If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Nikon FM10
I'm trying to decide whether to replace my Canon FTb with a Nikon FM10. I
know that the FM10 has a reputation for being plasticky and cheaply built, but my question is, is it _that_ bad, and from those who have handled and used it, does it score well in terms of functionality, as a basic SLR? And is it worth the price? (around $250 for the standard kit). Call me a luddite but I am really only interested in manual exposure/manual film advance camears, and the FM10 is the only SLR retailing at a price point that I can afford. I have also heard that the FM10 kit comes with a substandard lens. But I'm not too concerned about that as I'm hoping the Nikon name still means something, and that, bad as it may be, I'm sure its no worse than the equally plasticky Canon FD35-70mm 3.5-4.5 I'm using right now. I've grown quite fond of the FTb's tank-like build and 2+ pound weight, however my main gripe with it, other than the battery issue (although I've found that a plastic o-ring around a relatively inexpensive hearing aid battery works quite well), is that the microprism-only focusing screen makes it very difficult and frustrating to focus accurately, especially for finely detailed objects and in low light. And again I have doubts about the efficacy of the aging CdS meter inside. Thanks Peter L. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Nikon FM10
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Nikon FM10
Thanks for the advice, unfortunately as a rather impoverished college
student I'm afraid that might be quite out of my price range. My "dream" camera is actually the relatively recent FM3a, but again at $600 just for the body it is a little too pricey for me. The reason I consider focussing to be a priority is that, it seems to me that, for all the emphasis placed on good optics and fast lenses, the ability to focus accurately and quickly often seems to be left by the wayside. Consider that even a slight bit of misfocus would turn the fastest and most expensive optics into a $20 Tokina. And of course the faster the lens the truer this is. For a photographer with all the time in the world to frame his shots, with subjects willing to sit around and pose for as long as it takes, and willing to expend rolls of film to bracket every shot to no end, focussing probablay isn't much of an issue. But for a hobbyist like myself I value the ability to capture ephemeral moments that may not necessarily wait around for you (or your autofocus). I am especially a shutterbug for taking photos out of moving trains and vehicles, which is why I'm looking to focus confidently in a cinch. PL Or, if you want the ultimate bright & accurate focussing screen, the Leicaflex SL. (Sorry, you did mention accurate focussing as a priority. Of the several cameras I use, I call my Leicaflex "the focusser".) |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Nikon FM10
Other Nikon bodies to consider are the N8008s(F801s) and FE2. You should
easily be able to get an outfit on ebay for $250 The F801s has auto focus. both these cameras have TTL flash and a higher flash syncalso interchangable focusing screens. The FM10 is a very basic lightbox. -- All outgoing emails are scanned with Norton Antivirus 2004 wrote in message ... Thanks for the advice, unfortunately as a rather impoverished college student I'm afraid that might be quite out of my price range. My "dream" camera is actually the relatively recent FM3a, but again at $600 just for the body it is a little too pricey for me. The reason I consider focussing to be a priority is that, it seems to me that, for all the emphasis placed on good optics and fast lenses, the ability to focus accurately and quickly often seems to be left by the wayside. Consider that even a slight bit of misfocus would turn the fastest and most expensive optics into a $20 Tokina. And of course the faster the lens the truer this is. For a photographer with all the time in the world to frame his shots, with subjects willing to sit around and pose for as long as it takes, and willing to expend rolls of film to bracket every shot to no end, focussing probablay isn't much of an issue. But for a hobbyist like myself I value the ability to capture ephemeral moments that may not necessarily wait around for you (or your autofocus). I am especially a shutterbug for taking photos out of moving trains and vehicles, which is why I'm looking to focus confidently in a cinch. PL Or, if you want the ultimate bright & accurate focussing screen, the Leicaflex SL. (Sorry, you did mention accurate focussing as a priority. Of the several cameras I use, I call my Leicaflex "the focusser".) |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Nikon FM10
$20 Tokina? Whoa!
First of all, there aren't any $20 Tokinas, unless you find them in yard sales and pawn shops. Second, Tokina has a good reputation for build quality and makes decent optics. You could do a lot worse than use any of Tokina's AT-X series of lenses. As for a sturdy MF camera, I'd suggest a clean used Nikon N2000. They are available on eBay for $60-$80 all the time. Will do about everything an FM3a will do (excepting DOF preview), and as for batteries, they can use AA or AAA which should be available anywhere almost any time. Doug wrote in message ... Thanks for the advice, unfortunately as a rather impoverished college student I'm afraid that might be quite out of my price range. My "dream" camera is actually the relatively recent FM3a, but again at $600 just for the body it is a little too pricey for me. The reason I consider focussing to be a priority is that, it seems to me that, for all the emphasis placed on good optics and fast lenses, the ability to focus accurately and quickly often seems to be left by the wayside. Consider that even a slight bit of misfocus would turn the fastest and most expensive optics into a $20 Tokina. And of course the faster the lens the truer this is. For a photographer with all the time in the world to frame his shots, with subjects willing to sit around and pose for as long as it takes, and willing to expend rolls of film to bracket every shot to no end, focussing probablay isn't much of an issue. But for a hobbyist like myself I value the ability to capture ephemeral moments that may not necessarily wait around for you (or your autofocus). I am especially a shutterbug for taking photos out of moving trains and vehicles, which is why I'm looking to focus confidently in a cinch. PL Or, if you want the ultimate bright & accurate focussing screen, the Leicaflex SL. (Sorry, you did mention accurate focussing as a priority. Of the several cameras I use, I call my Leicaflex "the focusser".) |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Nikon FM10
In article ,
wrote: I'm trying to decide whether to replace my Canon FTb with a Nikon FM10. I know that the FM10 has a reputation for being plasticky and cheaply built, but my question is, is it _that_ bad, and from those who have handled and used it, does it score well in terms of functionality, as a basic SLR? Speaking as a former camera store owner and Nikon fanatic, I would not recommend the FM10. Not made by Nikon, and not made well. You'd be adapting to a different camera to little point. If you want to go Nikon and can't afford an FM3, do look into an example of the FM2. Quite a nice camera, and many were bought by amatuers and have little use. Or, find a clean FtbN QL, have it CLA'd and have a great mechanical camera (with split screen focus) There are commercially made adapters for the battery, or I've had good luck with the Wein cells. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Nikon FM10
|
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Nikon FM10
Doug Robbins wrote:
As for a sturdy MF camera, I'd suggest a clean used Nikon N2000. They are available on eBay for $60-$80 all the time. Will do about everything an FM3a will do (excepting DOF preview), That's a pretty big "except"! and as for batteries, they can use AA or AAA which should be available anywhere almost any time. But why get a totally battery dependent camera? Just to save your thumb some excercise? |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Nikon FM10
wrote in message ... Thanks for the advice, unfortunately as a rather impoverished college student I'm afraid that might be quite out of my price range. My "dream" camera is actually the relatively recent FM3a, but again at $600 just for the body it is a little too pricey for me. PL You might want to take a look at the previous poster's first suggestion...used FM's and FM2's are quite nice. If you're a starving college student, you might want to seriously look at the FM because it is one of the few Nikons with the flip-up meter coupling tab so you can use both AI (including AIS, AF, AF-D, but not "G" or "DX") and non-AI (very cheap used) lenses. George |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
For Sale: Nikon N70 + lenses + 8x10 papers + some accessories. | Henry Pena | 35mm Equipment for Sale | 0 | July 5th 04 08:02 PM |
For Sale: PRICES HAVE BEEN REDUCED! 6 Nikon lenses + 8x10 papers + some accessories. | Henry Peña | 35mm Equipment for Sale | 0 | April 12th 04 10:47 PM |
For Sale: 7 Nikon lenses + 8x10 papers + some accessories. | Henry Peña | 35mm Equipment for Sale | 2 | April 9th 04 04:17 PM |
FS: 8 Nikon lenses including 80-200 Nikkor 2.8 zoom and accessories | Henry Peña | 35mm Equipment for Sale | 2 | November 12th 03 02:56 PM |
Subject: FS: Nikon F4, Nikkor Lens and accessories. | FocaIPoint | General Equipment For Sale | 0 | August 29th 03 03:59 PM |