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Compatible lenses for Nikon FM


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2 replies to this topic

#1
PCsnapster

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I got hold of an old Nikon FM film camera though not in good condition. I had two Nikon lenses that I use for Nikon D3100: 1) Nikon AF-S 50 mm 1:1.8G and 2) Nikon 18-55 mm 1:3.5-5.6G (kit lens). Would these lenses be compatible with the Nikon FM body? I see they do not have aperture rings. Would I still use it with some adapters/converters? I understand that using a film camera is costly but am determined to work it out if the budget does not drain me.



#2
Merco_61

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The 18-55 is a DX lens and doesn't fill the full frame without vignetting. The 50 has electronically controlled aperture and won't work in any usable way either.

 

You need lenses that have an aperture control ring and have the ring notched for the meter coupling to use them on the FM. Ai or Ai converted lenses are cheaper than the Ai-S versions and are usually easier to focus precisely. 

 

AF or AF D lenses can all be used on the FM, with the added bonus that the meter in your D3100 will work with them, even if the AF won't work as there is no focus motor in D3xxx and D5xxx bodies. The focus action is too light to make them ideal for manual focus, but they will work.

 

A nice, classic set of lenses for an FM are: Ai 20/3.5, Ai 35/2, Ai 50/1.8 and an Ai 105/2.5. All these four have a longer focus throw than the Ai-S versions that replaced them and can be found relatively cheap.



#3
Brian

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What is your budget? You are not going to be able to use your current lenses on the FM.

 

A lens such as a series E 50/1.8 ill work on it, compact, and not expensive.