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Nikon FM (S/N 21xxxxx) Questions


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5 replies to this topic

#1
butangmucat

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Hello,

 

Just got myself a Nikon FM with a serial number of 21xxxxx range from KEH yesterday, and encountered some questions. I have mostly used Pentax film cameras before and had some limited experience with a Nikkormat, so I am still trying to learn my new camera.

 

I ordered a MD-11 motor drive with me and when I try to couple the motor drive with the camera, the drive won't cock the shutter after being turned on. Further tests shown that if I manually cock the shutter and the motor drive is on, the electric release button on the drive can fire the shutter, but the drive won't cock it. I also tried taking the motor drive off the camera, putting it in C mode, and just press the shutter button, and nothing happens (that was a trick I used to test Pentax motor drives which I use more - the motor will turn when this happens). Does this indicate that the motor drive is faulty?

 

I also noticed that Soligor seemed to carry a 3rd party winder for the FM and FE series. It was slower but lighter. Some sources said that it works with the FM and some said that it won't work? Does anyone have any experience on that?

 

Finally I noticed many times the "correct exposure" LED will often light up with one of the "over" or "under" LEDs, the manual says that this indicates over or under within 1 stop. I would like more suggestions on how to understand the meter reading, and some best practices on metering for slide film. I ask about this because Nikon lenses seem to only aperture in full stops, making an exact exposure more difficult than lenses that allow half-stop adjustments.


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#2
Manwithacam

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Is this the early FM with the knurled grip around the shutter button? The switch around the button is to enable use of the motor drive.

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#3
Merco_61

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The knurled switch should indicate red for motor drive use if I remember correctly.

 

When two LEDs light up at the same time, the meter is between the two values. The LED meter is the reason I don't like the FM or FM2 and prefer to use the FE2 instead, even if it is battery-dependent.

 

You can set the aperture ring between detents without damaging anything if that is what it takes to get a correctly exposed slide. As always with E-6 film, err on the side of underexposure as even a slight bit of overexposure washes out the saturation in the slide.


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#4
butangmucat

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Thanks for all the suggestions. The FM turned out to be faulty. I got it replaced with a FE2. I also bought an EL2 as a spare recently. Both operates very similarly.



#5
nikonFILMuser

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MY FM Black Paint serial number is : 3158679   there is NO 'Knurled Collar' around the shutter release only a smooth one which does not 'Move' 



#6
daveFM2

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You should be very pleased with the FE 2. Great choice.


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