Nikon FM + Nikkor 1,8/50mm --> Bill Zygmant - Photographer of Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix connection Analogue camera

Nikon FM 35mm SLR with Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 – Direct Bill Zygmant Provenance

A genuine Nikon FM 35mm professional-style SLR camera fitted with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens, personally given to me by the British press and entertainment photographer Bill Zygmant.

Direct provenance – Bill Zygmant

This Nikon FM was personally given to me directly by Bill Zygmant. I can personally guarantee its provenance.

Bill Zygmant built an extraordinary career photographing British and international music, film and television personalities from the 1960s onwards. His extensive portfolio includes The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Bee Gees, Marc Bolan and T. Rex, Rod Stewart, Suzi Quatro, Marianne Faithfull, Mary Hopkin, Lulu, Status Quo, Madness, Bananarama, Toyah, Captain Sensible, Oliver Reed, Patrick Macnee, Diana Rigg, Joanna Lumley, Barbara Windsor, Peter Davison, Tony Blackburn and Arnold Schwarzenegger, among many others.

He also photographed members of the Royal Family during his career and later became involved in the management of the internationally successful group Imagination.

Bill worked extensively for Fleet Street newspapers, magazines and major picture agencies, including Pictorial Press, Paul Popper and Rex Features. His photographs are now an important visual record of British popular culture during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

The Nikon FM

Introduced in 1977, the Nikon FM became renowned for its rugged construction, reliability and mechanical simplicity. Unlike many later electronic cameras, its shutter and basic camera operation are mechanically controlled, with batteries required primarily for the exposure meter.

This made the FM an excellent working camera for professional photographers who needed dependable equipment in demanding situations.

This example is fitted with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8, a compact standard lens which appears consistent with the later AI-S version of the lens.

Camera specification

Nikon FM 35mm SLR
Made in Japan
Nikon F-mount
Manual focus
Manual exposure
Built-in TTL exposure meter
Mechanical shutter
Shutter speeds up to 1/1000 sec
Flash synchronisation at 1/125 sec
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens
Lens serial number: 4249107
Camera serial number: 3043700
Original camera strap

Condition

The camera shows genuine signs of extensive use, including scratches and cosmetic wear around the body and base. This is entirely consistent with a camera that has been used as working photographic equipment rather than simply kept as a collector’s piece.

The camera and lens are being sold untested. The operation of the shutter, meter, film advance, lens and other functions has not been professionally checked. Buyers should study all photographs carefully and bid accordingly.

Provenance

The most important feature of this camera is its provenance.

It was personally given to me by Bill Zygmant, and I can guarantee its authenticity and history. I will also include photographs of myself with Bill as additional supporting provenance.

A genuine Nikon FM is already an iconic piece of 35mm photographic equipment. The direct connection to one of Britain’s best-known music and entertainment photographers makes this a particularly interesting piece for a Nikon collector, photographic historian or collector of music memorabilia.