Nikon FM, 1977
Refer to a full featured website for Nikon FM series for more info * Message Board for Nikon FM bodies

| My home-baked Instruction manual PDF is only available via e-mail request as I hate to see it has been sold for commercial return, now - I only create HTML version for newer ones ..|

Nikon's first successful application in introducing a compact size SLR to replace the mechanical Nikkormat FT series. Improvements include an Ai-metering, usable with both non-Ai and Ai-Nikkor lenses. A dedicated Motor Drive MD-11 (replaced with subsequent 1980's MD-12) to handle 3.5 fps automatic film advance; has a capability for multiple exposures which even works in conjunction with the respective motor drives; an easy to use depth of field preview & self timer feature was added. Shutter speeds range from 1 sec to 1/1000sec and sync at 1/125 sec. It accepts a cable connected data back MF-12. It has turned out to be an instant hit for Nikon users.. this all-mechanical compact Nikon has a Nikon F2AS-type of 5 LEDs readout display inside the finder but the sensor is a gallium photo diodes. However, omission from the earlier Nikkormat was the lack of a mirror Lockup feature. Serial number for this model could have bear starting no. from: 2000001

Standard production Nikon FM Series models:- Nikon FM | Nikon FM2 | Nikon FM2n | Nikon FM10 | Nikon FM3a |
Known variants:- Nikon FM Gold | Nikon FM2/T | Nikon FM2N Tropical Set | Nikon FM2/T Limited Edition | Nikon FM2N LAPITA | Nikon FM2n Millennium 2000

Nikon FE, 1978
Featured section (with HTML instruction manual) for Nikon FE * Message Board for Nikon FE bodies

The Nikon FE was the fourth automatic Nikon body after the Nikkorex AUTO 35, Nikkormat EL, EL-W & EL-2. But it was the first compact sized automatic exposure system Nikon camera. It was generally referred as the electronic version of the FM, as it has a strong physical appearance of the mechanical FM. It was also an Ai-spec Nikon. It offers an electronically controlled shutter with stepless speeds from 8 sec to 1/1000 sec. with aperture priority AE with manual override. A pair of silicon photo diode sensors handle the center-weighted metering system from EV1-EV 18. Standard screen is a K-type but 2 other types of interchangeable focusing screens were available - a feature lacked in the companion mechanical Nikon FM, a one push memory lock (just press the self timer lever inward) facilitates easy AE-lock operation. The camera is compatible with both Motor Drive MD-11 or the newer MD-12 for maximum film advance rate of 3.5 fps. Other than these, the Data back MF-12 is also usable with this model. It also has a dedicated automatic Speedlight in the SB-10 but usable with other speedlights designed for Nikon F2s via adapter(s) . Serial number could have began from 3000001.

Known variants:- Nikon FE green Lizard Skinned Model

Nikon EM, 1979
Featured Nikon EM web site

| Message Board |
Questions, issues & Answer(s) | Instruction Manual for Nikon EM - HTML version ONLY |

This is a first model among the super compact size SLR model introduced by Nikon between 1979 to 1983. Other than compactness and lightweight, the camera also came with a built-in alert system for exposure error. It was also called popularly called as the beeper Nikon. Many also referred its name "EM" as "Economical Nikon", haha .. Serial number started from 6100001. The most significant change found in this body was. it was the first Nikon that "doesn't" take non-AI lenses with the removal of the retractable meter coupling lever on the lense mount (you can still forcefully mount, but no metering guide will be provided). There were three 'new Nikon Series E (Note: Nikkor name was not used) lenses introduced along with the camera. The Series E series lenses eventually have expanded with more options in 28mm f/2.8; 35mm f/2.5; 50mm f/1.8; 100mm f/2.8 and a 135mm f/2.8 with another three zoom lenses in 36-72mm f3.5; 70-150mm f3.5 and a 70-210mm f4 (These series of E lenses are featured at another section).

A Motor winder MD-E (2 fps) 

and a ultra-compact auto Speedlights SB-E were also introduced as optional accessories. The camera, although was small, light and compact in its dimension, but within its shell was still made with a robust metal structure. It possesses some modern features such as flash ready light and auto sync when used with an dedicated Nikon flash. However, the camera only offers Aperture priority AE BUT you cannot manually control exposure. A delightful "M90" setting which is fully mechanical operative is provided in case situations when battery fails or depleted. But its F-mount still shares with other Nikkor lenses that has a minimum specification of Ai (Automatic Maximum Aperture Indexing). Whatever it is, the EM has remained as the most simple and compact SLR that Nikon has ever produced (Another similar versions was the Nikon FG-20 introduced in 1984).

What about the lenses ? any update ? yeah..

In 1979, the first macro focusing lense that employed with the innovative internal focusing (IF) feature was being introduced, it was the Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4.0 IF.

 || Back || NEXT -->>>

The Rangefinder || The Nikonos || Compact Cameras
SLRs -1959/1979 | 1980/1990 | 1991/1999 | y2k/2003 | 2004 ~

The Eyes of Nikon:-
Rangefinder RF-Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page | Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page

Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:-
Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame | Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm15mm18mm20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm28mm35mm |
Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto Lenses - 85mm105mm135mm180mm & 200mm |
Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |

Special Application lenses:
Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm
Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm
Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF
Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm
Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm
Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm
Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm
Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm

MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm |
35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm |
100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm

Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E

Nikon F | Nikon F2 | Nikon F3 | Nikon F4 | Nikon F5 | Nikon F6 | Nikkormat / Nikomat |
Nikon FM | Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital SLRs | Nikon - Other models

MIR Supports for Photographic Community: Various Message Boards/Community Forums
Nikon F-series| Nikon F2-series| Nikon F3-series| Nikon F4-series| Nikon F5-series|Nikkormat/Nikomat-series
Nikon FM-series|Nikon FE-series|Nikon FA|Nikon Digital SLR series|Various Nikon Models|Nikkor Optic -shared

Others:- Free Trade Zone - Photography| Free Trade Zone - Business Community |Free To Zouk - Photographic Community
Apple's Mac Public Community Message Board | Windows based PC & Apple/Mac Public Community Trade Exchange Centre

Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

About this photographic site.

Home - Photography In Malaysia

Copyright © 1998. leofoo ®. MIR Web Development Team.

[Left Brain][Right brain][Home-MIR]
[Invention][Art & Design][Clubs]
[Portfolios][On assignments]
[Trading room][Knowledge & Resources]
[Free-trade-zone][Thoughts & opinions][Links]