Decoding an Object of Desire - Analogue Nikon Fm Camera

Decoding an Object of Desire - Analogue Nikon Fm Camera

Introduction

The Analogue Nikon FM features full manual operation, mechanical control, mechanical shutter, top flash sync, three interchangeable finder screen, continuous shooting, Motor Drive MD-12 and accessories. It consists of an analog SLR camera with chrome and black body finish (Matanle, 2009). It offers full manual operation of exposure control. It offers Aperture-Priority Auto and Manual exposure controls.

Contemporary Design History

Production of single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras in Japan reached the 7.56 million mark in 1980 from the 2.76 million mark in 1974, having reached the peak of its popularity. This was the result of the SLR cameras becoming increasingly electronized, so that they were coming out with varied exposure control options, improved ease of operation for photography with the program AE (automatic exposure control), reduced size and lower prices. Electronic SLR cameras became popular around 1965 with the introduction of electronic shutters for automatic exposure control. The circuit configuration was initially a small-scale analog design. Around 1975, digital control became available with a large-scale circuit configuration with a microcomputer to allow shutter control using a crystal oscillator (quartz). The downsizing of SLR cameras accelerated from 1975 onwards with the emergence in 1973 of compact and lightweight 135-format SLR cameras weighing 470 g(Schneider, 2009).

In keeping with the trend toward electronic and compact SLR cameras, we released Nikomat EL (weighing 780 g) with an electronic shutter in 1972, and Nikomat ELW in February 1976. (Peterson, 2009).

The AI System involved changes in the design of the lens diaphragm mechanism; next, we focused lens production on AI Nikkor (Hansen, 2010). The AI Nikkor lenses were compatible with our existing SLR cameras (F mount), and most of the existing Nikkor lenses were made to accommodate the AI System through some modifications.

In April 1976, the shutter speed-priority AE SLR camera which offered features such as a microcomputer (configured with CPU in the form of a single module on a flexible board), unitized internal mechanisms, 50 mm f/1.4 standard lens, and prices far below 100,000 yen appeared in the home market. In response to this, the market trend of AE SLR cameras was directed towards low-end models.

In order to accommodate the trend toward compact size (142 x 89.5 x 60 mm), reduced weight (590 g) and lower prices, we brought out an AI-compatible new model Nikon FM (the model with 50 mm f/2, put on sale at a suggested retail price of 81,000 yen) in May 1977 (Stafford, 2010).

Symbolic Value of the Brand

The Nikon FM is an advanced mechanically operated, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured in Japan between 1977 and 1982 by Nippon Kogaku K. K. (now Nikon Corporation) (Matanle, 2009).

Contextual Situation

The Nikon FM sold very well compared to the competing mechanical Pentax MX (released 1977) and Olympus OM-1N (1979) cameras. It was also a very popular backup camera among professional photographers using the Nikon F2 and F3. Because of its durability and access ...