Nikon FM10 Camera Kit with 35-70mm Lens

by Nikon

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00001QHP5
• Item model number: FM10Kit
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,763 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
  • #36 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Film Cameras > Point & Shoot Film Cameras
  • #66 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Film Cameras > SLR Cameras
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The Nikon FM10 with 35-70 mm Nikkor Lens is a totally manual 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera--great for those who want to learn the mechanics of photography from the ground up. Without fancy computerized features to confuse or override your personal artistic choices, the Nikon FM10 relies on the photographer to do most of the thinking, but it does offer a depth-of-field preview and a center-weighted light metering system. Focus and aperture are manual, and you can select film speeds down to 1/2000 second. You also have manual film wind and rewind, allowing you to create double exposures or rewind your film midroll.

The Nikon FM10 has a built-in hot shoe that is compatible with just about any Nikon Speedlight flash. Also included are a carrying case, a strap, batteries, and a manufacturer's one-year parts and labor warranty.

Product Description

35-70mm f/3.5-4.8 Zoom Nikkor From its traditional wide angle to portrait telephoto range, this Zoom Nikkor provides a flexible and creative range for general photography. Shutter speeds up to 1/2000 second Shoot action stopping sharp pictures at up to 1/2000 sec., or achieve creative light patterns at slow speeds like 1 second. The wide shutter range will handle most picture-taking situations and works great with a wide range of ISO film speeds. Bulb setting For very long exposures, the B setting lets you capture beautiful night scenes, cityscapes with vibrant lighting, and long time exposures for creative exciting photography. A tripod is required for best results. Depth-of-field preview Using through-the-lens SLR viewing, and being able to see the range of sharpness is an exciting way for the new photographer to see what's happening. It spurs their vision and helps them make better pictures. Double exposures Double exposures can be lots of fun, and with creative thought and careful preparation, great pictures can result. Daylight, night-time and indoors Flash photography is easy and direct with the FM10. Its built-in ISO hot shoe will accept just about any Nikon Speedlight for manual flash operation or non-TTL auto. Nikkor lenses The FM10 is supplied with the 35-70 Zoom Nikkor, and there's a compatible, light and compact 70-210 lens available too. As your Nikon system grows, there are so many more AF Nikkor and AI-S Nikkor lenses to choose from ? all perfectly compatible with the FM10's manual focusing operation. Center-weighted meter Time proven and very accurate, this light meter will guide the photographer towards excellent exposures. With the built-in +0- LED display, creative adjustments are just a turn-of-a-dial away. Manual advance and rewind Comfortable handling, lightweight, compact and very convenient, the Nikon FM10 will deliver, roll after roll. 70-210mm f/4.5-5.6 Zoom Nikkor This optional 3X telephoto zoom lens offers ...

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A return to basics- with Nikon quality, May 1, 2000

By 

Michael J Edelman (Huntington Woods, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon FM10 Camera Kit with 35-70mm Lens (Electronics)

I've been using Nikons for over 20 years, starting with my first used and battered Ftn. Over that time I've a accumulated a dozen Nikkor lenses and numerous accessories, as well as an assortment of bodies.

One thing that's been missing in recent years from the Nikon line is a reasonably priced entry-level manual camera. The cheaper Nikons have tended to be fully automated cameras, and the cheapest manual Nikon still being made was, until recently, the FM2 at well over $500.

If you work the way I do, you need a manual camera and don't have a lot of use for automation and autofocusing. If you own an old Nikon and some old Nikkor lenses, you may want a simple manual camera body that can accomodate them. If you're a student starting out, or an artist on a budget, you need a manual camera.

If you fit into any of these categories, the FM10 is a great choice. It may not be as rugged as a $1200 F3 or a $2500 F5, but it's well made and should last many years. I'm not a fan of zoom lenses for my own work, but the included 35-70 is a good quality lens with a useful range, and you can add more lenses if you need them.

All in all, a good value and a long-needed inexpensive entry into the Nikon system.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fully manual 35mm, December 28, 2009

By 

Mike H (Galt, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nikon FM10 Camera Kit with 35-70mm Lens (Electronics)

This 35mm is pretty much the perfect college kid film camera. It wont spoon feed you when it comes to learning, which will really help you in the long run. In the age of "press this button and you're focused", this camera is one of the few 35mm's left that doesn't have AF. Also wont change exposure levels to what the camera suggests(such as AV or TV mode some cameras have), this gives you the freedom to be creative as some shots have a whole different mood if underexposed a stop or overexposed a bit. As for manual focus, it's something you need to be able to do as a photographer. Sometimes the computer in your camera just doesn't focus perfectly on that eye you want in focus, or for something as precise as macro photography which has very shallow depth you're going to need pinpoint accuracy that a computer can not do for you.

This lens is great because it's like the vintage 35mm except you don't have to worry about the light meter or any other small part inside of it being broken. Nor do you have to worry about the image quality. The kit lens in this camera is very sharp. It's a bit limiting considering it's f/3.5 so that rules out really low light(but grain can be good, unlike noise in digital; grain has an artistic quality), but considering the price and the quality of the whole kit it's great.

Sure you can get a used one from the 70's or 80's for way cheaper, but chances are something is broken in that thing and you may not know until you've invested 2 hours developing the first roll in your class...

So shell out a little bit extra and get this, it's worth it.

edit 12-9-10:
I still like this, shot some street photography with it since it's really compact compared to a big DSLR, but one big con I've found is build quality. It's got a lot of plastic, and I did drop it once which resulted in a huge dent. The silver parts look metal but they aren't, they're some sort of chrome paint covering more plastic. I don't baby my gear so this thing's starting to look kinda ugly. It hasn't completely broken yet though. I said the kit lens was sharp in my review, but really I now know it's not as good as I made it out to be, I recommend a used nikon e series 50mm 1.8 ais which can be had for cheap on the used market.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME!!!, June 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Nikon FM10 Camera Kit with 35-70mm Lens (Electronics)

This is the best camera ever, when compared to others the FM10 blew it away, the FM was much more durable and takes better pictures (my friend has one of the competitors) and now that she's seen mine, she is very jealous! The pictures are outstanding. Built to last and if you're a beginner to a pro I think you'll be pleased! I was just starting out as a photographer and now after 2 years I still can't put it down. If you're thinking about buying this camera, don't, just get it!!