Built like a tank I have an FM and FM2, FE and FE2. Don’t use them much but I spend a lot of time showing them to my friends. Cherished possessions. Nikon ❤️
In contrast to the other commenter, I appreciate how fast you can rattle off all your knowledge off rip! You're very thorough about everything and it seems like you'd be able to do this effortlessly for any camera you've reviewed, like taking it back in your hands is like riding a bike. Thank you for another great video! the freezing at the end is too funny, please never change ken. lol
My dad sent me down the Olympus OM path in 1986, with an OMPC for my birthday. So, for 35mm film cameras, I have accumulated OM-1n’s, OM-2n’s, and OM-4Ti’s. And an Olympus 35SP rangefinder. My dad also gave me his old 1968 Minolta SRT-101. When I got into 120 film, I picked up a couple of Pentax 67’s. So, I was never in the Nikon film ecosystem, although I respect and admire the cameras, and have been tempted, from time to time, to pick up an FM-3a or an older FM or even an F2. Probably never happen at this point, because I’m not really a collector; but I enjoy your videos on these cameras.
@@rezzoc91 The OM-PC and OM-40 were basically the same camera, with different names for different markets. Agree it was easy and fun to use and get good results.
Hi Ken, Nikon sure has great old cameras that still work, and a lot of photographers have great memories of this classic Camera. And still being used today, it really stood the test of time. Nice one Ken. 😊
thank you ken. i just got my hands on one of these recently and was curious as to some of the features. this video helped clear up some things for me. for something made it in the 80s , it's surprisingly still in mint condition all black, and takes gorgeous pictures flawlessly. another beautiful tank from nikon
So happy to see a new review of a film camera, Ken. I just gave my wife a Fujica ST-801 and 2 rolls of film for her to take on her weekend trip. I myself use a Minolta 35mm camera with a couple of lenses whenever I go into the mountains. This all started in 2017 when I read your articles. We all used to shoot 35mm films back in the 90s and early 2000s, of course.
I just got my first FM (first manual Nikon camera) just the other day. I’m so excited to have an EMP proof camera in my collection and, I must say, it is a work of art. I was first thinking about the FE2 as seen in the Civil War movie but upon learning more about it, I realized it was completely dependent on a battery to run the shutter and it didn’t allow for pre-AI glass. I saw that the FM was the only one that was fully mechanical and allowed the oldest of the F glass, so that was my choice. Spent $240 to order a “MINT +++” (like new) FM from Japan. This was my early birthday present….for the next 10 years. 🥴
Ken - reading your review of the FE got me back into film ten years ago. I haven’t shot a digital frame other than iPhone ever since I picked up a Kodak Medalist II and Hasselblad 503CX (with CF 40mm f/4 FLE) after reading those articles. TMax 100. Cheers!
I used mine this last Friday. I like how all the information is presented in the viewfinder. I also like how easy it is to get good focus manually b/c of the good focusing screen. I wish there was a digital equivalent that was as bare bones. All DSLRs should have that depth of field preview lever, but alas. . . .
Love it! I remember back in The day we thought of this as a stripper camera, while obviously it was exactly what we needed before all sorts of fluff features were added. Important is how aperture and shutter speed always shown in finder, which wasn’t always the case in the 1970s
When I threaded the film in the pickup spools, I turned the rewind lever clockwise until the slack was off. That way you had a confirmation that the film was advancing.
All Nikon digital retro cameras are drawn heavily on the FM blueprint. The FE, has aperture priority auto. Then the subsequent respective version FM2 and FE2 have 1/4000s to assure sharp pictures even when the photogs are having a seizure. The MD-12 motor drive gives heft and power, I think it tops at 3.5 frames per second. The FM and FM2 models do not need battery for the shutter release, the battery is for light metering. The FE/FE2 shutter is battery operated except for Bulb and M90.
You forgot to mention to keep the film advance lever cocked out one click (what the visible red painted dot is for) to turn on the exposure meter. Keep it closed all the way in and you’ll have no meter. 😉
I ran a microfilm lab for a while, and I had to load film in the dark all the time so now when I’m loading 35mm film, I do It’s in the dark without advancing to 0 and I get 2 to 3 extra exposures.
I never thought I’d be old enough to hear someone refer to 76 batteries as “special cells”, but here we are… Learned to be a photographer with an FM, a 50mm f1.4, and a 100’ roll of Tri-X… I miss it.
I had Nikon FM, but I did not like the light meter system, so I only kept it as a back-up camera, I only used my Nikon FE cameras an my Nikon F3 cameras, The light meter system in the Nikon FE is the best one, Nikon F3 light meter system is the worst, so I most often used handheld light meters for incident light when I used Nikon f3 cameras.
Of course! Read all of www.kenrockwell.com/tech/how-to-shoot-film.htm , I get my film at B&H or Adorama; there are links to film at that link. Velvia kenrockwell.com/fuji/velvia-50.htm is for landscapes; Reala is for portraits (but its not made anymore) and ACROS 100 II for B&W.
Simple: because no one e shooters film except a few outliers, and for them, there are more than enough 35mm cameras already out there. There’s no business sense in putting resources into an unnecessary product then those same resources are needed for new Mirrorless products lots of people will buy. Never put it past Nikon to redo a classic, however, as they did with the S3 www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/rangefinder/s3.htm and fm3a www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/fm3a.htm thanks!
Ken's teasing us now that Fuji and Kodak have virtually shut the door on affordable film. I could get a roll of 35mm Velvia 50 for $12 in 2016, quadruple that now and out of date only, on auction sites. 😔
I sold almost all my hoard to a friend a few years ago. I prefer photos to process, and I get much better results much more easily with digital. Thanks!
AF-D lenses (www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm#afd, like the 50mm f/1.4 AF-D www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/5014af.htm) just pop on and off like every other lens. They are completely compatible with the D810. More at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm Thanks!
Real shooters know how to set exposure from experience - no meter needed. It’s really easy with negative film but tougher with slides. Like everything with film and music, it takes a lot of practice, and with that practice you’ll learn what settings you usually use in certain conditions, if you’re paying attention. Thanks!
Не позиционируется как лучшая профессиональная модель со всеми функциями, а позиционируется как базовая камера, подходящая для постоянного профессионального использования, особенно в качестве очень надежного резервного копирования. Спасибо!
Built like a tank I have an FM and FM2, FE and FE2. Don’t use them much but I spend a lot of time showing them to my friends. Cherished possessions. Nikon ❤️
Thanks!
In contrast to the other commenter, I appreciate how fast you can rattle off all your knowledge off rip! You're very thorough about everything and it seems like you'd be able to do this effortlessly for any camera you've reviewed, like taking it back in your hands is like riding a bike.
Thank you for another great video!
the freezing at the end is too funny, please never change ken. lol
I'm so bad. Thanks!!!
My dad sent me down the Olympus OM path in 1986, with an OMPC for my birthday. So, for 35mm film cameras, I have accumulated OM-1n’s, OM-2n’s, and OM-4Ti’s. And an Olympus 35SP rangefinder. My dad also gave me his old 1968 Minolta SRT-101. When I got into 120 film, I picked up a couple of Pentax 67’s. So, I was never in the Nikon film ecosystem, although I respect and admire the cameras, and have been tempted, from time to time, to pick up an FM-3a or an older FM or even an F2. Probably never happen at this point, because I’m not really a collector; but I enjoy your videos on these cameras.
I had an om40, it was one of the easiest 35mm cameras I've ever used. Not the most loved by many, but still very efficient!
@@rezzoc91 The OM-PC and OM-40 were basically the same camera, with different names for different markets. Agree it was easy and fun to use and get good results.
Thanks!
Hi Ken, Nikon sure has great old cameras that still work, and a lot of photographers have great memories of this classic Camera. And still being used today, it really stood the test of time. Nice one Ken. 😊
Thanks!
Your welcome Ken 😊
thank you ken. i just got my hands on one of these recently and was curious as to some of the features. this video helped clear up some things for me. for something made it in the 80s , it's surprisingly still in mint condition all black, and takes gorgeous pictures flawlessly. another beautiful tank from nikon
Thanks! Yip, found tossed out in the street and still shoots perfectly. I checked the meter: still dead-on.
So happy to see a new review of a film camera, Ken. I just gave my wife a Fujica ST-801 and 2 rolls of film for her to take on her weekend trip. I myself use a Minolta 35mm camera with a couple of lenses whenever I go into the mountains. This all started in 2017 when I read your articles. We all used to shoot 35mm films back in the 90s and early 2000s, of course.
Thanks!
I have Nikon FM and FM2N and use them a lot, really enjoyable. Probably the best cameras I ever had.
Thanks!
I just got my first FM (first manual Nikon camera) just the other day. I’m so excited to have an EMP proof camera in my collection and, I must say, it is a work of art. I was first thinking about the FE2 as seen in the Civil War movie but upon learning more about it, I realized it was completely dependent on a battery to run the shutter and it didn’t allow for pre-AI glass. I saw that the FM was the only one that was fully mechanical and allowed the oldest of the F glass, so that was my choice. Spent $240 to order a “MINT +++” (like new) FM from Japan. This was my early birthday present….for the next 10 years. 🥴
Thanks!
Thanks, Ken! Looking forward to new videos with 35mm cameras. ❤
They’re coming. Thanks!
Legendary camera.
Thanks!
Ken - reading your review of the FE got me back into film ten years ago. I haven’t shot a digital frame other than iPhone ever since I picked up a Kodak Medalist II and Hasselblad 503CX (with CF 40mm f/4 FLE) after reading those articles. TMax 100. Cheers!
Thanks!!!!
I used mine this last Friday. I like how all the information is presented in the viewfinder. I also like how easy it is to get good focus manually b/c of the good focusing screen. I wish there was a digital equivalent that was as bare bones. All DSLRs should have that depth of field preview lever, but alas. . . .
Love it! I remember back in The day we thought of this as a stripper camera, while obviously it was exactly what we needed before all sorts of fluff features were added. Important is how aperture and shutter speed always shown in finder, which wasn’t always the case in the 1970s
When I threaded the film in the pickup spools, I turned the rewind lever clockwise until the slack was off. That way you had a confirmation that the film was advancing.
Yip. Thanks!
All Nikon digital retro cameras are drawn heavily on the FM blueprint. The FE, has aperture priority auto. Then the subsequent respective version FM2 and FE2 have 1/4000s to assure sharp pictures even when the photogs are having a seizure. The MD-12 motor drive gives heft and power, I think it tops at 3.5 frames per second. The FM and FM2 models do not need battery for the shutter release, the battery is for light metering. The FE/FE2 shutter is battery operated except for Bulb and M90.
Thanks, right as I explain at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/fefm.htm Thanks!
You forgot to mention to keep the film advance lever cocked out one click (what the visible red painted dot is for) to turn on the exposure meter. Keep it closed all the way in and you’ll have no meter. 😉
This is an another version. See my full version at KenRockwell.com. Thanks!
I ran a microfilm lab for a while, and I had to load film in the dark all the time so now when I’m loading 35mm film, I do It’s in the dark without advancing to 0 and I get 2 to 3 extra exposures.
YESSSSS!! Thanks!
I never thought I’d be old enough to hear someone refer to 76 batteries as “special cells”, but here we are…
Learned to be a photographer with an FM, a 50mm f1.4, and a 100’ roll of Tri-X… I miss it.
Thanks!
Nice job.
Thanks!
Awesome video. Still wish you made longer videos.
Oh yawn! Longer videos? I'd rather be out shooting. Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV That’s true ! God bless you !
I had Nikon FM, but I did not like the light meter system, so I only kept it as a back-up camera, I only used my Nikon FE cameras an my Nikon F3 cameras, The light meter system in the Nikon FE is the best one, Nikon F3 light meter system is the worst, so I most often used handheld light meters for incident light when I used Nikon f3 cameras.
Thanks!
Hi Ken, great video as always! Have you got qny recommendations on where to buy film and which film to buy (obviously it's Velvia)?
Of course! Read all of www.kenrockwell.com/tech/how-to-shoot-film.htm , I get my film at B&H or Adorama; there are links to film at that link. Velvia kenrockwell.com/fuji/velvia-50.htm is for landscapes; Reala is for portraits (but its not made anymore) and ACROS 100 II for B&W.
I wonder why all the the big brands have stopped offering film cameras, they could include at least one model each in their catalogue...
Simple: because no one e shooters film except a few outliers, and for them, there are more than enough 35mm cameras already out there. There’s no business sense in putting resources into an unnecessary product then those same resources are needed for new Mirrorless products lots of people will buy. Never put it past Nikon to redo a classic, however, as they did with the S3 www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/rangefinder/s3.htm and fm3a www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/fm3a.htm thanks!
Ken's teasing us now that Fuji and Kodak have virtually shut the door on affordable film. I could get a roll of 35mm Velvia 50 for $12 in 2016, quadruple that now and out of date only, on auction sites. 😔
I sold almost all my hoard to a friend a few years ago. I prefer photos to process, and I get much better results much more easily with digital. Thanks!
Hi Ken, off topic, but how do you mount d lenses on a nikon d810? Please kind Sir.
AF-D lenses (www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm#afd, like the 50mm f/1.4 AF-D www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/5014af.htm) just pop on and off like every other lens. They are completely compatible with the D810. More at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm Thanks!
I'm going to have to bring mine to the shop. 2nd one won't work with aperture. Will focus though.
Thanks for answering!
The batteries only power the meter so if the die, the camera still works. Of course you now need an external meter😊
Real shooters know how to set exposure from experience - no meter needed. It’s really easy with negative film but tougher with slides. Like everything with film and music, it takes a lot of practice, and with that practice you’ll learn what settings you usually use in certain conditions, if you’re paying attention. Thanks!
Yes real shooters do know from experience and yes negative film is more forgiving, but having right or close makes life easier.🙂
Resolution???? 😝
Here’s my article on the resolution of film www.kenrockwell.com/tech/film-resolution.htm
Вероятно всё-же это не профи модель)Ф.Ф2.Ф3 профи модели были.
Не позиционируется как лучшая профессиональная модель со всеми функциями, а позиционируется как базовая камера, подходящая для постоянного профессионального использования, особенно в качестве очень надежного резервного копирования. Спасибо!
Slow down the video, You sound like Mickey Mouse
Easy fix: find the gear icon and set playback speed to 0.5x. Honest, the setting is there for this reason. Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV 0.5x is a bit too Garrison Keillor for my tastes
💯❤❤❤❤❤
köszönöm!
@@KenRockwellTV beszel magyarul? Wow! Great videos, thanks.
@@zoltanvarga1967 No, but Google does and my Dad always talked about Hungary. Zoltan and Varga are very famous Hungarian names!