Going vintage-My FM Nikon Adventure:
As a lover of all things vintage, I’ve always felt a special attraction to old objects, abandoned buildings, music, and, of course, analog cameras. Nostalgia… Of course, one of my favorite photographic passions is urbex photography… 😀
Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by analog cameras. I still remember the incredible feeling that came over me with every click of my first compact camera. Although I abandoned this hobby in my youth, my passion for photography rekindled years later.
After years away from photography, I discovered digital photography and fell in love with it. I started using a digital camera, which allowed me to create and edit photos more quickly and easily.
At the same time, I’ve always been drawn back to analog times… So today, alongside my mirrorless Nikon Z5, I still use an FM Nikon analog camera… 📸
Developing film and photos in analog photography:
Developing a film is truly something special! I have to admit, I have tried this magic trick several times since I bought a film development kit. I was so excited for the moment when I would open the developing tank and check the negatives! But it didn’t quite turn out as I expected… In my excitement to try something so new to me, I mixed up the order of the chemicals for development. The end result was empty negatives… 🙈
It destroyed some of my captured memories and made me angry for a while, but it also made me more stubborn in my pursuit of knowledge. And I succeeded! I learned that it’s important to be careful and to follow the instructions slowly but surely.
Years ago, I set a goal for myself to develop my own photos in a darkroom. Well, that hasn’t happened yet. I’ve been organizing the space in my basement for two years, preparing the equipment, collecting tools for developing… But unexpected things often happen in my life. That’s what fills me up and makes me happy. I love challenges, whether it’s digging into a brand new world for me, building new webpages, learning new things, having fun while taking photos, or anything else… ☺️
It’s true that I haven’t realized my dream of having my own darkroom yet, but I know that the right time will come someday. If not sooner, then maybe once I resign from my full-time job and have more time for what truly makes me happy… Until then, I will surrender to the new adventures that life offers me. Who knows, maybe they will lead me to something even more amazing… 😍
So, with my Nikon FM, I’ve learned that photography is like a game where I skillfully combine my knowledge of settings with creativity and a sense of composition. Every photo always has its own story that I can express with different textures and contrasts…
Here is some short information about the FM Nikon:
- The FM Nikon is a classic, fully-manual, 35mm film SLR camera. FM was first introduced in 1977. It is very popular among photography enthusiasts and is considered one of the most reliable cameras ever made. It is smaller and lighter than its predecessors, but has all the features necessary for serious photography. It has a durable metal body that makes it ideal for use in all conditions.
- Since the FM is a mechanical camera, it doesn’t require batteries to operate the basic functions of the camera, such as the shutter and the film advance. However, it does require two 1.5 volt batteries (like type LR44) to operate the light meter.
- This camera uses the Nikon F bayonet lens, so you can use a wide range of Nikon lenses, from older manual ones to newer automatic ones.
My lenses:
- Nikkor 50mm f2,
- Osawa MC 24mm f2.8,
- Tokina 80-200mm f4.5.
Of course, my favorite thing to do with my FM Nikon is to play around with double exposures. It’s like having a secret superpower that allows me to create unexpected images…Huh, if only I can find the time to develop them… 😜
- The Nikon FM camera has a double exposure feature that allows you to take two exposures on the same frame of film. It is important to note that the second exposure will be superimposed onto the first, so careful consideration should be taken when composing the second shot. With practice, this feature can be used creatively to produce unique and interesting images.
- One of the most important characteristics of the Nikon FM is its light metering system. This camera uses matrix metering, which means that it measures light at several points in the frame to obtain a more precise exposure.
… Over time, the Nikon FM has proven to be a reliable camera, and it is now widely regarded as one of the best SLRs of its generation. Its durability and precision make it a favorite among professional and amateur photographers alike, and its popularity has endured even in the age of digital photography. Despite the emergence of new technologies, the Nikon FM remains a classic and timeless camera that is cherished by many… 😀
Just a few more tips for photography based on my experience with my FM Nikon:
- Manual settings on cameras (which used to be common with analog cameras) are crucial for achieving the desired look in your photos.
- Settings like ISO, shutter speed, and the aperture affect how your photo looks and how it captures light.
- You first need to choose the right type of film for your situation.
- Once you have the right film, you can adjust the ASA/ISO on your camera.
- It’s important to know that once you set the ASA or ISO, you need to use it for the entire roll of film since you can’t change the film’s sensitivity between shots.
Well, every photographer has their own preferences and approaches to photography, so it‘s wonderful that we can all choose the tools that best fit our style of work. Analog cameras can provide a unique photography experience. So go ahead, have fun, and capture some amazing moments… 💪