Best Cheap Nikon body

bobwysiwyg · Aug 23, 2008

For something lighter weight or less costly, look at the FE or FM.

+1 I have one of each and they are my 35mm cameras. Have used them since the '70's and they are rock solid.

k_jupiter · Aug 23, 2008

Funny, the Nikon sits around a lot these days. Not that there is anything wrong with it, just when I decide to shoot 135, I pull out the Zorki 1. Completely different look to the photographs. Not that you can use one of those professionally, but then again, I am not a professional. If I have to take a picture, I mean HAVE to... the FM2 never lets me down. I have only used 2 lens on this camera in 22 years... the 35mm 2.0 and the 105mm 2.5.

tim in san jose

Richard Kelham · Aug 24, 2008

Like Tim and others, I'd advise against buying an EM, and that's based on experience: the metering system was never much good, became erratic, then died. Then bits started falling off. I'm amazed there are still any out there that still work.

kodachrome64 · Aug 28, 2008

I agree that good pro bodies can be had for peanuts today. I just got an F100 in perfect condition for $249, and many get them cheaper. F5 can be had for pretty cheap too, but most of them on *bay seem pretty beat up, IMO. The F100's that are available seem to be maybe in better condition, perhaps because they were popular pro "backup" cameras. It's just unbelievable to get that much camera for that little money. And the 50mm f/1.8D AF lens is a bargain for $109 at B&H.

Nick

PhotoJim · Aug 28, 2008

If you liked the EM, you will like the FG more. Well worth considering.

I'd also give serious thought to getting an autofocus body, even if you are going to use it with manual lenses for awhile (or even forever). AF bodies seem to depreciate faster than manual ones, but usually have many more features. For example, a clean F801/N8008 has a 3.3 fps motor drive, shutter to 1/8000 second, and takes easy-to-find, cheap AA batteries and can be gotten in KEH BGN condition for under fifty bucks. (The F801s/N8008s adds a useful spot meter for ten or fifteen extra dollars.)

At the current prices of film cameras, I tend to just get one of everything . You can get cameras for different situations. It isn't overkill to have two or three 35mm SLRs, particularly if they can use the same set of lenses. (I admit that I have too many, but the core bodies are great and the others would get so little in resale that I might as well keep them for occasional use. They do all get used at least every year or so.)

Muihlinn · Aug 28, 2008

PhotoJim said:
At the current prices of film cameras, I tend to just get one of everything .

frankly speaking I'm with Jim, I'd save a bit and will buy either a F4s or an FM2.

John_Nikon_F · Aug 28, 2008

I eat my previous words about the F4s being lighter than the F5. My current F5 feels lighter than the F4s. *shrug*

With respect to the debate, FM2n's can be had for cheap. My latest FM2n is one that I paid $62.75, including USPS Priority mail for. It's ugly, and probably needs refoaming, but the meter works perfectly, shutter's accurate, etc.

-J

Stan160 · Aug 29, 2008

Best bargain in Nikon bodies: The N90S (aka F90X). Picked up a BGN grade body, including MF-26 data back, from KEH for US$49 earlier this year. At the time, they had one without the data back for US$39.

If you do get one, make sure it is the "S", not a plain N90.

Ian

antonyg · Sep 2, 2008

Why not a Pentax KM, there are far superior to the Pentax K1000. They have Depth of Field preview, and a Self Timer, and a few more accessories than the K1000. They cost less as they were not the standard Photography student's course Camera, which for some lasting reason has, inflated their second hand value. Most importantly the KM was Japanese made circa 1975-6, and if need be a full repair service can have this Camera, as good as it was in 1975. I've done this and used my KM for slides, very accurate .

waynecrider · Sep 2, 2008

For a $100 you can get a N80, and although it doesn't have the romantic factor of a full metal jacket body, the features are all top notch and it includes a grid screen that one can turn off. With the pop up flash and AF it makes a quick family shooter and it's light and quite silent.

Eric Rose · Sep 2, 2008

What's cheap? It's all relative. You can get a N90 for between $90 to $125 in great condition (one of the best Nikons made IMHO) or an F5 for $450. Both cheap when compared to their new prices. I love my F5 and my N90s's.

I have 4 N90s bodies. When one breaks I just chuck it and buy another one.

Paul Sorensen · Sep 3, 2008

I just looked at KEH and noticed that an FE is now less than $100 in excellent condition or an FE2 for $99 in bargain. Either one would be a fantastic body and they do fit your requirements. Also, an F3HP is only $140 in bargain. Any of them are strongly recommended.

darinwc · Sep 4, 2008

if you liked the compact body of the EM, then the FG will be a straightforward choice.
I have an FG and I really like it, allthough I was dissapointed with the motor drive accessory.
I also have an FE2 which is a step above the FG in many ways, is a little wider but otherwise still compact compared to the F3-5 cameras. As said above the AF bodies are comparable prices to the older manual bodies.

As far as reliability is concerned, also take into account the amount of use a camera may have had.

Steve Smith · Sep 4, 2008

darinwc said:
I have an FG and I really like it, allthough I was dissapointed with the motor drive accessory.

I have the motor drive too. The disapointing thing for me id the number of AA batteries it takes and the short life of them.

I really like the FG too. On occasions I have thought about buying something else such as an FM, FE, F3, etc. but for the amount of time I use 35mm, there is not much point.

Luckily my thumb still works so I don't use the motordrive.

Steve.

catem · Sep 4, 2008

I'd go for the FM2 also, though since I have had my FM3A the FM2 has seen far less use, mainly as spare. I know the FM3A's are (or were) pretty pricey but it's a great camera if you could find a body at a reasonable price.

darinwc · Sep 4, 2008

Steve: get some good NiMH rechargable batteries. They last longer than alkalines for me in digital cameras and will save you money in the long run. I didnt like the motor drive of the FG because 1. there was no shutter button on the handle and 2. the handle did not come up far enough. So it was mainly ergonomic reasons. Do you know if the motor drive built for the EM will work on the FG?

djacobox372 · Sep 30, 2008

FA's can be had now on ebay for <$100.... personally I'm a fan of the FE or FE2 the former of which can be found for less then $100 (Fe2's typically go for a little over $100)

If you don't mind a plastic shelled body, the F90 is a steal at about $60.

dynachrome · Oct 3, 2008

The Nikkormat FT2 is my favorite inexpensive Nikon body. It has a hot shoe, takes MS-76 batteries, works equally well with pre-AI, AI or AIS lenses, will work with lenses with no prong in stop down mode and will fire its shutter at all speeds without batteries. The FT2 also has mirror lock-up. An overhaul will cost about $125 from a qualified repair facility like Essex Camera Service in Carlstadt, NJ. The fine focusing collar around the microprism will work well even in low light or with slow lenses.

I have two FE bodies. These give you the advantage of interchangeable focusing screens and a more modern and sensitive meter. These are also old enough that most of them need new seals even if they are otherwise in good shape. You have only 1/90 without batteries and there is no mirror lock-up. The advantage of the FE is that it is much less expensive than a typical FE2.

An EM or FG or FG20 is someting of a gamble. You could get one and it could work well for years or it could stop working the next day. The FE was much better made than any of these. The mechanical Nikkormats can sometimes suffer from a problem with the meter. If the needle is jumpy it could be that the mechanism is dirty. This is an easy repair. If the meter strip with the special coating is worn then a repair is more difficult. If you see an FT2 in nice cosmetic condition there is probably plenty of life left in the neter strip.

jgcull · Oct 3, 2008

The FG is my favorite camera I've owned. I love the way it meters. Mine finally broke beyond repair and I got an FM2 (and I like it), but one of these days I'm gonna get me another FG.

djacobox372 · Oct 21, 2008

elekm said:
The FE is a very good body. I Also like the FT3, although it's bigger and heavier. The FM is a good camera but is a bit overpriced.

I just sold a mint FM on ebay for $75... so the price isn't that bad.

Best Cheap Nikon body

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