Buying the $40 Nikon EM After Selling the $$$ Nikon F3
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2023
- Surprising thoughts comparing the Nikon EM entry-level budget SLR to the pro-level Nikon F3...
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This was my family camera growing up and it’s totally responsible for me falling in love with photography. The simplicity and fun of it is still what I compare every camera to. I still use it occasionally and constantly use the 50 1.8 pancake on my digital cameras. It always makes me smile! So glad you got to experience it! ☺️
that's lovely Andy! thanks for sharing :)
Great video! I have an EM somewhere that came in a box of cameras I bought. My go to is my Nikon FA. I really like my Olympus OM2n too.
Nice!! Also fabulous choices, the OMs draw me with their size and lenses as well but I've never shot one
My daily carry is a Nikon FM, it’s a really well built camera that has enough manual control to enjoy shooting with but I also have an EM, it was the first film SLR I got and I still use it often, especially when I want something a bit lighter and quicker for candids.
I shoot mostly these days with an F2. And love the F3, but have had a long journey with my EM, which is on loan to a friend getting into photography (something else it is great for). And I think the EM is a highly underrated camera. I think it's size, weight, and simplicity are a real benefit to staying in the moment with just enough control. Especially if you edit your photos at all. It will be a lot less work if any at all.
Thanks for your video you re great photografer: bravooooo❤❤❤😊
Thank you for a very pleasant video to watch. There is a trick that allows the EM to make higher and lower exposures; ex. load ASA 400 film. make your first exposure at the camera's normal setting. Then set the film speed to 200 and 100 making exposures of the same image. these will be 1 and 2 stops overexposed. Then repeat with settings of 800 and 1600 ASA giving 1 and 2 stops under exposure. You can use this film speed trick to bracket your exposures even though the camera does not have bracketing controls. However, on the front left side of the camera is a little chrome (or sometimes blue) button that automatically gives you a 2 stop overexposure for a brite background and darker center subject.
Thanks!
I have an EM. Came with the 50/f1.8 lens, flash, and super -duper hard case! Great camera for everyday general shooting. I use mine like a point and shoot. Also, if your batts die it defaults to the 1/90 mechanical shutter setting (don't ask how I know). Small, light, compact, and you get to use some of the best Nikon glass!
I'm taking the risk for £20, got 2 roll film to play with. Can't wait to complete it. Nice info & photos you have. Cheers!!
Nice!! And thank you!!
I believe the m of M90 is for mechanical shutter 1/90th, not manual (but you do get, as on the FE, a single mechanical speed as it is otherwise an electronically controlled shutter)
I have both and love them both. This year, my sons are going to shoot with EM. Me with the F3. Wish me luck
Sounds great!! That’s so fun to shoot together and share the film experience, good luck!
I have a F, F2, F3 and F4. The F or F2 are the best built but the F3 is by far my favorite. It just feels right and is so easy to use and the built in matrix metering it has so far has always been spot on. I use it mostly in the Aperture Priority mode or Manual if the conditions are really difficult.
Yeah the meter on that camera is fantastic! That's a great collection you have too :)
nice video. I use primarily F2 & FM. Nippon Kogaku forever.
Haha awesome!!
Enjoyed your video. If you like smaller slr's, the Nikon FM might interest you. It's mechanical (great for cold weather), manual, and has a great meter. More importantly, it's still pretty affordable. It also has a flip up metering tab (like the F3) so you can mount any nikkor lens made since 1959.
the FM is a camera I've been eying up haha but then I think well I might as well go for the fm2 and that's much more expensive!
Unless you feel you would benefit from the extra shutter speeds the FM2 provides, the lowly FM will serve you just as well. Some folks say the shutter in the FM is even more reliable than the shutter found in the FM2. Both were designed to run with no lubrication and this makes them highly reliable long term. You can't go wrong with either.@@Eclectachrome
The EM is a very good budget buy but my favourite is my FM2N, rugged, fully mechanical and has never let me down over many years.
Yeah the FMs are awesome!
I have been shooting with Nikons since 1967 when I bought a used F and currently have several dozen of them. I bought an EM just to get the 50/1.8 pancake lens, but quickly discovered that combination is great for street photography. I set my f stop, hyper focus the lens to infinity and then tape it in that position so that the focus doesn't shift while I am carrying it. That has worked well for over 30 years. Very good video!
I have a nikon EM and love it for simplicity. Small and takes the ai and ais lenses
Awesome! Yeah I love the size and basic function, and the nikon lens range is great 👍
My fave Nikon is my F2A which I bought on my 19th birthday in 1977! But my fave to shoot is my F4.
The EM is pretty limited. It was replaced by the equally small FG which also boasted more manual as l functionality! Good video though!
Wow! Amazing you still have it! Oh yes I need to look at the FG, sounds nice, thanks for watching 😊
Nikon F3 -- another fun fact, in the 2013 Ben Stiller film, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, the legendary photographer 'Sean O'Connell' (Sean Penn) "still shoots film" -- and uses an F3HP in the movie (with the Nikon name taped over) -- but that is actually Sean Penn's personal camera.... Great movie too....
i loved it my 1rst Nikon and bought FE for 105mm nikkor Q there was a BELL AND HOWELL 135mm F2.8 i used on it
Nice!!
the camera makes a little pleasant beep-beep if you are over or under in shutter speed. nice talk! :)
thank you!!
Seems like a nice compact kit!
Yes!! Super light!
I have been using rangefinders (Olympus SP 30, Yashica Electro 35) and I noticed in the video that you said you had an F3 before you got into rangefinders. Was thinking about getting an EM. But wonder what you think in comparison to your rangefinders.
The biggest thing is the focus, I still prefer rangefinders since its easier for me to see the focusing patch, I have such a hard time seeing the focus on an SLR! So rangefinders still for the win overall for me 😊 might depend on the brightness of the patch but my L3 is pretty good 👍
@@Eclectachrome thanks I’ve just bought an EM so I’ll see how I get on when it arrives. I found the Yashica Electro 35 was slightly easier to focus using the patch than the Olympus 35 SP, but when I got the focus right the Olympus lens is a tad better and it’s a lighter camera.
nice! hope you enjoy it! it's such a great size for being out and about with it. I love the Olympus 35 cameras but yeah the Yashica Electro is nice for focusing! @@andrewp9115
I have a Nikon EM in my SLR collection. I like the viewfinder very much because it is bright and the focusing screen makes focus easier than many other SLRs. However, my copy needed new light seals, which I replaced myself. Also, the meter is off by 2 stops. I check this by metering on a well lit surface with both the camera and a digital Sekonic light meter. As a result, I have to change the ISO by two stops higher to make the readings match. For example, ISO 100 film is set to ISO 400 in camera. Once done, the camera produces excellent images. Compared to my other Nikons, I like the FM and FA better.
Ack that does sound like a pain to keep adjusting!! But nice to have fresh seals. The other ones those are super too! Are SLRs your favorite?
@@Eclectachrome Thanks! The meter adjustment only had to be done once as it seems to be stable after raising the ISO 2 stops. As for the seals, I used black cotton yarn for the back channels and adhesive neoprene foam for the vertical seals and mirror bumper. I have an Olympus 35S rangefinder that is really cute but needed lots of work to get the shutter unstuck and lubricated. However, it makes delightful images. I have quite a few SLRs of various brands and I rotate thru them for novelty. For most my serious work, I use a Nikon F5.
The EM are not bad cameras. I've had two, and that's the biggest problem; I've had two, and both have died on me. A few notes: The F3 also has a fully electronic shutter, so without batteries, you are locked into a 1/60" (mechanical override), but it does have full access to all shutter speeds in the metered manual. And yeah, the Series E lenses are great for the most part. the 50mm and 28mm are excellent lenses classified as AI-S lenses. Excellent results. But if I had to pick a choice for F-Mount cameras... I couldn't pick just one! My favs are the Nikkormat FT2, FE2, and F5.
The Series E 28mm lens is optically one of the worst lenses Nikon ever sold (made?). By comparison, the late version of the 28mm 3.5 Nikkor may be one of the best. Oddly, the Nikkor often sells for less than the Series E. Some of the other Series E lenses are very good and can be real bargains as well: 50mm, 100mm, 75-150mm zoom.
It seems like you are just getting started on UA-cam, so congrats and best wishes. If I could make one suggestion, it would be to balance your audio before you upload. I would guess that about 80% of UA-camrs don't do this, so please don't think I am picking on you. If you think about how most people are watching UA-cam videos, they probably fall into two groups: geezers like me who are playing the vids in their office after the kids are asleep; and younger viewers who may wear ear buds or headphones. The problem is that you, like most UA-camrs, are uploading a video with very soft audio for you voice and much louder audio for your music inserts. So it forces me to ride the volume knob, turning it up to hear you, then quickly turning it down when the music blasts on to the scene. And that wouldn't be good for the ear bud wearers either, from a hearing standpoint. It is surprising that UA-cam doesn't isn't using audio compression (to balance these two things), or maybe they are but the levels are so disparate that the software just can't balance them. Anyway, quite a long statement but it would add polish to your vids to have the audio balanced. All the best to you in your UA-cam journey!
Thank you! I never take offense to comments so worries about that haha audio is something I've not got right yet consistently. Do you have any suggestions on how to balance it? In my process, it seems fine from my end before publishing and that includes testing the audio with both speakers from different devices and headphones. Yet, on some people's devices there remains balance issues. Something I'm always working on!
just thinking aloud here... your video software (DaVinci, Premiere) have tools in their audio section that will balance the audio for you. You might start with a compressor and if that isn't powerful enough, you could use a limiter.
@@Eclectachrome
I love my F3 and FM2
Both excellent!!
It's strange that although I've owned a few 'fancy' SLRs, Nikon F4s, Canon T90, Olympus om2n and a Nikon F2AS with a 55mm F1.2 lens (the latter two of which I still have), I miss this little gem most of all. Simplicity itself to use and you won't cry into your cornflakes if you lose it (like the F2). Alternatives could include the cheap and cheerful Ricoh KR5, KR10 and KR10 Super (all of which I have and still use). These Ricoh's cost peanuts and are, for the most part, very reliable. They also accept the entire range of excellent manual focus Pentax lenses.
Cool!! The Ricohs are awesome too! Yeah that's one of the best things for me, I don't have to worry about losing a large cash investment and can be a little less gentle with it lol
I'm not a Nikon guy, but I would prefer the FM series if I had to. Full manual controls and a full mechanical shutter. But popular Models like an FM2n are in the same price range as an F3.
I have an EM or two -- and they work really well, but yeah, they do seem a little small/simple for a Nikon -- fun fact: Nikon's Camera Chronicle - Part 11: Nikon EM states: "The Nikon EM (Photo) was developed as a small, cute, easy-to-use "SLR Camera for Women", appealing to a market whose needs were not being met sufficiently by conventional heavy, "uncute" SLR cameras on the market at the time".
Thank you for putting up this video. I bought an EM in 1980. It was the first time I'd earned enough to buy something that looked like a proper camera. Heavy metal SLR's didn't do it for me. I paid £100 new for it, as I recall. Took some great pics with it, easy to use, and never had a problem. 3 years on, I was seduced by the new L35AF point and shoot, and the EM had very little use after that. Nevertheless, it was a great camera for me. Must say, not too impressed with some of your pics here. Is it that Candido film you're using ?
I mostly used Kodak, or Fuji 200/400, everyday films in my EM.
Youre welcome! It is a great camera 📷 in what way are you not impressed? Like film wise / or compositionally? If I remember right, my least favorite photos in this video were from Candido 800, a film I did not like lol but I also used Reflx 400D I think too which are my more favorite ones. Fuji 200/400 is awesome 👌
@@Eclectachrome I think it must have been the pics with Candido, film wise the colours seemed ill-defined and messy.
As for personal preferences, I believe a way better option to the EM (in terms of investment and camera options) would be the FE or the FA if you want similar automatism.
Hi Molly, it was hard for me to watch the vidio because the music was real loud transitioning from your soft voice.
I have the FE. I'm not a fan of the two needle metering but I still like the camera.❤
I found the same issue with the loud music
True. But Molly, you always chose perfect music. That last one, hach, what is this?
Go the EM. It does get a bit of Flack. I love my Nikons. Could never sell my F3. F3/FM3A/F5 get used all the time. Always looking to add minty black F and F2. Molly look for a Japan only 50mm f1.8 AIS pancake. (Not the e series) it’s a mega lens.
Lowest cost way to get into the Nikon F mount system, probably the best quality of the camera. Operates too much like a point-and-shoot camera with it's limited controls, which makes it not very exciting for me to own. Also checkout the FG series which are nearly identical to the EM, but with better controls.
Well said! I love the price and basic nature of the EM but yeah do browse the FGs and FM series
1rst with prog AIS
FM2 has full range of settings available without battery,
This is a great option! Slightly more expensive than the EM so less budget friendly but worth it if you have more to spend!
With film, unless you are talking shutter speed, or automation, it isn’t the body that matters, it is the lens.
You are less dependent on the sensor like digital.
And yes AI/AIS and E series, which is also AIS.
You don’t have to waste money on bodies.
AI, AIS and E series lenses are great and generally affordable.
Get a 28/2.8 AIS CRC, 50/1.4 AIS and 105/2.5 or 135/2.8 and you are set.
Yeah the body is more for function and experience, more auto or more manual etc self timer, aperture priority stuff like that, otherwise yeah the lens makes more of an impact...
I can’t unsee your crooked glasses. Cool music 🤭
thanks haha it's really my crooked face LOL
@@Eclectachrome you do know people adjust glasses for a living, ofc.
@@Rookmap yes and faces too haha
Well, you did ask for the fav Nikon F Mount camera. There are many but if people are interested in the EM then the FG is the EM on steroids. Small but with all the exposure modes missing from the EM but with mirror slap you'd sue for assault on the senses.
🤣🤣🤣 love it
Nikon EM (and fx FG) cameras is very cheap made, as is the Nikon E series Lenses. I will recommend Nikon FE.
thanks for your thoughts!
Pentax rivals the Nikon F3 for reliability. Bailey & I swear buy Pentax legendary build quality.
Pentax rocks!!
Wow that camera looks brand spanking new!
It's soo nice!!! Was well taken care of!
Sadly lost mine to an unattended child who proceeded to what I can only assume was stick their finger in the shutter curtain bending it inwards now I can’t justify the cost to fix it so maybe I’ll pick up a new one rip baby doll 😢…yes I name my cameras
aw nooooo that's heartbreaking!! haha I love the name! yeah sometimes the repair cost is more than a new old one so see what you can find! depends on repair services around you though and how much they charge.
Th EM was rushed into the market after Nikon failed to timely offer a small, light, auto-exposure model, and Nikon discovered that Pentax and Olympus were eating away its nonprofessional customer base. It doesn't look like a Nikon. It doesn't feel like a Nikon, and it provided practically no user control over exposure, very not Nikon. It was intended to draw new customers into the "Nikon Family" of long term users, but didn't attract that type of customer. It sold well, mainly on its "Nikon" name. Once the EM shipped, Nikon settled down to doing the job right, and it came up with the FG, one of the most underappreciated Nikon camera ever made. The FG does it all, perhaps the sophisticated Nikon of its day. Today, the FG and the EM sell for about the same used price. The FG was sold for a few years, then Nikon replaced it with the FG-20, which lost features and was more like the EM. Why? It seems the FG was eating away at Nikon's sales of the FM/FE models, so it had to go.
Thanks for the info! I'll have to check the FG prices around me, is the FG as small as the EM?
@@Eclectachrome The EM and FG are practically the same size. One thing to consider: the Nikon brand was reserved for the "professional" models, which was what they were known for; butfor the "popularly priced" models, they were branded differently. First came the Nikkorex, then Nikkormat, and finally Nikon proper.
Yes....and Fiat Punto '98 is build like BMW series 5. Oh, noooo.....that crappy camera is crippled trough and trough, parts inside are or stamped thin metal or plastic.
Nikon F3 is well oiled Singer machine. For real it is.
But! If works than it will produce exactly the same images...if settings are the same .....and if shutter is accurate.....if focus screen/mirror is adjusted for accurate focus, and if... 🙂....
------If works for you and you have satisfactory results then it is perfectly fine. Like every other film camera.----
Bye! 🙂
“Compared to the Nikon F3 I don’t really notice any major differences” 🤣 expect for all the plastic, no manual exposure mode, terrible winder, no mirror lockup or depth of field preview. Other than that 🤣
🤣 all the stuff that doesn't make a big difference to me, but yeah for others it might!
I love old cameras but the EM is the exception.
The E lenses are great value - yesterdays budget is todays premium lens.
Having had to repair them in the past - Any other Nikon film camera is a better choice... 🦘
Repair the EM? Yeah the lens is class!