Questions about NIKON EM film camera

Melvin Liew · Aug 23, 2019

Hi guys,
I'm getting my first 35mm film camera which is NIKON EM. I did some research regarding my camera but I'm still in the mist.

My questions:

1) Will my camera mount on AF-D lens? What are the disadvantage about mounting AF-D on my camera (Example: Light meter will not work?) I only know that my camera cannot mount Pre-AI lens but it can mount AI lens. Since AI lens is hard to buy in my country. That's why I'm deciding to buy AF-D lens.

2) What type of 3V lithuim battery will fit into my camera? Any specific battery type?

Chan Tran · Aug 23, 2019

Yes you can use the AF-D lenses on your camera without any problem. They work the same as AI lenses. If you can find the series E lenses you can use them too. I don't know about their availabilty and price in your country but in the USA they are the least expensive. They were actually made for the EM.
The lithium battery you need for the camera is CR1/3n. It takes the place of 2 MS76 or 2 A76.

Melvin Liew · Aug 23, 2019

Chan Tran said:
Yes you can use the AF-D lenses on your camera without any problem. They work the same as AI lenses. If you can find the series E lenses you can use them too. I don't know about their availabilty and price in your country but in the USA they are the least expensive. They were actually made for the EM.
The lithium battery you need for the camera is CR1/3n. It takes the place of 2 MS76 or 2 A76.

Thanks for the reply.

Why Nikon EM can't mount Pre-AI lens? Is it because of the mount is different than AI lens?

shutterfinger · Aug 23, 2019

Pre AI lens do not have the aperture coupling found on AI and later lens.

Jon Shumpert · Aug 23, 2019

Another reason you shouldn't mount pre AI lenses on the Nikon EM is that the lens could damage the aperture coupling tab on the camera. Af-D lenses will work fine on the EM. Newer Nikon lenses without an aperture ring can't be used.

mgb74 · Aug 23, 2019

https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/emfgfg20/em/index.htm (and, ironically, close to home)

As a rule, 1.55v silver oxide batteries (it uses 2) are easier to find. MS76, 357 or equivalent.

IMO, while you can use AF-d lenses, using an AF lens in manual focus mode is less than ideal. AF lens don't focus as smoothly in manual mode as a MF lens and their focus ring is often very narrow. If you have AF lenses, I'd say go ahead and use them. But if buying a lens, I'd say buy a MF lens.

Melvin Liew · Aug 24, 2019

mgb74 said:
https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/emfgfg20/em/index.htm (and, ironically, close to home)

As a rule, 1.55v silver oxide batteries (it uses 2) are easier to find. MS76, 357 or equivalent.

IMO, while you can use AF-d lenses, using an AF lens in manual focus mode is less than ideal. AF lens don't focus as smoothly in manual mode as a MF lens and their focus ring is often very narrow. If you have AF lenses, I'd say go ahead and use them. But if buying a lens, I'd say buy a MF lens.

Thanks for the input. It's sad that I can't get any cheap MF lens at my country. I will still get the AF lens since it's cheaper than MF lens

RalphLambrecht · Aug 24, 2019

Melvin Liew said:
Thanks for the input. It's sad that I can't get any cheap MF lens at my country. I will still get the AF lens since it's cheaper than MF lens

go right ahead. I never had any issue focusinf AF-lenses in mamual mode;mine are all smooth as silk.

drkhalsa · Aug 24, 2019

To use an af-d lens aperture ring manually, there is a small switch that locks/unlocks the ring so you can choose the desired aperture. Move the switch to the up position, then you can turn the aperture ring to the desired f-stop.

Questions about NIKON EM film camera

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