Nikon FM User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

NOMENCLATURE

Motor drive shutter couplling

Film rewind button

Motor drive coupling

Tripod socket

Motordriveelectricalcontacts

Battery chamber lid

Memo holder

Shutter Speeed/ASA selector ring

Shutter release button

Shutter release fingerguard

Neckstrap eyelet

Depth-of field preview lever

Self-timer lever

Lens mounting flange

Lens aperture direct readout window

Meter coupling lever

Meter coupling lever release

Sync terminal (cover provided)

Lens mounting index

Lens release button

Reflex mirror

Focusing distance scale

Focusing ring

Aperture ring

Meter couplling ridge

Aperture/distance scale index

Meter coupling shoe

Depth-of-field indicators

Aperture-direct-read out scale

Film rewind crank

Film rewind knob

Safety lock

Film plane indicator

Hot-sync shoe

Hot-shoe contact

Viewfinder eyepiece

Shutter speed index

Shutter speed selector

Frame counter

ASA film speed window

Meter ON index

Film-advance lever

ASA film speed indx

Multi-exposure button

Foreword........................................5

Preparation for use.........................................6

Installing the batteries . .........................6

Checking battery power..........................6

Loading film.......................................7

Prior to shooting................................8

Memo holder........................................9

Setting the film speed.......................9

Operation of camera controls........................ 10

Setting the shutter speed.................. 10

Settingtheaperture................................10

Film-advance lever............................. 11

Frame counter................................... 11

Self-timer........................................ 12

Unloading film......................................... 13

Holding the camera..................................14

Shutter release operation...................15

Operation by cable release...................15

CONTENTS

Focusing.....................................................16

Infrared photography.........................18

Film-planeindicator................................18

Depth of field............................................19

Depth-of-field preview lever..............19

Depth-of-field indicators.................20

Exposure measurement...............................22

Determining degree of exposure...........22

Exposure control................................24

Metering range ....................................24

High-contrast lighting.....................25

Stop-down exposure measurement...................26

Exposure compensation adjustment...................27

Multiple exposures.......................................28

Flash synchronization ....................................29

Tips on camera care....................................30

Mounting and removing lenses ....................31

Accessories. .. . . . . . . . .. . . ............................32

Features/Specifications.. ..............................34

FOREWORD

The Nikon FM is a compact 35mm single-lens re-

flex camera that offers a host of advanced features

amateurphotographersandprofessionals alike will

appreciate.It is designed to accept virtually every

accessory of the Nikon System-the most compre-

hensive ever created for photography-so it can do

virtually everything the top rated SLR’s can do . .

. with that unique precision and reliability which

you have come to associate with Nikon. To get the

most out of this camera, study the instructions in

this manual carefully, as well as those in related

manuals, and practice using the controls—before

loading the camera with film. Keep the manual on

hand for ready reference until you have mastered

operation. The few minutes you spend familiariz-

ing yourself with the camera will guarantee you

the best results and increase your pleasure in tak-

ing pictures many times over.

PREPARATION FOR USE

Installing the Batteries

The Nikon FM’s built-in exposure meter is powered by two

button-cell type 1.5V silver-oxide batteries. These are

mounted in the battery clip, which forms a single unit with

the battery chamber’s coin-slotted lid, in the camera’s base-

plate. To install the batteries, first unscrew the lid by turning

it counterclockwise, with a coin or something similar, until it

can be freely removed by hand. Then, seat the two batteries

in the battery clip, one on top of the other, making sure that

their respective plus (+) and minus ( - ) indications corre-

spond with similar marks provided in the clip. After seating

the batteries correctly, replace the lid, and secure the con-

nection by turning it clockwise with the coin as far as it will

go. It is advisable to remove the batteries, when the camera

is not to be used for a long period, to prevent battery leakage

within the camera; for additional information on this, refer

to “Tips on Camera Care” on page

Checking Battery Power

To check battery power, move the camera’s film advance le-

ver from the flush to the stand off position by pulling it just

far enough to uncover the red index on top of the camera.

Then, look through the viewfinder. If any of the LED (light

emitting diode) exposure indicators is on, battery power is

sufficient for proper operation. Otherwise, check battery seat-

ing and make adjustments, if necessary. Should the LED dis-

play still fail to light up, change batteries.

Important: When the camera is not in use, make sure

that the film advance lever is positioned flush with the cam-

era body.As the lever doubles as the meter on/off switch, leav-

ing it in the stand-off position will result in the camer4’s bat-

tery being completely drained in just a few days.

Loading Film

First,openthecamera back by sliding itssafetylock

to the rear and lifting the film rewind knob as far as it will

go. Position the film cartridge or cassette in the film cham-

ber,whichis located ontheleft-hand side, with thefilmleader

aligned along the film guide rails; then, push the rewind knob

to hold the cartridge in place. Pull the film leader out suffi-

ciently for feeding into the film take-up spool, and insert its

end into any of the spool’s slots. Rotate the take-up spool as

shown in the illustration so that the film passes under the

spool with its emulsion

side (dull side) facing out. Make sure that the perforations

along the edges of the film mesh with the sprockets. If neces-

sary, release the shutter by cocking the shutter release button,

and stroke the film advance lever slowly to make sure that the

leader winds smoothly on the spool and that the film edge

perforations engage the film sprocket roller. When you are

certain that the film is being fed properly onto the spool and

traveling correctly along the film guide rails, close the cam-

era back by pressing it until it snaps into place.

PREPARATION FOR USE - continued

Prior to Shooting

Fold out the film rewind crank, and turn it gently in the di-

rection of the engraved arrow until you feel a slight resis-

tance; this will indicate that any slack in the film cartridge

has been taken up. Then, fold the rewind crank into place.

Advance the film (refer to page 11 for film advance opera-

tion), and make two blank exposures; this will dispose of the

initial portion of the film exposed during loading. As you

advance the film, confirm that the rewind crank turns in the

direction opposite the arrow. This indicates that the film has

been loaded properly and is being advanced.

After advancing the film two frames, check that the frame

counter is at “O”; then, advance the film one more frame to

prepare the camera for taking the first picture.

Memo Holder

A special holder is provided on the camera back for conve-

nient storage of any relevant information. You can use it, for

instance, to hold the end flap of a film carton to remind you

of the type of film loaded in the camera, theASA film speed

and the total number of exposures available.

Setting the Film Speed

The camera’s exposure meter must be adjusted to the speed of

the film in use to ensure correct measurement. Accordingly,

the camera is provided with anASAfilm speed scale. To make

thenecessaryadjustment,lift the knurledASAfilm speed ring,

and turn it until the triangular red index is aligned with the

ASA value of the film loaded in the camera. The meter is

sensitive across the full range of from ASA 12 to ASA 3200;

there are two dots between each number for intermediateASA

settings, i.e., 64, 80, 125, etc.

OPERATION OF CAMERA CONTROLS

Setting the Shutter Speed

The Nikon FM’s shutter speed selector is knurled for slip-

free, easier manipulation; the face of the dial is engraved

with the 11 shutter speed settings available: 1 for one sec-

ond, and 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 for frac-

tional values of from 1/2 to 1/1000th of a second. A “B”

setting, also engraved, is provided for longer time exposures.

To set the shutter speed, turn the shutter speed selector until

the desired speed is aligned with the shutter speed index.

The speed selected (including “ B”) is shown on the left-

hand side of the viewfinder, too, for instant reference.

Note that the 125 setting is engraved in red; this indicates 1/

125 sec., the fastest shutter speed available for flash syn-

chronization with electronic flash units. (Refer to page 29

for additional information on flash photography.) Also, at

the “B” setting, the shutter remains open for as long as the

shutter release button is kept depressed.

Setting the Aperture

The Nikon FM works best with Nikkor lenses. The aperture

rings of these lenses are knurled for slip-free, easier manipu-

lation.

To set the lens aperture, turn the lens aperture ring until the

desired f/number setting on the lens aperture scale is aligned

with the index mark on the lens; intermediate settings are also

usable, when required.

Note that, with Nikkor lenses provided with an aperturedirect-

readout (ADR) secondary lens aperture scale, the f/number

for the aperture selected appears on the upper portion of the

viewfinder for convenient reference when shooting.

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