The Nikon FM was made between 1977 to 1982, it was at the time a newly designed no frills camera for the advanced amateur, or semi-pro photographer. It had a fixed prism and match-diode metering seen in the viewfinder via LED lights. The camera build is very solid and takes manual Nikon lenses and could also use the MD-11 or MD-12 motor drive attachment for powered film advance achieving a frame rate of 3.5 frames a second.
As the Camera was marketed as a cheaper option to the professional F series line, the camera its self had few options compared to the pro level. The prism of the Nikon FM was fixed but in the viewfinder the shutter speed and aperture settings were shown and also the light meter for ease of use. The camera had a built in timer, depth of field preview and was able to make multiple exposures. Although you could not replace components of the camera other then adding a motor drive and Data Back film cover, the camera did have enough features on its own to be of great use to the advanced photographer and not be daunting to the amateur.
I was fortunate to be able to shoot a roll though this camera but I found myself limited as the shutter speeds at the low end seemed to be a bit sticky but, by keep with the higher shutter speeds I was able to do just fine. Even by shooting just one roll of film though the camera I found it to be very simple to use. With the aperture and shutter speeds seen in the viewfinder I found myself easily able to control those settings with out having to look up and out of the viewfinder as the knobs are easy to use and find with your finger tips. I did not have the batteries required at the time to use the built in light meter and therefore used my Sekonic 758DR to check my exposures.
I would like to make a more in-depth review of the Nikon FM but I feel that by only shooting one roll and of the fact that it requires a good service I can’t do justice in saying what I liked and disliked about it other than I would really enjoy shooting with it again.
The Specs:
Produced: 1977 to 1982
Type of camera: Single lens Reflex (SLR)
Film/picture format: 135mm film/ 24x36mm (4×6) frames
Lens Mount: Nikon F manual
Lens(es): Various lenses by Nikon and other manufactures
Shutter: Vertical travel titanium focal plane shutter with speeds of 1sec – 1/1000 plus B
Exposure metering: Built in Match-Diode.
Viewfinder: Fixed pentaprism
Focussing screen: Fixed K-type focus screen with split-image rangefinder centre
Reflex mirror: Yes, Automatic return
Depth-of-field preview: Yes, with use of lever
Frame counter: Additive type
Film advance: with use of Thumb lever or power drives MD-11, MD-12
Power source: two 1.5v 357 or 76A or LR44 or SR44 cells. Their are modern lithium batteries as replacements. The batteries are to run the light meter only, the camera is mechanical and be operated without power.
Camera Back: Interchangeable with the Data Back MF-12
Body Finish: Chrome with black leatherette.