The FM arrived in 1977, replacing the Nikkormat FT3 and starting the compact Nikon line built to take on the Olympus OM cameras. Its chassis carried on through the FM2 and FM3a until 2006. The FM is fully mechanical. Its Copal shutter runs from 1 s to 1/1000 s and B with no battery at all, and the cells only run the meter. That meter uses a gallium arsenide phosphide photodiode and shows the reading as three LEDs for over, correct and under. Pull the advance lever out until a red dot shows and the meter is on. Set the dial between 1/60 and 1/125 and you'll get roughly 1/90. It's built for AI lenses and meters older non-AI glass stopped down.
The variants
The FM2 replaced it in 1982 with a 1/4000 s shutter, and the FM3a of 2001 added aperture-priority auto. The FE is the FM's automatic twin, built on the same chassis.
The FM is mechanical and rarely fails outright, so most problems come from age and storage. Early bodies, before 1979, have a collar around the release that could lock the camera with a motor drive fitted, and the MD-11 drive drains its eight AA cells if it's left switched on.
Buying guide
We'd buy an FM titled with its shutter and meter working, or one with new seals, and $164 to $220 delivered gets one. There are at least 200 listed, and most ask $190–320 delivered, with US sellers and Japan dealers both offering chrome and black bodies. It's fully mechanical, so it fires at every speed with no battery, and the two SR44 or LR44 cells only run the LED meter. Most problems come from age and storage, so ask for a back-open video at 1 s and 1/1000 and a photo of the light seals. Skip the $1,200 one, which asks about five times the median with nothing in the title to explain it, and the kit from the zero-feedback seller.
$164.00est. delivered
The lowest-priced FM titled as working, a chrome body with the shutter and meter both said to work, at $164 delivered from Japan. Shutter works only means it fires, so ask for a video at 1 s and 1/1000 with the back open.
Nikon FM Silver Chrome 35mm SLR Film Camera Body *Shutter & Meter Works* Japan
![New Seal [Exc+5] Nikon FM 35mm SLR Film Camera Ai 50mm F1.8 "D" Lens From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/HDMAAeSw~2dqylhj/s-l500.jpg)
$219.90est. delivered
Titled new seals and graded Exc+5 by the Japan dealer, with an Ai 50mm f/1.8, at $220 delivered. That's under the $233 median with the seals already done, so just check the lens is clear in a backlit photo.
New Seal [Exc+5] Nikon FM 35mm SLR Film Camera Ai 50mm F1.8 "D" Lens From JAPAN
$313.95est. delivered
A boxed chrome FM with new seals, from a US seller at $314 delivered, near the top of the band. The box is the collector draw, and the seals are one less job before you shoot it.
Nikon FM Chrome 35mm SLR Body, New seals, Boxed, Great!
![Nikon FM 35mm Camera Body - [for Parts and/or Repair] [Body Only]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ITQAAeSw7-FqrClx/s-l500.jpg)
$59.99delivered
A body sold for parts or repair at $60 with free shipping, about a quarter of the median. The FM is simple and mechanical, so it makes a good donor or a first repair project.
Nikon FM 35mm Camera Body - [for Parts and/or Repair] [Body Only]
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$164.00est. delivered
$119.00 + $45.00 shipping
Buy It Now$119.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Chrome body, titled shutter and meter work.
Seller: mottainaijpn
100% positive
Used$219.90est. delivered
$159.90 + $60.00 shipping
Buy It Now$159.90
Good buy
Titled new seal, with an Ai 50mm f/1.8. Exc+5 is the dealer's grade.
Seller: kyomjp96
100% positive
Used$313.95est. delivered
$299.95 + $14.00 shipping
Buy It Now$299.95
Good buy
Chrome body, titled new seals and boxed.
Seller: recycledphotolistings
99.9% positive
For parts$59.99delivered
$59.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$59.99
Project piece
Body only, for parts or repair.
Seller: thecameraoutlet
99.7% positive
Used$144.94est. delivered
$134.99 + $9.95 shipping
Buy It Now$134.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Silver body only. The title says read, so check the description.
Seller: cdhresale
99.7% positive
![Nikon FM Body Black SLRFilm Camera From Japan Tested [Read Cond]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/IAYAAeSwFz1qftXo/s-l500.jpg)
Used$205.00est. delivered
$180.00 + $25.00 shipping
Buy It Now$180.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Black body, titled tested. The title says read the condition notes.
Seller: re-camera
99.5% positive
Used$212.92est. delivered
$195.00 + $17.92 shipping
Buy It Now$195.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Seller shows 0 feedback. Comes with a 50mm f/1.4 and a 43-86mm zoom.
Seller: haven727
No feedback yet
Used$1,200.00delivered
$1,200.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,200.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
About five times the median, with only near mint in the title.
Seller: us2013_hibbe
100% positive
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