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| Shiny and Black |
Nikon FG - Shiny (gifted to my son)
s/n 8416448
MD-E
Nikon FG - Black
s/n 8585876
MD-14
s/n 349998
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 I chose the FG because even though the FG-20 is a newer version of the FG, it is a simplified version of an already very basic camera.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.
The FG has become my EDC (Every Day Carry or Every Day Camera) I have the MD-E (motor drive/winder) mounted with the Nikon Series E 50mm f1.8 AIS . I use an economical black Optech strap that is comfortable to carry. It is often found in the floorboard of my Forester, laying in the grass next to me, on the bar next to a beer, on a dusty surface out and about and always on my coffee table at home.
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Resources
Nikon FG Review and How To. Nikon’s Smallest SLR?
David Hancock: Nikon FG Beginner Tutorial Walkthrough and Review - part 2
Below are a few photographs that I took with my FG cameras.
FG Black above FG Shiny below
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