Nikon EM Camera Manual 2: Take a Photo, Flash, Load Film, Battery, Change Lenses, Double Exposures

[@Just_Robi]

Sir, you are an amazing mentor and your explanation in both videos saved my day. I recently got an EM full package from my uncle and since I've never ever used anything but DSLRs or digital cams, I really needed a good video for a rookie. I found a film at home and now am shooting around with the hopes of the photos developing well since the camera hasn't been used in years and the inner condition is unknown. Great job and once again, thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! This is a great first film camera so definitely enjoy!

[@jojo-sm6kn]

Spontainiously bought a Nikon em with no knowledge about analog photography. And this video is everything I think I need to get going. Thank you 🙏 😊

[@DavidHancock]

Nice buy and thank you!

[@geraldopacheco99]

Received this camera as a gift, it’s a beautiful machine. Simple and fun to use. Thank you for the help , your video was calming and very informative. Cheers !

[@geraldopacheco99]

I am having trouble using my speed flash With this camera, all batteries are good, camera leds turn on, I am just not getting a flash. It is a Nikon sb300

[@DavidHancock]

Nice and thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

When you test the flash, does it fire via the test button? If not, then the capacitor is likely shot. If so, then there's either an issue with the flash's electronic pin or the camera's electronic contact, or possible a setting. Does the flash work when the camera is set to M90?

[@GonzoTheRosarian]

Great explanation on the double exposures with this camera. Most reviewers tell you it can’t be done…

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! The only cameras that don't allow double exposure are those with double-exposure prevention built into the gearing or automatic advance motor operation.

[@thebigbadbear91]

Thanks for the videos, I just got given this camera by my dad and your videos have been very useful! Cheers

[@DavidHancock]

Nice gift!

[@9ether-]

My very First camera when I started film photography. Takes Great pictures, still have it!😉

[@DavidHancock]

Fantastic! These are definitely underrated.

[@seannaiman2986]

David, Amazing video... So easy to follow along and understand everything that you're saying. You explain everything so clearly! Can't wait to master the operation of this camera. I rarely comment on videos, but I wanted to let you know how great this was. Subbing your channel too :)

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I greatly appreciate hearing that my work helped you out.

[@markglore7196]

Cool little shooter! Didn't know Nikon made anything like that. Thank you!

[@patternsinsand]

Love your videos. So informative and in this case, of clear and direct relevance to me trying to resurrect an old Nikon EM :)

[@DavidHancock]

Nice! Sounds like a fun project.

[@dhirajshetty483]

Awesome Breakdown ! Thank you so much

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@rich1714]

Thanks. I was wondering about using a flash with this camera

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@PsychoXXI]

Beautiful camera.

[@DavidHancock]

Yeah, Nikon designed these well.

[@sputumtube]

Had one of these in the mid '90's. Might get another now I've seen this.....

[@DavidHancock]

They are fun to shoot.

[@gioderri9955]

Really well done video! I would like some advice. I just found these two Mitakon lenses, a 28mm and a 70-210 (mounted on the Nikon EM). Can I easily mount them on my D5600 (obviously losing all the automatic mechanisms and the exposure meter) without causing damage?🤣 Thanks

[@DavidHancock]

That depends on the lenses' specific mount iteration. There are some good resources online (good enough that I've never really felt the need to do a video on this) that cover which F mount variants work on each film and digital F mount camera. For that, a Google search of something like "Nikon F lens compatibility" will turn up the results you need.

[@BrendanEvan]

Do people ever manually adjust exposure value my manipulating the ASA reading? Like if I want to under expose a particular shot on this roll can I adjust the ASA from the roll speed of 200 to 400 to trick the camera into compensating for the higher sensitivity thereby lowering the actual exposure value?

[@BrendanEvan]

16:45 well there ya go

[@DavidHancock]

You can, but just be sure to change it back to the proper ISO when you're done to avoid messing up the rest of the film.

[@sarahreis1775]

This video was extremely helpful, thank you very much! Just found my dad old camera and I’m starting to use it now. Do you have any bag/case suggestion?

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I'd just go to your local camera shop and try different cases. See what you like.

[@crispycleanerboy5002]

Great Video! But how do i know which aperture is correct?

[@DavidHancock]

In automatic mode, the camera will pick the best shutter speed based on light, film speed, and aperture.

[@tonykapsalis6176]

Thx for the amazing content. Any ideas where I could find a new battery cap?

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and eBay

[@nicolomauri9527]

Excuse the question, does the line inside the camera viewfinder have to be located inside the little black indicator to get the correct exposure?

[@DavidHancock]

In auto mode, IIRC, the meter needle just indicates what shutter speed will be used based on your available light, aperture setting, and the film speed of the film loaded in the camera.

[@nicolomauri9527]

@@DavidHancock so what is that indicator for? Do I have to make sure that the needle is close to the indicator?

[@DavidHancock]

@@nicolomauri9527 With this camera, I think (and it's been some years since I sold it) that it just tells you the shutter speed in automatic nice. If the needle points to a black shutter speed number, then you can hand-hold the camera. If it points to a red number, you need a tripod to prevent shutter shake.

[@Galaxy_NZ]

Hi, great video! Just picked one up and learnt a lot. One thing i noticed and wanted clarity on, you mentioned you step the iso/asa up for double exposures? Shouldnt it be stepping it down since lower iso is less sensitive to light, meaning it takes two shots go get the correct? Cheers!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and nope on the double exposures. Each stop up needs half as much light. So two photos at 800 are the same as one at 400. Two photos at 200 are the same as four at 400.

[@Galaxy_NZ]

@@DavidHancock ahh yep yep. of course. cheers

[@AEGYOKILLER]

So when I want to use a flash (which is pretty much always), I should shoot on M90 mode? Is this because the hotshoe is not TTL?

[@DavidHancock]

So the camera does have a TTL meter, but it does not (that I recall, it's been some years since I made this video) have the ability to prevent the shutter from firing faster than the flash sync speed in automatic mode, which means your flash photos could result in only partial frames.

[@AEGYOKILLER]

@@DavidHancock thank you so much! Saved me a roll or two for sure ~

[@Cubertlkru]

If the needle doesn’t move in my viewfinder, is it fine? Is it just a visual or is it actually important for it to choose shutter speed?

[@DavidHancock]

The needle will just indicate what the camera is going to do, but to verify if there's an issue with the camera or the needle galvanometer, let's troubleshoot. Here are a few things to check (and this assumes your camera is set to automatic mode): 1- Verify that there are two good batteries installed correctly and that the battery chamber and cap are clean. If no, then load batteries and see if the needle works. If it does not: 2- Set the lens to the largest aperture (smallest number) and take a photo of your wall or something like that. Repeat with the lens set to the smallest aperture (largest number.) The shutter times should be much different and the sound of the second exposure much longer. If the shutter times are much different and the needle does not move, then there may just be an issue with the needle. If the shutter times are the same and the camera is set to automatic mode, there may be an issue with the camera.

[@Cubertlkru]

@@DavidHancock I was testing it the other day and I think it’s broken because the sound of the shutter would sound pretty fast in low light(my bedroom with a dim light). I think I’ll just shoot in M90 and use a light meter

[@xXxTheKilllerxXx]

hello david are you ok? i have a question, my nikon EM does not change the shutter speed, is it because of the lens i am using? it’s a vivita auto-wide-angle 28mm 2.8

[@DavidHancock]

Good question and it's a bit hard to say from the info so here are a couple of questions: 1- Are you testing inside or outside? 2- Are you trying different lens apertures? 3- Does the camera have a good battery in it? To diagnose, while indoors try setting the ISO to 400 and the aperture to f/2.8 and point the camera at a lamp and press the shutter. Repeat with the lens at f/16 and the shutter times should be much different when you're in automatic mode.

[@kenitbe]

Any thoughts on Battery check issues with this camera? Like trying it without film (lamp is on), putting film inside, moving to 1 on the frame counter (lamp is off). batteries are loaded correctly and are new.

[@DavidHancock]

First thing to check, are the batteries new? If so, it may be worth wasting a couple of frames to check the camera's function. In auto mode, set your camera to the smallest aperture number and point it at a light bulb in your home. Then set it to something like f/16 and point it at a dim corner. The shutter times should be much different. If they are, then the battery check lamp may just be touchy.

[@kenitbe]

@@DavidHancock yep, batteries are new. I did what you described but couldn’t identify a difference on the shutter speed though. Also, light Meter doesn’t work at all unfortunately

[@DavidHancock]

@@kenitbe Assuming that the batteries are installed correctly and the battery chamber is clean, the electronics may be dead. That's a somewhat common issue with these.

[@kenitbe]

@@DavidHancock ahh, too bad. But thanks!

[@ramirolopez5406]

Does the needle indicating the shutter speed only move when there is a battery powering the camera?

[@DavidHancock]

Yup

[@franciscanovais5681]

HI! Great video, however i set up my camera on auto mode and my needle won´t move no matter de aperture

[@DavidHancock]

Just to verify, do you have batteries in the camera? It won't operate without them. If so, there's a video from the Fix Old Cameras channel that might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ-vlmVsiNeIb68

[@tristanlope93]

Hello Sir, when you said that the battery plastic holder is mandatory, does it mean it will not work without it? My Nikon EM arrived today and upon checking the battery compartment it has none of that plastic thingy. I have yet to receive the batteries I ordered. Do I need to buy one of those plastic battery holders?

[@DavidHancock]

Give it a shot without the plastic holder and let me know if it works. I based that on trying a battery cap without the plastic holder in both an FM and FE and the batteries not completing the circuit.

[@tristanlope93]

@@DavidHancock That was a fast response. Thank you so much. Your videos are very helpful indeed =)

[@vincentchevrier6341]

Hi i found my grandmother's one, took it for a roll and it worked rather good altough i didn't had any batterie. Now i've got myself some batteries, the battery check signal lights up however the aperture speed wich is indicated on the side of the viewfinder doesn't move, do you think the aperture will still adapt or it might not be working at all ?

[@DavidHancock]

Are you testing the aperture in the same lighting conditions? If so, what happens when you try it outside?

[@vincentchevrier6341]

@@DavidHancock it's working, i just had to push the button a little, a beep comes out and the needle start to move. Love your videos thanks for sharing your knowledge !

[@barenekid9695]

I use 1$ store batteries a card of 5 cells for $1.25. For years now. These are "sunbeam" brand :-) alkalines they don't seem to leak evcen after 2 years. Regardless I replace yjem every 6 months ... they are 25 cents each

[@DavidHancock]

Yes, but a burst battery can be a $100+ repair. If it's worth the risk, then by all means, go for it. I've paid for burst battery repairs before and it's not fun.

[@theleftavenue6822]

Please what batteries does this camera take?

[@DavidHancock]

This video covers that. There is an index in the description.

[@kazzlemuzzle83]

P

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@ZommBleed]

It was very helpful learning how to use a girlyman camera. NOT.

[@DavidHancock]

This is one you already know how to use, I see.

[@ZommBleed]

@@DavidHancock You don't have a robot next to your username. Go to the back of the line.