Two small and splendid SLRs

[Pfreddee]

Some time back, I posted my joy at having gotten an Olympus OM-1, and after getting the battery problem solved (more or less), I've enjoyed using it and I've been bitten by the bug. I'm thinking of getting an OM-4, which I don't need, BTW. After I got the Oly, I was looking through the ads at KEH, and I ran across a Nikon FG, which I had seen praised at Dante Stella's website. The Nikon was going for $27.00, so I took a chance. When I got it, the camera looked like it have never been used. I picked up a Nikon E-Series lens, 50mm f/1.8, which also looked like it had never been used and now I have another really splendid small SLR kit, this one with what amounts to a 50mm pancake lens.

Now, when I go out, (and I always carry some kind of camera), I have a hard time choosing between the two. I have thought about carrying both at the same time. So far, the only thing that's stopped me is that our daughter has said, "Dad, you look like a dork", on more than one occasion. (Wouldn't be the first time, BTW).😀 Be that as it may, I am really impressed with the two of them, for their performance, their good looks and handling and their size, especially their size. Has anyone else used the Nikon FG? What are your thoughts?

Thanks to all who reply.

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[TXForester]

I say be a dork if it makes you happy. 🙂

 

[De_Corday]

I'm happy to hear that about the FG. I really want to replace my FM10 with one as my "light enough to forget it's there" camera, because the ergonomics are disastrous compared to my F3s, but I've never handled one...

What kind of info is visible through the finder? how awesomely light is that FG /Series-E combo?

 

[BardParker]

I have a OM-1N and it still has a Varta mercury battery going strong. I bought it from Jon Goodman and he included the battery convertor for when the mercury battery dies. It is my favorite camera. i also have a Nikon EM w 50mm f/1.8 series E lens that I love.

 

[Pfreddee]

De Corday:

There is a vertical shutter speed scale visible on the right-hand side of the view-finder, with red LED(?) lights to indicate shutter speed. The focusing aid with my version is a split-screen Fresnel center spot. The viewfinder in mine is clear and easy to see through; I get better results without my eyeglasses than with: the view is clearer! It has Program, Aperture Priority and Manual modes, AND it has the little bracket on the back cover for the end of the box of film that is currently loaded.

The FG is all-metal construction; the E-Series 50mm is all-plastic, but very smooth. Nothing very outstanding, but a good, light lens which makes for a very compact kit. The aperture ring is at the front of the lens and is click-stopped. I estimate it weighs about as my as my OM-1. Nothing too heavy to carry around all day, at least not for me. Hope this helps!

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[Greyscale]

The FG also has TTL OTF flash capability, with the proper flash. And the E series 50 is a fine lens. The FG is a greatly underrated compact SLR. I believe that it has a polycarbonate shell over a aluminum alloy frame.

 

[Takkun]

Hey, I never have less than 2 cameras on my person most days…. 😉
I've always had a soft spot for early program-AE cameras (FG, FA, AE1, A1, etc) and the FG is a sturdy little camera, no frills, and, best of all, TTL flash, if you've got any Speedlights. I liked the FG over the Canon A1 mostly because it's got a lot fewer unmarked buttons and dials to figure out.

 

[Greyscale]

I was mistaken regarding the poly body, I was thinking of the EM.

 

[crsantin]

An FG with some series e lenses is a terrific small combo. I have the 28mm, 50mm and 100mm series e lenses and I love them all. Even the 100mm 2.8 is very compact. All produce excellent results. I use an FE body, which is a bit larger and heavier than the FG, but still very easy to carry around all day.

I also own an Olympus OM-10, which is smaller and lighter than the FE, but I prefer the Nikon because I find it easier to use, though the Oly I quite like too and it gives me great results with a 50mm 1.4.

 

[Doug]

I like the FG... I bought one for my parents when they said they were tired of the Olympus Pen FT and wanted something more automatic. Though I like Pentax, my shopping showed me the Nikon FG had what I thought was the best mix of features, quality, and price. They were happy with it, taking it on overseas tropical vacations, and out around Puget Sound on their sailboat. Evidently the salt air caused enough corrosion over the years to ruin the camera. Could have gotten splashed, they didn't say...

 

[mfogiel]

If you happen to run into a Pentax MX or ME Super ( this one has AE), take a look too. This is in my opinion, the nicest small SLR around. Plus if you consider, how good the Pentax glass is, it is a winner. Try it with the 55/1.8 K.

 

[yanchep_mike]

Pretty good street shooter.

 

[p.giannakis]

If you happen to run into a Pentax MX or ME Super ( this one has AE), take a look too. This is in my opinion, the nicest small SLR around. Plus if you consider, how good the Pentax glass is, it is a winner. Try it with the 55/1.8 K.

I second that.
The Pentax MX is tiny (same size as a Barnack Leica)

And beautiful (IMHO)....

 

[lawrence]

I have a contrary opinion of the FG, which I had for while back in the '80s. The camera is small but IMHO the ergonomics don't compare well with the OM1, especially the lever wind which is placed too close to your eye. Also, I seem to remember that the exposure controls are also a bit of a pain (but its a while ago and I can't remember exactly what I didn't like about them). I also disagree about the 50mm E Series lens, which doesn't have the snap of the standard 50mm Nikkors. However if you do get one, go for the second version which is less plasticy than the first.

 

[Addy101]

Yep, you should also get a Pentax and a Minolta camera. And even a Canon. Maybe you should get a Minolta XD-7 or XD-5 next!

 

[ray*j*gun]

Another gem is the Yashica FX3 Super small light wonderful performance and metering....and it takes the great C/Y mount Contax lenses.

 

[mwoenv]

I usually carry 2 bodies, one loaded with B&W and one with color. It's nice when it's the same system so you can carry a few lenses and use them on either body. I can do that with my Minolta, Nikon, and Pentax 645 SLRs. Looking for another OM-1 body so I can carry two bodies with different film.

 

[FA Limited]

If you happen to run into a Pentax MX or ME Super ( this one has AE), take a look too. This is in my opinion, the nicest small SLR around. Plus if you consider, how good the Pentax glass is, it is a winner. Try it with the 55/1.8 K.

i was a pentax user before. both are great cameras but with strange caveats. the ME Super does not have a shutter speed dial but instead has a strange button layout. the MX which has an enormous viewfinder but is not as bright or contrasty as some of the nikon finders that i have tried. my shutter speed dial was ultra stiff, no AE and 1/1000 maximum shutter speed is a bit slow.

the pentax 50 lenses though are fantastic

 

[David Hughes]

i was a pentax user before. both are great cameras but with strange caveats. the ME Super does not have a shutter speed dial but instead has a strange button layout...

Hi,

The ME super shutter speeds are easy to alter and you see them indicated in the view finder as they change. A plus is that it can be fired without batteries in it at 1/125th but you have to set the aperture and guess the exposure with the funny 16 rule of thumb or use a hand-held meter.

Compared to OM lenses the Pentax-M ones are a bargai; I'm thinking of the 85mm f/2 lens as I type this...

Regards, David

 

[Steve M.]

I have an FG that I generally keep an AI 85 2.0 lens on, and an N8008s that usually has a Leica R 90 2.8 Elmarit on it. The difference in IQ is very, very small, while the difference in weight and size is huge. Of course the N8008s has a wonderful spot meter, 1/8000 top shutter speed, and an indispensable AE lock feature, but the FG is still a handy little camera when you don't want to tote a lot of weight. I like my EM even more than the FG. I think I have $60 invested in all three cameras. Heck of a deal.