Nikon FG User Manual

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Mikoit

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

lOMENCLATURE

•Hm advance lever

lONTENTS-------------------
)MENCLATURE.......................................................	2
»REWORD...............................................................	5
»SIC OPERATION...................................................	6
KON AND NIKKOR LENSES
>R THE NIKON FG...............................................	19
»NTROLS IN DETAIL...........................................	20
Shutter Speed/Mode Selector Dial...................	20
Exposure Measuring System...........................	21
LED Viewfinder Indications..............................	22
Exposure information.................................	22
Improper exposure warning information.. 23
Flash ready-light information....................	23
How To Determine Shooting Modes...............	24
P—programmed exposure mode..............	24
A—automatic exposure mode...................	28
Manual exposure mode..............................	35
Shutter Release Button.....................................	38
Film Advance Lever...........................................	39
Frame Counter...................................................	39
Audio Warning Lever.........................................	40
ASA/ISO Film Speed Dial..................................	41
Exposure Compensation Dial..........................	42
Exposure Compensation Button.....................	43
Self-Timer Lever.................................................	44
Film Plane Indicator..........................................	44
Handgrip.............................................................	45
Memo Holder......................................................	46
Infrared Focusing Index....................................	46

FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY....................................	47
Accessory Shoe...........................................	48
Viewfinder Ready-Light...............................	48
Nikon FG and Speedlight Combinations_49
CLOSE-UP PHOTOGRAPHY.............................	50
ACCESSORIES...................................................	52
Electronic Flash Units.................................	52
Motor Drive MD-14.......................................	53
Data Back MF-15..........................................	54
Other Accessories.......................................	55
TIPS ON CAMERA CARE...................................	58
OPTIMUM BATTERY PERFORMANCE.............	59
SPECIFICATIONS...............................................	60
IMPORTANT........................................................	63

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■^Hot-shoe contact

\g) Accessory shoe

'^Film rewind crank

y^Film rewind knob

ASA/ISO fHm speed index

^ Rim rewind fork

SASA/ISO film speed dial

^ Film cartridge chamber

01^'ShuUer curtains

i^Film guide rails

•^'Viewfinder e/eplece

:^Fllm rewind button

Motor drive coupling

'3€'Motor drive positioning hole

Shutter release button

Audio warning lever

Frame counter

Film plane Indicator

Film takeup spool

Rim pressure plate

Film sprocket

Data back contacts

Memo holder

Camera back

Tripod/motor drive coupling socket

Motor drive electrical contacts

Battery chamber lid/battery clip

FOREWORD

As Nikon’s selective-exposure 35mm SLR earner; the Nikon FG gives you the choices not only of tota exposure programming but also aperture-prioril automatic exposure as well as full manual contre Compact and lightweight, the FG additionally offei such advanced photographic features as an expi sure compensation dial, an exposure compensatic button and an audio warning system, plus its O\A matching electronic flash with TTL measuremer automatic motor drive and automatic data bac And of course with the FG, you’ve full admissic into the comprehensive Nikon System of over six interchangeable lenses and a host of accessorif and equipment. To get the most out of your F( study the instructions in this manual carefully. Eve basic operation and all controls and features a explained in detail. Practise using your FG witho film until you are familiar with the simple operatir instructions, then keep this manual on hand f ready reference. A few minutes now is your a surance of the best future results as you enter tl exciting world of selective-exposure photograpi with the Nikon FG.

ASIC OPERATION

Remove the battery	A Install the battery	A Replace the battery
“ clip « .	or batteries.	clip.

e a coin to twist the lid counter- )ckwise to unscrew it.

wipe battery terminals clean and Slip the battery clip back into the insert either one 3V lithium battery,camera body and screw it clock­ two 1.55V silver-oxide batteries, wise tightly in place.

or two 1.5V alkaline manganese batteries into the battery olip, making sure eaoh " H- " sign is up.

Caution: Keep batteries away from				in­
fants	and small children.	In	case a	bat­
tery	is accidentally swallowed, call a
doctor	immediately as	the	material	in­

side the batteries can cause serious problems.

ASIC OPERATION —continued

:Open the camera

*back 46 .

II up the film rewind knob * as as it will go and the camera

ck will pop open.

^ Load the film.	O Insert the film
■■ Drop the film cartridge into	leader in the takeup
the film carfridge chamber ® so	spool.
the film leader points towards the	Pull the leader across the camera

takeup s p o o l a n d while rotating and insert it into any one of the the rewind knob push it back downslots in the takeup spool

to secure the cartridge in place.

Notes:

1) All 35mm film can be used.
2)	Avoid	loading	film in	direct	sunlight.
If	there	is no	shade	available,		turn
your back to the sun				and	use	your
ovrn shadow to shield the camera.

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^ Check the battery powe:.	e Mount the lens.
Looking through the viewfinder #, depress the	Grasp the lens by its mounting ring, then line u
shutter release button % halfway and confirm that	the aperture/distance scale index ii on the lens an
any of the red LEDs (light emitting diodes) light up	the mounting index (S- on the camera body and twii
steadily or blink continuously for 16 seconds after	the lens counterclockwise until it clicks into placi

you have taken your finger off the button. This meansMake sure the aperture/distance scale index i battery installation is proper and power is sufficient. exactly on top.

It no LEDs light up or if they turn off immediately whenTo remove, while pushing the lens release button '9

you take your finger off the button, replace the	turn the lens clockwise.
battery (ies).

Note: To check battery power, set the shutter speed/mode

selector dial (i) to any setting except M90 and B.

A Engage the film’s perforations with the sprocket teeth.

4Q Advance the film with the film advance lever i .

Advance the takeup spool slightly with your finger toAlternately wind the film advance lever and depres engage the film's perforations with the teeth of the the shutter release button until the perforations o takeup spool and the sprocket 8-. Confirm the film isboth film edges are securely engaged with th located properly between both guide rails S and sprocket teeth and the film is advanced properly. that there is no film slack.

ote: The Nikon FG camera has two more shooting modes isides P (Program): A (Auto) and manual. For details of tooling at lhe.se modes, see pages 28~34 lor A (Auto) and iges 35~37 lor manual.

i|fi Set the lens f/stop to its minimum aperture opening

(i.e., the largest f/number).

lASIC OPERATION —continued

Close the camera back.

4 A Take up the film slack.

Snap the camera back shut.

Fold out the film rewind crank ® and rotate it gently in the direction of the arrow until you feel a slight resistance. Then fold the crank back in.

ASIC OPERATION —continued

le Set the shutter speed/mode selector to P.

'hile depressing the A/P setting lock button®, turn

le shutter speed/mode selector until P is opposite Turn the aperture ring of the lens until the largest f/ le index. The built-in locking mechanisms at P and numberA is opposite the aperture index. If the aperture

isure that the dial cannot be accidentally shifted	is not set to f/11 or larger, both warning LEDs in the
om either the P or A position during shooting.	viewfinder will blink alternately, warning of improper
	setting.

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4 O Make blank exposures until the frame counter 39 shows “1.”

A A Set the ASAIISO film speed dial 29’.

To dispose of the first few frames exposed during filmLift up the ASA/ISO film speed dial and rotate it loading, continue to alternately advance the film and either direction until the index dot is opposite the fil

depress the shutter release button until the frame	speed in use. Make sure the exposure compensatii
counter shows "1." Check that the rewind knob is	dial Is set at "0.” These actions are essential to ac

rotating, indicating the film has been loaded correctlyvate the camera’s exposure meter for correct exp

and is being advanced. If the knob does not rotate,	sure of the film being used.
reload the film.	Note: Film speed is printed on the film package and cart ride
Note: Do not lake pictures prior to frame "1" as the meter
does not function until the counter reaches "I." Up to
the 1/60 and 1/125 sec. LEDs in the viewfinder wilt blink,
showing the shutter is aulomatically set at 1/90 sec.

•i ^ Ibrn the audio warning lever w	1A Hold the camera steady.
■ ■ ■ to switch it on.	Fold out the film advance lever to the stani
	off position. With your right hand grasping the ham
Turn the lever as far as it will go, uncovering the audio
warning mark(’^,/).	grip ® steadily and your right index finger restir
	comfortably on the shutter release button, positic
	your right thumb between the camera body and th
	lever. Then cradle the camera in the left hand with tt

thumb and fingers holding the lens focusing ring. Th camera may be switched from horizontalto vertici format shooting in this position.

lASIC OPERATION —continued

Q Compose and focus on the subject.

lile looking through the viewfinder, compose your prism collar and turn the focusing ring until the shim­ oto with the main subject in the center to assure mering image becomes sharp. When doing close-ups rrect exposure. Then turn the focusing ring ® of or macrophotography or shooting with telephoto

5 lens until the subject looks clear. The FG employslenses of maximum apertures of approx, f/4.5 or 3 standard Type K focusing screen for all-purpose smaller, the split-image spot and microprism collar

otography. For precise pinpoint focusing for sub-	are likely to darken. Therefore, use the matte outer
;ts with distinct contours, use the central split-	field and turn the focusing ring until the image be­

age rangefinder and turn the focusing ring until thecomes sharp. lit image becomes whole. For rapid focusing and

subjects with indistinct outlines, use the micro­

ASIC OPERATION —continued

IQ Take the photograph.	Advance the film.
Look through the viewfinder and press the shutter release	“ * ■ Stroke the film advance

itton halfway to turn on the exposure meter. When the audio warninglever to transport the film to the les not sound, depress the button all the way to take the picture. In thisnext frame.

ise. the proper shutter speed to match scene brightness is displayed ■ the LED inside the viewfinder. If the warning sounds, check the viewider information. If either the top or bottom warning LED blinks, the ailable light is too bright or too dim for the meter's range and correct posure is not possible without adjustment. Use either a neutral density :er to reduce the amount of light reaching the film or artificial light to :rease the subject's brightness. If the LED at 1/30 sec. or below lights I, shutter speed is too slow and blur may result. In this case, use a pod to prevent blurred images. When you correct the exposure, the idio warning will stop.

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A A At the end of the roll, push the rewind button 3« .

5—5

12 3 4

1.3mm dia. split-image spot 2.1 mm-wide microprism collar 3.12 mm dia. area

4.Fine matte/Fresnel outer field

5.Shutter speed scale

6.Top warning LED

7.Shutter speed LEDs

8.Bottom warning LED

9.Flash ready-light

10.Thunderbolt mark

Notes;

1)The meter reads the light over the

entire	focusing	screen	but	is dis­
tinctly	biased	toward	the	centra!
12mm dia. area.

2)Frame coverage is approx. 92%

which means actual photographs will be slightly larger than the finder image.

no Rewind the film.

" Fold out the film rewind crank and turn After Ihe last exposure, the film advance lever will notgently in the direction of the arrow until you feel c move, Depress the film rewind button on the camera increased tension. Give it a few more turns until tf base plate to disengage the film sprocket drive so tension is gone and the crank turns freely, indicatir you can rewind the exposed film back into its cartridgethe. film leader is rewound completely back into tf

cartridge.

from 1 to 1/1000 sec.. A and P. Intermediate settings cannot be used.

P (Programmed)

Used for completely automatic programmed mode shooting. The optimum combination of shutter speed and aperture value is automatically set by the FG’s microcomputer, depending upon scene brightness and the film speed in use. The electronically controlled shutter speed is stepless between 1 and 1/1000 sec,

A (Auto)

Used for aperlure-priority automalic mode shooting. The f/stop is set manually and the FG's microcom­ puter selects the matching electronically controlled shutter speeds steplessly between 1 and 1/1000 sec. depending on the scene's brightness and the film speed in use.

(ASIC OPERATION —continued

Remove the film cartridge.

open the camera back by pulling up the iwind knob and take out the film cartridge. Avoid tioading in direct sunlight. If there is no shade /ailable, turn your back to the sun and use your own ladow to shield the camera.

CONTROLS IN DETAIL

butter Speed/Mode elector Dial 3

le Nikon FG offers programmed mode operation, rerture-priority automatic mode operatiori, and

anual control of all shufter speeds from 1 to 1/1000Manual

c,, Including M90 and B (Bulb) settings. To set the Used for full manual control of both f/stop and shutter

isired shooting mode or shutter speed, rotate the	speed. All of the eleven shutter speeds indicated on
lutter speed/mode selector dial until the desired	the dial are electronically set, with accuracy assured

itting click-stops opposite the index line. Note that by a quartz oscillator controlling shutter timing. Each A and P settings, a locking mechanism is providednumber shown on the scale is reciprocal, i.e.. 2 prevent accidental shifts of the setting. To rotate means 1/2 second, and 125 means 1/125 second. A

e dial to or from the A or P setting, depress the lockone-step change will either halve or double the expo­ itton @ provided. The shutter speed/mode selectorsure, e.g., a shutter speed of 1/125 sec. lets in twice

al has the following settings: B, Ivt90, eleven speeds

as much light as a setting of 1 /250 sec., and half as

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