I just picked up a used FM and your video has been really helpful. Many thanks.

Great cameras - Nikon really got the ergonomics right. Many pros at the time bought the FM/FE cameras and spent the saved money on Glass - I did...

My fist Nikon was a Nikon F (photomic) I was 17 then. As time progressed, I later got into digitals. Over the past 5 years I have purchased a couple of OLD film cameras. The Nikon FM is my latest, I had a local Nikon repair shop refurbish it. New seals, new mirror padding, cleaned the prism and adjusted the light meter. And gave me 6 months warranty. It has an 2xxxxx serial number, I was told it should be good for another 45 years! Thanks for posting your video.

Simple and clear review of a simple camera. First time I see hand writing in the video instead of graphics and I love it.

Now I know my FM, inherited from my late father, is an early copy because of this video. Thank you Brian! 🙏

I've learned so much more from this video about my fm camera , I've had my one for about 5 years now and those little parts on the camera make so much much more sense to me now

Ultimamente mi è capitato di trovare un Nikon FM con qualche problemino e li ho risolti tutti tranne uno: quello che mi hai risolto tu con questo video. Grazie! Ottimi video per sintesi e competenza ti faccio i mie complimenti. Un esempio, a mio parere, di come dovrebbero essere fatti questi video.

Best camera review I have seen!!

Had a FE2, back in the day, starting to look at vintage again, so really enjoying your channel

Congratulations 🎉🥳❤

Hi Brian; Nice video, I still have my FM and use it. Still functions perfectly and is an early model like yours. Never had a problem with it since 1978.

Thanks for this. Just (re)bought an FM. Bought my first in 1980. This one (which I showed on my channel) is in mint condition and one of the later models (serial # beginning 3), complete with Series E 50mm f/1.8. Thrilled to get reacquainted.

OM 1 perhaps? Don’t let its diminutive size fool you. Its very well built as is the OM 2 .

Nice video! Helpful review! Was glad to see someone talk about the batteries. 1.3 V mercury batteries on some cameras feels like a hurdle which can be easily avoided with options like the FM.

Great video! Well-done.....

You paid a lot of attention to advance lever position, which is your personal preference, I totally agree with you on that. But you forgot to mention the double purpose of the advance lever. It serves as a switch of light meter, which prevents battery drain.

Very, very valuable information, many thanks!

I bought my first FM in 1978. As far as I remember you have to lift the shutter lock ring in order to rotate it. Seems you just tried to turn it

Well built ..simple .. pro quality .. entry level to " the good stuff"

Great video Brian. I'm playing catch-up on your videos and each one I watch I learn something new. That early series FM tip regarding the retractable lever while still being able to fire the shutter is important as I'm left handed and left eyed. That coupled with the ability to use non-AI lenses (in stop down mode) means I'm going to be on the lookout for "2" serial number FM going forward. Got a Konica T2 and TC and a few lenses on the back of some of your other videos from that shop in Finland and they are a bargain as you stated. Your reviews are excellent. Thanks.

My first camera😍 I still have 'her'

Just got the FG with the engine. Still everything works perfect.

This is great! Just bought the FM today at a flea market and am really excited to start using it! It's in great condition, and is in the 2- series serial number range, which was a nice fun fact I learned from your video. But gauging from the price range you mentioned, I'm afraid I spent more than I should have ($220)! It's my first ever 35mm camera and thought I did enough research on value and price. Wish I saw this first and would have tried to negotiate some more! Either way, from your video and other reviews, sounds like it was still a good investment. Thanks for this video, it was incredibly informative!

Still like my FM2 (the non-N version), replaced the seals and had it CLA'd a couple years ago so hope it has years of use left in it...probably will outlast me. I find if I slightly overexpose jus a bit with 0 + both on I get great safe exposures with HP5, TriX, Tmax etc.

Would love a review of the Nikon FE2

I mostly shoot with an FM2n and a FM3a and find myself opening up the film advance unnecessarily on my other 35mm cameras. Haha

Another ting to mention is that on some of the early production models the film rewind knob is knurled allowing you to rewind the film back into the canister even if the rewind rever has broken off.

I got an early one for 15 dollars with a 50mm f1.4. The lens was dirty but it surprised me how good it cleaned up. I just need to clean the view finder/prism and install new light seals.

Just got super neat but later model FM and, as a left eye shooter, having fair amount of inconvenience due to the advance lever sticking out. Have to position the cam just so when using VF. Not insurmountable hardship but obviously prefer earlier system. Even so, really impressed with the FM. Good video. Thanks. have been better

Please ignore the “have been better” line on previous. Bad editing.

Fantastic review. Thanks but the only Nikon that has dipped in the UK is the EM. FM's tend to be about £125 to £175 plus for a near mint model. I don't mind a little wear as long as it's due to love and not abuse. Cheers!

I find it strange the MD had LEDs but the FE had a needle, and also strange that they went over to a needle for the FM3A. I suppose the best model for this was the F2 where you could have either, and both pre-ai and ai compatibility, depending on which finder you fitted.

Im a right eye shooter. In portrait position i have the advance lever on top .

I wish they had retained the retractable ai tab on the later models in the series; I started with a Pentax sp1000, so stop down metering doesn’t seem like a major issue to me. There are some features of the FA which I like, and would have liked to see included in the FM3a, the small grip on the front, the ability to use the MD-15 as well as the 11 and 12, and have it power the camera, the cover over the motordrive electrical contacts and the matrix metering. I don’t like the LCD viewfinder display in the FA, I find it almost impossible to see with my poor eyesight, and it’s even worse in low light. Even the F had the Photomic illuminator available; it wasn’t very good but it shows that Nikon did see the need for meter illumination. I think they should have included it in the FA. The FA doesn’t have the build quality of the FM, but in my limited experience it has been reliable.

Great video! Would you be willing to elaborate on your comment about using non-AI lenses with the light meter? You mentioned "stopping down" on the aperture to get an accurate light reading. I have a non-AI 35mm that I bought for my FE2 that isn't compatible and I'm considering just getting an FM instead of selling the lens, but I want to be able to use a light meter as well. Thanks!

Love your videos man! I inherited an Fm3a and was wondering what you'd recommend for a good strap?

Built like a T34 tank would be the Zenith Em. Speeds only to 500th seconds. No batteries required. With the 58mm f2 Helios 44-2 that is popular with the dreamy bokeh

I'm after discovering a third version (or more specifically an early version Pt.1 & 2, and a late version). On the earliest version (which I have) the rewind knob is also knurled along with the shutter collar and shutter speed dial (serial no. 23....). The early version Pt.2 (which you have) has a knurled shutter collar and shutter speed dial, but a smooth rewind knob (serial no. 24....) On the later version only the shutter speed dial is knurled (serial no. 3.....) I know it's only a matter of aesthetics, but it's a good way of identifying which model it is, especially if you're searching somewhere like ebay and can't see the serial number. I reckon....If the collar around the shutter button in knurled it will fire with the wind on lever in any position (because the knurling is for grip which you need to lock/unlock the shutter button). If the collar is smooth then the film advance lever is your shutter lock so it won't fire with the lever in.

Hi Brian :) great video as usually :) Bought 2 FMs lately. It seams there are several versions of FM. One of mine has shutter release lock where other one does not. Some say black versions are rare. Any info about that?

While you are correct that the third version requires the shutter advance lever to be out in order to fire, you neglected to state the advantages of the third version: 1) the focusing screen is interchangeable on this version, and 2) Nikon upgraded the internal workings of this version making it by all accounts the most reliable version.

Brian, how do you feel about the FM10? I know it's not actually a Nikon, but it is fully mechanical and affordable. Seems like a decent machine, perhaps you could review one.

Great review. Would love to get your thoughts on the FM3a if you have access to one.

Brian recently found your channel whilst researching for a decent not too expensive film camera & this quick & dirty review of the Nikon FM made me take the plunge & purchase one... It is a 2 series FM so no problem with the film rewind...Thanks for that tip... Just waiting for it to turn up. I live across the pond so I have got to pay some import taxes as purchase outside EU but I wanted a nice one & as you say it's the price we pay for Free Health Care in the UK, especially good in these times #SaveTheNHS. I have subscribed & was watching you other vlogs including the one on the F3... Can I ask what are your thoughts on this compared to F4 & F5 (apart from cost). Are any of these 3 worth a further purchase... Or perhaps a vlog on the subject of the Nikon F series film camera. Any Thanks for the inspiration, tips, advice, passion & vlogging. Best Wishes From The UK. David.

I seem to recall that lock button may need to be raised and turned at the same time. I may be wrong as I sold my minty FM

The advance lever must be popped out to standoff position for the shutter to be unlocked...

Nikon FE2 review soon?

My first Nikon camera---bought new. Solid etc, but I did not like it. The FM2T later version was much better.

The prices to fall ? Hah I wish...xD

how much smaller is it than the nikon f2?

Lol I wish they dropped below $100. I’m trying to get some old film Nikons so I can blow money on F mount lenses and they are not cheap.

I had an Fm all the light seals turned to goo and smeared all over the mirror and inside the pentaprism. You could do a dirty video on that I use an FE now with the 55mm 2.8 micro Nikkor. I lend it to beginners as they love the auto capability.

I do not agree completely with "built like a tank" because some mecanical shutters was not as precise as the electronic shutters ! Fx the Olympus OM 1 overexposed at 1/500 and 1/1000, so you had to compensate for that when you had slide film in the camera. I will recommend Nikon FE over FM ! The lightmeter are also easier to use in FE because you can see how much to adjust the shutter or aperture :D Iused both Nikon FM, FE and F3, but I changed to Hasselblad and later got the Canon New F-1 which are much better than any Nikon !