Nikon FM series

The Nikon FM series consists of a line of manual-focus, mechanical 35mm SLR cameras introduced by Nikon in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Here’s an overview of the key models in the Nikon FM series and their specifications:


Nikon FM (1977)

  • Type: Mechanical 35mm SLR
  • Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount
  • Shutter: Mechanical, vertical-travel metal shutter
    • Speeds: 1 second to 1/1000 second, plus Bulb (B)
    • Flash Sync: 1/125 second
  • Metering: Center-weighted TTL metering
    • Requires battery for metering (two SR44 or LR44 batteries)
  • ISO Range: 12 to 3200
  • Viewfinder: 93% coverage, 0.86x magnification
  • Exposure Control: Fully manual
  • Build Material: Metal body
  • Weight: ~590 g (body only)

Nikon FM2 (1982)

  • Type: Mechanical 35mm SLR
  • Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount (AI and AI-S compatible)
  • Shutter: Mechanical, vertical-travel titanium honeycomb shutter
    • Speeds: 1/4000 second to 1 second, plus Bulb (B)
    • Flash Sync: 1/200 second
  • Metering: Center-weighted TTL metering
  • ISO Range: 12 to 4000
  • Viewfinder: 93% coverage, 0.86x magnification
  • Exposure Control: Fully manual
  • Notable Features: Faster shutter speeds and improved durability over the original FM.
  • Weight: ~540 g (body only)

Nikon FM2n (1984)

  • Type: Mechanical 35mm SLR
  • Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount (AI and AI-S compatible)
  • Shutter: Mechanical, vertical-travel aluminum shutter (later models reintroduced titanium)
    • Speeds: 1/4000 second to 1 second, plus Bulb (B)
    • Flash Sync: 1/250 second
  • Metering: Center-weighted TTL metering
  • ISO Range: 12 to 4000
  • Viewfinder: 93% coverage, 0.86x magnification
  • Exposure Control: Fully manual
  • Notable Features: Higher flash sync speed (1/250 sec) and more precise metering.
  • Weight: ~540 g (body only)

Nikon FM3A (2001)

  • Type: Hybrid mechanical/electronic 35mm SLR
  • Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount (AI, AI-S, and non-AI lenses with stop-down metering)
  • Shutter: Hybrid mechanical/electronic vertical-travel shutter
    • Speeds: 1/4000 second to 1 second (mechanical), Bulb (B)
    • Flash Sync: 1/250 second
  • Metering: Center-weighted TTL metering
  • ISO Range: 12 to 4000
  • Viewfinder: 93% coverage, 0.86x magnification
  • Exposure Control: Manual and aperture-priority (when battery-powered)
  • Notable Features: Combines the mechanical reliability of the FM series with the option of aperture-priority auto-exposure.
  • Weight: ~570 g (body only)

Comparison Highlights

  • FM: The original, fully mechanical classic.
  • FM2: Improved shutter speeds and flash sync; introduced titanium shutters.
  • FM2n: Even faster flash sync and refined mechanics.
  • FM3A: Hybrid functionality with electronic features, combining manual reliability with aperture-priority auto-exposure.

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