(Photography News International, Tokyo) Borrowing from its once highly acclaimed FM series of 35mm film cameras, this week Nikon announced a next generation model: the FM4. Interestingly, the FM4 is more a direct descendant of the fully manual FM2n rather than the hybrid FM3a.
As we would expect, the FM4 is a completely mechanical, manual focus camera, with manual setting of aperture and shutter speed. There is no aperture-priority mode as in the FM3a. Yet, this is not a simplistic entry-level camera: there are some surprises.
Here are the key FM4 features:
* metering: matrix, center-weighted, and spot; ISO 12-6400
* lenses: AIS, AI, and pre-AI (can be metered at full aperture), plus manual focusing of AF-D lenses
* eyepiece diopter correction: -3 to +3; eyepiece shutter
* separate self-timer and mirror lock-up; depth-of-field preview
* viewfinder: diagonal split-image plus microprism collar; interchangeable screens; selected shutter speed and aperture visible; meter LEDs + o - for exposure; flash ready
* shutter release lock plus cocked shutter indicator; threaded release
* shutter speeds: B, 1 - 1/4000; sync at 1/250
* TTL flash hotshoe and ready LED indicator in viewfinder
Availability: 2018.04.01; the expected price is Th$750 (750 Theos).
As we would expect, the FM4 is a completely mechanical, manual focus camera, with manual setting of aperture and shutter speed. There is no aperture-priority mode as in the FM3a. Yet, this is not a simplistic entry-level camera: there are some surprises.
Here are the key FM4 features:
* metering: matrix, center-weighted, and spot; ISO 12-6400
* lenses: AIS, AI, and pre-AI (can be metered at full aperture), plus manual focusing of AF-D lenses
* eyepiece diopter correction: -3 to +3; eyepiece shutter
* separate self-timer and mirror lock-up; depth-of-field preview
* viewfinder: diagonal split-image plus microprism collar; interchangeable screens; selected shutter speed and aperture visible; meter LEDs + o - for exposure; flash ready
* shutter release lock plus cocked shutter indicator; threaded release
* shutter speeds: B, 1 - 1/4000; sync at 1/250
* TTL flash hotshoe and ready LED indicator in viewfinder
Availability: 2018.04.01; the expected price is Th$750 (750 Theos).