NIKON FM10 35mm Camera Kit

I needed a manual camera for my photography class.So I read other people's reviews and purchased this camera;it has been wonder-full. It is very good for a beginner like me to use and I have taken some great photos with it. I am enjoying it very much. One thing I was unclear on was that it had a "camera case" I thought that meant a bag that I could put other stuff besides my camera in; the case it comes in justs covers the camera. I just think it was a little unclear to an amature, but it has not been a problem. Thanks for the great camera I will come to this store for any other needs I have!

This is a very solid, basic 35 mm SLR. Gives you total control of the shooting experience. Great for all enthusiasts.

I've had this camera since 1999 when I first started taking B&W photography class. I believe that this is a great camera for people to learn basic photography. Although I moved up to Nikon F80 and Nikon D40 I still take this camera out for a spin once in a while (a family member closed his camera store and gave me boxes on 35mm films). I fully recommend this camera to anybody that wants to learn basic photography.

we are very happy with our new 35mm NIKON camera kit. it is just awesome.

I used this camera/lens kit for three years as a beginner and I have never satisfied with the results I made. I thought this is because my bad tecnique but It was not the case. I got another older SLR two weeks ago and was amazed by the difference. I am not sure wether it's because of the lens or camera body, because I have never tried FM10 with another lens. Anyway make sure not to buy this kit. waste of money.

The camera is even beyond my expectations! And I did have some good ones! Although it's totally manual it's not so hard to use (I read the instruction manual in about 10 minutes...). I could make some very good shots even in adverse light situations. It's a very good camera for those who like taking pictures their own way, instead of just pushing a button and hoping it goes out fine. Besides, a digital camera nearly as good as this is probably at least twice the price.

This camera's title is misleading. The FM series has a long, distinguished history, ending with the fantastic FM3A. The FM10 not only doesn't deserve to be considered an FM, but it isn't even made by Nikon. The specs are outsourced to who knows where, preying on people's trust in the good Nikon reputation. The build is quite cheap, and you will know it as soon as you pick the camera up- lots of plastic. You can get a much better price on a used but much higher quality (and authentic) Nikon, so if you're in the market, shop around plenty, because the FM10 is a ruse of shameful proportions.

The most flimsy camera Nikon has ever made with a very bad lens. Junk. Most used Nikon film cameras are much better than this.

For the money, this is a good buy. You actually get a case with it, too. The camera strap triangular rings do not fit the camera body properly, a very slight annoyance.

Unlike a lot of inexpensive SLRs both the camera body lens mount and the lens bayonet mount are metal. ( The lens itself is primarily plastic but I was pleasantly surprised that the bayonet itself was metal )

From an epileptics point of view there is nothing blinking or flashing which is a real blessing! ( All there are are three exposure range LEDs visible on the left side of the viewfinder - < + O - >.

Since this camera does not have an adjustable eyepiece for the viewfinder, if you need glasses, you will also have to buy the eyepiece diopter correction lens ( Note that the value you need is for distance, not for reading so if your normal distance glasses are +2, get a +2 diopter correction lens! If you have a local Nikon dealer it is probably better to buy this locally, otherwise you may end up with a box of correction lenes )

I also reviewed the Nikon F6 SLR film camera. Too much blinking. It is trivial for these manufactures to provide an accessibility menu for people who are 1) color blind ( when there is a color display then colors should be selectable ) 2) visually impaired ( have an optional display with larger characters/numbers ) and 3) epileptic ( disable all that useless blinking ). Good luck, none of these manufactures have heard of the ADA.

You might be in the same situation I was, ready for the world of photography, but a tad short on the knowledge and equipment that goes into making great photos. After some online research, I found the FM10.

The FM10 was perfect for me, and could be for you too. This camera set, equipped with a good photography book, provides the foundation that will turn you into a great photographer. I soon learned correct composition, exposure and vocabulary like f/stops, shutter speeds etc. This camera will teach you the process that most automatic cameras hide.

The 35mm-70mm is an ideal lens to start out with, with enough range to capture your subject. The average aperature rating makes shots a bit easier too.

Overall, if you want a camera for quicksnap shots and ease of mind photography, then go buy a digital camera. The FM10 is fully manual, meaning you will be changing all the settings, which is more ideal for control over artistic image. This is an excellent choice for begingings to learn all the basics, just be prepared to make a lot of mistakes and learn a lot :)

Hope this helped. Please remember it is from the perspective of a novice.


The book I picked up, which I also reccomend is The Basic Book of Photography, Fifth Edition

I received my camera very quickly. Everything was in the box that I needed, the camera was undamaged, and everything looked to be in tip-top shape! Excellent service!

I bought this camera as a back up to my F2, my baby. I wanted SLR that I didn't have to worry about getting damaged, stolen, etc. I've run a couple of rolls through it and what can I say? It does EXACTLY what its supposed to. It accepts all of my older Nikkor lenses AND my newer auto-focus Sigma zooms. It has a strong metal shutter, the viewfinder is bright and crisp (especailly after adding a f1.4 50mm lens). Now, its not a FM3a, a FM2(2), or even a FM. But, it has A LOT more features than a Pentax K1000. I haven't attepmted using any of my macro equipement on it yet, but I am almost positive it will work. Its a nice basic manual film camera that one can use their nikkor lenses with. My biggest fear is the cameras overall construction, the shutter is solid, but the body....worries me a bit, its not metal. I do pamper my equipment, so only time will tell. If you're even slightly interested in this camera, you'll probalby need to make up your mind soon. As many of us know, Nikon has discontinnued all manufacturing and develpoment of all film cameras. Whatever is currently being sold now is whatever stock that is leftover since Nikon discontinnued anything film. All around film SLRs have now become a rarity, especailly manual ones........Something about something called digital (?)

I really hope that this short review is of some help to those who are out there searching for a nice and affordable camera to buy. There are so many to choose from and so many different ways, especially with shopping via the Internet, to purchase cameras that it helps to have someone help out. You'll find that the Nikon FM-10 is lightweight, but as durable as some cameras that are much more expensive.

I am an avid photographer and I love two brands of cameras, Canon and Nikon. The Nikon FM10 is a durable and dependable 35mm film camera. The kit comes complete with everything you will need to begin your new photographic adventure. My only concern for people that are not VERY familiar with cameras, is that you might now realize that this model is not automatic like the newer versions. If you have the time to spend focusing your subject-then this is a camera that will perform consistently for you. If you are brand new to photography and would like for your camera to do all of the focusing and other adjustments, you're likely better off at least reviewing the newer versions of this SAME camera.

I have used this camera over and over and over again. In all honesty, it's as good a camera as any at this level. The photos are always crisp and predictable and the body of the camera has held up well for over 7 years. I've found myself taking photographs and then the rain would come and soak myself and the camera. Even without proper water protection, the camera has not shown any problems or any sign of rusting.

You'll find it easy to load your film and quite easy to get used to taking great pictures. The lens that is included with the Camera Kit is a very good one and will serve most of your needs. There is a great array of additional lenses and other products that you can buy to add to you Nikon FM10.

The camera was launched to the public, as the Nikon FM-10 in 1995. A magazine that I like to read, Popular Photography, felt that Nikon could have done a bit better with this camera outfit-but that was ONLY their opinion. But In 1996, an automatic version of the lightweight FM10, the Nikon FE-10 was also being introduced as a continuation model to the discontinued Nikon FE-2. The FE-2 was retired in 1986. For many Nikon fans, mixed feelings were abundant about the original launch of the NIKON FM-10. But few could argue that the general mechanics of the camera are good to outstanding.

Take your time in researching the right camera for you. I think that this would be a great camera for students who are taking an introductory photography class. With Automatic-Everything Cameras, it's too easy to swith to "AUTO" when you're learning how to take photographs in a class. The Nikon FM10 would allow the new student to "focus" on the true and important elements of photography that are extremely helpful to an aspiring photographer.

I hope this was helpful at least in part. It was a pleasure to share information with you and I'd be happy to entertain questions about anything that I've missed in this review.

Happy Picture Taking!

Peter Cannice
Scottsdale, Arizona

I bought this camera brand new and I have to that it is a great camera. I needed a new 35mm fully manual but didn't feel like spending a fortune. I read the specs on the camera and bought it. It is one hell of a work horse. Anyone who bashes this camera has not used it.

The FM series of cameras from Nikon has a long and distinguished history. The FM10 is a totally manual camera with through the lens center weighted metering. The beauty of the manual system is that you have a complete range of shutter speeds if the batteries fail. Additionally, you get to set the camera settings how you want to without trying to out think and out smart the auto programming that most cameras have now. In other words, you get to take the picture; not the camera. The FM10 is a sturdy camera that has one of the widest ranges of lenses available to it. There is not a lens that you can think of that can not be found for this camera. Beginners or professionals: anyone that wants to be a photographer and not just a button pusher should get this camera.

Most of the reviews I've read about this camera say it's cheap, not up to Nikon's standards, and made out of horrible plastic.

They're very wrong. The camera's lighter than most manual cameras I've held, but it feels very sturdy. The lens it comes with is just fine for students and beginners, and I'll hold on to it even though I plan on getting a fixed 50mm Nikon lens very soon. Still, for the price, you can't beat it!

If you've read other reviews about how cheap this camera feels and you're weary, all I can say is go to a camera store and hold it. If you want something much more rugged you'll pay a lot more money. If you want something to start shooting with then get this camera. It'll also help you start building a good Nikon kit so if you decide to upgrade bodies later you won't have to repurchase all your lenses.

Great clarity, great quality