28th: ​​Nikon Z fc has not arrived yet, so I will talk about New FM2

For those of you who are lamenting that your Nikon Z fc 28mm kit hasn't arrived yet. In the first place, why do you want the Nikon Z fc? I want you to think about it now, but is it a spec? Is it because it's small and light? Is it comfortable to use? design?

If the specs are important, I feel like the Z 50 is fine, is that correct? This one has a built-in speedlight and is reasonably priced, so it's a great value. Z fc and Z 50 are not so different in weight and size. If comfort and feeling are important, the FX (35mm full-frame) format Nikon Z 6II or Z 7II might be better. Or the Z 9 that I haven't seen yet. I don't know.

So, I think there are many people who choose Z fc because of its remaining good design. I also appreciate the design, but how much do you know about the original Nikon New FM2, which is said to be a heritage design? Z fc hasn't arrived yet, so let's attack with that original story this time.

News

Nikon Z fc "28mm f/2.8 Special Edition kit" release date undecided

"Z fc" and "Z fc 16-50 kit" will be released on July 23

News

Nikon, APS-C mirrorless "Z fc" with classical design. Zoom kit 150,000 yen / single focus kit 160,000 yen

(18:10) Added product images

In 1959, the first Nikon single-lens reflex camera, the Nikon F, was introduced. Only expensive flagship machines were available, and the others were "NIKKOREX" and "Nikomat".

It was the early 1970s. It's good that I went out today with the Nicomart FTN in my hand, but when I saw someone walking briskly with the Nikon F2 Photomic hanging from my shoulder, I shifted the strap and took off the Nicomart FTN. I turned the FTN behind my back and carefully passed each other so that Nikon F2 Photomic wouldn't see me.

For a while, Nikon's single-lens reflex cameras had a "camera hierarchy" based on the difference in nameplates, a practice rarely seen in other manufacturers. Regardless of the class, the S series of rangefinder cameras were under the name of Nikon, so it's a different direction.

The Nikon EL2, which appeared in 1977, was the first to break through this class system. The external form was exactly the same as the Nicomart EL series camera, which is a middle-class aperture-priority AE machine, so some conservative Nikon followers questioned, "Why do you use the Nikon name?" bottom.

However, even though the exterior was similar, the interior was completely redesigned, and the AI ​​system was adopted.

Nikon EL2. I thought it was an improved version of Nikomart ELW, but the contents have been revamped. That's why it may have been promoted to the Nikon name. It has the same functions as the later Nikon FE. Recently, I've come to like it quite a bit. Am I sick? Yes I am sick.

By the way, Nicomart existed at the same time, and Nicomart FT3 was the AI ​​body of Nicomart FT2. It is a mystery that this did not become the “Nikon FT3”. Even so, it is still a fully mechanical camera that is easy to maintain, and the Nikon FM, which will be described later, will appear soon after this, so the number of production units was small. A reversal phenomenon is occurring.

Nikomart FT3. It is a minor change machine that converted Nicomart FT2 into AI. I remember purchasing mine around the same time as the F3, and I used it quite a bit. It's big, heavy, and rugged, but I personally like the Nikomart series.

In this way, immediately after Nikon introduced the Ai system, the main models were those with improved photomic viewfinders for F2 and those with improved conventional bodies. Nikon FM, the newly designed AI-enabled first machine, will appear.

This is a fully mechanical camera that uses a vertically running metal shutter that belongs to the Nicomart FT3 class, but it is smaller and lighter, the light receiving element is GPD, and the display in the viewfinder is an LED "-◯+". became.

When the "○" lights up, the correct exposure is obtained, but it is said that it can be divided into 5 levels depending on how it is displayed, such as "-○" or "○+". It was difficult. The fact that it was possible to install the dedicated motor drive MD-11 without modification or adjustment was also a big selling point in this era. The frame speed is about 3.5 frames per second, which is comparable to a winder. Since there was no off timer, the battery in the body was exhausted unless the MD-11 was turned off. This will be improved in MD-12.

I think the Nikon FM is a product class or a design concept connection from the Nicomart FT series, but with the shutter dial moved from the base of the mount to the top, it seems like it's finally become a normal single-lens reflex camera. It has a sophisticated image.

In addition, since the Ai interlocking pin was able to be flipped up, it is possible to install the old Nikkor of the non-Ai method. The Nikomart name has finally been completely abolished, and all Nikon cameras, except for the NIKONOS underwater camera, have been given the Nikon name.

In 1978, the Nikon FE, an aperture-priority AE machine with an electronic shutter, also appeared as a sibling of the FM. The design is similar to FM except for some parts. What was interesting about the FE was that the display in the viewfinder was a pointer type similar to that of the Nikon EL2. As for the display method, it feels more backwards than the FM LED display, but when setting the exposure manually, the amount of exposure deviation is easier to understand than FM. Is the finder screen also interchangeable to differentiate it from FM?

As I mentioned earlier, the Nikon FM was popular as a middle-class machine, or even for beginners. I have the impression that I can now use it without resistance. It's Nikon, not Nikomart. It was also suitable as a sub camera. After all, I think that there was a big meaning that it was small and lightweight.

The FM is a nice camera to use, and I still use it occasionally, but I'm happy with it except that the film advance is a single action. The shutter sound may be my favorite among FM/FE cameras. Still, there were some people who thought that the big and heavy camera was the dignity and charm of Nikon and didn't appreciate the FM system. It also exists in

Nikon FM. Although it is the first model of the FM/FE series, it seems that more attention has been paid to finishing than the New FM2, such as knurling on the ring around the shutter button and the rewind knob. I spend a lot of money even if it has nothing to do with the image. The specs are mediocre, but the image is shaped up from the Nikomart FT3, giving it a condensed feel. This is the top of the Nikon FM body. The shutter dial is now in the same position as a normal single-lens reflex camera. Maximum shutter speed 1/1,000 seconds, sync speed 1/125 seconds. The specifications are the same as Nikomart FT3. The round leather on the top of the film winding lever was followed up to New FM2, but was not adopted from FM3A. Did you think it was useless?

In 1980, the Nikon F3, equipped with an electronic shutter and adopting aperture-priority AE, came out, but with the electronicization of the flagship model, it was a mechanical camera that could operate normally without using a battery. As a sub-camera, the FM of has once again increased its significance.

Again, some professional photographers said that electronic shutter cameras that use batteries like the F3 were no good, so FM may have been eyed as a backup, but the F3 is a flagship machine. And it was reasonably robust and had a good battery life, so I didn't really have a problem.

And in 1982, Nikon FM2, the successor model of FM, appeared. A major feature compared to FM is that the maximum shutter speed has increased to 1/4,000 seconds.

Equipped with a high-speed shutter attracted attention because it made it possible to capture moving objects more sharply. It is surprisingly difficult to use 1/4,000 second regularly unless the weather is fine. There was also an opinion that it is good to be able to use a large aperture lens with a wide aperture even under high brightness conditions, but it seems that the number of people who appreciate this is also limited.

I think what the pros paid attention to was that the sync speed increased from FM's 1/125 seconds to 1/200 seconds, rather than the maximum speed of 1/4,000 seconds. As for F3, it was equipped with a horizontal focal plane shutter, so the maximum sync speed was 1/80 second.

It's a cut taken about 20 years ago, but I've been shooting similar things for a long time. Yeah no growth. I shoot with my favorite F mount Nikkor 35mm lens, the Ai Nikkor 35mm F2S. Nikon New FM2Ai Nikkor 35mm F2S (F8, 1/250sec) Fuji Chrome Provia 100F I was looking for an Ai Nikkor 28mm F2.8S to match the New FM2. Couldn't find it until the deadline. However, when I was looking for a positive, the photo I took came out. It's a great lens. The shortest shooting distance is 0.2m, so it can be used as a wide macro. I would like to commend the designer. Nikon New FM2 Ai Nikkor 28mm F2.8S (F8, 1/250 sec) Fuji Chrome Provia 100F

FM2 makes it easier to synchronize during the day, making it ideal for news photographers, sports photographers, and portrait photographers. It was noticed. I still see it on TV, but when I want to capture a chaotic press conference of a celebrity, or when I want to sharply capture the inside of an ambulance through the window, using a strobe is a must, regardless of the weather day or night. This is because the objective was to reliably capture the target subject sharply, regardless of the lighting conditions, such as backlight or front lighting.

I remember reading a review of the FM2 at the time that there was a speedlight that could synchronize even at 1/250 second depending on the type of strobe, depending on the length of the flash. Looking at the FM2's shutter speed dial, the maximum sync speed of 1/200 second has an independent position marked "X200" in red. 1/125 second notation is red like FM, so I usually feel that the sync speed should be used at 1/125 second. It's an ambitious sync speed of 1/200 second, but it feels like a bonus.

From FM2, the function to raise the Ai interlocking pin has been omitted, and in principle non-Ai Nikkor lenses cannot be installed. Also, the finder screen, which was not possible with FM, can be replaced with FM2.

Nikon FE2. FM2 has been converted to aperture-priority AE, and the maximum sync speed has been set to 1/250 second, which is faster than FM2. Because of this, FM2 must have been improved to New. I used this camera quite a bit, but I don't remember shooting with AE. The top of the Nikon FE2 body. As for the shutter dial notation, 250 display is red. There is a separate M250, but it means a mechanical shutter. "B" is also a mechanical shutter. The ability to operate without a battery was an essential specification for Nikon SLR cameras at the time. The A position is green, but the "1/3 STEP" notation is green on Nikon Df and Z fc. I feel that this design resembles the dial of an aperture-priority AE machine.

The Nikon FE2, released in 1983 as the successor to the Nikon FE, officially set the maximum sync speed to 1/250 seconds and the maximum shutter speed to 1/4,000 seconds. I don't know if the electronic shutter was more flexible in development than the mechanical shutter, but in terms of sync speed, the FM2 has been overtaken by the FE2. I remember that the normal 1/250 second notation became red, which made it much easier to use. A TTL auto-dim function was also adopted, but I suspect most pros didn't use it.

Then, one year after the Nikon FE2, in 1984, the Nikon New FM2 appeared with a sync speed of 1/250 sec. and a maximum shutter speed of 1/4,000 sec. will be New FM2 is a big deal because it will be a long-selling camera until 2001 when the successor Nikon FM3A will appear.

Nikon New FM2. The design is almost the same as FM2, but the reason why it is "New" is because the sync speed of FM2 has changed from 1/200 seconds to 1/250 seconds. It's a slight difference, but as a user, I felt like I had evolved considerably. Maybe normal FM2 is rare. I don't think it will be a collection, but I feel like I want a little bit (laughs). The individual I have has a black winding lever and looks like a panda, but I wonder if this is correct. New FM2/T with titanium upper and lower covers. It is a normal sales model. Compared to the Nikon F3T, whose exterior is also made of titanium, the color is darker and misleading. But this individual used it a lot. I remember taking it overseas as a sub-machine, but it doesn't feel particularly sturdy just because it's made of titanium. The back cover is probably the same as the normal model. This is the upper part of the New FM2/T body. The shutter dial 250 notation has become red. In FM2, the "X200" position was in a different place than what is usually written, so it felt special when I set it up, but this feels like a natural setting.

Nikon has maintained F-mount compatibility whether the camera is converted to AE or AF. If the lens had an aperture ring and was compatible with Ai, it could be used.

Unlike other manufacturers, the reason why MF SLRs have survived for a long time is the compatibility of new and old interchangeable lenses with the unchanged F mount, but it is also a SLR camera that allows you to study the basics of photography. I think the fact that it became a designated teaching material for many photography schools was also significant.

This is probably the final version catalog cover of New FM2. It is June 25, 2000. Is it marketing to want young women to use it? It is similar to that of Z fc.

Nikon FM3A, released in 2001, will be the finale of FM/FE SLR cameras. It's basically an MF single-lens reflex camera equipped with an aperture-priority AE mechanism, so it shouldn't be strange to name it "FE3", but the "FM" name is because it can operate without a battery. Is it because it was equipped with a hybrid shutter?

The exterior cover is made of brass. I was surprised that the display in the viewfinder almost followed the indicator type of FE2. However, as I mentioned earlier, this pointer type makes it easy to see the amount of exposure deviation even during manual exposure, making it a suitable model for beginners. The viewfinder screen has also been improved to become a brighter type. This can also be used with the New FM2.

Even though the world had already entered the full-fledged digital age, the appearance of this new MF SLR was a surprise. I was impressed by Nikon's stance of creating a new type of film MF SLR even in the 21st century.

Nikon FM3A. Strictly speaking, it cannot be called the last FM/FE series because of the Nikon FM10, but I was shocked by the fact that it was equipped with a hybrid shutter that works without batteries. It's hard to say that I used it a lot because of the times, but I often use it when testing film. However, the italic "Nikon" logo is still unfamiliar to me even after 20 years (laughs)> Mr. Goto

Personally, however, the FM3A's Nikon logo has changed to a new italic one, and I find it very uncomfortable. I remember having Also, the silver chrome plating gave a whitish impression, and I was worried that the luxury feeling was lost a little. That's why I chose black body. It's unrelated, but this time Z fc is a silver specification, and this is due to the paint, but it feels more luxurious than the silver finish of FM3A. That's excellent.

It's a pity that the FM3A didn't have a wiggle winding, and the FM/FE series didn't have a wiggle winding. By the way, entry-class Nikon EM and FG can be wound up in small increments.

When the FM3A was released, I had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Tetsuro Goto about the change in the Nikon logo design in an interview with "Asahi Camera" at the time. I remember being told. But look at Z fc, it's the old logo. Oh, Nikon Df was also the old logo. I'm a sticky person, so I'll keep saying it forever (laughs).

Personally, I was surprised that the pancake type Ai Nikkor 45mm F2.8P was released at the same time as the FM3A. No matter how you look at it, Nikon's focus on digital single-lens reflex cameras is completely focused on AF, but they planned and launched an MF lens.

However, this lens was discontinued early. Probably because it didn't sell well. I remember a person at a certain manufacturer lamenting that pancake lenses are in high demand when they don't exist, but once they reach enough people who want them, they don't sell at all. Those who request pancake lenses from manufacturers should understand this area well. Please reconsider if you have any concerns.

I don't think New FM2 is used much in private, but this cut appeared in the remaining frames after the assignment shooting. I guess I took some pictures on a whim because I had some left over film, but I wouldn't do this kind of mischief unless I had a small and lightweight camera. Nikon New FM2NIKKOR-N Auto 24mm F2.8 (Ai modified) (F8, 1/250sec) Fujichrome Provia 100F It seems to have been taken with some kind of assignment. The shooting location is a certain temple, but I don't remember anything about it. Shot with medium telephoto macro. Exposure seemed to be difficult, so I used manual bracketing. Nikon New FM2 Ai Micro-Nikkor 105mm F4 (F4, 1/500sec) Fuji Chrome Provia 100F

Film cameras have been taken for granted that "development of the camera = automation", so Nikon's AE/AF I think that they did a wonderful job in the sense that they kept MF SLR cameras even after the development of .

As I mentioned earlier, the New FM2 was a long-selling camera for over 15 years, and the F3 was sold continuously for 20 years. Even now, there are many people who love it, and it fetches a reasonable price even in the second-hand market.

There are many shooting projects where camera automation has made it possible to shoot things that could not be shot before, or improved accuracy and convenience. In that sense, we do not deny the development of functions.

However, if you know the basics of photography in the first place, you will understand that there is no special relationship between the automation of the camera and the quality of the photo content, and on the contrary, it means that you can take good photos with a full manual camera. But no. If you shoot with the same film and the same lens, the Nikon F in 1959 will look exactly the same as the FM3A in the 21st century.

People who enjoy manual exposure and manual focusing using a film camera tend to be thought of as belonging to the minority. The human body is something that moves, so automation is just a matter of having the camera do what the human finger sets. In other words, the presence of MF film SLRs like FM/FE series has improved the quality of the entire camera system, or rather, Nikon itself.

When I searched for photographs of photographers using FM/FE, I found photographs of master Yoshio Watanabe (1907-2000). The shooting was around 1990 and the location is the office in Yotsuya. The camera that took this photo was a Nikon FE2. Professor Watanabe is a leading figure in postwar architectural photography, but before the war he also took snapshots with a small camera. Is the camera you have an FE2? I remember you telling me, "Recently, small cameras are good." The attached lens is Ai Nikkor 20mm f/2.8S. Later, when I gave this print to Mr. Watanabe, I remembered that he scolded me for "bad baking." I apologize to you. Nikon FE2 Ai Nikkor 35mm f/1.4S (F4, 1/60 sec) Kodak T-MAX400

The exterior is a classic manual SLR, and inside is the latest high-performance mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z fc. When it was first announced, I thought that all the value was in the exterior design, but when I got it through a monthly magazine review, my perception changed considerably. For me, who continues to play with film SLR cameras, I would like to personally mention that the Z fc was a mirrorless camera that I could easily get into without feeling uncomfortable when I actually used it.

However, I feel that this is a little different from the meaning of enjoying manual settings or studying like the FM/FE series of the film camera era. A holding balance that cannot be relied on the grip part in a single body, and a presence through resistance to the palm even if it is small. This leads to the allure of tactile sensations, which is important when manipulating devices. From the Z fc, you can feel the solitary tool nature that it is different from the smartphone cameras around here.

The presence of the dial also gives me a visual sense of security that I don't have to check the camera settings one by one through the LCD window. You can see the setting status without turning on the power. However, only the F value is structurally not displayed unless the power is turned on.

Z fc is inevitably necessary if you put together the setting elements such as ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, aperture, etc. that are necessary for photography that will not change even if it becomes digital, so that it will be beautiful in terms of design. It may be that it has become a New FM2 style, that is, a heritage design.

The September 2021 issue of Digital Camera Magazine, which is currently on sale, reviews the Nikon Z fc.

I attached NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (Special Edition) to Nikon Z fc. Despite the effort in terms of design, the diameter of the lens barrel is fat. Since the mount part is made of plastic, I honestly want to go on a rampage. Also, why isn't there a dedicated hood? Here, I attached the HN-2 for Ai Nikkor 28mm f/2.8S and arranged the appearance. The filter diameter is 52mm, so it's cool. For those who have reserved the 28mm kit, it is a must to install the hood. Be sure to hit the used camera store now and get one, ready for the Z fc 28mm kit launch.