Nikon F's
Dec 30, 2017 06:52:20 #
Dec 30, 2017 07:08:49 #
jeryh
Loc: Oxfordshire UK
Probably one of the best film cameras ever made by Nikon; excellent exposure meter, and in good condition, they are sought after.
Dec 30, 2017 07:09:24 #
SharpShooter wrote:
I'd let it go for a song and a dance, if the song was good enough and the dancer really hot and NAKED!!! 
SS
SS
Dec 30, 2017 07:20:29 #
racerrich3 wrote:
I am seeing old Nikon FM's for sale. Are they the old 35mm type, and I'm seeing about $300. If this is so, in your opinion what might an old in good condition FE go for with a Nikon 50m f1.8. Thank you.
As said, the Nikon FM is 35mm film and an all mechanical camera except for the meter.
$300 is a bit steep as they are on EBAY in the 150-200 range for ones that appear to be in decent shape, body only.
FEs seem to be running cheaper in the 65-150 range. And with the 50mm f1.8 lens hover in the 100-200 range.
I am guessing this is due to being primarily electronic and battery dependent except for one mechanical speed if I remember my FE correctly (I have it at work so not available).
Both seem to be well built but I also would prefer the FM over the FE due to being fully functional with no battery and guess at exposure.
Dec 30, 2017 07:40:41 #
They go quite cheaply nowadays. The FM, FE, FE-2, FM-2 and FM3A are fantastic, well built cameras. I still use mine a lot. I am still using my original FM that I purchased in the late 70âs.
Dec 30, 2017 08:28:25 #
I started my Nikon adventures with the FM/FE, upgraded to FM2/FE2. Wonderful series! Light weight, not clunky like their predecessors. (I hated the name "Nikkormat", sounded like it should be a washing machine!) The FM was the reason I chose Nikon over Canon. My creative mindset at the time demanded a multiple exposure lever, and no comparably priced, similar sized Canon had one.
Dec 30, 2017 08:50:42 #
racerrich3 wrote:
I am seeing old Nikon FM's for sale. Are they the old 35mm type, and I'm seeing about $300. If this is so, in your opinion what might an old in good condition FE go for with a Nikon 50m f1.8. Thank you.
All Nikon F camera are film cameras. The FM, FM2, FM3 were really nice, manual cameras with out having to go to the Pro F, F2, F3, etc. The FE, FE2, etc, had Aperture Priority & Manual Exposure. Buy yourself a FM and really learn photography by shooting in manual.
Dec 30, 2017 10:16:28 #
racerrich3 wrote:
I am seeing old Nikon FM's for sale. Are they the old 35mm type, and I'm seeing about $300. If this is so, in your opinion what might an old in good condition FE go for with a Nikon 50m f1.8. Thank you.
Too much for a FM or FE. You can find Nikon F3's for that.
Dec 30, 2017 11:10:00 #
racerrich3 wrote:
I am seeing old Nikon FM's for sale. Are they the old 35mm type, and I'm seeing about $300. If this is so, in your opinion what might an old in good condition FE go for with a Nikon 50m f1.8. Thank you.
Look on KEH's website for prices.
Dec 30, 2017 11:17:12 #
And how about the Nikon F2AS and the F1. These 35mm film machines gave me tons of good photographs around the world in all weather conditions. I hold on to them primarily for the memories they evoke.
Dec 30, 2017 11:52:32 #
alx
Loc: NJ
ELNikkor wrote:
I started my Nikon adventures with the FM/FE, upgraded to FM2/FE2. Wonderful series! Light weight, not clunky like their predecessors. (I hated the name "Nikkormat", sounded like it should be a washing machine!) The FM was the reason I chose Nikon over Canon. My creative mindset at the time demanded a multiple exposure lever, and no comparably priced, similar sized Canon had one.
The FE with motor was a beautifully balanced combination. An excellent complement to my F2S at airshows in the day. Ate a LOT of film with a pair of those and the F2S in an afternoon. The FE was also great for grabbing low light night shots on auto with a tripod or just crammed against a cooperative tree. With the motor stripped off and a 24mm, a nice, light carry camera.
Dec 30, 2017 12:04:41 #
ELNikkor wrote:
I started my Nikon adventures with the FM/FE, upgraded to FM2/FE2. Wonderful series! Light weight, not clunky like their predecessors. (I hated the name "Nikkormat", sounded like it should be a washing machine!) The FM was the reason I chose Nikon over Canon. My creative mindset at the time demanded a multiple exposure lever, and no comparably priced, similar sized Canon had one.
Very similar to my Nikon beginning. I was eyeing the original Canon F-1, when Galen Rowell loaned me his FM. It was love at first sight. I immediately bought a black FM and never looked back.
Dec 30, 2017 12:06:38 #
You can look at FM's in a couple of categories. There are the FM's which were made from ca. 1977 until 1982, when the FM2 was introduced with a top shutter speed of 1/4000 sec. It was later superseded by the FM2n with new aluminum shutter curtains. The next iteration was the FM3 which was introduced as a hybrid of the FM2 and FE2 cameras.
The FM2n models can easily fetch $300 for the body alone and the FM2 will go for +/- $200 depending on condition. You can find AI and AIs lenses almost anywhere, but they bring some premium because the micro 4/3 fans like them. There are also a lot of 3rd party lenses by Tamron, Tokina, and Vivitar which give a lot of flexibility.
I picked up a FM2 at a local dealer for $250 in near mint condition, and I thought I got a good deal. It had just been CLA'd, and gotten new seals. I added a MD12 I had, and now, it's a perfect camera for purely manual photography. I also have the FE, FE2, and FA, which are all great models.
I also like the Canon A1. It's a great camera, offering auto exposure.
The FM2n models can easily fetch $300 for the body alone and the FM2 will go for +/- $200 depending on condition. You can find AI and AIs lenses almost anywhere, but they bring some premium because the micro 4/3 fans like them. There are also a lot of 3rd party lenses by Tamron, Tokina, and Vivitar which give a lot of flexibility.
I picked up a FM2 at a local dealer for $250 in near mint condition, and I thought I got a good deal. It had just been CLA'd, and gotten new seals. I added a MD12 I had, and now, it's a perfect camera for purely manual photography. I also have the FE, FE2, and FA, which are all great models.
I also like the Canon A1. It's a great camera, offering auto exposure.
Dec 30, 2017 12:06:47 #
alx wrote:
The FE with motor was a beautifully balanced combination. An excellent complement to my F2S at airshows in the day. Ate a LOT of film with a pair of those and the F2S in an afternoon. The FE was also great for grabbing low light night shots on auto with a tripod or just crammed against a cooperative tree. With the motor stripped off and a 24mm, a nice, light carry camera.
The FE, in aperture priority mode, will also give you very long and accurate timed exposures. I mean, very long. 👍
Dec 30, 2017 12:09:19 #
globetrotter wrote:
And how about the Nikon F2AS and the F1. These 35mm film machines gave me tons of good photographs around the world in all weather conditions. I hold on to them primarily for the memories they evoke.
They are both more expensive than the FM or FE.
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