This was my family camera growing up and it’s totally responsible for me falling in love with photography. The simplicity and fun of it is still what I compare every camera to. I still use it occasionally and constantly use the 50 1.8 pancake on my digital cameras. It always makes me smile! So glad you got to experience it! ☺️

Nikon F3 -- another fun fact, in the 2013 Ben Stiller film, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, the legendary photographer 'Sean O'Connell' (Sean Penn) "still shoots film" -- and uses an F3HP in the movie (with the Nikon name taped over) -- but that is actually Sean Penn's personal camera.... Great movie too....

Great video! I have an EM somewhere that came in a box of cameras I bought. My go to is my Nikon FA. I really like my Olympus OM2n too.

Thanks for your video you re great photografer: bravooooo❤❤❤😊

I have a F, F2, F3 and F4. The F or F2 are the best built but the F3 is by far my favorite. It just feels right and is so easy to use and the built in matrix metering it has so far has always been spot on. I use it mostly in the Aperture Priority mode or Manual if the conditions are really difficult.

My daily carry is a Nikon FM, it’s a really well built camera that has enough manual control to enjoy shooting with but I also have an EM, it was the first film SLR I got and I still use it often, especially when I want something a bit lighter and quicker for candids.

I shoot mostly these days with an F2. And love the F3, but have had a long journey with my EM, which is on loan to a friend getting into photography (something else it is great for). And I think the EM is a highly underrated camera. I think it's size, weight, and simplicity are a real benefit to staying in the moment with just enough control. Especially if you edit your photos at all. It will be a lot less work if any at all.

The EM is a very good budget buy but my favourite is my FM2N, rugged, fully mechanical and has never let me down over many years.

Enjoyed your video. If you like smaller slr's, the Nikon FM might interest you. It's mechanical (great for cold weather), manual, and has a great meter. More importantly, it's still pretty affordable. It also has a flip up metering tab (like the F3) so you can mount any nikkor lens made since 1959.

Thank you for a very pleasant video to watch. There is a trick that allows the EM to make higher and lower exposures; ex. load ASA 400 film. make your first exposure at the camera's normal setting. Then set the film speed to 200 and 100 making exposures of the same image. these will be 1 and 2 stops overexposed. Then repeat with settings of 800 and 1600 ASA giving 1 and 2 stops under exposure. You can use this film speed trick to bracket your exposures even though the camera does not have bracketing controls. However, on the front left side of the camera is a little chrome (or sometimes blue) button that automatically gives you a 2 stop overexposure for a brite background and darker center subject.

I have an EM. Came with the 50/f1.8 lens, flash, and super -duper hard case! Great camera for everyday general shooting. I use mine like a point and shoot. Also, if your batts die it defaults to the 1/90 mechanical shutter setting (don't ask how I know). Small, light, compact, and you get to use some of the best Nikon glass!

nice video. I use primarily F2 & FM. Nippon Kogaku forever.

I have both and love them both. This year, my sons are going to shoot with EM. Me with the F3. Wish me luck

I'm taking the risk for £20, got 2 roll film to play with. Can't wait to complete it. Nice info & photos you have. Cheers!!

I believe the m of M90 is for mechanical shutter 1/90th, not manual (but you do get, as on the FE, a single mechanical speed as it is otherwise an electronically controlled shutter)

My fave Nikon is my F2A which I bought on my 19th birthday in 1977! But my fave to shoot is my F4. The EM is pretty limited. It was replaced by the equally small FG which also boasted more manual as l functionality! Good video though!

I have a nikon EM and love it for simplicity. Small and takes the ai and ais lenses

Seems like a nice compact kit!

Hi Molly, it was hard for me to watch the vidio because the music was real loud transitioning from your soft voice. I have the FE. I'm not a fan of the two needle metering but I still like the camera.❤

I have a Nikon EM in my SLR collection. I like the viewfinder very much because it is bright and the focusing screen makes focus easier than many other SLRs. However, my copy needed new light seals, which I replaced myself. Also, the meter is off by 2 stops. I check this by metering on a well lit surface with both the camera and a digital Sekonic light meter. As a result, I have to change the ISO by two stops higher to make the readings match. For example, ISO 100 film is set to ISO 400 in camera. Once done, the camera produces excellent images. Compared to my other Nikons, I like the FM and FA better.

I love my F3 and FM2

i loved it my 1rst Nikon and bought FE for 105mm nikkor Q there was a BELL AND HOWELL 135mm F2.8 i used on it

Lowest cost way to get into the Nikon F mount system, probably the best quality of the camera. Operates too much like a point-and-shoot camera with it's limited controls, which makes it not very exciting for me to own. Also checkout the FG series which are nearly identical to the EM, but with better controls.

I have been using rangefinders (Olympus SP 30, Yashica Electro 35) and I noticed in the video that you said you had an F3 before you got into rangefinders. Was thinking about getting an EM. But wonder what you think in comparison to your rangefinders.

With film, unless you are talking shutter speed, or automation, it isn’t the body that matters, it is the lens. You are less dependent on the sensor like digital. And yes AI/AIS and E series, which is also AIS. You don’t have to waste money on bodies. AI, AIS and E series lenses are great and generally affordable. Get a 28/2.8 AIS CRC, 50/1.4 AIS and 105/2.5 or 135/2.8 and you are set.

The EM are not bad cameras. I've had two, and that's the biggest problem; I've had two, and both have died on me. A few notes: The F3 also has a fully electronic shutter, so without batteries, you are locked into a 1/60" (mechanical override), but it does have full access to all shutter speeds in the metered manual. And yeah, the Series E lenses are great for the most part. the 50mm and 28mm are excellent lenses classified as AI-S lenses. Excellent results. But if I had to pick a choice for F-Mount cameras... I couldn't pick just one! My favs are the Nikkormat FT2, FE2, and F5.

As for personal preferences, I believe a way better option to the EM (in terms of investment and camera options) would be the FE or the FA if you want similar automatism.

the camera makes a little pleasant beep-beep if you are over or under in shutter speed. nice talk! :)

It seems like you are just getting started on KZfaq, so congrats and best wishes. If I could make one suggestion, it would be to balance your audio before you upload. I would guess that about 80% of KZfaqrs don't do this, so please don't think I am picking on you. If you think about how most people are watching KZfaq videos, they probably fall into two groups: geezers like me who are playing the vids in their office after the kids are asleep; and younger viewers who may wear ear buds or headphones. The problem is that you, like most KZfaqrs, are uploading a video with very soft audio for you voice and much louder audio for your music inserts. So it forces me to ride the volume knob, turning it up to hear you, then quickly turning it down when the music blasts on to the scene. And that wouldn't be good for the ear bud wearers either, from a hearing standpoint. It is surprising that KZfaq doesn't isn't using audio compression (to balance these two things), or maybe they are but the levels are so disparate that the software just can't balance them. Anyway, quite a long statement but it would add polish to your vids to have the audio balanced. All the best to you in your KZfaq journey!

It's strange that although I've owned a few 'fancy' SLRs, Nikon F4s, Canon T90, Olympus om2n and a Nikon F2AS with a 55mm F1.2 lens (the latter two of which I still have), I miss this little gem most of all. Simplicity itself to use and you won't cry into your cornflakes if you lose it (like the F2). Alternatives could include the cheap and cheerful Ricoh KR5, KR10 and KR10 Super (all of which I have and still use). These Ricoh's cost peanuts and are, for the most part, very reliable. They also accept the entire range of excellent manual focus Pentax lenses.

I have an EM or two -- and they work really well, but yeah, they do seem a little small/simple for a Nikon -- fun fact: Nikon's Camera Chronicle - Part 11: Nikon EM states: "The Nikon EM (Photo) was developed as a small, cute, easy-to-use "SLR Camera for Women", appealing to a market whose needs were not being met sufficiently by conventional heavy, "uncute" SLR cameras on the market at the time".

I'm not a Nikon guy, but I would prefer the FM series if I had to. Full manual controls and a full mechanical shutter. But popular Models like an FM2n are in the same price range as an F3.

Thank you for putting up this video. I bought an EM in 1980. It was the first time I'd earned enough to buy something that looked like a proper camera. Heavy metal SLR's didn't do it for me. I paid £100 new for it, as I recall. Took some great pics with it, easy to use, and never had a problem. 3 years on, I was seduced by the new L35AF point and shoot, and the EM had very little use after that. Nevertheless, it was a great camera for me. Must say, not too impressed with some of your pics here. Is it that Candido film you're using ? I mostly used Kodak, or Fuji 200/400, everyday films in my EM.

Go the EM. It does get a bit of Flack. I love my Nikons. Could never sell my F3. F3/FM3A/F5 get used all the time. Always looking to add minty black F and F2. Molly look for a Japan only 50mm f1.8 AIS pancake. (Not the e series) it’s a mega lens.

FM2 has full range of settings available without battery,

I can’t unsee your crooked glasses. Cool music 🤭

Well, you did ask for the fav Nikon F Mount camera. There are many but if people are interested in the EM then the FG is the EM on steroids. Small but with all the exposure modes missing from the EM but with mirror slap you'd sue for assault on the senses.

Nikon EM (and fx FG) cameras is very cheap made, as is the Nikon E series Lenses. I will recommend Nikon FE.

Pentax rivals the Nikon F3 for reliability. Bailey & I swear buy Pentax legendary build quality.

Sadly lost mine to an unattended child who proceeded to what I can only assume was stick their finger in the shutter curtain bending it inwards now I can’t justify the cost to fix it so maybe I’ll pick up a new one rip baby doll 😢…yes I name my cameras

Wow that camera looks brand spanking new!

Th EM was rushed into the market after Nikon failed to timely offer a small, light, auto-exposure model, and Nikon discovered that Pentax and Olympus were eating away its nonprofessional customer base. It doesn't look like a Nikon. It doesn't feel like a Nikon, and it provided practically no user control over exposure, very not Nikon. It was intended to draw new customers into the "Nikon Family" of long term users, but didn't attract that type of customer. It sold well, mainly on its "Nikon" name. Once the EM shipped, Nikon settled down to doing the job right, and it came up with the FG, one of the most underappreciated Nikon camera ever made. The FG does it all, perhaps the sophisticated Nikon of its day. Today, the FG and the EM sell for about the same used price. The FG was sold for a few years, then Nikon replaced it with the FG-20, which lost features and was more like the EM. Why? It seems the FG was eating away at Nikon's sales of the FM/FE models, so it had to go.

Yes....and Fiat Punto '98 is build like BMW series 5. Oh, noooo.....that crappy camera is crippled trough and trough, parts inside are or stamped thin metal or plastic. Nikon F3 is well oiled Singer machine. For real it is. But! If works than it will produce exactly the same images...if settings are the same .....and if shutter is accurate.....if focus screen/mirror is adjusted for accurate focus, and if... 🙂.... ------If works for you and you have satisfactory results then it is perfectly fine. Like every other film camera.---- Bye! 🙂

“Compared to the Nikon F3 I don’t really notice any major differences” 🤣 expect for all the plastic, no manual exposure mode, terrible winder, no mirror lockup or depth of field preview. Other than that 🤣

I love old cameras but the EM is the exception. The E lenses are great value - yesterdays budget is todays premium lens. Having had to repair them in the past - Any other Nikon film camera is a better choice... 🦘