Nikon FM 10 ??

harlequin · Apr 30, 2023

Hello

Every once in a while I see these
Golden metallic Nikon cameras for $100 or less, questions

A) anybody own use this model pros/cons?
B) I have a older f2 model this new camera doesn’t look nearly as robust?
C) was thinking of point and shoot with my 35mm f2 AI lens.
D) Metering is it led like the earlier FM models, accurate?

Thanks for your responses many of the old Nikons I have used all seem to have the internal light meters identifying as Non-Op.

Harlequin

Dan Fromm · Apr 30, 2023

Review: Nikon FM10

Hello, everybody! Many people are excited about the Nikon Z fc, Nikon’s latest hit. It’s an amazing camera that conjures the feeling of using a classic film camera and it’s not ex…

richardhaw.com

mpeterson · Apr 30, 2023

These were never very popular with Nikon purists - it's a plasticky rebranded Cosina (as noted in @Dan Fromm 's link) with a Nikon logo and F-mount. If I recall correctly, these mostly sold in a kit with a "Nikkor" 35-70 type of lens that didn't resemble any other Nikon lens - certainly it was Cosina-made, as well. No idea if the lens was any good. To your questions:
(A) Played with one in a store once, never actually shot film with it. I didn't find it to be inspiring during the few minutes I held it.
(B) I wouldn't consider these robust cameras - not anything (_at all_) near your F2. Whole different kind of camera targeted at a whole different kind of shooter.
(C) For a budget of around the $100-ish point you mention, you can find Nikon FM or FE cameras in good working condition that are almost certainly much more robust than this.
(D) Yes, IIRC it's a +/•/– center-the-LED meter readout

Chan Tran · May 1, 2023

While Cosina made some great cameras and lenses the FM-10 wasn't good. I guess Nikon wanted a real cheap camera for their line up.

Jim Jones · May 1, 2023

Long ago I bought one to give to a friend. It soon developed several deficiencies. Real Nikon equipment was much better.

Nitroplait · May 1, 2023

harlequin said:
C) was thinking of point and shoot with my 35mm f2 AI lens.

A manual camera hardly qualifies as a P&S. If you want to go that route, consider one of the small EM/FG/FG20s, or an FE. The latter in good condition has seen a rise in recent years and may be outside your budget.

Mogens · May 1, 2023

If you're looking for an all automatic camera to use with your 35mm AI, I think you might be out of luck. Hopefully someone will correct if I'm mistaken, but I believe the cameras aren't capable of adjusting the aperture of the lens. So with that lens, the most automation you can expect is aperture priority (with any of the cameras that Nitroplait mentioned and others). If you wanted a Nikon SLR "point and shoot" you'd an autofocus lens.

I don't think the FM10 or FE10 were good values (I think the people paying four figures for Bessa rangefinders, which are the same platform as these, are nuts).

Chan Tran · May 1, 2023

Mogens said:
If you're looking for an all automatic camera to use with your 35mm AI, I think you might be out of luck. Hopefully someone will correct if I'm mistaken, but I believe the cameras aren't capable of adjusting the aperture of the lens. So with that lens, the most automation you can expect is aperture priority (with any of the cameras that Nitroplait mentioned and others). If you wanted a Nikon SLR "point and shoot" you'd an autofocus lens.

I don't think the FM10 or FE10 were good values (I think the people paying four figures for Bessa rangefinders, which are the same platform as these, are nuts).

Well you can have either shutter priority or programed mode with the Nikon FA and AI lenses. But it seems that the FA is the only one that can do that.

Mogens · May 1, 2023

Chan Tran said:
Well you can have either shutter priority or programed mode with the Nikon FA and AI lenses. But it seems that the FA is the only one that can do that.

Wild. I knew it had matrix metering, but didn't know it could do P and S. It's crazy that there was only one body that allowed that.

Chan Tran · May 1, 2023

Mogens said:
Wild. I knew it had matrix metering, but didn't know it could do P and S. It's crazy that there was only one body that allowed that.

When they introduced the FA they also introduced the AI-S lenses which allows the FA to accurately set the aperture. With AI lenses the aperture set by the camera isn't accurate so... when in S or P mode and when the aperture is stopped down just before the exposure the camera takes another reading and adjust the shutter speed if needed.

Paul Howell · May 1, 2023

I have a Chinon CM-7 which is a Pentax K mount version of the FM, also made by Cosina. All manual, not real connection to the FM, FA, or FE, 3 led meter read out, averaging meter type. I bought mine to get the 400MM Tamron lens that came with it. Shot one roll of film. If you have a brace of AI or AIS lens it would make a good camera, personally I would get a FG, FG 20 or even a EM. With deeper pockets later model FM or FA.

Mogens · May 1, 2023

Chan Tran said:
When they introduced the FA they also introduced the AI-S lenses which allows the FA to accurately set the aperture. With AI lenses the aperture set by the camera isn't accurate so... when in S or P mode and when the aperture is stopped down just before the exposure the camera takes another reading and adjust the shutter speed if needed.

So is that the only difference 'tween AI and AI-S?

Chan Tran · May 1, 2023

Mogens said:
So is that the only difference 'tween AI and AI-S?

Some other differerences are the minimum aperture on the AI-S lens is always orange and there is a notch in the lens mount. Also I was incorrect. The FG and F301 both can control the aperture automatically in P mode. These 2 cameras don't have S mode like the FA. But the main difference is that the aperture stop down level on the AI-S lenses would stop the lens down linearly.

Mogens · May 1, 2023

Those are some subtleties of the Nikon system to be sure! I've only had the Nikkormat FT, Nikkormat EL, FE, FE2, F3, F4, and N80—those are the bounds of my direct experience. I'm using the FE the most.

BobD · May 1, 2023

I've played with the FM10. It seems fragile. Ditto the mystery zoom it usually comes with.

I would much rather have most any Nikon MF SLR or a Nikkormat.

Nikon FM 10 ??

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