A project for Nikon F3 and FM2 camera owners...

[trythis]

Just got a roll out of my F3:
1759xxx
31va

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Looks like fstop's FM2n may've had a top cover swap. Same with trythis' F3HP. 175xxxx is late 1985, early 1986. The 7584xxx serial would put that camera around February-May 1991 with a smooth blade shutter.

-J

 

[John_Nikon_F]

The other four cameras: early FM2 - March 1983, same with the 1581xxx F3, the 1890xxx F3 is July 1989, and the 1482xxx F3 is April 1982.

-J

 

[fstop]

Great info thanks!

Top cover swap sounds right. This came from the original owner or owners son.I know it might be stretch but the date of manufacture of the lenses that were included were 1985 or before.

 

[Aja B]

F3HP - Ser 1656, hinge code 14VK
FM2N - Ser N 7542, chamber code 1OBB

 

[kazuo]

F3HP: 1514xxx, 72VF

 

[trythis]

I cant figure out from the first post when mine would have been built if the top part has been swapped. I don't doubt it, the camera had been taken apart before and some of the main casting damage made me wonder how the top portion wasn't bent completely out of shape. The hinge receiver is nearly flat on the top where it looks as if it was smacked against something but the brass top plate only shows brassing.

Looks like fstop's FM2n may've had a top cover swap. Same with trythis' F3HP. 175xxxx is late 1985, early 1986. The 7584xxx serial would put that camera around February-May 1991 with a smooth blade shutter.

-J

 

[John_Nikon_F]

It'd be the date stamping... Nikon did do some production changes on the F3 over the years. Early cameras had a basketweave appearance to the rubber grip that was slightly shiny. They also used a flatter AE Lock button on the early cameras. So, if your camera has either one of those two items, it's a March 1981 build. If the grip is smooth and the button is domed, then it's probably a March 1991 body. Serial would've been either 132xxxx-133xxxx for 3/81, or 192-193xxxx for 3/91.

-J

I cant figure out from the first post when mine would have been built if the top part has been swapped. I don't doubt it, the camera had been taken apart before and some of the main casting damage made me wonder how the top portion wasn't bent completely out of shape. The hinge receiver is nearly flat on the top where it looks as if it was smacked against something but the brass top plate only shows brassing.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

With respect to Aja B's cameras; 1/90 for the FM2n, and 1/84 for the F3HP.

Kazuo's camera, July 1982.

-J

 

[ajmiller]

Hey John - I'd appreciate a bit of help on dating mine (which I posted earlier).

thanks in advance


Nikon FM2n
N 7280
64QC

 

[John_Nikon_F]

It's a June 1984 body... One of the first FM2n's with the updated titanium shutter that has replaceable curtains, but also with the FM-style font for the nameplate (thinner characters).

-J

 

[John_Nikon_F]

There is already a chart that lists serial number ranges to mfg date on the web. What will this do differently?

There are errors with that. That site's "manufacture date" is not a manufacture date, but when people purchased their cameras.

-J

 

[Xmas]

FM2n no dimples on shutter blades

serial number
N 8401xxx
inside cassette chamber
N3BC

hope this is what you need

Im now feeling guilty the N3BC on the chassis was indistinct sorry, I'll look again the next film change. I know it is a late model.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Im now feeling guilty the N3BC on the chassis was indistinct sorry, I'll look again the next film change. I know it is a late model.

No worries. It seems to fit the timeline.

-J

 

[ajmiller]

I see how it works now - thanks!

It's a June 1984 body... One of the first FM2n's with the updated titanium shutter that has replaceable curtains, but also with the FM-style font for the nameplate (thinner characters).

-J

 

[trythis]

It'd be the date stamping... Nikon did do some production changes on the F3 over the years. Early cameras had a basketweave appearance to the rubber grip that was slightly shiny. They also used a flatter AE Lock button on the early cameras. So, if your camera has either one of those two items, it's a March 1981 build. If the grip is smooth and the button is domed, then it's probably a March 1991 body. Serial would've been either 132xxxx-133xxxx for 3/81, or 192-193xxxx for 3/91.

-J

Mine has a smooth grip and a bump on the lock button, so March 91 it is then.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

It took me a while to remember to look at my second F3 when reloading, hopefully it is not late:
SN 1735720
Code 85VL

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Not a problem. Camera was made in August 1985.

-J

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

Hope I'm not too late

Ser: 1896
Door: 09VM

Ser:1699
Door: D4VL

 

[John_Nikon_F]

No, you're not. This is an ongoing project.

First body is an October 1989 body. Second is a December 1984 body. Interestingly enough, I also owned a 1699 body. Was #1699726. Worked well, but, had a battery drain issue.

-J

 

[James-EG]

I'll add my FM2n
Serial No.: N 8753
In the film chamber: 1006 if read with the film door opening towards me, if that's the correct way to read it?

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Essentially, you want the latch for the back at the bottom when you're reading it. The 6 might be a C. In any case, camera was a January 2000 build. That is, unless the 1 happens to be a somewhat worn 7. If you can, could you grab a pic of the date code?

-J

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

So, if the first two letters (digits) of the code are equal, the SN's should be relatively close too?
My primary camera (mentioned earlier in the thread) is 1897/09VM and Newt_on_Swings' camera above is 1896/09VM, both made in October of 89 - hence 09 in the code, if I understand this correctly, and their SN's are probably within a 1000 of each other.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Quite likely.

-J

 

[James-EG]

Essentially, you want the latch for the back at the bottom when you're reading it. The 6 might be a C. In any case, camera was a January 2000 build. That is, unless the 1 happens to be a somewhat worn 7. If you can, could you grab a pic of the date code?

-J

Ah okay, here's a picture of the code. Hope that helps!