Absolutely The Most Bullet-Proof And Indestructible Camera Ever Made...Focusing With The Split Screen Is Dead On Accurate...Made From Metal Rather Than This New Sythentic Crap...You Get To Use That Eclectic Word "Vintage" When Bragging About Your Rig...

Three LED's For The Light Meter Just Plain Suck...Lenses Are Expensive...Don't Try To Capture Those Candid Shots Of People Or Animals - Camera Features Can't Be Set Quick Enough...

A Good Starter Camera...Fully Manual Operation Gives The Beginner An Accurate Look At How Cameras Really Work...An All Around Great Camera...Will Last Me Another 25 Years...

Customer Service

Don't Worry - You'll Never Need It...

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Canon Elan II, Canon Elan IIe, Nikon N65, Nikon N80

I noticed every one used the term "rugged". Mine has taught me how to shoot well,(lived through two teenagers photography classes as well)and will be the style I will continue to use for the forseeable future.

I don't have enough toys to go with it.

If you can find one, buy one. Compared to the newer cameras, this one has no bells or whistles. I do like the built-in light meter, since the kids showed me how it worked a few years back.

Customer Service

Never had a problem.

Similar Products Used:

None

Uniquely "Nikon" - military-level ruggedness, legendary reliability, no frills or goofball gimmicks.

They don't make 'em like this anymore!!!

The wonderful Nikon FM...in its original incarnation...is probably the finest manual-focus camera ever built for above-water use (the Nikonos II is its amphibious sibling); light, unbelievably rugged, simple to operate, and a pleasure to use. For many years I carried one mounted with a 55mm/1.2 lens and 400-speed film and took more-than-acceptable photos of everything from homicide scenes to airshows...never a stutter, never a fuss at all. The FM isn't just a camera...it's a TOOL. Well done, guys!

Customer Service

Have never needed it.

Similar Products Used:

You name it - Canon, Minolta, Pentax, Hassy, Minox, Olympus, Yashica, etc.

Greatest camera I have owned. It was given as a gift in 1982. I have used it exclusively until 1991.
You cannot ask for a better manual camera for the ruggedness, and value.

I lost a couple of letters off of the body. That was very disappointing.
A bit heavy.

You won't be sorry if you buy this camera. I will never get rid of it. I was just beginning the camera hobby back in the 1978-1982. Now, I am still using this camera. It takes incredible pictures. It is a keeper.

Customer Service

I never needed it. This camera is a champion! Thanks Nikon!

Similar Products Used:

None

Rugged, dependable, straight forward MF camera that keeps on performing. Fully mechanical COPAL S shutter is key behind its reliability. Batteries used for metering only and with a MD12 coupled to body, metering power is provided by motordrive batteries. All steel camera body provides ruggedness that you can't dind in today's platic stuff. Ability to use non-AI/AIS lenses is a plus.

None

If you have the option to buy a manual focus camera, the FM is a must have. During college, owned a F2AS, F3, and FM2. Loved the feel and performance of the FM2. Biggest mistake I made was selling the FM2. For 15 years shot with my F3 and when I came across the FM, I bought it with MD12. Love the simple, ruggedness and solid feel of the FM. This is a classic camera that after 20 years in someone elses ownership is now providing me with rugged dependability.

Customer Service

None required

Similar Products Used:

FM2, F3, F2AS

Solid, metal body, reliable, robust, can be used in self defence if necessary. Great pictures.

The meter on mine tends to stick but can be freed up by ratcheting the shutter speed up and down a couple of times.

An amazing camera. Going on 21 years and still going strong - what more do I need to say? Been dropped. Been around the world in a backpack & across Europe on a bicycle. I use a 28 -105 Vivitar Series 1 as a standard. A bit heavy but delivers. Not a camera for the techno-freaks but excellent to learn the basics.

Customer Service

Problem getting spares now. You won't need many.

Similar Products Used:

FE

Well Build, Can be used without Batteries

After 20years with this baby it still performs

Strong and dependable use for street photography. Love the manual controls it has become second nature to use in my hands. It is a thinking persons camera. Use mostly with a 28-105 Tamron lense now and Nikon 50 1.7 Would not travel without this tool. If can find one get it. A Classic

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon Ftn
Konica S2
Contax G1

Durability and simplicity

It doesn't work under water. :-)

OK. I bought this camera in 1977 and it's never been serviced. I don't even want to think about how many rolls of film I've shot and the miles it has on it. My car should run as well!!

This is simplicity to the nth degree. Who needs all this automation anyway?

If you're interested in photograpy in more than just a casual way you owe it to yourself to learn how to shoot with a manual camera.

Go buy one. There are some around in the stores that specialize in used equipment. Try Olden or B & H in NYC.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

Many SLR's

I bought this camera new in 1977, has never let me down.

If you don't wish to LEARN photography, this camera is not for you. It will take pictures better that my ability will allow me to do.

Everything about this camera is excellent, it has taken pictures at the birth's of my two children who are now 23 & 20. I would never sell this camera, the metering is spot on and simple to use. the Gallium LED's are simplicity to use, meter the shadows and the bright areas and average to reading.I have the Nikkor 200mm, 24mm & 50mm and have just bought the Nikon E series 70/150 zoom. The viewfinder is a little dark according to some but it has never stopped me taking a well focused picture.

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Miranda Sensomat SE
Zenit 3M
Zenith B
Rollieflex
Nikkormat

This is one of the better constructed SLRs of the 1970s; it's extremely tough and can take a beating. The metering system (LEDs) is among the easist to read and the most reliable. All and all a great, relatively lightweight platform for the Nikkor AI and Non-AI lens system.

Can get pretty heavy with tele lenses and motor drive.

Get one of these if you enjoy non-digital, non-autofocus photography. It's a great worker, and you can pick up a used body for $150 or less.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Canon AE1 and A1