Adam Trahan: Nikon FG

Nikon FG with Series E 50mm f1.8 and the MD-E winder

Nikon FG

s/n 8585876

I tried very hard to own, operate and maintain a Nikon EM, but it just didn’t work out. In short, the EM is cheap and fun but after three different EM’s, and many hours of cleaning, two trashed expensive rolls of film and developing costs, no more. When I bent the fine needle on the light meter that did not function all the time on the last EM, the third one, that was it.

No mas.

Having researched the origins, development and release of the EM, the next compact 35mm film body in that size was the FG and the FG-20 after that. I chose the FG because even though the FG-20 is a newer version of the FG, it is a simplified version of an already very basic camera. Owning the EM I always wanted the FG and when I saw one with a Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AIS for the price half of the lens alone, I snapped it up. Both the camera and the lens are in great shape.

As I cleaned the FG, I made a decision to pick out the deteriorating light seals as I knew I had a good copy and I didn’t want the light seals crumbs fouling the shutter or getting into the focus screen. Very carefully I cleaned the seal channels and it’s ready to have new seals installed. I found a kit for new seals that I used on the EM and at ten dollars, with the knowledge of installation on the EM, I decided to move forward with the maintenance. I fully expect this camera to last the rest of my life now and that’s a good thing.

The 50mm lens is now clean and it is mounted on my FE2.