Nikon FM
From Free net encyclopedia
Current revision
Image:NikonLogo i-1.gif The Nikon FM was an advanced amateur level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K. K. (Nikon Corporation since 1988) in Japan from 1977 to 1982 (available new from dealer stock until 1983). The FM used a Copal CCS-M vertical travel metal-bladed focal plane shutter with a speed range of 1 to 1/1000th second plus Bulb and flash X-sync of 1/125th second. It had dimensions of 89.5 mm height, 142 mm width, 60.5 mm depth and 590 g weight. It was available in two colors: black with chrome trim and all black.
Contents |
Features
The FM accepts all lenses with the Nikon F bayonet mount (introduced in 1959), with certain limitations or exceptions. Lenses not supporting the Automatic Indexing (AI) feature (introduced 1977) require stop down metering. Nikon’s most recent 35 mm film SLR lenses, the AF Nikkor G type (2000) lacking an aperture control ring; and the AF Nikkor DX type (2003) with image circles sized for Nikon's digital SLRs will mount but will not function properly. A few exotic lenses from the 1960s requiring mirror lockup and all IX Nikkor lenses (1996) for Nikon's Advanced Photo System (APS) film SLRs, must not be mounted, as their rear elements will intrude far enough into the mirror box to cause damage. The contemporary lenses were the Nikkor AI-S, Nikkor AI and Nikon Series E types.
Accessories for the FM included the Nikon MD-11 motor drive (automatic film advance up to 3.5 frames per second), the Nikon MF-12 databack (time or date stamping on the film), and the Nikon SB-8E (guide number 82/25 (feet/meters) at ASA 100) electronic flash.
The FM was a mechanically (springs, gears, levers) controlled manual focus SLR with manual exposure control. It was operable without batteries. It only needed batteries (two S76 or A76, or one 1/3N) for the light metering information system. This consists of an internal 60/40 percent centerweighted, gallium arsenide phosphide photodiode light meter linked to a center-the-LED exposure control system using vertically arranged +/o/– light emitting diodes (LEDs) on the right side of the viewfinder to indicate the readings of the meter versus the actual camera settings. This system can be traced back to the Nikkormat FT (in the USA/Canada; Nikomat FT, rest of the world) of 1965 and its center-the-needle system. The succeeding Nikon FM2 also used a center-the-LED system until 2001. The viewfinder also had a fixed focusing screen with Nikon’s standard 3 mm split image rangefinder and 1 mm microprism collar focusing aids plus 12 mm etched circle indicating the area of the meter centerweighting.
Design History
Beginning with the FM, there was a complete overhaul of the entire Nikon SLR line. The 1970s and 1980s were an era of intense competition between the major SLR brands: Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Pentax and Olympus. Between circa 1975 to 1985, there was a dramatic shift away from heavy all-metal manual mechanical camera bodies to much more compact bodies with integrated circuit (IC) electronic automation. In addition, because of rapid advances in electronics, the brands continually leap frogged each other with models having new or more automatic features. The industry was trying to expand out from the saturated high-end professional market and appeal to the large mass of low-end amateur photographers itching to move up from compact automatic leaf-shutter rangefinder (RF) cameras to the more “glamorous“ SLR but were intimidated by the need to learn all the gritty details of operating a traditional SLR.
Although Nippon Kogaku enjoyed a sterling reputation among professional photographers with their Nikon F2 of 1971, the F2 was too massive, expensive and complicated for most amateurs and beginners. Worse, the obsolescence (heavy weight, inconvenient controls and ancient electronics) of the midlevel Nikkormat FT (1965) and EL (1972) camera series were turning amateurs away from the brand. Although the FT and EL series were tough and reliable, Nippon Kogaku had to upgrade all cameras of their manufacture to the "Nikon" nameplate - previously reserved for their professional level cameras - to avoid the stigma of "Nikkormat."
The FM was the replacement for Nikkormat FT3 of 1977. It introduced an entirely new compact but rugged copper aluminum alloy chassis. This chassis has proven to be remarkably successful. Nippon Kogaku/Nikon used it, with incremental improvements, as the backbone of the classic Nikon compact F-series SLRs until 2006. The other members of the compact F-series are the Nikon FE (introduced in 1978), FM2 (1982), FE2 (1983), FA (1983) and the limited production Nikon FM3A (2001).
The FM was an anachronism - a mechanical (springs, gears, levers) camera in a time of ever increasing electronic automation. The FM’s deliberately limited but tightly focused features were not intended to appeal to snapshooters with no intention of learning about shutter speeds and f-stops. Nippon Kogaku believed that advanced amateur photographers were not interested in every possible automated bell and whistle, but rather the highest possible quality and precision of control.
The Nikon FM sold very well compared to the competing mechanical Pentax MX (released 1977) and Olympus OM-1N (1979) cameras. It was also a very popular backup camera among professional photographers using the Nikon F2 and F3. Because of its durability and access to the Nikkor lens line, the FM came to dominate its market niche and was rewarded by the introduction of an improved successor, the Nikon FM2, in 1982. However, bucking the trend toward automation was a loser's game - even the target audience, traditionalist amateurs claiming no need for automation, could be seduced by high technology. This left only a small audience willing to stay with a high priced, completely manual design. The FM's sales numbers are dwarfed by the contemporary, highly electronic (though less durable) Canon AE-1 (1976). Time has proven the FM to be very tough and reliable and it is now regarded as one of the finest SLRs of its generation.
References
- "Nikon MF/AF Bodies - Lens Compatibility" http://www.nikonlinks.com/unklbil/bodylens.htm retrieved 3 January 2006
- Anonymous. "Nikon EM: Budget Priced 35mm Reflex" pp 62-66. Modern Photography's Photo Buying Guide '85. reprint from Modern Photography, July 1979.
- Comen, Paul. Magic Lantern Guides: Nikon Classic Cameras; F, FE, FE2, FA and Nikkormat F series. First Edition. Magic Lantern Guides. Rochester, NY: Silver Pixel Press, 1996. ISBN 1-883403-31-6
- Peterson, B. Moose. Magic Lantern Guides: Nikon Classic Cameras, Volume II; F2, FM, EM, FG, N2000 (F-301), N2020 (F-501), EL series. First Edition. Magic Lantern Guides. Rochester, NY: Silver Pixel Press, 1996. ISBN 1-883403-38-3
- Stafford, Simon and Rudi Hillebrand & Hans-Joachim Hauschild. The New Nikon Compendium: Cameras, Lenses & Accessories since 1917. 2004 Updated North American Edition. Asheville, NC: Lark Books, 2003. ISBN 1-57990-592-7
See also
External links
- Nikon FM articles from mir.com.my Photography in Malaysia
- Nikon Manual Focus Discussion Forum
- Nikon FM photo from Nikon Corporation's online archives
