Nikon FG or EM?

jay moussy · May 10, 2020

I have both bodies needing testing and one may be adopted as a go-everywhere, rough-handling camera.

Assuming both work well, which one, for the purpose stated?

Paul Howell · May 10, 2020

I had an FG as a backup to a F3, along with the motor drive, I quite liked the FG, but it is not any where near pro build, I would not subject it rough handling, The EM is based on the same body, just fewer features, between the 2 the FG.

Arvee · May 10, 2020

FG>1982, EM>1979, FG>Program, Aperture Priority modes, EM>Aperture Priority only. As Paul indicated, both bodies are designed for consumer use, not a Pro build. I do like my FG, compact and light weight.

BobD · May 10, 2020

FG is much more versatile and might be slightly better built but I wouldn't call either one suitable for rough handling.

If you want an economical, rugged camera I would get a Nikkormat.

Dan Fromm · May 10, 2020

I've had both. The FG offers full control of shutter speed and aperture, the EM doesn't. Both did what I needed -- I hung them behind a mirror lens and the body select shutter speed -- equally well, but I much preferred the FG for everything else.

narsuitus · May 10, 2020

When shooting in a hostile environment, I use my inexpensive Nikon EM to substitute for my more expensive Nikon F4. The EM is a good go-everywhere, rough-handling camera that can be used and abused and then discarded.

Nikon EM (left) by Narsuitus, on Flickr

jimjm · May 10, 2020

The FG solely for the additional exposure modes. Build quality of both is about the same.
For a rugged, go-anywhere camera that is still compact, an FM or FM2 is better with mechanical shutters and sturdier build.
If size is no issue and still low-price, the Nikkormats are tanks and will survive the worst pandemics. Nikon F and F2 are just as durable, but a bit pricier.

Ko.Fe. · May 11, 2020

I'm not combat warrior. I have no problem to use EM just as film camera. I like its small size, build quality and simplicity.

jay moussy · May 13, 2020

Well, I loaded a Kentmere 400 in the FG an captured some nature around the yard, late afternoon light.
Priority mode.
I did not even bother with double-checking exposures, who knows, the body may have leaky seals, we will see.
I like handling it, even better than what I remember of my FM.

Paul Howell · May 13, 2020

I really liked my FG, when I was working the wire service my employer had a deal to pay for part of an upgrade from my F2 to a F3P, I ordered the F3 and a FA. I left for assignment and was gone for 3 weeks, when I got back the F3 was in, but the manager sold my FA to a shooter from the Times. I was really pissed so they sold me the FG at cost, along with a motor drive. My plan was to keep the FG for a couple month and then replace with a FA, I kept it, used it much more than I would have thought. The motor drive is 3 1/2 FPS with auto rewind, had the TTL flash, not a great guide number, but worked very well in tight places. Still not a pro level build, but those on the market usually are in pretty good shape. The FG came as a kit, the camera, a 35 to 70 E lens, flash, in nice metal yellow case with Nikon in black letters, all I have left is the case.

pentaxpete · May 15, 2020

my Wife was GIVEN an FG by a Widow Lady and now she uses her 'gadget' to take photos so I have 'Taken Over' all her NIKON Gear -- I have used the FG with a Mecablitz and the Nikon Module and it works well with TTL flash .. The Film 'Winder' lever is a bit 'Suspect' though. I renewed the foam seals.
I show the FG with a NIKON AF zoom 35-80mm given by a now-deceased Camera Club member to my Wife .

jay moussy · May 15, 2020

The life of objects. If they could tell stories.

Well,my FG body must have been from the reuse & recycle shed we have at the town dump, and I paired it with a semi-modern, low-grade Nikon 50 mm AF lens for now - from a bag o' cameras I once bought of Craigslist...?

Test roll in right now, but frame count window and counter are busted, so, I may have a few frames left!

Helge · May 20, 2020

The EM is a perfect example of the old industrial design adage of "it's as much about what you leave out as what you put in", or less is more.
The EM is Nikons original's version of the aperture priority consumer camera that Pentax ME pioneered.
The FG is a muddling of that concept. And not a good one like the Pentax ME Super.
It feels between chairs, and to me strangely cheaper and less roust than the EM.

The EM is also one of the three Nikon designs that can be attributed to Giorgetto Giugiaros own hand with certainty.

It's a lovely little camera, with just about everything you need to do any kind of photography, and better build than you'd assume. Only structural thing missing is ball bearings in the advance, though I've never seen an example of that part failing.
The E Series lenses are light and small, and excellent and fits perfectly with the rest of the design.
I'd say, if you are enthusiastic about it, get the original blue button version of the EM, and the original all plastic outer shell lenses. Those are the purest form of the concept.

The only criticism I have is the lack of exposure lock, which the FG also lacks.
You can of course use the back light compensation button or the ISO wheel to do the job, though it's not ideal.

GarageBoy · May 21, 2020

You all forgot the fg20 exists - it's an fg without the program mode - aperture priority and manual only

Helge · May 22, 2020

GarageBoy said:
You all forgot the fg20 exists - it's an fg without the program mode - aperture priority and manual only

Probably the worst SLR Nikon ever made.
That it’s halfway decent tells you something about Nikon.

jay moussy · May 22, 2020

I took the EM out yesterday, casual walk-around, to Provincetown, the town on the tip of Cape Cod.

I was happy as a clam using it.
Very light, tucks under the arm nicely with the stock E 50 mm lens.
I could see adding a fanny pack to carry a small zoom lens for versatility.

By the way, this EM is just looking absolutely new, not a wear mark anywhere. A odd purchase that was left on a shelf?

Ko.Fe. · May 22, 2020

Helge said:
Probably the worst SLR Nikon ever made.
That it’s halfway decent tells you something about Nikon.

I had it and it was nothing wrong with it. My mistake was to use it with 50 E lens.
Worst lens ever made

MartinCrabtree · May 22, 2020

Ko.Fe. said:
I had it and it was nothing wrong with it. My mistake was to use it with 50 E lens.
Worst lens ever made

Really? Not my experience. Electronic capture but still......what do you say it lacks? Not a stellar lens but above average especially since it cost me $6 USD.

Helge · May 22, 2020

jay moussy said:
I took the EM out yesterday, casual walk-around, to Provincetown, the town on the tip of Cape Cod.

I was happy as a clam using it.
Very light, tucks under the arm nicely with the stock E 50 mm lens.
I could see adding a fanny pack to carry a small zoom lens for versatility.

By the way, this EM is just looking absolutely new, not a wear mark anywhere. A odd purchase that was left on a shelf?

Many of them was bought as classic mom-cams. Taken out twice a year when social conventions mandated photos be taken.
Or put in the back of the closet, when it was soon deemed too much to learn to focus and set aperture, going back to her trusty Trip 35.

Many of these are in excellent shape. Nikon didn’t cheap out on the plastic either. It’s fiber reinforced.
One weak spot can be the battery contacts. Which are easily cleaned. Or the aperture follower not quite making contact. Which can be massaged away.

For a bag you need this bad girl:

Custom case in a very unique nice color. It fits the camera two extra lenses and a flash.

It’s interesting to note that Nikon dedicated the rooms in the bag for the 35, the 100 and the 50mm E Series. The very lenses that are deemed the best primes of the series by posterity.
The best Zoom is of course the excellent 70 - 210 f4. Nikons answer to the Beer Can.

The SB-E flash is also noteworthy. It is quite advanced and very good for daylight fill with the better than average 90 sync speed.

j-dogg · May 22, 2020

My first Nikon was an FG, EM is a glorified point and shoot.

Both good cameras on their own merit but if I had to choose it would be another FG

Helge · May 22, 2020

j-dogg said:
My first Nikon was an FG, EM is a glorified point and shoot.

Both good cameras on their own merit but if I had to choose it would be another FG

Then there is a heck of a whole lot of glorified point and shoot SLR cameras out there.

Program mode and TTL flash does not magically transform a camera into a different category.

The EM’s ultimate failing was probably that it wasn’t a point and shoot.

Upscale point and shooters, like the AF L35 meant that woman who really didn’t gave a rats arse about photography, finally could have good enough results, without knowing anything but pointing and shooting.
Really going full circle back to the Brownie.

Ko.Fe. · May 22, 2020

MartinCrabtree said:
Really? Not my experience. Electronic capture but still......what do you say it lacks? Not a stellar lens but above average especially since it cost me $6 USD.

View attachment 246721

I wasn't taking it in color. Tried it on bw film and it was awful. Supposed to be good lens. Mine was with silver rim or something which makes it better version .

Huss · May 22, 2020

MartinCrabtree said:
Really? Not my experience. Electronic capture but still......what do you say it lacks? Not a stellar lens but above average especially since it cost me $6 USD.

View attachment 246721

Interesting, an Italian Harley Davidson.

Helge · May 23, 2020

Ko.Fe. said:
I had it and it was nothing wrong with it. My mistake was to use it with 50 E lens.
Worst lens ever made

Just really needs a shade, preferably the original collapsible rubber shade, which makes it completely unobtrusive.
Compared to the standard 1.8 it’s about as good with very, very small differences wide open, but flares and veils more easily due to simpler coatings.

Arvee · May 23, 2020

Ko.Fe. said:
My mistake was to use it with 50 E lens.
Worst lens ever made

Did you buy it brand new? I used one for a while and found Helge's comments to be spot on in comparing it with several other nikon 1.8 lenses I have. I suspect you tried a bad sample or perhaps it was a used lens that had been tampered with?

Nikon FG or EM?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency