Nikon EM User Manual

À 3»j^í J J>.ji

www.orphancameras.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. NOMENCLATURE

II. BASIC OPERATION............................................................4-9

III. HOW TO HOLD THE CAMERA
IV. SETTING UP THE CAMERA BODY AND THE LENS

A. Install the Batteries

B. Mount the Lens...............................................................13

V. PREPARING TO SHOOT AND ACTUAL SHOOTING

A. Load the Film.......................................................... 14—15

B. Set ASA............................................................................16

C. Focus

D. Determine Exposure...............................................19—20

E. Shoot

F. Unioad the Film...............................................................22

VI. TECHNICAL DETAILS AND OTHER INFORMATION

A. Exposure Measurement.................................................23

B. Shutter Operation Mode Selection
C. Film Plane Indicator
D. Infrared Photography

E. Depth of Field..................................................................25

VII. SPECIAL ACCESSORIES FOR THE NIKON EM

A. Motorized Shooting with the

Nikon MD-E Motor Drive.........................................26—27

B. Flash Photography with the

Nikon SB-E Speedlight Unit...........................................28

VIII. OTHER EM ACCESSORIES AND USABLE LENSES

A. Other Accessories
B. Nikon and Nikkor Lenses for the Nikon EM

IX. TIPS ON CAMERA CARE

X. SPECIFICATIONS..............................................................32-33

..............................................................

...........................................

.................................................

.........

...............................................................17—18

...............................................................................

.......................................................

.....................................................

..........................................................

......................................................

...............................

www.orphancameras.com

Page No.

11 — 12

.................

3, 34

10

21

23
24
24

29

30

31

II. BASIC OPERATION

This section provides a concise sum
mary of all the other sections of this
manual. After you have thoroughly
read the rest of the manual, use this
section as a quick reference source.

Insert two batteries into battery clip.

2.

www.orphancameras.com

www.orphancameras.com

Advance filnn to the next frame, (p. 21).

www.orphancameras.com

www.orphancameras.com

» m ^ ■ ■ ■ Ш Ш ¡Ш Ш

III. HOWTO нош П4Е CAMERA

. .. * i; ' ttv

To take good pictures, yoxir
should first 1ШЗГП how to}
handle "your :came|a pr^

perly. Hold fie cbmei^
with both hands, asishowm
In the picture^ cushionirigi

it in the palr^ of your ’l44
hand. For added support,!

prop yp.ur teftliand-elbci^!

against your body. Before
loading the camera wtttf,
film, practice^ 1;П front o| d ^

-mirror Until you have mas;
tered all the controls. ,,

■V '

IV. SETTING UP THE CAMERA BODY AND THE LENS

A. Install the Batteries

_ Unlock the battery chamber

j, lid ® with a coin.

II,

Proper batteries: Two 1.5V
silver-oxide type; a pair

comes with your camera.

www.orphancameras.com

I ■■ I

0^ Remove the battery clip

2a which is integral with the lid.

11

www.orphancameras.com

www.orphancameras.com

13

V. PREPARING TO SHOOT AND ACTUAL SHOOTING

A. Load the Film

Proper film: Any commercially
available, color or black-and­white, 35mm film negative
(prints) or transparency
(slides) in cassettes of 12, 20,
24 or 36 exposures.

14

j. Open the camera back by

j ■ pulling up the film rewind

knob

_ After closing the camera

9- back, press the shutter re
lease button 0

www.orphancameras.com

^ Place the cassette in the film

2. cassette chamber®.

To take up film slack, turn the film

6

■ rewind crank ® in the direction of
the engraved arrow, until you feel a slight
resistance. Be careful not to wind the film
back into the cassette.

www.orphancameras.com

B. Set ASA

- Pull up the ASA film speed
j ■ selector ring

^ Turn it until the ASA film
2a speed setting index ® is

aligned with your film’s ASA
rating.

QA

Q. What is ASA?
A. ASA is a number assigned to your film by the Ameri

can Standards Association. This number indicates the re

lative sensitivity of your film to light. Your camera must
have this information to be able to give your film the

proper exposure.

16

www.orphancameras.com

Note: Don’t forget to reset ASA
when you use film with different
ASA ratings; otherwise, the film
will not be correctly exposed.

QA

Q. What should I do to remember the ASA rating of the
film loaded In the camera?

A. As a reminder, Insert the film carton tab which indi

cates the ASA rating, into the camera back’s memo'
holder®.

www.orphancameras.com

м

■Ч;:ч.Т

www.orphancameras.com

D. Determine Exposure

_ Set the shutter operation

1 ■ mode selector ©to AUTO.

i

2m Select an aperture by turning the lens aperture ring ©. ,

^ Press the shutter release button ® halfway (i.e., cushion your
3- finger with the shutter release fingerguard ©) to switch the

camera’s meter on. The shutter speed indicated by the needle in the
viewfinder will depend on both the selected aperture and scene
brightness.

Note: The meter remains switched on for a brief period even after your finger is

lifted off the shutter release button. 19

www.orphancameras.com

Exposure warning signal: Should a “beep-beep” sound be emitted, note the position of the needle in the
shutter speed scale. If it swings past 1/1000sec. and stays within the red zone, overexposure will result. In
this case, reset lens aperture until the sound stops or the needle “drops” from the red zone; despite the
sound, correct exposure is possible. If the needle is around 1/30sec. or below, the sound merely warns

you that camera shake may affect image sharpness because of the slow shutter speed. You either read
just aperture until the sound stops, or, if the needles is below 1/30sec., use a tripod to prevent picture
blur. The meter remains switched on for a brief period even after your finger is lifted off the shutter
release button.

Notes: 1. At approximately 1/1000sec. or 1/30sec., a shrill sound may be emitted; it becomes regular when the

needle goes beyond these points.

2. It is possible you won’t hear the warning sound in noisy shooting situations.

Overexposed (Above 1/1000 sec.)

Q. What shutter speed is best to use?

QA

20

A. The shutter speed shouid be fast enough to pre

vent camera shake, especialiy in hand-held shoot
ing. In dim iight, you may not be able to get a high
speed. As a ruie of thumb, use a tripod if the shutter
speed is siower than a number equal to the focal
length of the lens. For example, with a 50mm lens,

Tripod recommended to prevent Correctly exposed
camera shake (Below 1/30 sec.)

www.orphancameras.com

don’t take hand-held pictures at shutter speeds
slower than 1/50sec., and with a 135mm, try to use
a minimum speed of 1/135sec. Remember, this
presumes your subject is not moving. If it does,
you’ii need faster speeds—in which case you just
open the iens aperture.

E. Shoot

- Depress the shutter release
j ■ button © with steady, even

pressure.

Q. When is the exposure com

pensation button © used?

A. To obtain a correct exposure

lit or backlit. In this case, keep the button depressed as you
depress the shutter release button © the shutter speed
needle “drops” by about 2 steps (i.e., from 1/250 sec. to
approx. 1/60 sec.).

when the main subject is side-

^ Advance the film to the next

2. frame by stroking the film

winding lever

0

www.orphancameras.com

You can move the grooved film
winding lever with your right-

.

that the timer is designed not to cock accidentally and
requires slight pressure when you start to stroke it.
After use, gently nudge the lever back into place since
it always stops just before the starting position.

hand thumb in one sweep or a
series of short strokes.

Self-timer: This provides an ap

prox. 10-sec. exposure delay.
Slide the lever away from the

lens as far as it will go, cover the
finder eyepiece 0 with the palm
of your hand to prevent stray

light from entering, then depress
the shutter release button. Note

21

www.orphancameras.com

www.orphancameras.com

C. Film Plane Indicator

This is mainly used in close-up photography to
determine the exact subject-to-film plane distance.
It is visible when the film winding lever 0 is pulled
out, and positioned precisely on the film plane—

46.5mm from the front surface of the lens mount
ing flange ®.

www.orphancameras.com

D. Infrared Photography

Both Nikon Series E and Nikkor lenses have an
infrared photography focusing index ® for shoot
ing with black-and-white infrared film. The image

is first focused through the viewfinder; then the
lens focusing ring ® is turned until the point

focused is aligned with the infrared index.

Lens set at f/8

www.orphancameras.com

26

www.orphancameras.com

www.orphancameras.com

27

28

www.orphancameras.com

VIII. OTHER EM ACCESSORIES AND USABLE LENSES Other Accessories

Lens Hoods
The HR-4 and HR-5

Lens Hoods perfectly
complement the Nikon
Series E lenses. They
prevent extraneous light
from striking the lens
surface and causing
flare and ghost in the

.

.

...........

_■

Camera Case
The CF-11 Camera Case is recommended for stor
ing the Nikon EM with a Nikon Series E 50mm
f/1.8 mounted. It has an attractive, durable finish.

Eyepiece Adapter
Simply slide this adapter
onto the EM’S rectangular
viewfinder eyepiece ®, and
you can use various Nikon

such as eyepiece correction lenses, rubber eyecup,
etc., to meet the requirements of various shooting
situations.

viewfinder accessories,

www.orphancameras.com

Compartment Case
The FB-E Compartment Case has

been specially designed to accommo

date the Nikon EM with a Nikon
Series E 50mm f/1.8 lens attached

and other EM accessories such as
Nikon Speedlight SB-E, Nikon Motor
Drive MD-E, Nikon Series E 35mm
f/2.5, 100mm f/2.8 and sundry items.

picture. Also useful for
protecting the lens.

29

Nikon and Nikkor Lenses for the Nikon EM

Nikon Series E Lenses

Nikon Series E 50 mm f/1.8
Nikon Series E 35mm f/2.5

Nikon Series E 100mm f/2.8

Nikkor Lenses

(Wideangle)

HI Nikkor 13mm f/5.6
H Nikkor 15mm f/5.6
H Nikkor 18mm f/4
H Nikkor 20mm f/3.5
H Nikkor 24mm f/2
H Nikkor 24mm f/2.8
H Nikkor 28mm f/2

H Nikkor 28mm f/2.8

H Nikkor 28mm f/3.5
H Nikkor 35mm f/1.4
H Nikkor 35mm f/2
H Nikkor 35mm f/2.8

(Normal)

H Nikkor 50mm f/1.2
H Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
H Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
H Nikkor 50mm f/2

(Telephoto)

H Nikkor 85mm f/2

H Nikkor 105mm f/2.5
H Nikkor 135mm f/2
H Nikkor 135mm f/2.8
H Nikkor 135mm f/3.5
H Nikkor 180mm f/2.8
H Nikkor 200mm f/4

0] Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 IF-ED

H Nikkor 300mm f/4,5 IF-ED

30

H Nikkor 300mm f/4.5
H Nikkor 400mm f/3.5 IF-ED
H Nikkor 400mm f/5.6 IF-ED
H NIkkor 400mm f/5.6 ED

H Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 IF-ED

H NIkkor 800mm f/8 IF-ED
H Nikkor 1200mm f/11 IF-ED

(Reflex)
Reflex-Nikkor 500mm f/8

Reflex-Nikkor 1000mm f/11
Reflex-Nikkor 2000mm f/11

(Zoom)

H Zoom-Nikkor 28-45mm f/4.5
H Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.5

B Zoom-Nikkor 43-86mm f/3.5
B Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/4.5

B Zoom-Nikkor 50-300mm f/4.5 ED
B Zoom-Nikkor 50-300mm f/4.5

(Fisheye)

B Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm f/2.8
B Fisheye-Nikkor 8mm f/2.8
B Fisheye-Nikkor 16mm f/3.5

(Special)
PC-Nikkor 28mm f/4
PC-NIkkor 35mm f/2.8

B Noct-NIkkor 58mm f/1.2
B MIcro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5
B MIcro-Nikkor 105mm f/4
B Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4 IF

(Televonverter) '
Nikon Teleconverter TC-14
Nikon Teleconverter TC-200

Nikon Teleconverter TC-300

www.orphancameras.com

Notes:

1) When using PC-NIkkor lenses, it is
important to note that exposure meter
ing must be performed before the lens
is shifted; should metering be perform

ed after shifting, it may result in er

roneous metering indication. First,
note the shutter speed needle’s posi
tion inside the viewfinder before shift
ing the lens. After shifting the lens,
reset the ASA film speed scale m until
the same shutter speed appears Inside
the viewfinder. For details, refer to the
Instruction manual of the lens.

2) Older Nikkor lenses which have
been modified for Al operation and Al
lenses of other than Nikon manu
facture do not provide full perform
ance with the Nikon EM, when used
with the SB-E.

Nor can most Al-modified 55mm f/1.2 and
28mm f/3.5 lenses be mounted on the
Nikon EM; therefore, to prevent damage,
don't attempt it.

3) If you mount the EM on a tripod
with a large head, contact between
the lens barrel and the head may

make it impossible to operate the
lens. In this case, use Nikon’s special
adapter between the camera body
and the tripod head.

Caution: Auto Nikkor lenses and
lenses of other manufacture which do
not have the Al feature must not be
mounted on the EM. Attempts to
mount such lenses will damage the
camera’s Al indexing mechanism.

IX. TIPS ON CAMERA CARE

• Don’t force your camera’s con

trols—they are designed to
work with a minimum of pres
sure.

If you drop the camera acci
dentally, take it to a Nikon
authorized dealer or service
center for immediate servicing.

faces periodically with a blower­type brush or lens tissue mois
tened with an approved photo
lens cleaning liquid.

• Store your camera, lenses, ac

cessories in a cool, dry place.
Remove the batteries when the
camera or accessories are not
to be used for an extended
period.

www.orphancameras.com

interior surfaces, especially the

shutter curtains ® and film

pressure plate 0.

Dispose of used batteries

properly—never throw them

into fire. For battery perform

ance by brand, refer to manu

facturer’s literature.

31

X. SPECIFICATIONS

Type of camera 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR),
Picture format

Lens mount
Lenses usable

Shutter

Film advance

Viewfinder

32

aperture-priority automatic

35mm (24mm x 36mm film size)

Nikon bayonet type
Nikon Series E 50 mm f/1.8 as
Standard; other Series E lenses;

Al-type Nikkor lenses and others

(p. 30)

Electronically controlled, vertical­travel, metal focal-plane shutter;

stepless speeds from 1 sec. to 1/
1000 sec. when shutter operation

mode selector is set to AUTO;
1/90 sec. mechanical shutter
speed when set to M90;B setting
also provided for long exposures
Film winding lever provided;
completed stroke of 144° simul
taneously advances film, cocks
shutter and operates frame
counter; choice of one contin
uous stroke or series of shorter
strokes
Fixed eyelevel pentaprism full­aperture viewing type with built-

in TTL exposure meter; shutter
speed scale and exposure nee
dle visible inside; ready-light
lights up when SB-E or SB-10

www.orphancameras.com

Speedlight is in use; center of
scale’s bracket indicates 1/90
sec.; finder coverage approx.
92% of picture field; 0.86X mag

nification with 50 mm lens set at

Focusing screen Fixed-type Nikon “K” screen;

Reflex mirror

Self-timer

Exposure
measurement

Metering range EV 2 to EV 18 (i.e., f/2 at 1 sec. to

Exposure signal “Beep-beep” warning sound ac

infinity (°o)

comprises matte fresnel field

with central split-image range
finder spot surrounded by micro
prism ring and 12mm-dia. refer

ence circle which denotes area

of center-weighted metering
Instant-return, non-lockable type
Lever provided can be set for up
to approx. 10-sec. exposure de

lay; setting cancellable before

shutter release button is pressed

TTL center-weighted exposure

metering at full aperture; meter
incorporates one silicon photo

diode (SPD)

f/16 at 1/1000 sec. at ASA 100

and with 50mm f/1.8 lens)
tivated when shutter release but

ton is pressed to fingerguard

position if matching shutter

Exposure
comper\sation

Meter power

source

Meter ON/OFF

switch

Battery power

checker

Film speed
range
Frame counter

Film rewind

speed for lens aperture set is
approx. 1/30sec. and below, or
approx. 1/1000sec. and above
Approx. +2EV when exposure

compensation button is kept de
pressed as shutter release button
is pressed
Two 1.5V silver-oxide batteries
(S-76 type)

Meter switched on when shutter
release button is pressed; stays
switched on for several seconds

after finger is lifted off button

LED lamp lights up to indicate
sufficient power availability
when power check button is
pressed

ASA 25^1600
Shows number of frames ex

posed; automatically resets to
“S” when camera back is open
ed; automatic operation starts

from frame i
Manual; film rewind crank rotat

ed after film rewind button is
depressed

Flash
synchronization

Built-in ISO-type hot-shoe; auto
matic flash sync at 1/90 sec.
with SB-E Speedlight Unit which
activates camera’s ready-light
when flash operation is ready;
ready-light “blinks" to signal in
correct ASA/aperture combi
nation; M90 shutter operation
mode selector setting used with
other electronic flash units, pro
viding flash sync at 1/90sec.;
bulb-type units not usable

Motor drive
coupling

Electrical contact and coupler
built-in for operation with MD-E
Motor Drive

Camera back

Swings open when film rewind
knob is pulled up; memo holder
provided

Body finish

Accessories

provided

Black
Camera body cap, triangular
grommets for neckstrap and two

1.5V silver-oxide batteries

Dimensions
Weight

All specifications are subject to change without notice.

135mm(W)x 86mm (H)x 54mm (D)
460g (body only)

www.orphancameras.com

33

Film rewind crank (p. 22)

® Film rewind knob
© ASA film speed selector ring (p. 16)

ASA film speed setting index

m ASA film speed scale

® Flash unit hot-shoe (p. 28)
© Hot-shoe contact
^ Ready-light contact for SB-E/SB-10 Speedlight

Viewfinder eyepiece '

Film cassette chamber (p. 14)

t

Film rewind fork
Film guide rails

S

® Shutter curtains

Film sprockets
# Film takeup spool
® Film pressure plate

(5) Camera back

Memo holder (p. 16)
® Motor drive positioning hole (p. 26)
(D Motor drive coupling

Film rewind button (p. 22)

(J) Tripod/motor drive coupling socket
® Battery chamber lid/battery clip (p. 11)

Motor drive electrical contact

www.orphancameras.com

34