[Nikon] FM | Film Cameras | 1977

FM

 The Nikon FM is a mechanically operated, interchangeable lens, 35mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured in Japan between 1977 and 1982 by Nippon Kogaku K. K. (now Nikon Corporation).

Released in 1977, the FM was introduced as the successor to the Nikkormat FT3, which had been launched only a few months earlier. It featured a completely new compact but rugged copper-aluminum alloy (duralumin) chassis, which would become the basis for Nikon's highly successful range of compact semi-professional SLR cameras.

These cameras were designed as a more reasonably priced alternative to Nikon's professional F-series cameras, such as the Nikon F2. They were all-new successors to the Nikkormat F- and EL-series amateur-level SLRs, but despite the lower price, they continued Nikon's reputation for high-quality construction, impressive durability, and technical innovation.

The FM has proven to be an exceptionally long-lasting and reliable camera. Over the next twenty-nine years, Nippon Kogaku used the same chassis and basic design philosophy (with some modifications) for the FE (introduced in 1978), FM2 (1982), FE2 (1983), FA (1983), and the limited production FM3A (2001).

The FM is made almost entirely of metal and uses a mechanical shutter. It is a manual-focus-only camera with manual exposure control. As a mechanical camera, the FM doesn't require batteries to operate (though two 1.5-volt 357, 76A, LR44, or SR44 cells are needed to power the light meter). The metering system consists of a gallium photodiode (with 60/40% center-weighting) that meters through the lens at maximum aperture. Its reading is displayed using a "center-the-LED" system with vertically arranged LEDs next to the +/O/- markers on the right side of the viewfinder, indicating overexposure, correct exposure, or underexposure, respectively. The photographer adjusts the aperture or shutter speed until the "O" LED lights up to indicate correct exposure. This system traces its origins to the Nikkormat FT of 1965, which used the "center-the-needle" system. The following Nikon FM2 uses an improved "center-the-LED" system.

For its time, the FM used a modern titanium-bladed, vertical-travel focal plane shutter capable of speeds from 1 second to 1/1000 second, with a bulb mode. The flash X-sync is available at speeds up to 1/125 second.

The body dimensions are 89.5 mm in height, 142 mm in width, 60.5 mm in depth, and weighs 590 grams. It was available in two finishes: silver with black trim and all black.

The FM accepts all Nikon F bayonet mount lenses, with certain limitations. Full compatibility requires lenses that support the Automatic Maximum Aperture Indexing (AI) specification. This includes most Nikon lenses made after 1977. Pre-AI lenses can be used, but only with stop-down metering.

Many newer Nikon and third-party F-mount lenses are also compatible. The major exceptions are G-type Nikkor lenses, which have no aperture ring and thus cannot properly control exposure, and DX Nikkor lenses, which do not resolve an image large enough to cover the 135 frame. All other AF Nikkor lenses can be mounted and used, but autofocus and Vibration Reduction (VR) will not be supported.

The FM features a "full information" viewfinder. In addition to the metering LEDs, the viewfinder also displays the set shutter speed and lens aperture for context. It is equipped with a fixed K-type focusing screen with a 3mm split-image rangefinder and a 1mm microprism collar.

Major system accessories for the FM include the MD-11 and MD-12 motor drives, enabling continuous film advance at 3.5 frames per second; the MF-12 data back, which allows the imprinting of date and time data on the film; and the SB-8E Speedlight, with a guide number of 82/25 (feet/meters) at ASA 100.

Note that there were two distinct versions of the FM, depending on how the light meter was activated when a motor drive was mounted. The original FM featured a rotary switch shutter button collar to lock the shutter or switch to motor drive mode when the MD-11 was mounted. The MD-12 activated the meter automatically, and the switch was omitted on later FMs (1979 and after). Nippon Kogaku also took the opportunity to make late FMs more robust internally than the earlier ones.