Nikon EM 35mm SLR Film Camera Body Only

Introduced in 1979 this small aperture priority SLR has a mechanical speed M90 to bail you out if the battery dies suddenly. The Bulb 'B' mode also doesn't consume any battery! Great night shots are possible without running out of batteries.The lense mount is stainless steel and the top plate and bottom plates are made of Industrial Grade Polycarbonate. Rest of the body is made of metal hence it is very sturdy.Metering system is 60% centre weighted and it is quite reliable (though tends to become non-functional if the camera sits for months). Nikon EM takes all Nikkor AI and AIS lenses both MF and AF but doesn't take the new 'G' type lenses (ie without aperture ring).EM strictly speaking can't be called a classic Nikon like F2, FE, FM or F3 but in no way it is less reliable than these classic models. The only serious lack of feature EM suffers from is absence of Depth-of-field Preview. But even F55, F60,N2002 haven't got it. Nikon EM is ideal for trekkers and hikers as it is light yet pretty sturdy. Never you'll feel that you're holding a cheapo. Long discontinued, this unique is the smallest metal body Nikon ever made. Used Nikon EM is available at e-Bay at a very reasonable price. I know a lot of people who grab at Nikon EM from e-Bay despite having a number of them, just in case they need parts to cannibalise.

The Nikon EM is a good camera in a compact, easy to use design. It uses an automatic aperture priority auto exposure system. To take a photo with the Nikon EM... you just set the aperture on the lens. You then focus and shoot. The EM will automatically set the shutter speed for you. If your aperture forces the shutter speed outside of it's safe range between 1/30 to 1/1000 of a second, you will hear a beep which tells you to change the aperture.

It was introduced in 1979 and that's the problem. These cameras are getting old and many require routine service. The problem is, it's difficult to find camera shops that will service them. I have checked with 4 online camera repair facilities and only 1 would service the EM I had and they said it would cost $125 just to look at it. Extra for parts... IF they had them. And my own personal camera guy that I've used for several years will work on just about any 35mm SLR film camera except the Nikon EM. I don't understand all the technicalities but apparently this camera really was not made with future service in mind. Not many user servicable parts.

I have purchased 5 Nikon EMs on eBay and 2 of them were dead on arrival. Those were donated to the parts bin as nobody seemed to want to work on them. The three that worked worked great and took great photos.

Bottom line... if the camera works... it's great... but if it breaks it will be cheaper and easier to just buy a new camera. For this reason I would avoid purchasing this camera unless you know it's working and in good shape.

Nikon has a phenomenal reputation. They've been used for years by a variety of photojournalists and professional photographers. They're known to be rugged; I remember reading how a photographer dropped a Nikon down a flight of concrete stairs, cleaned it up and kept on shooting!

Nikon EM is a completely automatic metered SLR that was designed to be a lot easier to use than the other models. It has a lightweight body, metal shutter, and a variety of Nikon lenses can be attached to it. The only negative quality for a 'true' photographer is being able to completely control the shutter speed and aperture. This camera does have a manual override, that leaves you with 1/90 of a second (I believe) and some aperture control. There is a button on the camera that will 'give you' two F-stops wider exposure in a back lit situation.

So, why buy an old Nikon? Well, I could never afford a new NIKON! The older cameras and lenses are now very reasonable since most professionals have switched over to digital. It's amazing what $100 (or even less) will buy on EBAY!

I bought this camera because I collect and use 35mm film cameras. I think it is a good basic automatic film camera for someone who is ready for something beyond cameras that are just point and shoot. The user sets the aperture on this camera, and the camera automatically sets the shutter speed. Last year a friend's daughter and I took a photo taking excursions and used single use cameras so she could learn something about composition. I bought the Nikon EM to upgrade to when we do some more picture taking this coming summer. Using it, I will get a chance to teach her about aperture settings and depth of field in photography. I think I will enjoy using this camera and its dedicated flash for some of my picture taking too.

It was designed to meet the mass market for general consumers. The key to having one that works, and they do very good btw when they have been kept properly, is finding one that is clean, stored, and used very little. I have never seen a specific model of any manufacture that has been so abused as the EM. Many times when I come across one it's dirty, banged, up, beaten up, missing parts, and virtually trashed. The soccer ball of cameras I call it as a result. Find one that's undamaged and not missing any parts, with clean glossy black shine, no dings, dents, or gouging and I'll bet it's a winner. Pop in a battery, advance the film lever, and hit the shutter release in anything but B or m90, if it clicks it works. Next check the meter, if it responds it works, open the film door and examine the edges...any gooey sticky black gunk present? If not your ready for film. Sure it isn't built like an F or a FM those can substitute as large hockey pucks. It was built to appeal and that meant keeping the price down, in return that meant more plastic and inexpensive production. All you have to do is focus the lens and it's easy after that. Let's keep it real, they are what they are, sadly the most abused model of all times, but found in excellent condition a camera capable of producing some super shots, especially if you couple a decent lens and forgo the E series 50mm. I would trust one and I have, but a well cared for one in well cared for condition because it is not a camera you can toss into bags or bounce off your back seat when you jump in the car, it's not an F or an FM or an F3...it is an inexpensive EM, not a fragile flower, a Nikon that's just not tank like. Even great condition is not a guarantee, but more often then not it is...so keep that in mind.