when high end cameras like the Nikon F3 can be bought for very little used, I would not bother with the cheap Cosina bodies.
 
I bought one of those, and it was the first Nikon (including several P&S models) that I have never had the urge to run some film through. Plus most sellers ask way too much for them. Got mine for around $50, which is about right.

I'd recommend the F801 (N8008s) with it's F3HP style viewfinder.

PF
 
Check out the N90(s). I have one and while I rarely use it it is a really neat little camera. They go for next to nothing ~$20, which is why I'll never sell mine - too much hassle for $20-:)
 
I'd suggest an FG-20 if you want something light. The 20 looses Program Mode of the FG but adds better auto-flash (not a requirement, but would be handy, no?).

Another option is an Nikkormat FT3, heavier duty (wind level tip, self-timer arm, and a bit around the hotshoe are about the only plastic) and takes current batteries.

B2 (;->
 
Thanks to everyone for the replies.

I am only looking for a mechanical, manual focus camera that isn't heavy and has a brighter focusing screen than the original FM, which I tried in a shop with a 35-70 f3.3-f4.5 lens, the finder seemed rather dark to me. I could possibly go for an fm2n instead.

I have an f301 which has "off the film plane" flash metering and a built in winder so I've got those angles covered.

But are fm10's that flimsy and bad? Are they any worse than the Olypmus OM2000, or Cosina CT1 Super? I've seen a number of reviews and they seem to be generally quite liked.

Chris, thanks for the link to the repair manual. Hmmm, I wonder why someone would say it's got a pentamirror system when it hasn't?
 
seany65 said:
I am only looking for a mechanical, manual focus camera that isn't heavy and has a brighter focusing screen than the original FM, which I tried in a shop with a 35-70 f3.3-f4.5 lens, the finder seemed rather dark to me.
Click to expand...

If I'm not mistaken, the brightness of the viewfinder is affected by the maximum aperture of the lens. Try mounting a faster lens on the FM and see if the brightness of the finder improves.
 
For a number of years my primary travel package was an FM with a 43-86/3.5 zoom lens. I never has a problem with the brightness of the finder although I would have preferred a needle instead of the LEDs for the light meter.
 
seany65 said:
Thanks to everyone for the replies.

I am only looking for a mechanical, manual focus camera that isn't heavy and has a brighter focusing screen than the original FM, which I tried in a shop with a 35-70 f3.3-f4.5 lens, the finder seemed rather dark to me. I could possibly go for an fm2n instead.

I have an f301 which has "off the film plane" flash metering and a built in winder so I've got those angles covered.

But are fm10's that flimsy and bad? Are they any worse than the Olympus OM2000, or Cosina CT1 Super? I've seen a number of reviews and they seem to be generally quite liked.

Chris, thanks for the link to the repair manual. Hmmm, I wonder why someone would say it's got a pentamirror system when it hasn't?
Click to expand...

I don't think it's a "bad" camera, but after owning almost every Nikon SLR except the F4, 5, and 6 it does not feel like a solid built camera. The 35-70/3.5-4.5 always seemed to be a particularly dim lens in the first place. You could look for an FM2 or FM2n, I'm thinking there was a finder improvement on those. All else fails get an F2, and put any focus screen in it that will improve the finder brightness.

My Yashica FX3 Super 2000 is an all mechanical camera that works fine (well, one of them does), but when they start rubber stamping the model name it just doesn't instill a high confidence level in the user.

PF
 
seany65 said:
But are fm10's that flimsy and bad? Are they any worse than the Olypmus OM2000, or Cosina CT1 Super? I've seen a number of reviews and they seem to be generally quite liked.
Click to expand...

FM10s are pretty ordinary. I'm not familiar with the reviews so I can't comment.

If the only problem with the FM was the viewfinder brightness, you could buy an FM and install a K3, B3 or E3 screen from the FM3a. They provide a very bright viewfinder experience, definitely the brightest you'll get in a compact Nikon SLR. Make sure the mirror and prism surfaces are in good shape. The 3 series screens fit a bunch of different Nikons: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfmseries/fm3a/manual/htmls/screens.htm

seany65 said:
Chris, thanks for the link to the repair manual. Hmmm, I wonder why someone would say it's got a pentamirror system when it hasn't?
Click to expand...

A lot of people either don't know but assume they do, or jump to comclusions - for example the FM10 viewfinder is smaller than other Nikon SLRs including the FA and other FM, FE and FG series cameras, and it is pretty dark, so they just assume.

The FM10 is ok, but these days there are better options.

Marty
 
ronnies said:
Except that the FM has a fixed screen not an interchangeable one. :)

Ronnie
Click to expand...

You (if you are game) or a repair person can change the screen easily, though - if you undo the screws in the FM the old screen comes out and the 3 series screen fits in then the screws and housing go back together. You do need the capacity to check that the screen is in the proper position and that the camera is focusing properly.

Or get an FM2 or Fm2n and do as Nikon intended and user install the screen.

Marty
 
Thanks to all for the the further replies and info.

@dourbalistar, I understand that the speed of the lens affects the brightness in the 'finder, but I'm pretty sure different cameras have different levels of brightness in the 'finder even with the same speed and length of lens. The FM I tried was decades ago when they were new, and I'm not able to try another one until after lockdown's ended.

@PF, Yup, the fm2n had an improved 'finder compared to the FM, I'm fairly sure they mention it in the brochure. Hmmm, I wonder if the fm3a screens have a brightness advatage over those for the fm2n to such a degree that it's noticeable?

@Marty, In your view the fm10's 'finder is "pretty dark". Thanks for the info. I've just compared my praktica plc3 with 50mm f1.8 lens to my f301 with 35-70 f3.5 lens, and th plc3's finder is darker by (I'd have to guess this) about 1 stop or a bit more.

It's getting more likely that I'll start edging to an fm2n.
 
seany65 said:
Thanks to all for the the further replies and info.

@dourbalistar, I understand that the speed of the lens affects the brightness in the 'finder, but I'm pretty sure different cameras have different levels of brightness in the 'finder even with the same speed and length of lens. The FM I tried was decades ago when they were new, and I'm not able to try another one until after lockdown's ended.

@PF, Yup, the fm2n had an improved 'finder compared to the FM, I'm fairly sure they mention it in the brochure. Hmmm, I wonder if the fm3a screens have a brightness advatage over those for the fm2n to such a degree that it's noticeable?

@Marty, In your view the fm10's 'finder is "pretty dark". Thanks for the info. I've just compared my Praktica plc3 with 50mm f1.8 lens to my f301 with 35-70 f3.5 lens, and th plc3's finder is darker by (I'd have to guess this) about 1 stop or a bit more.

It's getting more likely that I'll start edging to an fm2n.
Click to expand...

You can use the fm3a screens in the fm2. They are brighter. I can't remember if you have to adjust the meter when using them though.
 
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