My Mom's old Nikon FM

sentimental value and probably the greatest camera I own

I have only one keep sake that I will always cherish from my mother and that’s her Nikon FM, which is the all black two-knurled-knob version.

This particular camera was introduced in 1977. My mom bought it new shortly after I was born and just before my sister was born in 1978. There are two photos that she took with this camera that are etched in my brain forever. Both are double exposures, one with my sister in a pink striped shirt paired with a flowering shrub and one of me in my white Tony Hawk shirt paired with the state flower the California Poppy. It’s probably the most artistic my mom ever got with her picture taking.

My mom liked to buy nice things, but I have to say that this camera was probably over kill for her. I can barely remember her taking it out and the only photos I’m pretty sure she ever took with it were when my sister and I were young. She might of been better off with a point and shoot, but I’m not complaining because now it’s mine :)

It was only a couple months ago that I remember that this camera was stored at my sisters house when I moved back west from New York. I love all my digital cameras as of late, but I’ve been craving to go back to a manual film camera. I’m not stoked about how film and developing are through the roof these days, but I have my fingers crossed that the local Community College will be opening there Photo Lab class again.

I did a search on “what to look for in cameras that are over 40 years old”. I found that for the most part the felt seals that keep a camera light tight are a thing to check. This made perfect sense and sure enough when opening the film door on the back they were definitely dry and crusty. After a lot of searching I was able to find a camera technician who works on Nikons and sent it off for an over haul.

In the mean time I must of watch and read every damn thing on the internet about this particular camera. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that we have a lot in common. We are both simple and minimalistic and dare I say stylist? :) It was bringing a grin to my face when reading that the camera is fully mechanical with no electrical moving parts. The only thing electric in it is the light meter which does not effect the function of the camera if for some reason it goes out. This means that the camera will more than likely out live me by a long shot. It was built to last like things used to be!

For the rest of summer I decided to shoot with Kodak color film and hopefully by Fall switch to black and white with hopes of using/learning at a photo lab/class.