Customer Reviews

Nikon FM10 Camera Kit with 35-70mm Lens

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!

My wife and I have owned an FM and an FE since they were first introduced in the middle to late '70s. Literally thousands of shutter openings have occurred since they were new and we keep promising ourselves we will get newer cameras some day. If and when these two cameras no longer deliver the quality they have for the last 30+ years.

The FM is the grandaddy to the one being sold here and based on our use, this is absolutely the best camera available for users who want to become photographers. There are no shortcuts in photography unless you only care about snapshots.

You who are new to photography will be well served to start with this fine camera and after a few hundred BLACK AND WHITE shots to develop your skills in focus, metering and composition, you MIGHT be ready to take a few color slides. One caveat, however: No Prints! Ever! The learning process and transition to photographer quality from snapshotter will be hard but fun if you spend time learning the craft with an FM 10.

Of course, you get what you work for. If you want shapshots, get a simple little digital and be happy. If you want to produce art, buy a 35mm film camera like the FM 10 and use the only remaining Kodachrome film, KR64 to produce images that will last a lifetime.

Our website, [...] has a few examples of our craft. It is all done in Kodachrome and about half were taken with the FM and the rest with the FE. We have toyed with the notion of going digital but film is so perfect for our art that we cannot bring ourselves to abandon it. We have also thought about upgrading to something more "automatic" but the FE is fine for that. Like I wrote above, if they finally fail us, maybe we will upgrade to something newer, like the FM 10.

Nothing available will give you the results of an FM 10. Of course you have to want to take photographs, not snapshots.

This camera is exactly what I was looking for I am taking a photography class and this camera is fully manual so it works great for what I'm trying to learn

I am a basic type, and ordered one here. It had a small malfunction, Amazon not only sent me a replacement, but a free return postage sheet to use after the replacement came.. As said if you wish a Basic no junk camera this is the one, Yes I still have the OLD 35mm Mamaya and even the Kawa .. Want a basic Nikon, do this one,. I have as well grabbed a couple used lenses 70-200 and a 75-300 that are great .. ( Now looking for a body only ) Odd Nikon body's of any type are hard to find.,. It is a Great Camera,....

i took a beginning b&w photo class in college a year ago and this was the camera they had in the lab to lend out to people who didnt own a slr of their own. at first i was scared on how to use the thing, it seems complicated but its really not. once you get the hang of it, i loved it. its all manual which is great for control purposes. now that ive got some cash, im gonna buy the nikon fm10 slr for myself to use.

As my point of view, for this price, the FM10 is the best equipment for going outside taking high quality shots. Whith an ideal weight, and 35-70mm lens, you can shot differents situations and places,with a little risk for your camera. I proved on Atacama desert and at 5000 meters. No problem. Hint: Do not believe much in the foto meter. Beleieve in your experience.

One thing that the post here don't mention and I forgot is the fact that an auto wind ( Think the 11 as well as the 12 ) will work, Not that a new person would wish .. But used here are in the 85-125 range just a point this is a Nikon and not a .. .. . \ I have added 2 extra lenses to it.. way better than a ..

this is an excellent phone. it is basic, but works extremely well.