Nikon FM10. Do you like it?

I have two K1000 bodies. They're great. I don't use them nearly as often as my FM10. For starters, my Nikon lenses are better than my Pentax ones. I trust my FM10 more. Mostly because the K1000s are 35+ years old and are starting to show it, whereas I know everywhere and everything that my FM10 has been through since it came off the shelf at B&H. Additionally, I think the FM10 is a better camera. It's lighter. It has a better interface. It has a "safety" that keeps you from accidentally tripping the shutter, the light meter is more precise, it has a built in self timer (the K1000 has none of these). It goes up to 1/2000th shutter speed (K1000 only goes up to 1/1000th). The FM10 syncs its hotshoe at 1/125th (K1000 does so at 1/60th). Not that I use it often but the FM10 has a setting for double-exposure, which the K1000 doesn't. The FM10 has every option a fully manual camera could have. As good as the K1000 is, there have been advancements, even among fully manual cameras, since 1976. Is the K1000 sturdier? Probably. But I've experienced nothing to say that the FM10 is lacking in the durability department.

My understanding is that Galen kept many cameras in his stable, including the FM10, from which he would put together a bag specifically tailored for a certain trip. He didn't always use the FM10, but he didn't always use his F4 either. When he wanted the FM10, he took it. When he wanted something else, he took that instead.

Comparing to the FM2n, which I'll admit I've never had the pleasure of using, I'd still buy new for my workhorse camera (though I'd love to have an FM2n too!) because a) If I break a camera, I'd rather break one that's in production than one that has historic value. I know that if my FM10 happens to get trashed, I have absolutely nothing to worry about except the monetary value to me of its replacement b) I don't have to worry about problems the seller didn't tell me about. (I was on a trip once where someone found out at the summit that the self timer on the camera they'd just purchased "mint" on Ebay didn't work) c) I get a new camera that is in perfect (not "like new" or "mint") condition and is under warranty (which of course does not always help you). and d) I support the continued production of film cameras.

The F6 is still listed as in production on Nikon's website, B&H, and everywhere I can find online. There are a few threads about it on here that seem to indicate they produce around 25/month (if I recall correctly) and have the sources linked. Short of actually going to the factory and checking to see if they're putting any together I'm not sure how we could be more sure...at least that's my optimistic way of looking at it.

Also: I'm in no way saying that these other cameras aren't the wonderful machines that they are. I'm merely weighing in on why I use an FM10 in a professional situation, and rebuking its bad reputation that I so often see on the internet, both here and elsewhere.

The Pentax K1000 is itself classified as a student camera and nowhere near the build quality of the vintage Pentax products.

dhkirby said:

The F6 is still listed as in production on Nikon's website, B&H, and everywhere I can find online. There are a few threads about it on here that seem to indicate they produce around 25/month (if I recall correctly) and have the sources linked. Short of actually going to the factory and checking to see if they're putting any together I'm not sure how we could be more sure...at least that's my optimistic way of looking at it.

Also: I'm in no way saying that these other cameras aren't the wonderful machines that they are. I'm merely weighing in on why I use an FM10 in a professional situation, and rebuking its bad reputation that I so often see on the internet, both here and elsewhere.

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Wow...thanks for the info. Never would have thought.
I understand Why THAT 'F Model' is still being put together..... but i am sorry it is not the F2.

dhkirby said:

... If the new generation is to be able to choose film, they must be able to buy film bodies. Purchasing new shows the producers, in this case Nikon, that there is still a market for film cameras. They will only produce them if they believe there is a market. By buying my FM10 new, I "cast a vote," so to speak, for the continued production of film cameras. Besides this, you get a camera in literal mint condition, with a warranty.

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You make a good point.

I'd share some pictures I've made with it, but of course they could have just as easily been made with a different camera.

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Considering the adventures your camera has been through, I'd like to see a photo of it.

Drew: I'm sorry; you said "basic old manual Pentax" and that's where my mind automatically went. What models were you talking about?

CMoore: Yes! I've wanted an F6 for years now but most of the work I do doesn't really require it. I just got roped into doing a couple weddings, though, so if that keeps up it might just give me the excuse...

Theo: Sounds good. I'll post one tonight when I get home.

You can go clear back to the Spotmatics and even before. By now many of them will need new gasketing; but they were famously reliable under tough conditions. Later, a surprisingly solid yet tiny K-series camera was the MX. Of course, if you want a heap of camera choices and huge lens selection, Nikon cumulatively offers that.

There she is! Attached is a Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8D. Sorry about the quality. I had to use my phone...I didn't want to wait to develop & scan it and I don't have anything else dig*tal.
Most of the "damage" is to the finish. You can see on the upper left side where the neck strap has worn it away, or lower right where my finger has.

This one shows where my thumb has worn through the finish on the back.

Also thought you might get a kick out of this one. Attached is a Nikon ED AF NIKKOR 80-200mm 1:2.8D, an amazing lens that cost about 3x as much as the camera itself! (When I bought the FM10 it was still only $300) This combo has treated me well

dhkirby said:

There she is! ...

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Very nice, thank you. It's great to see a well-used and loved camera, something that's been with you everywhere for years and has produced good photos.

Dhkirby has a very good point that I have actually been thinking about: buying a new film camera is a "vote" from your wallet towards the continued production of film cameras. I can't afford a new F6 (but boy would I like to have that one), but maybe I will buy a brand new F10 in a year or so, for this very reason*. And also to use it of course.


*BTW this is also why I suggest that people try to use current film, particularly slide film (the most endangered kind of film) rather than buying frozen expired film on ebay.

So the old Nikon FM is working pretty well
Here are a few samples.

One more

The first and last were taken using the Nikkor 35-135 mm zoom, while the middle one was taken using the Nikkor 50 mm lens.

trondsi said:

The first and last were taken using the Nikkor 35-135 mm zoom, while the middle one was taken using the Nikkor 50 mm lens.

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Very nice.

CMoore said:

Wow...thanks for the info. Never would have thought.
I understand Why THAT 'F Model' is still being put together..... but i am sorry it is not the F2.

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No, it's not the F2, but it's also not an F5, or any other Nikon. It's a different beast but it's an amazing piece of machinery.

Theo Sulphate said:

Very nice.

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Thanks!