* Message Board for Nikon FM series bodies

(Full featured Site to distinguish the difference between the Nikon FM & Nikon FM2n

Introduced in 1982 as the replacement for the aged Nikon FM. The dimension and appearance are quite identical between this new & the old FM. But within the shell, Nikon has developed an innovative, unique titanium honeycomb pattern shutter that enabled FM2 to extend its working shutter speeds from the previous 1/1000 sec in the FM to a blistering fast 1/4000 sec! It was also the first commercial production SLR to have a fast 1/200 sec sync speed for flash photography. The ASA/ISO working range has also been generously extended to ISO 12-6400. The focusing screen section has also been addressed. It was now interchangeable with the 1978's Nikon FE Type K, B & E screens and usable with the later Type K2, B2 & E2 introduced along with the Nikon FE2 / Nikon FA later in 1983 (Exposure compensation required). Another noticeable feature was the inclusion of data back terminals at the rear section which means, the camera can use both MF-16 and the earlier cable-connected MF-12. It accepts both the MD-11 or the newer MD-12 for a reduced speed at 3.2 fps in automatic film advance. The F-mount has removed the popular retractable meter coupling lever with this model (curse ...) and thus, older Nikkor lenses would require to be modified to a minimum spec of Ai before it can be used on this Nikon FM2.

* Nikon FM2n or called as New FM2 in Japan, 1983
| Instruction Manual | (HTML) for various Nikon FM2(n) models

* Message Board for Nikon FM series bodies

An upgrade of the original FM2 in 1982 with refinement made in its top sync speed from 1/200 sec to 1/250 sec. This update occurred soon after the debut of the revised Titanium Honeycombed pattern shutter design used in the electronic Nikon FE2 and the multi-AE mode Nikon FA of 1983. But until today, the FM2n still holds a distinction as being one of the fastest mechanical SLR available. Further updates ? oh, yeah .. the much advertised vertically traveled honeycomb pattern shutter curtain has been replaced with a less distinctive-looking aluminum blade-type curtain which probably occurred during the period between 1989/90. Thus, there are a total of three versions of standard mass production Nikon FM2(n). Along with the time proven Nikon F3, the classic Nikon FM2n was also one of the longest serving Nikon SLR camera model that has sprung across from 80' to the early 2001 and eventually discontinued with he debut of the hybrid Nikon FM3A

Standard production Nikon FM Series models:- Nikon FM | Nikon FM2 | Nikon FM2n | Nikon FM10 | Nikon FM3a |
Known variants:- Nikon FM Gold | Nikon FM2/T | Nikon FM2N Tropical Set | Nikon FM2/T Limited Edition | Nikon FM2N LAPITA | Nikon FM2n Millennium 2000

Nikon FM2n/T, 1994	Nikon FM2n Millennium Model, 2000

Nikon FG, 1982
Instruction Manual for Nikon FG in PDF (External Link @ butkus.org) CLICK HERE

| Message Board |
Questions, issues & Answer(s)

Nikon FG Featured site with link to Instruction Manual

The first Nikon body that offers programmed automation. If you want to believe it - banging on the success of the Nikon EM, the Nikon FG was essentially an upgrade of the Nikon EM but it came with a difference package as well as in its performance and capabilities. Using the the same lightweight and extremely compact size of the Nikon ultra-compact dimension, Nikon packed it with programmed AE, aperture priority AE as well as full manual exposure control. It has a dedicated film advance device on its own in the equally compact MD-14 Motor Drive that can boost an impressive 3.2 fps burst rate and it can even share to use the EM's specific 2 fps MD-E power winder. Shutter speeds range is steplessly from a so-so range from 1 sec to 1/1000 sec. and the camera also came with a mechanical back up speed of 1/90 sec. which incidentally, was also the camera's top sync speed. It also offers TTL OTF flash exposure control with its Nikon SB-15 speedlight and a MF-15 data back.

 

Nikon FE2, 1983

Featured Site for Nikon FE2 with HTML Instruction Manual

* Message Board for Nikon FE series bodies

A successful upgrade from the earlier Nikon FE of 1978. It has all the basic essential elements to easily label it as a very attractive camera to own and use: compact, simple operational controls, features-riched and very flexible - most of all, it was an extremely well made SLR to called it a reliable companion for personal photography. It came with either a black and white-chrome finishes. At the time of its introduction, along with the Nikon FA, both were packed with world's fastest sync speed in its class. Three new versions of focusing screens (K2, B2 & E2) are available (but usable with older screen types with exposure compensation) and finally Nikon designed a cableless MF-16 Data back but older MF-12 data back is still usable via connection to its PC sync terminal. More significantly is its ability to handle TTL-OTF flash exposure control when used with dedicated Nikon strobes, including multi-flash setups. The Nikon SB-15 speedlight was its companion flash for TTL/Auto. Manual flash control. A delightful feature was the fail-safe M250 mechanical back up speed, used in case of battery failure or when the camera has an accidental jam. In addition to that, It can share to use virtually all the system accessories designed for the mid-compact Nikon such as motor drives, focusing screens, Data back etc. Despite after 20 years (2005) since its debut and discontinuation, the much dependable Nikon FE2 is still an extremely attractive midsize Nikon system SLR camera for personal photography.

Nikon FA, 1983 

Featured Site with Instruction Manual in HTML format

* Message Board for Nikon FA

The Nikon FA was the first Nikon which incorporated the 1st. generation of the popular Matrix Metering system (It was called "Multi-Pattern Metering" during that time). The metering system introduced has practically changed the entire course of today's metering method. The innovation has won the Nikon with the prestigious European Camera of the year award as well as Japan Grand Prix camera of he year 1984. Well, due to its complex exposures and other auto functions, it was a built heavily on electronics but other than its metering section where it truly excels, it works and functions like a simpler Nikon FE2. The camera provides with two mechanical back up speeds in M250 & B, but when power issue matters, the dedicated Motor Drive MD-15 will come in handy because Nikon designed the MD-14 works like the superb MD-4 for the Nikon F3 where the motor drive will automatically overrides to power the camera. The FA also accepts the MD-11 or MD-12 but at the expense operating shooting at a slower film advance rate at approx. between 2.6-2.8 fps). Next, the Nikon was the 2nd* Nikon SLR that can offer shutter priority AE without any adaptation** of devices. Due to this new AE feature, Nikon has "forcefully" update its entire series of Nikkor lenses - with a new spec in what we called the Automatic Indexing -Shutter (Ai-S) by adding additional pins and levers on the Nikkor, this Nikkor lens updating program permit a dual program modes as well as shutter priority AE for exposure control. Other than shutter priority automation, it was equipped with aperture priority, manual exposure as well as TTL-OTF flash exposure control when used with any of the dedicated Nikon speedlight. Other main features of the camera was the same with Nikon FE2 in system compatibility as well as it can tab into the huge pool of Nikon system accessories which includes remote, macro-photography etc.

* Nikkorex AUTO 35 was the first.
** The Nikon F2S/F2SB/F2A/F2AS with DS-XX EE Aperture Control Unit can offer converted Shutter Priority AE for the otherwise, mechanical Nikon F2s.

Nikon FA Gold, 1984 

to celebrate Nikon FA which has won two major awards of Japan Grand Prix as well as European Camera of the Year 1984 Nikon introduced a 24k GOLD version of the Nikon FA which comes with a companion GOLD 50mm standard Nikkor lens.

Click here for MORE images.

The Nikon F3AF was also introduced in 1983, you can click here for more info as I summarized it under Nikon F3 section.

If I can recall correctly, it was also during this period that Nikon has introduced a superb TTL flash unit, the Nikon SB-16 A/B speedlight for the Nikon F3 as well as for all its other midrange Nikon models. Its modular design consists of a base module as well as the flash module - SB-16A for F3 series which includes an AS-8 Flash Unit Coupler (base mounting unit to camera) while SB-16B for Nikon cameras with standard ISO hot shoe includes AS-9 Flash Unit Coupler (Both interchangeable with AS-8 or AS-9).

Despite its seemingly old design and operates manually, SB-16B can still used along with many AF Nikon to provide advance features such as Balanced fill or Matrix Fill-Flash A selectable multiple flash coverage angles (28mm,35mm,50mm,85mm); tilt, rotating main flash module from -70 to 90° for bounce flash shooting and has a secondary flash for fill-in shadow.

| Instruction Manual for Nikon SB-16 A/B TTL speedlight |

Nikon L35AF & Nikon L35AD(QD),1983 

| Message Board |
Questions, issues & Answer(s)

The SLR-type Nikkorex 35-series introduced back in 1959 actually looked like a compact camera in its external appearance. After 20+ years later and after seeing the success of Canon AF35 or the later AF35ML, Nikon also produced their first compact AF camera. It was a huge success and all of a sudden, Nikon had found a new series of portable consumable cameras in the Nikon lineup. Main reason for being so well received with this hot selling Nikon compact was mainly because during the entire era of 60-80, Nikon has built a tremendous good reputation with their series of quality Nikon F and midrange SLR models. An one would easily relate the transfer of such quality factor be extended to the compact series. The Nikon 35AF has a simple Nikon (not Nikkor) 35mm f/2.8 lense and there was a manual set ISO/ASA setting where the user need to adjust with the film in use prior to shooting. A total of nine automatic features were provided, including a passive AF mode and auto built-in flash. The camera has an alternate Databack version which was introduced at the same time where it provides simple data/time imprinting function, it was marked as Nikon L35AD (QD).

A few useful external web links for this Nikon SLR model:
A one-page Site at kenrockwell.com OR another featured Site by Matt Denton
Nikon AF L35 Keyword Search via Ebay

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The Rangefinder || The Nikonos || Compact Cameras
SLRs -1959/1979 | 1980/1990 | 1991/1999 | y2k/2003 | 2004 ~

The Eyes of Nikon:-
Rangefinder RF-Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page | Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page

Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:-
Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame | Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm15mm18mm20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm28mm35mm |
Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto Lenses - 85mm105mm135mm180mm & 200mm |
Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |

Special Application lenses:
Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm
Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm
Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF
Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm
Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm
Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm
Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm
Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm

MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm |
35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm |
100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm

Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E

Nikon F | Nikon F2 | Nikon F3 | Nikon F4 | Nikon F5 | Nikon F6 | Nikkormat / Nikomat |
Nikon FM | Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital SLRs | Nikon - Other models

MIR Supports for Photographic Community: Various Message Boards/Community Forums
Nikon F-series| Nikon F2-series| Nikon F3-series| Nikon F4-series| Nikon F5-series|Nikkormat/Nikomat-series
Nikon FM-series|Nikon FE-series|Nikon FA|Nikon Digital SLR series|Various Nikon Models|Nikkor Optic -shared

Others:- Free Trade Zone - Photography| Free Trade Zone - Business Community |Free To Zouk - Photographic Community
Apple's Mac Public Community Message Board | Windows based PC & Apple/Mac Public Community Trade Exchange Centre

Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

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