Film cameras
Nikon FG User manual
User manual for Nikon FG. 64 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Nikon
- Model / document
- Nikon FG
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 64
- File size
- 8.0 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 6 · Read text
FOREWORD As Nikon's selective-exposure 35mm SLR camera, the Nikon FG gives you the choices not only of total- exposure programming but also aperture-priority automatic exposure as well as full manual control. Compact and lightweight, the FG additionally offers such advanced photographic features as an expo- sure compensation dial, an exposure compensation button and an audio warning system, plus its own matching electronic flash with TTL measurement, automatic motor drive and automatic data back. And of course with the FG, you've full admission into the comprehensive Nikon System of over sixty interchangeable lenses and a host of accessories and equipment. To get the most out of your FG, study the instructions in this manual carefully. Every basic operation and all controls and features are explained in detail. Practise using your FG without film until you are familiar with the simple operating instructions, then keep this manual on hand for ready reference. A few minutes now is your as- surance of the best future results as you enter the exciting world of selective-exposure photography with the Nikon FG.View original page 6
Page 7 · Read text
r
BASIC OPERATION butkus.us
w.m
1 Remove the battery D Install the battery 2 Replace the batterybattery v' !r clip. cliP ro ' -t or batteries. Use a coin to twist the lid counter- Wipe battery terminals clean and Slip the battery clip back into the
clockwise to unscrew it. 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 clip,
making sure each " + " sign is up.
Caution: Aeep batlcrtes .l,1.ii' lrotr: rrt
f ants and srnali chtldren in case a bat
lery ts acctdentally swallovyed. call a
doctor rmmedrately as the rnatenal tn
side the battenes can cause ser/ou.s
aroblerrt sView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
power. MountMount lens.lens. Gheck thethe the battery f,,4_ through lens the viewfinder the Grasp (U,', depress the Yt by its mounting ring, then line up ' ' Looking shutter release button sz halfway and confirm that the aperture/distance scale index rr on the lens and any of the red LEDs (light emitting diodes) tight up the mounting index 17 on the camera body and twist steadily or blink continuously for 16 seconds after the lens counterclockwise until it clicks into olace. you have taken your finger off the button. This means Make sure the aperture/distance scale index is battery installation is proper and power is sufficient. exactly on top. lf no LEDs light up or if they turn off immediately when To remove, while pushing the lens release button re , 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 ,t to any setting except M90 and B.View original page 8
Page 9 · Read text
BASIC OPERATION- continuedbutkus.us-
1:1 Open the camera Load the film. f| Insertlnsert thethe filmfilm Yt qo . 7. Drop the film cartridge into v' ledder in the takeup back
Pull uo the film rewind knob 2o as the film cartridge chamber 30, so spool.
far as it will go and the camera the film leader points towards the Pull the leader across the camera
back will pop open. takeup spool rt, and while rotating and insert it into any one of the
the rewind knob push it back down slots in the takeuo soool.
to secure the cartridge in place.
Notes.'
1) All 35 mm f ilm can be used
2 Avoid loading film in direct sunlight
lf there ls no shade avarlable. turn
your back to the sun and use your
own shadow to shield the camera.View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
O Engage the film's perforations {n Advance the film with the filmvr rv' with the sprocket teeth. advance lever
Advance the takeup spool slightly with your finger to Alternately wind the film advance lever and depress
engage the film's perforations with the teeth of the the shutter release button until the perforations on
takeup spool and the sprocket rs . Conf irm the film is both film edges are securely engaged with the
located properly between both guide rails sz and sprocket teeth and the f ilm is advanced properlv.
that there is no f ilm slack.View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
BASIC OPERATION- continued- butkus.us
llI I I GloseSrrao thethecane(acameraback sllulback. ADr-r TakeFold outupthethefilm filmrewrndslack.crank 2! and rotate
rt gently in the direction ol the arrow until you feel a
slight resistance. Then fold the crank back in.
10View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
{.:l Make blank exposures until the 1A, Set the ASATISO film speed rrer lrf r dial zs . frame counter sg shows 1.1.r,
To dispose of the first few f rames exposed during film Lift up the ASA/ISO film speed dial and rotate it in
loading, continue to alternately advance the lilm and either direction until the index dot is opposite the film
depress the shutter release button until the frame speed in use. Make sure the exposure compensation
counter shows "1." Check that the rewind knob is dial is set at "0." These actions are essential to acti-
rotating, indicating the f ilm has been loaded correctly vate the camera's exposure meter for correct expo-
and is being advanced. lf the knob does not rotate, sure of the film being used.
reload the f ilm. Note: Film speed is printed on the film package and cartridge.
Note: Do not take oictures Dilor to frame "1" as the meter
does not function until the counter reaches "1." Up to "1,"
the 1/60 and 1/125 sec. LEDs in the viewfinder will blink,
showing the shutter is automatically set at 1/90 sec.
11View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
BASIC OPERATION- continuedbutkus.us-
Set the shutter f lstop to its 11 { rv' selector to P. speedrmodespeedlmode {1llr Yr Setminimumthe lensaperture opening
While depressing the A/P setting lock button t2r. turn (i.e., the largest flnumberf.
the shutter speed/mode selector until P is opposite Turn the aperture ring of the lens until the largest fi
the index. The built-in locking mechanisms at P and A number is opposite the aperture index. lf the aperture
ensure that the dial cannot be accidentally shifted is not set to f/11 or larger, both warning LEDs in the
f rom either the P or A position during shooting. viewfinder will blink alternately, warning of improper
Note: The Nikon FG camera has two more shooting modes setting.
besldes P (Program): A Autd and manual. For details of
shooting at these modes, see pages 28*34 for A (Autd and
pages 35^'37 for manual.
12View original page 13Page 15 · Read text
BASIC OPERATION- continuedbutkus.us-
out ol focus _ In focus _ {O GomPose and focus rrtr on the subject.
While looking through the viewfinder, compose your prism collar and turn the focusing ring until the shim-
photo with the main subject in the center to assure mering image becomes sharp. When doing close-ups
correct exposure. Then turn the focusing-ou1ring @ of or macrophotography or shooting with telephoto
the lens until the subject looks clear. The FG employs lenses of maximum apertures of approx. t14.5 or
the standard Type K focusing screen for all-purpose smaller, the split-image spot and microprism collar
photography. For precise pinpoint focusing for sub- are likely to darken. Therefore, use lhe matte outer
jects with distinct contours, use the central split- field and turn the focusing ring until the image be-
image rangefinder and turn the focusing ring until the comes sharo.
split image becomes whole. For rapid focusing and
for subjects with indistinct outlines, use the micro-
14View original page 15Page 17 · Read text
BASIC OPERATION- continuedbutkus.us-
'tt/
fl,'1 Se---*i{
Otl Take the photograph. cra Advance the film. jYt Look through the viewfinder and press the shutter release G lt Stroke the film advance
button halfway to turn on the exposure meter. When the audio warning lever to transport the film to the
does not sound, depress the button all the way to take the picture. In this next f rame.
case, the proper shutter speed to match scene brightness is displayed
by the LED inside the viewf inder. lf the warning sounds, check the view-
finder information. lf either the top or bottom warning LED biinks, the
available light is too bright or too dim for the meter's range and correct
exposure is not possible without adjustment. Use either a neutral density
filter to reduce the amount of light reaching the film or artificial light to
increase the subject's brightness. lf the LED at 1/30 sec. or below lights
up, shutter speed is too slow and blur may result. In this case, use a
tripod to prevent blurred images. When you correct the exposure, the
audio warning will stop.
toView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
DD At the end of the roll, push Rewind the film. iq . 23. - Fold out the film rewind crank and turn it-- ' the rewind buttonAfter the last exposure, the film advance lever will not gently in the direction of the arrow until you feel an
move. Deoress the film rewind button on the camera increased tension. Give it a few more turns until the
base plate to disengage the film sprocket drive so tension is gone and the crank turns freely, indicating
you can rewind the exposed f ilm back into its cartridge. the film leader is rewound completely back into the
cartridge.
17View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
butkus.us;- BASf C OPERATf O Jf sontinued -
24- Remove the fllm cartrldge. " Open the camera back by pulling up the -rewind knob and take out the film cartridge. Avoid
unloading in direct sunlight. lf there is no shade
available, turn your back to the sun and use your own
shadow to shield the camera.View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
NIKON AND NIKKOR LEilSES FOR THE NIKON FG
The lenses usable for the Nikon FG are all the Al-type When using the Teleconyerter
Nikon/Nikkor lenses, including most of the Al con- TC.200 verted lenses, certain Reflex Nikkor and PC Nikkor
required lenses. Non-Al Nikkor lenses and lenses of other Exposure compensation, which is
manufacturers which do not have the Al feature must when using Nikon Al-type cameras with lenses
not be forcibly mounted on the FG. Attempts to mount having a maximum aperture faster than f/2, is
such lenses will damage the camera's indexing not necessary when using the FG in its P or A
mechanism. Note that in addition to non-Al lenses, mode. In the A mode, however, note that the
the following lenses cannot be used: actual shutter speed will be faster than that
" Al-converted 55mm f /1.2 (No. 184711n,970110) indicated in the viewfinder by less than one
Al-converted 28mm f/3.5 (No. 625611.'999999) step. Therefore, before shooting, be sure that
Al-converted 35 mm f /1 .4 (No. 385001 the shutter speed LED(s) in the viewfinder ^,400000) indicates a speed slower than 1/500 sec. In Fisheye Nikkor 6mm f/5.6 (all lenses)
Fisheye Nikkor 10mm f/5.6 OP (all lenses) the manual mode, exposure compensation
f ilm speed dial is necessary. Reflex Nikko|l000mm f/11(No. 143000 or smaller) using the ASA/lSO
Reflex Nikkor 2O0Omm f/11(No.200310 or smaller) See the TC-200's instruction manual for com-
PC Nikkor 28mnif/4 (No. 18O9OO or smalter) plete details.
PC Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 (No. 906200 or smaller)
Zoom Nikkor 1BO.'600mm f/B ED
(tto. tz+tgO or smaller)
Zoom Nikkor 200n,600mm f/9.5
(tlo. gotgzz or smaller)
Zoom Nikkor 360-'12O0mm f/l1 ED
(No. flqtzt or smaller)
Focusing Unit AU-1View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
butkus.us
from 1 to 1/1000 sec., A and P. Intermediate settings
cannot be used.
P (Programmedl
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 (Autol
Used for aperture-priority automatic mode shooting.
Shutter SpeedlMode Thep[i e r'f/stog_19j9!_!Lalfgalf_andS6l-e c t s t h e-- m alching .. e !_er thekdni FG'sqQly microcom-control I ed
,eSelector Dial shutter sperids steplessly between 1 and'fl1000 Sec.
The Nikon FG offers programmed mode operation, depending on the scene's brightness and the film
aperture-priority automatic mode operation, and soeed in use.
manual control of all shutter speeds from 1 to 1/1000 tanual
sec., including M90 and B (Bulb) settings. To set the Used for full manual controlof both f/stop and shutter
dOsired shooting mode or shutter speed, rotate the speed. All of the eleven shutter speeds indicated on
shutter speed/fnode selector dial until the desired the dial are electronically set, with accuracy assured
setting click-stops opposite the index line. Note that by a quartz oscillator controlling shutter timing. Each
at A and P settings, a locking mechanism is provided number shown on the scale is reciprocal, i.e., 2
to prevent accidental shifts of the setting. To rotate means 1/2 second. and 125 means 1/125 second. A
the dial to or from the A or P setting, depress the lock one-step change will either halve or double the expo-
button gl provided. The shutter speed/mode selector sure, e.9., a shutter speed of 11125 sec. lets in twice
dial has the following settings: B, M90, eleveh speeds as much light as a setting ot 11250 sec., and half as
20View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
t
much light as 1/60 sec. Exposure Measuring System
Note: When you set the shutter speed/mode selector dial to The Nikon FG employs TTL (through-the-lens) center- either M90 or B, the exposure meter does not work and the
viewfinder LEDs don't light. weighted full-aperture exposure measurement which
passing the through amount the of light Mgo(rtgosec.l measures open, fully thus always assur- aperture lens with the At this setting, the shutter operates mechanically at ing a bright finder image during shooting. Exposure
1/90 sec., and-is used mainly when the battery is measurement emphasis is placed especially on the drained and other shutter speed modes are not brightness in the 12mm dia. central area (refer to
operable, and for, flash photography-;with an elec- page 15), although the meter reads the light over the
tronic flash. entire focusing screen. Thus, correct exposure is
B (Bulbl assured when shooting with the main subject situated
At this mechanical setting, the shutter curtains @ in this central area.
remain open as long as you press the shutter release 'On both P and A modes, the FG employs instan-
button. B is used for long time exposures. taneous stopped-down exposure measurement. This
Note: When the shutter speed/mode selector dlal ls set measurement system sets the optimum combination
somewhere between 1 sec. and M90 and the shutter release of shutter speed and aperture at the actual split-
button @ is accidentally depressed, the shutter curtains re- second moment of picture taking, assuring accurate
main open. lf the film is rewound in this situation, every frame exposures even if the light changes at the very last
will be re-exposed, damaging the pictures taken. Therefore, instant. A sensitive SPD (silicon photodiode) is used before rewinding make sure that the selector dial is not in this to measure light intensity. i nte r med iate oosition.
zlView original page 22Page 23 · Read text
lN DETAll-continuedbutkus.us
Exposure information-CONTROLS onPorA on manual
Top warning LED
| 000
500
250 )25 -:i:-= Blinkins LED
50 . = Steadily lLl Shutter speed LEDs lighting LED
Bottom warning LED
Flash ready-light
LED Viewfinder lndications Exposure information
Red LEDs (light emitting diodes) tocated opposite the On P or A, a steady LED indicates the shutter speed
shutter speed scale at the right.hand side of the view- automatically set. Two adjacent LEDs indicate set
finder light up when the shutter release button is speed is intermediate between the two. On manual,
depressed halfway. These function in three capa- a steady LED indicates the shutter speed set manually
cities-for exposure information, for improper expo. and the blinking LED(s) signals the correct speed to
sure warning, and for convenient f lash shooting. match the selected aoerture.
l\lotes.'
1) At M90 and B, there is no LED disptay.
D Shutter speed setection ls step/ess on P and A; however
on manual, intermediate speeds cannot be.set.
22View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
Possible Possible Shutler speed Flash ready-light overexposure underexposure tooslow Hlmproper exposure warningffi Flash ready-light information informatlon An LED opposite the thunderbolt mark enables you to On Por A, a blinking top warning LED indicates possi- confirm flash readiness without removing your eye ble overexposure. In this case, use a neutral density from the viewfinder 69. filter or change to a slower speed film. A blinking lower warning LED signals possible underexposure, necessitating an electronic f lash or a change to the B setting for long exposure. On P A and manual, an LED lighting at 1/30 sec. or below indicates shutter speed is too slow for hand-held shooting and a tripod is necessary to steady the camera or a high-speed f ilm or electronic f lash should be used. Note: When using a tripod with a large head, use Nikon s tilpod adapter to mount the FG, otherwise contact between lens barrel and head mav make it diff icult to oDerate the lens.View original page 24
Page 26 · Read text
P mode operation
(1) While depressing the A/P setting lock button, turn lf the audio warning does sound, improper expo-
the selector dial to P. sure may result and you must check the LED view-
(2) Set the f/stop of the lens to its minimum aperture finder indications (explained on the following
opening (i.e., the largest f/number). page) for necessary adjustments.
(3) turn on the audio warning system.
( )While looking through the viewfinder, depress the
shutter release button halfway to turn on the expo-
sure meter.
lf the audio warning does not sound, exposure is
correct-just focus and shoot. One lighted LED
in the viewfinder signals what shutter speed is set.
Two lighted LEDs indicate the set shutter speed is
intermediate between the two lighted LEDs.
25View original page 26Page 28 · Read text
Programmed exposure measurement graph fhese /enses on A or manual modes.
The graph represents the optimum combinations of All Reflex Nikkors
f/stop and shutter speed, for the brightness of any (whenAll PC perspectiveNikkors is shifted, use manual mode) scene, which were determined through intensive Bellows attachment
statistical and empirical studies and fed into the FG's Extension Ring Set K
computer brain for its pre-arranged exposure pro- 3) On P, when using teleconverters or Al-converted lenses of .
gram. Thus, when actual exposure measurement maximum apertures of f/4.5 or smaller, shutter speeds
takes place at the time of shooting, the ideal combi- available are limited to very s/ow ones. Therefore, A or
nation for actual conditions is selected and oerfect manual mode is recommended.
exposure results for every shot. 4 On P, when using Al-converted /enses ol maximum aper-
(Graph..green line represents the curve for the f /'1.4 ture larger than f/2.8, the metering range for the higher EV values will be reduced down to a maximum of two EVs de-lens. For lenses with other apertures, the graph is
read f rom that particular aperture opening until inter-
section with the diagonal line and then in the same 2,1q
downward line, e.9., the black line for the f /4 lens.) /t .5
fVotes.'
1) On P, the foilowing /enses will cause slower shutter speeds
tfian those indicated in the viewfinder while correct exDo-
sure ls assured. Therefore, ln cases where more exact f lt.q shutter speed information is desired, A ot manual mode is
recommended: 2.
50 mm f /1 .2 Nikkor (No. 250525 or smaller)
58mm f/1.2 Noct-Nikkor (No. 175000 or smaller) 5.
ED 50^'300mm f /4.5 Zoom Nikkor (No. 179500 or smaller)
Every Al-converted 85mm f/1.8 Nikkor 11
Every Al-converted 105mm f/4 Micro Nikkor I
Every Al-converted 85-250mm f/4 Zoom Nikkor 22
D On P, the following /enses and accesso nes cannot be used
'l 1'l 111 111 as they do not have an aperture coupling device. Use 32'I sec
125 1 250 500 1000 24 8 15 30 60
27View original page 28Page 30 · Read text
(2) Set the desired f/stop on the lens.
(3) Turn on the audio warning system.
(4)While looking through the viewfinder, depress the
shutter release button halfway to turn on the expo-
sure meter. lf the audio warning does not sound,
the scene brightness is within the FG's metering
range-focus and shoot. The shutter speed auto-
matically set is indicated in the viewfinder by
either one LED or two LEDs. lf the audio warning
sounds, LEDs in the viewfinder will indicate one of
the conditions described on the next oaoe.
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