1977 was an important year for Nikon. On the one hand the introduction of the AI-System (and the adapted models of the current camera lineup), on the other hand the introduction of the Nikon FM, the origin of an entirely new generation of Nikon SLR – a more compact and lighter design with systematic use of electronics, replacing the old Nikkormats.

The body is made of Duralumin (copper-aluminum alloy) with a mechanical titanium-bladed focal plane shutter. The FM is very rugged and reliable, it doesn’t need batteries to operate (required only for the fast light meter based on gallium diodes, displaying + o – with 3 corresponding LED in the viewfinder) and due to self lubricating parts it can be used even in extreme temperature ranges.

The initial model like my silver one has knurled locking rings around the shutter button and rewind knobs. Later models like my black one omit the rotating locking ring (the shutter button is locked if the winding lever is in its close position, the fixed ring is now plain edge) and the rewind knob is plain edge as well.

Manufactured from May 1977 until 1982.

I purchased the silver FM from a camera dealer in Texas, USA, in October 2014. Shown with a matching 50mm/1.8 AI lens.
I purchased the black FM from a private owner in Basel, Switzerland, in July 2014. Shown with a matching 135mm/3.5 AI lens and a MD-12 motor drive.