Nikon FG

The Nikon FG is an interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K. K. (Nikon Corporation since 1988) in Japan from 1982[3] to 1986.

Nikon FG
Overview
TypeSingle lens reflex
Released1982
Intro price$322.50[1]
Lens
Lensinterchangeable lens, Nikon F-mount
Compatible lensesNikon F-mount lenses supporting automatic indexing (AI) with some exceptions
Sensor/medium
Film format35mm
Film size36mm x 24mm
Film advancemanual
Film rewindmanual
Focusing
Focus modesmanual
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesProgram, Aperture priority, Manual
Exposure meteringsilicon photodiode light meter, TTL metering, EV 1 to EV 18 (f/1.4 at 1s to f/16 at 1/1000s at ASA/ISO 100 and with 50mm f/1.4 lens[2]
Metering modes60/40 percent center-weighted
Flash
Flashhot shoe only
Flash synchronization1/90s; normal sync. only
Compatible flashesDedicated Nikon hot shoe mounted flashes with TTL capability; other non-dedicated hot shoe flashes; non-hot shoe flashes with adapter
Shutter
Shutterelectronically controlled, double speed mechanical backup
Shutter speed range1s – 1/1000s (P, A, M); M90 (1/90s); Bulb (B)
Continuous shooting3.2 frame/s (High), 2 frame/s (Low) with MD-14; 2 frame/s with MD-E
Viewfinder
Viewfinderfixed eye-level pentaprism
Viewfinder magnification0.84x
Frame coverage92%
General
Batterytwo S76 or A76, or one 1/3N
Optional data backsMF-15
Optional motor drivesMD-14, MD-E
Dimensions139 x 86 x 53 mm
Weight490g

The FG was the successor to the Nikon EM camera of 1979 and the predecessor of the Nikon FG-20 of 1984. These three cameras comprised Nikon's first family of ultra compact 35mm SLR camera bodies. Although the FG had a much less advanced shutter than the more expensive Nikons of the day, it had a very sophisticated electronic design compared to earlier electromechanical Nikons.

Features
  • First Nikon SLR with programmed auto-exposure (AE).
  • First Nikon SLR with TTL (through the lens) flash exposure control from a standard ISO-type hot shoe.
  • Electronically controlled focal plane shutter.
  • Exposure compensation dial (−2 EV to +2 EV).
  • Audio warning system – advises of under or over exposure.
  • Back-up mechanical M90 shutter setting enables use of the camera when batteries are drained.[2]

Body and Design

Body Construction
Nikon FG in black finish fitted with a Nikkor 50mm/f1.8 lens
Nikon FG with the camera back opened
  • Copper silumin aluminum alloy body.
  • Polycarbonate exterior.
  • Leatherette (synthetic) covering.[2]
  • Metal lens mount.

Exposure Control and Metering
Nikon FG exposure mode and shutter speed dial

The FG's metering system is controlled by a micro-computer which measures center-weighted brightness, using a sensitive silicon photodiode (SPD) sensor. The metering system performs 'instant stop down metering', where the meter reading is taken after the lens is stopped down but before the mirror flips up and the shutter opens.

In 'P' (Programmed AE) mode, the micro-computer calculates stepless aperture (f/stop) and stepless shutter speed using pre-programmed values.[2]

In 'A' (Aperture Priority AE) mode, the micro-computer calculates a stepless shutter speed for a given user-selected aperture value.

In 'M' (Manual Exposure Control) mode, the user selects both aperture and shutter speed, and the metering system provides a suggested shutter speed (indicated in the viewfinder) for the selected aperture.

Viewfinder
  • The viewfinder consists of a fixed, eye-level pentaprism providing a magnification of 0.84X, with a 50mm lens set at infinity and approximately 92% frame coverage.

The focusing screen is a standard Nikon 'K-type' screen with:

  • clear-matte/Fresnel field
  • central split-image rangefinder spot
  • microprism collar and 12 mm-diameter reference circle (indicates center-weighted metering area).[2]

Displayed on the right side of the viewfinder are:

  • A vertical shutter speed scale with LEDs to indicate both the user selected and camera suggested shutter speed (in 'M' mode) and the value selected ('P' and 'A' modes) by the camera's metering system.
  • Triangular warning LEDs at the top and bottom of the shutter speed scale, to indicate over- or under-exposure.
  • A flash ready-light opposite a thunderbolt symbol at the bottom of the shutter speed.

Flash Exposure Control

The FG was also Nippon Kogaku’s first amateur level SLR to have through-the-lens TTL off-the-film (OTF) electronic flash automation. However this technology was first introduced with the Olympus OM-2 in 1976.[4] and was also used previously in the Nikon F3 introduced in 1980.[5] TTL OTF flash exposure control is more precise than previous methods as it measures the flash exposure at the film plane rather than at the flash itself. Correct flash exposure is achieved via a SPD cell at the base of the mirror box, which measures light reflected back from the film plane.

The FG can only connect to flashes via the hot shoe connection, as it lacks a PC sync socket. Flashes which do not have a hot shoe can be used with a hot shoe-sync cord adapter.

Lens Compatibility
Nikon FG and series E 50mm lens
  • The FG requires Automatic Indexing (AI) Nikkor lenses for P and A modes to function. Lenses with AI capability include AI and AI-s type Nikkor lenses and Nikon Series E Lenses.
  • The following Non-AI and AI-converted lenses are not usable with the Nikon FG:[6]
Non-AI (Requires AI modification) AI-converted 55mm/1.2 Ser.# 184711-400000 AI-converted 28mm/3.5 Ser.# 625611-999999
AI-converted 35mm/1.4 Ser.# 385001-400000 Fisheye 6mm/5.6 (Requires MLU) Fisheye 10mm/5.6 OP (Requires MLU)
PC-Nikkor 28/4 below ser.# 180901 PC-Nikkor 35/2.8 ser. # between 851000-906201 Reflex Nikkor 1000mm/11 ser. # below 1430000
Reflex Nikkor 2000mm/11 ser. # below 200311 PC Nikkor 28mm/4 below ser# 180900 PC Nikkor 35mm/2.8 Ser.# 851001-906200
Zoom Nikkor 200-600mm/9.5 ser. # below 301922 Zoom Nikkor ED 180-600mm/8 ser. # below 174180 Zoom Nikkor ED 360-1200mm/11 ser. # below 17412
Focusing unit AU-1.
  • G-type lenses lack an aperture ring and do not couple with the indexing ring on the FG. The P mode does not function. The A mode will suggest a shutter speed for the available light. The aperture can be stopped down by slightly unscrewing the lens.[6]
  • Autofocus Nikkor lenses will mount correctly but autofocus does not function. Vibration reduction (if fitted) does not function.
  • DX Nikkor lenses will mount correctly, but the reduced image circle does not cover the full 35mm film frame, so there will be more or less strong vignetting, depending on the model. All DX lenses are G-type or E-type lenses, so P and A modes will not be available.[6]
  • IX (APS format) lenses extend too far into the camera and may cause damage. The reduced image circle does not cover the full 35mm film frame

Accessories
AccevAccevoltD-14 motor driver for Nikon FG

Motor Drives
Automatic film advance Additional hand grip Usable shutter speed Shutter release Number of 36 exp. rolls Power source Dimensions Weight
Nikon MD-14 3.2 frame/s (High), 2 frame/s (Low). Yes 1s to 1/1000s Camera's shutter release button More than 50 Eight 1.5V AA-type batteries 140mm(W) x 91.5mm(H) x 64mm(D) (including grip) Weight: Approx. 350 g (excluding batteries)
Nikon MD-E 2 frames per second No 1s to 1/1000s Camera's shutter release button More than 50 Six 1.5V AAA-type batteries 133mm(W) x 32mm(H) x 46mm(D) Approx. 185g (without batteries)

[7] [8]

Nikon FG with SB-15 speedlight

MF-15 databack
  • Sequential frame count.
  • Sequential frame numbering.
  • Time or date stamping on the film.

Nikon Speedlights

The FG can be used with any dedicated Nikon speedlights (flashes) which support TTL flash exposure, and any non-dedicated flash units in either automatic or manual modes.

Dedicated, hot shoe mounted Nikon speedlights available during the time the FG was manufactured were the SB-E, SB-15, SB-16B, SB-18 and SB-19.

Background and Design History
Canon AE-1 Program in black finish

The 1970s and 1980s were an era of intense competition between the major SLR brands: Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Pentax and Olympus. This was in part a result of rapid advances in electronics at the time, which allowed new cameras to be released more frequently and with more automated features than had been possible previously.

Between c. 1975 to 1985, there was a dramatic shift away from heavy all-metal manual mechanical camera bodies to much more compact bodies with integrated circuit (IC) electronic automation. As a result of the manufacturing climate of the time, the EM and subsequent FG and FG-20 were released with much lower price points, and more compact and user-friendly bodies than previous Nikons, to appeal to the amateur photographer market.

The FG was intended to improve on the short-comings of the EM (which had no manual override) and to compete with other programmed SLRs of the time, such as the Canon AE-1 Program (released 1981) the Minolta X-700 (released 1981) or the Pentax Super Program (in the USA/Canada; Super A, rest of the world; 1983).

Market Reception

The FG was well received by many amateur photographers, but was criticised by others due to the lower build-quality and reliability when compared to other Nikons of the same era. The FG has known reliability issues, particularly with its shutter components and ICs.

Compared to Nikon EM and FG-20
Nikon EM
Nikon FG-20
Nikon FG interior

The major improvements of the FG compared to the EM were improved exterior cosmetics, internal printed circuit electronics, the addition of the manual exposure and programmed autoexposure modes, and provision for TTL flash automation.

The FG-20 is a simplified version of the Nikon FG, with no Programmed AE mode, no TTL OTF flash, and no exposure control, but retaining Aperture Priority AE, and manual and auto flash exposure control.[9]

References
  1. Anonymous. FG Advertisement. "Introducing the programmed Nikon FG. Four exceptional 35mm SLRs in one." Modern Photography, Volume 47, Number 1; pp 12-13. January 1983
  2. Foo, Lee (2000). "Nikon FG, 1982 Nikon Super Compact Bodies EM, FG & FG-20". Retrieved 2008-11-26.
  3. Nikon Corporation (2008). "Nikon FG". Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
  4. http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/om.cfm Olympus Official Historical Site
  5. Foo, Lee (2008). "Modern Classic SLRs Series : Nikon F3 – Preface". Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  6. Foo, Lee (2000). "MD-14 & MF-15 for Nikon FG, 1982". Retrieved 2008-11-27.
  7. Foo, Lee (2000). "Auto Winder MD-E for Nikon EM/FG/FG-20". Retrieved 2008-11-27.
  8. Foo, Lee (2000). "Nikon FG-20, 1984 – Part I Nikon Super Compact Bodies EM, FG & FG-20". Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  • Anonymous. "Modern Tests: Nikon FG: TTL Flash Icing On The Cake" pp 86–92, 134. Modern Photography, Volume 47, Number 1; January 1983.
  • Anonymous. Nikon FG Advertisement. "It's now possible for people who've only admired great pictures to take them." p 23. Modern Photography, Volume 47, Number 7; July 1983.
  • Peterson, B. Moose. Magic Lantern Guides: Nikon Classic Cameras, Volume II; F2, FM, EM, FG, N2000 (F-301), N2020 (F-501), EL series. First Edition. Magic Lantern Guides. Rochester, NY: Silver Pixel Press, 1996. ISBN 1-883403-38-3
  • Stafford, Simon and Rudi Hillebrand & Hans-Joachim Hauschild. The New Nikon Compendium: Cameras, Lenses & Accessories since 1917. 2004 Updated North American Edition. Asheville, NC: Lark Books, 2003. ISBN 1-57990-592-7
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