The Nikon EM is an SLR camera for 35mm film. It was introduced in the late 1970s and produced by Nippon Kogaku K. K. (today Nikon) in Japan. At that time, Nikon positioned it as an amateur camera. For this reason, it offers fewer settings than other SLRs.
The body is black. Some parts of the Nikon EM are made of plastic, but most of it is made of metal. It weighs a little over 450 grams.
The Nikon EM mostly comes with Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8. Matching Nikon Series E lenses included a 28mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2.5, 100mm f/2.8, 75-150mm f/3.5, 70-210mm f/4 and 135mm f/2.8.
All lenses must be focused manually, the Nikon EM does not have autofocus. Since it is equipped with the Nikon F bayonet, all Nikon and third-party lenses with this bayonet can be used on the SLR.
The Nikon EM has a built-in light meter. You choose the aperture yourself; then you have three options. You can either set it to Auto, in which case the camera will choose what it thinks is the correct exposure time from 1/1000 second to 1 second, or you can set it to Bulb, in which case the shutter will stay open as long as the shutter button is pressed. The third option is M90, which corresponds to 1/90 second, e.g. for shots with flash.
If you take Auto, you don’t have a very big influence on the exposure, which is probably one of the reasons why it’s an amateur camera, since you can’t set the exposure time yourself. However, you can use a button to increase the exposure time by two stops (e.g. 1/250 s instead of 1/1000 s), for backlit shots, for example.
Another possibility is to influence the exposure with the ISO value. Let’s say we have ISO 100 film in the camera and the camera suggests 1/125 second, but we prefer 1/60 second, then we set the ISO wheel to ISO 50.
In the viewfinder, there is a scale on the side that shows the currently selected sensitivity. In case of overexposure or short exposure times, the EM gives a warning signal.
The Nikon EM is powered by two SR44 (eBay / Amazon*) or LR44 (eBay / Amazon*) batteries. However, it also works without power, but without a light meter. Also, the exposure time is always 1/1000 second for Auto, and stays the same for Bulb and M90.
The Nikon EM is loaded with 35mm film (eBay / Amazon*). Since the light meter only goes from ISO 25 to ISO 1600, you should put film with the appropriate sensitivity in it.
The camera can’t tell what sensitivity the film has, you have to set it with a wheel on the top, so it’s also easy to expose a film with a different ISO value.
Sample photos
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 x 36 mm |
| Lens mount | Nikon F lens mount |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure times | 1/1000 second to 1 second, 1/90 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 1600 |
| Exposure modes | Aperture priority |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Flash sync speed | 1/90 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Power supply | 2x LR44 batteries |
| Weight | 450 Grams |
| Company name of the brand | Nippon Kogaku K. K. |
| Country of production | Japan |
| Estimated value / Used price | 94,31 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 97 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of May 18, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 118,89 Euro (127.72 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 125,83 Euro (135.30 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 113,88 Euro (122.31 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Nikon EM
Is the Nikon EM a difficult camera to use for beginners?
The Nikon EM is considered a beginner-friendly camera, especially compared to more advanced SLRs. It has simpler controls, although it does require some understanding of basic photography principles like aperture and shutter speed.
What kind of lens does this 35mm camera usually come with?
It typically comes with a Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8 lens. However, it's compatible with a range of other Nikon lenses thanks to its Nikon F bayonet mount.
Does the camera have autofocus?
No, the Nikon EM is a manual focus camera. You'll need to adjust the focus manually on the lens itself. This requires some practice but allows for greater control over your images.
How does the light meter work on this camera?
It has a built-in light meter to help you determine correct exposure. You select the aperture, and the camera suggests a shutter speed or you can manually set a fixed shutter speed (1/90th or Bulb).
What type of film does the Nikon EM use?
The Nikon EM uses 35mm film. Remember to set the ISO speed on the camera dial to match the film you're using; the camera doesn't detect this automatically.