Durable.
Inexpensive even when new.
Use of battery is not essential.

1/1000 fastest speed.
DOF not very useful.

I have been owning it since 1980. A very good manual camera, from which one can learn how to take photo under one's full control. The LCDs aid novice in getting the right exposure. But I simply do not insert any battery and use my naked eyes to 'meter' the subject. Attach it will decent lenses and you will be proud of yourself when you see the good results. From my experience, it doesn't work good with slow lenses (e.g. f5.6), the split image focusing screen will get very dark. So, better fix it to primes e.g. 50mm 1.8. The combo is light and gives excellent results.

Until lately, I have begun to look at the F65 / F80, because they have the build in speed light. The FM disappointed me with a photo that I took in Greece. It was an evening, the surrending light was dim. I met a friend and had to take a picture at full aperture and 60s. I did not have a speed light with me, nor willing to take one for an overseas pleasure tour. From the picture, I can see the guy clearly as if the picture was taken at day time !! However, the picture taken from my friend's camera with a build in speed light tells the true details of an properly illuminated foreground and a sun set background. He laughted at me. But that was not the fault of the FM. I still perfectly happy with it. I will either bring with me a small speed light for fill in flash, or buy a F65 for light and convenient overseas trip. Or just bring the Rollei Prego 90. But the FM always gives me confident of taking good pictures.

Customer Service

Only needed once in 20 years. Indeed nothing wrong with the mechanic. Nikon only replaced the soft plastic strip near the mirror and the door. It was so mainly because of the humid weather in Hong Kong. The soft plastic melted. Otherwise, no service should have been warranted.

Similar Products Used:

It is my only SLR. But have used many P/S.

This camera is bomb-proof. I accidentally kicked it off a picknic table by getting the strap caught on my foot. Picked it up, and nothing was damaged at all! The camera is simple too, and you still have complete controll over the image, without any interference from a cpu that thinks it knows what you want. Also, the camera is compatible with almost every nikon lense ever made. With the md-12 it is still very fast, and I think it outdrives many of todays AF "wonder cameras". Finally, after about a day of practice, the camera is as quick to use as any AF camera.

i can't find another one, they are too popular!

This camera is probably older than me, but unlike me, it will last forever. I originally bought it as a backup for my N70, got the camera, and a 1.4 50mm lense for $200, what a deal! I soon found myself hardly using my N70. The simplicity of a true manual camera makes it faster, and easier to use than any of the over the top AF cameras out there now. I also noticed that my pictures began to get more of an individual style to them, instead of the cookie cutter results of my N70. Also, unlike the N70, I no longer have to shell out 15 bucks for batteries all the time. Heck, I don't even need batteries with this camera, all they do is power the meter! Bottom line, using a manual camera will make you a better photographer(provided you put in some effort, hey, nothing is free!), and the Nikon FM, is a simple, reliable and versatile camera to work with, and I would reccomend it to ANYONE.

Customer Service

never needed it

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N70, Nikon FE, F3

Compact, well-built, multiple exposures, fast GPD cells, excellent ergonomics, 1/125 flash sync, full information viewfinder, smooth operation.

non-interchangeable screens, flash sync not as fast as the FM2 and that's it.

This camera spring-boarded me into the Nikon system. Since then, I've gone AF and the FM sees just light duty. But at the beginning, this camera was an everyday shooter and an excellent one at that. It never failed and continued to produce image after beautiful image. A friend of mine had an OM-1 and we were always debating which one was better. Although the OM-1 is a great camera, the FM had a couple of items that the OM-1 cannot out do (flash sync, easier multi-exposure, more advanced metering). Eventually, I bought an OM-1. After using the Olympus, I realize more that the FM is the better camera.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

FE2, FM2, Minolta SRT's, Olympus OM-1

- simple
- dependable
- small & light

- mirror "bumpers" wear quite fast
- back's foam needs to be monitored (light leak prone;
- no flash management ability

The ones in the 2nd hand shops are getting quite old and should be checked for light leaks and mirror damping

Customer Service

Great, from 2nd hand shop

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6;Leica R5;Pentax MX/LX;Nikon FM2n

Very durable, well-built, precision engineered. Keeps on going like the Energizer bunny. Fully functional without batteries. Handles extremes of temperature and humidity well. Easy to use, simple, but give you excellent control. (Autofocus and auto exposure are for morons!) After twenty years it is still working perfectly. Works will all Nikon AI/AI-S lenses, older non-AI, plus many of the AF lenses (manually) too.

Standard Type K focus screen cannot be changed (FM2 and up you can change screens), and centred tends to black out in dim light or with small aperture lenses (like 500mm f/8 mirror).

I purchased a Nikon FM brand new in 1983, which I still have and use regularly. I picked up a second body in about 1987 (used) which I also still have, and use regularly. Both have travelled with me and have never broken down or given me any trouble. Keep them clean, don't beat them up too bad, and they will last a long, long time...

Similar Products Used:

None

Lightweight,no nonsense setting,able to work without batteries,self timer MLU function possible,DOF button...and the list go on....

erm...can't think of any..serves all my photography needs..

i got this camera at a steal price of US$166 in good condition.i juz ran 3 rolls thru it and checked the centre weight metering system with my F90x,it's working fine.very accurate.all the buttons,dials and lever are all situated at intuitive places.i figure out all functions in 15 mins of playing with it.although it only offers 1/1000sec shutter speed,i never had the need to shoot at that fast shutter speed yet.always between 1/30 to 500 max.a very good back up body,and it's a lot cheaper than FM2N.very solid feel and built to last.Very suitable for people trying out photography.no stupid mode to manipulate ur pix.u get what u set.GET it~!!

Customer Service

never try before

Similar Products Used:

F90x,F601QD

1) Durable
2) Solid feel
3) Simple Operation
4) Price

1) Discontinued

This camera should never be discontinue... It should be continue as a cheaper option to FM2n which is also a hell of a design. This body can be readily available in the 2nd hand market in great working condition. At a price so much lower than the FM2, and have a capability so close, it should be carefully considered.

Similar Products Used:

1) Nikon FM2
2) Nikon FM10