I got bitten by the all-mechanical camera bug and found a Nikon FM for a good price.
I really like the Nikon EM, especially how small and light it is. The Nikon FM weighs 130g more than the EM and you can tell. The FM feels like a solid block of metal compared to the EM, heavier and tougher.
And I’m guessing the FM was made for the prosumer market, or the pro that wanted a second body. It was produced 1977-1982.
Other than the physical, the main difference to the EM is that the FM is all mechanical. There is a meter powered by two small batteries, but there is no automatic mode, and it works fine without batteries. You set the shutter speed and aperture, and you see what the meter says in the viewfinder. You also see the set shutter speed and aperture in the viewfinder.
Oh, the viewfinder! There’s a big difference to the EM. The EM’s viewfinder is small and dark compared to the FM.
As always, once I have photos taken with the FM, I will get back to you.
This does mean that the Nikon EM will be sold. And I will probably sell it with the Series E 50mm lens, and get something else for the FM.
It will be interesting to see how the experience compares with the Nikon EM.
