BULLETIN N°1 December 1997 |
The Nikon 1998, Nikon of the decade?
Every ten years, Nikon produces an exceptional body that marks its time and becomes a reference for the brand and for the photographic industry in general. I'm not talking about professional cameras, the F series, but about amateur cameras.
In 1967, Nikon introduced the Nikkormat FTn mechanical body with weighted metering.
At that time, Nikon's other camera was the Nikon F. The FTn became the camera for photography lovers who could not invest in the F.
In 1978, Nikon released the Nikon FE, an automatic version of the compact FM body.
This small camera is so well designed that it remains a model of classicism and ergonomics.
Finally in 1988, the Nikon N 8008, the first camera with fast autofocus (for the time), matrix metering and 1/8000, all of which caused brand aficionados to switch to autofocus.
We can therefore hope that 1998 will see the release of an unusual camera. Surely autofocus, compact, compatible with the current optical range (Nikkor AF-D), probably 24x36 unless digital is already a mature technology?
pierre j.
|
Nikon has just released two new cameras: the Nikon FM10 and FE10. cameras for beginners, they take up the concepts and names of older cameras, the FM and FE released respectively in 1977 and 78. Can the newcomers be compared to their elders?
specifications |
Nikon FM/FE (FM2/FE2) |
Nikon FM10/FE10 |
camera type |
Full manual operation and mechanical control /automatic operation and electronic control |
Full manual operation and mechanical control /automatic operation and electronic control |
exposure mode |
Manual diaphragm/ manual, auto priority diaphragm |
Manual diaphragm/ manual, auto priority diaphragm |
focus |
Manual |
Manual |
shutter |
mechanical / electronic |
mechanical / electronic |
shutter speeds |
1s (8s auto FE) to 1/1000 * |
1s (8s auto FE10) to 1/2000 |
speeds synchro: |
1 /125 ** / 1/125 TTL flash** 1/250 and TTL for FM2/FE2 |
1 /125 / 1/90 |
Indications inside finder |
Speeds and diaphragm |
Nothing / speeds |
motor |
3,5 images/second with MD11 or MD12 |
No motor available |
weight |
Approx. 540g or 19 oz without lens and battery |
Approx. 400g or 14 oz without lens and battery |
dimensions |
Approx. 142.5 x 90 x 60mm or 5.6 x 3.5 x 2.4 in. |
Approx. 139-86-53mm or 5.4 x 3.4 x 2.1 in. |
price in France (Dec 97) 1$=5FF, 1$=1$ |
second-hand: 310 $/260 $ *** |
with zoom 3,5-4,8/35~70mm |
These two series of cameras can therefore be compared and the choice of a device of this type must be considered.
The FM/FE have a robust and old construction, they can be motorized but only available second-hand with used motors.
Note that the Nikon FA released in 1983, built on the FE2 basis has matrix metering with all lenses in A, S and Program mode, 1/4000 speed and only costs 1900 F on occasion.
The FM10/FE10 benefit from recent but outsourced manufacturing. Their design is also old, but buying new allows you to have a guarantee and after-sales service for several years. Their construction makes more use of plastic material.
Everyone can choose according to their needs.
pierre j.
Update on December 4, 1997, reviewed on March 8, 2023
v2.6 © Pierre J.