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

[SoiDog]

I have an F3. There is a serial number on the top right, near the hinge like you say. The first four digits are 1748xxx. Where do I find the alphabetic characters? Inside the film chamber? If so, I have a bit of film to burn before I can have a look, but will do.

Cheers,

SoiDog

 

[John_Nikon_F]

It'll be behind the hinge for the back.

Ned, your buddy's camera is an August 1989 build.

-J

 

[NedL]

Thanks!

 

[andrew.roos]

FM2n
N 8232xxx
02BC

 

[ronnies]

Is the production date list up on Sover Wong's website yet? I couldn't find it when I looked today.

Ronnie

 

[Kawaiithulhu]

Finally remembered to chime in, hope this helps:

F3P
hinge: 7402
serial: P 9003

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Is the production date list up on Sover Wong's website yet? I couldn't find it when I looked today.

Ronnie

Not yet.

Re: Kawaiithulhu's F3P: July 1984 looks to be the date code. I'm guessing that they must've made a few P bodies between July and August 1984. Serial jumped to 9005346 in August of that year.

-J

 

[accozzaglia]

Nikon F3HP:
Serial: 1748xxx
Inside: O5VL

 

[John_Nikon_F]

^October 1985.

-J

 

[trythis]

Zombie thread! Interested in what you find regarding this camera.
Just picked up a FM2 (early with the X200)
Serial: 7160***
Inside:N2MC

Is that November 1982?

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Yessir.

-J

 

[IN468]

F3 HP
Serial 1888xxx
no code inside

 

[John_Nikon_F]

F3 HP
Serial 1888xxx
no code inside

You are looking at the area where the back's hinge is, right? That's where the code is on an F3. The FM2/FM2n bodies have it inside the film chamber. Anyway, the body is likely from 1989-90, if the wind-side top cover hasn't been swapped.

-J

 

[IN468]

oh sorry, 79VM at the hinge my F3

my FM2N - No 8539xxx inside 56DF

 

[spoof]

F3T: T8209 (serial), 63TA (inside)
F3HP: 1604 (serial), 63VJ (inside)

 

[rwreich]

FM2n

7261
D3PC (where the film can is seated)

 

[John_Nikon_F]

^December 1983. Yours is very early for an FM2n. Nikon phased out the early FM2 and started producing the FM2n around August-September of that year. The early FM2n bodies are a little different than most, having the early FM2 shutter (non-replaceable shutter curtain blades), and the FM-style nameplate font (less bold than the later bodies). Other than that, the bodies are the same as the later ones, through 1989.

-J

 

[John_Nikon_F]

oh sorry, 79VM at the hinge my F3

my FM2N - No 8539xxx inside 56DF

F3 is July 1989. Not a problem.
FM2n is May 1996.

F3T: T8209 (serial), 63TA (inside)
F3HP: 1604 (serial), 63VJ (inside)

Both are June 1983. Wouldn't surprise me if they happened to be made during the same week, or maybe even the same day.

-J

 

[rwreich]

^December 1983. Yours is very early for an FM2n. Nikon phased out the early FM2 and started producing the FM2n around August-September of that year. The early FM2n bodies are a little different than most, having the early FM2 shutter (non-replaceable shutter curtain blades), and the FM-style nameplate font (less bold than the later bodies). Other than that, the bodies are the same as the later ones, through 1989.

-J

That's really interesting - thanks for the info! Mine does have the honeycomb shutter if that makes any difference... It's a really terrific camera (perfect exposures and mechanically very smooth. I should get the foam replaced and have it cleaned, though.

 

[nolanr66]

I just picked this FM2n up today from a Craigslist seller.
Nikon FM2n serial number n 8628..
Inside number 97DF

Any information would be appreciated. Chrome model, smooth shutter.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

That one would be a September 1997 body. Final version.

-J

 

[nolanr66]

Thank you

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Still looking for serials and date codes...

-J

 

[CMoore]

I have two F3. One of them is very hard to read.
1. 1598 53VJ
2. 1566
HA2
HA3
HAZ
followed by what looks like a backward letter D

 

[John_Nikon_F]

The second one should read D2VH.

The 1598xxx body is May 1983. The 1566xxx body is December 1982.

-J