Vintage Camera Encounter - Nikon FM

To be honest, I am not fan of any vintage camera. Although my father was a photographer but I never picked up any of his skills or knowledge. He is now being old, I think he also lost his interest in photography, we hardly talk about after his retirement age. In fact, I never thought of one day, photography will become my favorite hobby.

He passed me an old camera, the Nikon FM, a vintage camera which was made around 1977. First thing came into my mind was "ah yah, throw away-lah, so old and heavy, who want to use it lah !!" Luckily I did not take any action on it. 

Many years, the camera was kept in a closet to collect dust. Only lately, some photography buddies are keen in shooting film, with their influences, I took it out again and get it fix. Then, I started my film shooting journey.

This is my dad's old camera.

Nikon FM, Lens with hood was belonged to a friend, KY.

In fact, I have no idea what model of this camera, but luckily I have the vintage camera sifu, Koon Yik, he told me the model of this camera is Nikon FM. So I Google a bit, I found out the introduction of this camera in the Wikipedia and it stated like this:

  From Wikipedia - Nikon FM

 

"The FM was the replacement for Nikkormat FT3, which had been introduced only a few months prior. It introduced an entirely new compact, but rugged, copper-aluminum alloy chassis that would become the basis for Nikon's highly successful range of compact semi-professional SLR cameras.
These cameras were intended to provide a more reasonably priced alternative to Nikon's professional F-series cameras, which at the time was the Nikon F2. They were all-new successors to the Nikkormat F- and EL-series of amateur-level SLRs, but despite the lower price-point they continued Nikon's reputation for high-quality construction, impressive durability and measured technical innovation.
The FM has proven to be remarkably long-lived and reliable camera. Nippon Kogaku would over the next twenty-nine years use the same chassis (but with some modifications) and basic design philosophy for the FE (introduced in 1978), FM2 (1982), FE2 (1983), FA (1983) and the limited production FM3A of 2001."

Wow, not so bad, isn't it? the same chassis was used until 2001. the usage of twenty-nine (29) years had really means something, isn't it? Although the Nikon FM now is thirty-five (35) years old (it was made in year 1977), but mechanically, it's still functioning very well. I sent for a major service to Mr Wong, a well known guy who fix all sort of vintage cameras in KL(see below picture)and get a new Nikkon 50mm f1.8 lens, it starts working again.

Lately, I love taking photos using my new toy. Below are some of my favorite photos.

Let check out some of our photography buddies ....

Mr Wong, the owner of a desert and cake shop in Petaling Street, but actually he is the sifu in repairing all sort of vintage cameras. A truly hidden camera master in the urban area.

Chinese Temper near Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

The sidewalk of Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

An over weight guy seated in a India Temple near Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur

Many wholesalers / kedai runcit of such, can be found many in Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur 

A seller looking at me while I took the photo, located inside Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

I realized film colors are much more vibrant and dazzling. The richness of colors gives us the warm and cozy feeling. It doesn't look like digital photo, although the digital photo is much more sharper and better image quality in term of details but I found that the colors in digital color are less "lively" as compare to film photo ... maybe this is just my opinion ... but that is how I felt .... I love the colors ...

You may also notice of my previous blog, I also started posting more film photos in my blog.

Last year, I also took my Nikon FM to Cameron Highlands and I was so impressed with the outcome, I want to share some nice photos that I took in Cameron Highlands.

For me, sharpness of a photo is important but I am more emphasize on the feeling of "life", the film photo from my dad's old camera can bring out that warm feeling that I have been longing before .....

Yeah !! A 35 years old camera can still make the "Wow" effect, isn't it ?

Cheer !!

Hahahaha!! 

The End.