Nikon EM 35mm Film Camera

The Nikon EM 35mm Film Camera is a beginner-level, interchangeable-lens 35mm SLR, introduced in 1979 as Nikon’s first entry-level “economy” camera, designed by renowned auto designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, who later designed the exterior of the Nikon F3. At the time of its release, it was the smallest, lightest, and most affordable SLR Nikon had ever produced, marketed toward photographers new to the SLR format.

The camera is electromechanically controlled with a single Aperture-Priority automatic exposure mode, driven by a standard 60/40 center-weighted TTL SPD metering cell with a range of EV2 to EV18 and film speed settings from ISO/ASA 25 to 1600. The Seiko MFC-E metal vertical focal-plane shutter offers electronically timed speeds from 1 to 1/1000 second, along with a mechanical 1/90-second backup speed and Bulb mode, both of which remain usable even without battery power; an undocumented feature also lets the shutter fire at approximately 1/1000 second in Auto mode even with a dead battery.

As a manual-focus camera, all lenses must be focused by hand, with no autofocus capability. The camera accepts nearly all Nikon F-mount lenses with AI or AI-S coupling, and was most commonly paired with Nikon’s compact Series E lens lineup (including a 50mm f/1.8, along with 28mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2.5, 100mm f/2.8, 75-150mm f/3.5, 70-210mm f/4, and 135mm f/2.8 options), designed specifically to complement the EM’s small, lightweight body. The camera lacks some features found on pricier Nikon SLRs of its era, including mirror lock-up, depth-of-field preview, and true manual exposure modes.

Handling includes a fixed SLR pentaprism viewfinder with an analog needle exposure readout, a standard ISO hot shoe with two additional contacts for use with Nikon’s dedicated Speedlite flash units, and a base designed to accept the optional Nikon MD-E power winder, enabling motorized film advance at up to 2 frames per second.

Build quality centers on a die-cast aluminum alloy body with plastic top and bottom plates and a pressed-steel back, covered mostly in black leatherette with the remainder finished in satin black. The camera measures approximately 135 x 86 x 52-54mm and weighs approximately 460g (without batteries), and is powered by two SR44 or LR44 button-cell batteries.

Key Features
– Nikon F-mount, manual-focus 35mm film SLR (1979-1982)
– Electromechanically controlled metal vertical focal-plane shutter
– Shutter speeds of 1 sec to 1/1000 sec (electronic), plus 1/90 sec mechanical backup and Bulb
– Aperture-Priority automatic exposure (sole exposure mode)
– TTL center-weighted (60/40) SPD metering, EV2-EV18
– ISO/ASA film speed range of 25-1600
– Fixed pentaprism viewfinder with analog needle readout
– Standard hot shoe with dedicated Speedlite contacts
– Compatible with optional MD-E power winder (up to 2fps)
– No mirror lock-up, depth-of-field preview, or manual exposure mode
– Die-cast aluminum alloy body with plastic top/bottom plates and pressed-steel back
– Powered by 2x SR44 or LR44 batteries
– Approximate weight: 460g (without batteries)
– Compatible with Nikon F-mount AI/AI-S lenses (commonly paired with Series E lenses)