Analog film photography and cameras

I consider swapping my Canon AE-1 with the (really nice) 1.4/50mm for the Nikon EM,
I'd like to have something a bit smaller, and I always hated the tinny sound the AE-1 makes
(assuming the EM has a rather 'Nikon' like sound despite it's plastic parts).

Tina, I'm not sure that'd be a good swap. IIRC the AE-1 is shutter-priority. The EM is aperture-priority. While I'm a die-hard Nikon user, I'd have to say that the 50mm f1.8E lens is not as good as the 50mm 1.4 Canon. Forget about the E lens and get a Nikkor (not Nikon) 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 lens - noticeably better, albeit a bit heavier.

If you want a camera that is light, bullet-proof and takes great pictures, get a manual FM2n. Mine is now 30 years old and has seen a lot of use. In that time it's been serviced twice, that's it.

If you want some sort of automation, get an FE (which isn't that much more expensive than a used EM), FE2, or an FA - depending on your budget. The FA in my opinion is massively underrated. Check out http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/fa.htm. There is lots of info on all those models on Ken Rockwell's website.

Have fun picking a new camera!

Achim