The Nikon FG-20, an entry-level manual focus 35mm SLR film camera, the only camera introduced by Nikon in 1984, was launched as an update to the earlier EM and FG series. The camera, though, is seen as a slight downgrade of the preceding Nikon FG as it has only an auto mode in aperture priority AE and manual exposure control and lacks the program auto exposure mode, exposure compensation dial, and TTL/OTF flash automation that the FG has.
Specs-wise, the FG-20 shares the same electronically-controlled vertical travel metal focal plane shutter with a stepless speed range from 1 to 1/1000 second, Bulb, as well as a mechanically timed 1/90-second speed, that the FG has, accepts film with an ISO speed range from 25 to 6000, takes all Nikon F mount lens, accepts the MD-E and MD-14 motor drives for automated film advance at up to 3.2 frames per second and can be equally paired with a small-sized flash.
And a feather in the cap for the FG-20, it has an exciting new metering mode, Center-Weighted Metering, which places the highest importance on determining the correct exposure of the image from information contained within the central 60–80% of the scene. The system will still take the background of the image into consideration and adjust the exposure accordingly but this is done to a lesser degree when compared to metering using an averaging-metering mode.
Classification-wise, the FG-20 is still a member of the EM and FG family, enjoys the rating as the lightest, most compact 35mm Nikon SLR, and takes all the accessories designed for the Nikon super compact models. Though TTL OTF flash control is not available on the FG-20, a flash-ready light and auto sync speed (when used in conjunction with a dedicated flash unit) are provided.
Basic Camera Features
The FG-20 is available in silver and all-black.
On the front, from the left, just the up-designed Self-Timer button, the Lens Mount, with the Lens Release button on its right, and the Exposure Compensation button on the upper of the right side. The Lens Mount is seen with the Meter Coupling Lever on the external peripheral of the lens mount.
On the top plane, from the left, the Film Rewind crank, pull-up film back latch release, and pull-up and turn film ASA/ISO speed selector dial assembly. Next, the pentaprism hump with a hot shoe on its apex, Shutter Speed mode/selector dial lock release button, Shutter Speed mode/selector dial with the Shutter Release button and Film Forward crank centered on its axis, and the Film Counter Window on the right edge of the top plate.
On the backplane, just the Viewfinder Eyepiece at the back of the pentaprism hump, and the hinged non-interchangeable Film Back with a memo tab.
On the bottom plane, a Motor-Drive positioning hole, Motor-Drive Coupling connector, Film Rewind Release button, tripod socket, battery chamber and cover, and Motor-Drive electrical contacts.
The film box is the standard Nikon quick-load system with mechanicals as generally found across all 35mm SLR film camera film boxes of the era. On the left is the film canister chamber, followed by the shutter window, sprocket gear, and multi-slot take-up spool. The film box is opened by releasing the latch lock which is secured by the interlocked film rewind lever
Film Loading and Rewind
The film is loaded with its tab end inserted into one of the openings in the multi-slot take-up spool, wretched with the emulsion side up, i.e. in the opposite direction to the turn of the sprocket gear. Make sure that the perforations on the film edge are properly meshed with the sprocket gear before closing the film back.
Next, do the mandatory 2-blank shot cycle to properly line up the yet unexposed film to Frame 1. You are all set to go.
To unload the film roll after all the images have been exposed, first press the rewind release button located on the bottom plate of the camera, unfold the rewind handle of the film rewind lever, and start the rewind motion by turning the lever in the clockwise direction. The rewind will be completed once the tension while rewinding is released and the lever is in free movement.
Viewfinder Readout
The viewfinder of the FG-20 is fitted with a Matte/Fresnel focusing screen with a central split/image rangefinder spot and microprism collar with 92% image coverage.
On the left of the Viewfinder Screen is a Shutter Speed readout with a metering needle showing the metered exposure information. Display settings include under and overexposure, correct exposure, and possible picture blur (due to camera shake) zones.
In both Automatic and Manual Exposure modes, the meter needle will indicate the Shutter Speed the camera will be set to, based on the scene brightness, lens aperture opening, and film speed in use.
Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensation on the FG-20 is catered for by the Exposure Compensation button located on the top-left of the front plane of the camera (looking from the back), The button has to be pressed while taking the shot.
This will increase exposure by 2-stops and is normally used for scenes that have strong backlight content, shooting snow scenes, and when shooting subjects that are shaded by the main light source of the scene.
Self-Timer
The 10-second delay Self-Timer is shutter actuated. To activate, crank the film forward, push the Self-Timer lever up to the upright position, and release the shutter.
Dimension and Body Weight
The FG-20 has a dimension of 136mm (W) x 88mm (H) x 54mm (D) and a body weight of 440 grams without batteries. It is lighter than the Nikon FG by 50 grams and the Nikon EM by 20 grams.
Battery
The FG-20 requires a pair of SR/LR 44 button cells to power its metering and electronic shutter control.
Recommendation
In terms of features, the straight shooter FG-20 sits in between what the EM and the FG can offer, or as some people say, '... an EM with auto flash feature' or 'a FG without programmed mode...', well enough to be suitable for the newbie or the casual photographer who does not want to be burdened with a higher cost or a more complex camera system.
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