nikon em instruction manual

Nikon EM Instruction Manual⁚ A Comprehensive Guide

This manual provides a comprehensive guide to using the Nikon EM camera. It covers everything from basic operation to special accessories and tips on camera care. The Nikon EM was a popular 35mm film camera known for its simplicity and ease of use. This manual will help you get the most out of your Nikon EM and capture stunning photographs. It includes detailed instructions on how to hold the camera, set up the camera body and lens, install batteries, mount the lens, and prepare to shoot. This manual also covers special accessories such as the Nikon MD-E Motor Drive and the Nikon SB-E Speedlight Unit. Additionally, it features information on other EM accessories and usable lenses, including Nikon and Nikkor lenses. Finally, the manual provides tips on camera care and includes the specifications for the Nikon EM camera.

I. Introduction

Welcome to the world of photography with the Nikon EM, a 35mm film camera that revolutionized the way people captured memories. This manual serves as your guide to unlocking the full potential of your Nikon EM. The Nikon EM, released in 1979, was designed for simplicity and ease of use, making it an ideal camera for both beginners and experienced photographers. This manual will walk you through the essential features and functions of the Nikon EM, empowering you to take stunning photographs with confidence. With its sleek design and intuitive controls, the Nikon EM offers a user-friendly experience, making it a joy to use. This manual will equip you with the knowledge to master the Nikon EM and explore the art of photography. Whether you’re capturing everyday moments or embarking on creative projects, the Nikon EM will be your trusted companion in capturing the beauty of the world around you.

II. Camera Nomenclature

Understanding the parts of your Nikon EM is crucial for operating it effectively. This section provides a comprehensive guide to the camera’s nomenclature, helping you identify and understand each component. Let’s delve into the key elements of your Nikon EM⁚

• Frame Counter⁚ Located on the top of the camera, this indicates the number of frames you’ve shot.
• Shutter Operation Mode Selector⁚ This dial, also on top, allows you to choose between different shooting modes, including the automatic mode for effortless photography and the bulb mode for long exposures.
• Shutter Release Button⁚ This button, located on the right side of the camera, is used to take pictures.
• Shutter Release Fingerguard⁚ This small protrusion around the shutter release button ensures a comfortable and secure grip when taking pictures.
• Film Winding Lever⁚ This lever, on the top of the camera, advances the film after each shot.
• Battery Power Check Button⁚ Pressing this button, located on the left side of the camera, illuminates the battery power LED lamp, indicating battery status.
• Battery Power LED Lamp⁚ This lamp, located next to the battery power check button, indicates the battery level.
• Neckstrap Eyelet⁚ This eyelet, located on the bottom of the camera, is used to attach a neck strap for secure carrying.
• Exposure Compensation Button⁚ This button, located on the right side of the camera, allows you to adjust the exposure level.
• Self-Timer⁚ This feature, accessible on the top of the camera, allows you to take a picture with a delay, giving you time to get into the frame.
• Lens Mounting Flange⁚ This flange, located on the front of the camera, is where the lens is attached.

With this understanding of the Nikon EM’s nomenclature, you’re well-equipped to navigate its features and functions.

III. Basic Operation

Mastering the fundamental operations of your Nikon EM is the key to unlocking its photographic potential. This section guides you through the essential steps of using your camera, from loading film and setting up the lens to taking your first picture. Let’s explore the basics of operating your Nikon EM⁚

1. Loading Film⁚ Open the back of the camera by pulling up the rewind crank. Insert a 35mm film cassette into the camera’s film chamber, ensuring it’s aligned correctly. Close the back and wind the film until you feel resistance, taking up any slack.
2. Setting Up the Camera Body and Lens⁚ Turn the camera on by pressing the battery power check button. Select the desired shooting mode using the shutter operation mode selector. Adjust the lens aperture and focus ring to set your desired composition.
3. Installing Batteries⁚ Open the battery compartment located on the bottom of the camera. Insert two SR or LR44 batteries into the compartment, ensuring they are correctly polarized. Close the compartment.
4. Mounting the Lens⁚ Align the lens with the lens mounting flange on the front of the camera. Rotate the lens clockwise until it clicks into place, ensuring a secure connection.
5. Preparing to Shoot and Actual Shooting⁚ Compose your shot through the viewfinder, adjusting the lens aperture and focus as needed. Press the shutter release button halfway to activate the meter and check the exposure reading. Fully press the shutter release button to take the photo.

By mastering these fundamental operations, you’ll be well on your way to capturing beautiful photographs with your Nikon EM camera.

A. How to Hold the Camera

Holding your Nikon EM correctly is crucial for achieving sharp, steady photographs. Proper camera handling minimizes camera shake, resulting in clearer images. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to hold your Nikon EM for optimal results⁚

1. Right-Handed Grip⁚ Hold the camera with your right hand, wrapping your fingers around the grip. Place your thumb on the shutter release button, ensuring a secure grip.
2. Left-Hand Support⁚ Use your left hand to support the camera lens, placing your index finger on the lens barrel. This provides stability and helps prevent camera shake.
3. Elbow Support⁚ Keep your elbows tucked in close to your body. This helps stabilize the camera and reduce movement.
4. Eye-Level Viewing⁚ Look through the viewfinder with your right eye, bringing the camera up to your eye level. This allows you to accurately compose your shot.
5. Breathing Technique⁚ For maximum stability, take a deep breath and exhale before pressing the shutter release button. Hold your breath briefly as you take the picture.

By practicing these techniques, you can significantly improve the sharpness and clarity of your photographs.

B. Setting Up the Camera Body and Lens

Before you can start taking pictures, you need to set up your Nikon EM camera and lens. This involves a few simple steps to ensure proper operation and image quality. Here’s a breakdown⁚

1. Camera Body⁚ Start by ensuring the camera body is clean and free of dust or debris. Check the battery compartment and install fresh batteries. Make sure the film rewind crank is in its correct position.
2. Lens Attachment⁚ Align the lens mount on the camera with the lens mount on your lens. Rotate the lens clockwise until it clicks into place. This secures the lens onto the camera body.
3. Lens Settings⁚ Once the lens is attached, set the lens aperture and focus ring to your desired settings. The aperture controls the amount of light entering the lens, affecting the depth of field. The focus ring adjusts the focus distance, ensuring sharp images.
4. Shutter Speed⁚ Choose the appropriate shutter speed using the shutter speed dial. Shutter speed determines how long the shutter remains open, affecting the exposure and motion blur in your photographs.
5. Film Loading⁚ Load the film into the camera following the instructions in your Nikon EM manual. Ensure the film is properly positioned and the film rewind crank is engaged.

By following these steps, you’ll be ready to capture stunning images with your Nikon EM camera.

C. Installing Batteries

The Nikon EM camera relies on two SR44 or LR44 batteries to power its automatic exposure functions. Installing these batteries correctly is essential for proper camera operation. Follow these simple steps to ensure your Nikon EM is ready to shoot⁚

1. Locate the Battery Compartment⁚ Open the battery compartment located on the bottom of the camera body. You’ll find a small latch or release button that needs to be pressed to open the compartment.
2. Insert the Batteries⁚ Carefully insert the two SR44 or LR44 batteries into the designated slots within the compartment. Ensure that the positive (+) side of each battery faces upward.
3. Secure the Compartment⁚ Close the battery compartment by pressing the latch or release button back into place. Make sure it clicks shut securely.
4. Check Battery Power⁚ After installing the batteries, press the battery power check button on the camera body. The battery power LED lamp should illuminate, indicating that the batteries are installed correctly and have sufficient power.

It’s important to use fresh batteries for optimal camera performance. If the battery power LED lamp is dim or doesn’t illuminate, replace the batteries with new ones.

D. Mounting the Lens

The Nikon EM is designed to work with a variety of Nikon and Nikkor lenses; Properly mounting the lens is essential for taking clear and focused pictures. Here’s a step-by-step guide to mounting a lens to your Nikon EM camera⁚

1. Prepare the Camera⁚ Turn off the camera and remove the rear lens cap from the camera body.
2. Align the Lens⁚ Align the lens mounting flange on the lens with the corresponding flange on the camera body. Ensure that the red dot on the lens aligns with the red dot on the camera.

   

3. Mount the Lens⁚ Carefully rotate the lens clockwise until it clicks into place on the camera body. You should feel a firm and secure connection.
4. Check for Secure Connection⁚ Once the lens is mounted, gently pull on the lens to ensure it’s securely attached. It shouldn’t come loose easily.
5. Attach the Lens Cap⁚ After mounting the lens, replace the front lens cap for protection when not shooting.

Remember to always handle the lens with care. Avoid dropping or bumping the lens, as this can damage the lens and camera mount.

E. Preparing to Shoot and Actual Shooting

With your Nikon EM camera and lens mounted, you are ready to take pictures. Before shooting, ensure your camera is set up correctly and you understand the basic controls.

1. Load Film⁚ Open the camera back, insert a 35mm film cassette, and close the back. Advance the film using the film winding lever until you feel a slight resistance. This ensures the film is loaded correctly.
2. Choose Shutter Speed⁚ Select the desired shutter speed using the shutter operation mode selector dial. The Nikon EM has a stepless shutter speed range from 1 to 1/1000s, as well as a Bulb setting for longer exposures.
3. Focus⁚ Look through the viewfinder and use the focusing ring on the lens to adjust the focus until the subject is sharp.
4. Compose Your Shot⁚ Frame your subject within the viewfinder, considering the rule of thirds and other compositional elements.
5. Shoot⁚ Press the shutter release button halfway down to activate the light meter and adjust the aperture accordingly. Press the shutter release button fully to capture the image.
6. Advance the Film⁚ After taking a picture, use the film winding lever to advance the film to the next frame.

Remember to adjust the aperture and shutter speed settings as needed to achieve the desired exposure and depth of field. Practice shooting in different lighting conditions to understand how these settings affect your pictures.

IV. Special Accessories

The Nikon EM, while a capable camera on its own, can benefit from the addition of special accessories to enhance its functionality and broaden your photographic possibilities. These accessories allow you to explore new creative avenues and capture images that might otherwise be difficult or impossible to achieve.

Two notable accessories that enhance the Nikon EM’s capabilities are⁚

1. Nikon MD-E Motor Drive⁚ The MD-E motor drive enables motorized shooting, allowing for rapid sequences of photographs at a rate of up to 3.5 frames per second. This is particularly useful for capturing action shots or capturing a series of images during a specific event.
2. Nikon SB-E Speedlight Unit⁚ The SB-E speedlight unit provides powerful flash illumination for low-light photography or when you need to add a burst of light to your subjects. It offers versatile flash modes, including fill-in flash, slow synchro, and red-eye reduction, allowing you to control the flash intensity and timing to achieve the desired effect.

These accessories enhance your photographic experience with the Nikon EM, allowing you to capture a wider range of subjects and explore new creative possibilities.

A. Motorized Shooting with the Nikon MD-E Motor Drive

The Nikon MD-E Motor Drive is a dedicated accessory designed for the Nikon EM camera, allowing you to shoot a series of photographs at a rapid pace. This feature is particularly useful for capturing fast-moving subjects, such as athletes in action, wildlife in motion, or fleeting moments during a special event.

The MD-E motor drive attaches securely to the bottom of the Nikon EM, providing a smooth and reliable power source for continuous shooting. It operates on two AA batteries and can achieve a shooting rate of up to 3.5 frames per second, allowing you to capture a sequence of images in quick succession.

When using the MD-E Motor Drive, the camera’s film advance lever is automatically activated, freeing you to concentrate on framing your shots and pressing the shutter release button. The motor drive also features a built-in film rewind function, allowing you to rewind the film after shooting a roll.

The MD-E Motor Drive is a valuable tool for expanding the Nikon EM’s capabilities, opening up new possibilities for capturing fast-paced action and creating dynamic image sequences.

B. Flash Photography with the Nikon SB-E Speedlight Unit

The Nikon SB-E Speedlight Unit is a versatile and compact flash accessory specifically designed for the Nikon EM camera, allowing you to capture well-lit photographs in low-light situations or add creative lighting effects to your images.

The SB-E flash unit features a built-in guide number of 28 (at ISO 100), providing ample power for illuminating subjects at a reasonable distance. It also offers a variety of flash modes, including auto, manual, and fill-in modes, allowing you to control the flash output to achieve the desired lighting effect.

The SB-E Speedlight Unit is equipped with a swiveling flash head, enabling you to bounce the light off of a nearby surface or wall to create a more natural and diffused illumination. This technique helps to soften shadows and reduce harshness, resulting in more pleasing and flattering portraits.

The SB-E flash unit also features a red-eye reduction mode, which emits a brief pre-flash before the main flash to minimize the red-eye effect commonly seen in portraits. The SB-E Speedlight Unit is a valuable addition to the Nikon EM camera, providing a convenient and reliable source of light for a wide range of photographic situations.