Nikon FG

artAlexion · Feb 4, 2023

My FG is the first ”real” camera I ever owned. Bought it brand new and though I have cycled through a lot of cameras, I still have it. I have a fair amount of good glass to go with it and the motor drive. It was a great camera to learn on.

it has little to no market value. Mostly just a shelf piece.

Huss · Feb 4, 2023

If it is in good shape it is worth about $100. I love the form factor, and it is a ‘better’ camera than the FG-20 which I think replaced it. Black or silver?

Autonerd · Feb 4, 2023

It has a bad reputation which, as far as I can tell, primarily stems from people who haven't used one. As for me, it's my favorite Nikon (though the Nikkormat FT2 is a close second). Here's a review i wrote for PopPhoto.

Aaron

Paul Howell · Feb 4, 2023

When a working PJ I upgraded my F2 to F3P, I also ordered a FA with motor drive. I was assignment for a few weeks when I returned my F3 was waiting, but the shop sold the FA although I had already paid for it. As there was back order for FA and FE the owner let me have the FG, the motor winder and matched TTL flash at cost. My plan was to use it for a month or so until another FA came in. Turned out I quite liked the FG. Great back up to the F3, although it did have the build quality of the FA, metering was very good, it was light, the TTL flash was handy. My son still has the FG, doubt he has used in past 20 years. Don't know how well the FG has stood up, it was a consumer level camera, not intended for daily use.

AnselMortensen · Feb 4, 2023

My understanding is that it was 'one level up' from the EM...a viewpoint supported by looking at the wind lever.
Does it use the MD-E winder?
If so, more evidence.

Autonerd · Feb 4, 2023

It was, I believe, a replacement for the EM, not a better model. I don't believe they were sold concurrently.

Paul Howell · Feb 4, 2023

The FG could use either the MD-E winder which had a top FPS of 2 or 2.5 while the motor drive which I don't think worked on the
EM or the true motor drive which toped out at 3.5.

artAlexion · Feb 4, 2023

Huss said:
If it is in good shape it is worth about $100. I love the form factor, and it is a ‘better’ camera than the FG-20 which I think replaced it. Black or silver?

Silver

AZD · Feb 4, 2023

I used to have one, kinda wish I still did. It wasn’t as durable as other Nikon models at the time, but a good little camera, and it was quite small. Plus the Program exposure mode with AI-S lenses was nice. The +2 stop backlight compensation button was a great feature as well.

George Mann · Feb 4, 2023

I have one that I use with both the Series E 50mm, and a 28mm F3.5 Ai-S.

AZD · Feb 4, 2023

Autonerd said:
It has a bad reputation which, as far as I can tell, primarily stems from people who haven't used one. As for me, it's my favorite Nikon (though the Nikkormat FT2 is a close second). Here's a review i wrote for PopPhoto.

Aaron

I just read your article. I never knew that P mode also worked with older AI lenses. Now I’m tempted to get another one, even though I don’t need another Nikon body.

Sirius Glass · Feb 4, 2023

Autonerd said:
It has a bad reputation which, as far as I can tell, primarily stems from people who haven't used one. As for me, it's my favorite Nikon (though the Nikkormat FT2 is a close second). Here's a review i wrote for PopPhoto.

Aaron

I liked the review that you wrote.

Huss · Feb 5, 2023

Why is it that every FG is missing that little finger grip?

George Mann · Feb 5, 2023

Huss said:
Why is it that every FG is missing that little finger grip?

Not my minty example.

madNbad · Feb 5, 2023

Huss said:
Why is it that every FG is missing that little finger grip?

Stashed away in the original box. Next question, how many come with the original box?

Huss · Feb 5, 2023

George Mann said:
Not my minty example.

According to Japanese ebay sellers, that means it has fungus and possible separation.

ericB&W · Feb 5, 2023

Was my first camera, i wanted black but at the local shop had just silver and
black never arrived so i bought silver, then some years ago i saw a quite
immaculate black FG at Ebay from Germany and i was so nostalgic about it
that i bought and after added the MD 14 .
Great Giorgio Giugiaro design , in my opinion one of the most beautiful
slr cameras , weak point , vibrations at low speeds, for this reason i added the
MD 14 .

George Mann · Feb 5, 2023

Huss said:
According to Japanese ebay sellers, that means it has fungus and possible separation.

But no dents dings or scratches mind you.

Roger Thoms · Feb 5, 2023

George Mann said:
I have one that I use with both the Series E 50mm, and a 28mm F3.5 Ai-S.

I have my FG paired with the Series E 50mm, and a nice Billingham bag to carry it in.

Roger

SteveInConverse · Feb 5, 2023

Huss said:
Why is it that every FG is missing that little finger grip?

Same problem with the majority of FA's out there. You can buy the little grip for $40-50 which is ridiculous.

Paul Howell · Feb 5, 2023

Or a MD 14, might cost less. The finger grip was detached to allow the MD 14 to fit as was the e winder, not too sure of the E.

Huss · Feb 5, 2023

When I sent my Pentax LX in for service to that one famous Pentax guy… it was returned with the finger grip missing. He claimed it didn’t arrive w the camera. Uh huh.
Those things are $70 now.

Roger Thoms · Feb 5, 2023

My FG still has it’s grip, so I guess I’m fortunate, I had no idea that they go missing. Seems like that the grip would be easy to 3-D print.

Roger

eli griggs · Feb 10, 2023

I added an inexpensive and an adapter to use my Hasselblad lenses on and it's small size factor tucks nicely in the bag.

Huss · Feb 10, 2023

eli griggs said:
I added an inexpensive and an adapter to use my Hasselblad lenses on and it's small size factor tucks nicely in the bag.

Dood, stop mentioning you have Hasselblad gear if you want someone to give you a Leica!

Nikon FG

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