FM2n sold for $ 1011

nicefor88 · May 5, 2009

Hi everyone,
I just want to share with you all the following information:
a Nikon FM2n was sold today on ebay uk for a cool $ 1011 (699 british pounds). It is a Year of the Dragon "special edition".
What is your reaction?

The Year of the Dragon is a limited edition of the classic FM2n chrome finish released in 2000 to celebrate the chinese year of the dragon. Only 2000 were built and sold in a presentation kit that included a 50mm f1.4 with matching serial number. The one sold here had the number 1222/2000.
It has nothing different from a standard FMn except the specific serial number and a small oval dragon plate glued to the camera's front left, just under the "FM2" engraving.

archphoto · May 5, 2009

Collectors............
It is the same with a gold Leica, RB, Rollei 35: without that "special" gold they are worth a lot less.
These camera's are not bought to photograph with, just to be put into a vitrine, safely behind (armoured) glass so nobody can toutch them.

For me a camera is one to take pic's with, good ones.

Peter

Colin Corneau · May 5, 2009

What Peter says!

I could sell a Limited Edition Colin-Brand Nikon...only one ever designated! Officially licensed and trademarked by the Colin Institute.

Wouldn't mean much, but if someone is willing to pay...

Terence · May 5, 2009

How much will these be worth in a few years when 95% of the population forgets what a film camera is?

I can see the value of camera rare because of who used it, or maybe even an early model of a camera that was ground-breaking.

But these "collectible" cameras seem like beanie babies for guys. An item indefensibly over-priced because supply was artifically limited.

10 years from now, our kids won't give a crap about them and they'll be mostly worthless. Sort of a tulip for the early 21st Century.

naeroscatu · May 5, 2009

any collectibles sell for insane amounts of money because of what Peter said. I couldn't care less, I use my cameras and only pay to keep them working (CLA and little fixes).

largely · May 5, 2009

To shamelessly paraphrase George Carlin's line (he was talking about cocaine), "This is God's way of telling you you've got too much money"

Larry

Barry S · May 5, 2009

I remember when that "special edition' Nikon was released. It was a running joke among Nikon users because it was so cheesy with that press on decal.

Colin Corneau · May 5, 2009

The irony, of course, is that China is (in)famous for mass-producing knock-offs.

There's probably a dozen look-a-likes of this camera around, and a lot of 'collectors' probably couldn't tell the difference.

budrichard · May 6, 2009

I don't know if the buyer was Asian but in Asia there is considerable signifigance attached to years and numbers.-Dick

nicefor88 · May 6, 2009

yes, lucky numbers and the like, but, hey, it's a FM2 after all, won't take better pictures than a regular one as you all know.
Leica indulged in the same marketing frenzy by making that incredible variety of "special editions" celebrating mariages of famous kings and queens or even successful Leica dealers...
Thanks for your reactions,
Serge

denmark.yuzon · May 6, 2009

even if its a collectors item.. i would still use it.. i never believed at those money making schemes.. if its a camera, i will use it.. but i wont be paying that much money for the same kind that is worth a fraction of that.. if i ever get a nikon SP2005 at a reasonable and affordable price.. i will not have second thoughts of using it.. im not a collector.. im a photographer..

stealthman_1 · May 6, 2009

I've got a black paint Leica M6 'Year of the Dragon' I bought for a decent price for a black paint M6...I use it. It was 'as new' when I bought it, it's just 'Minty' now.

steve1734 · May 7, 2009

Prices for FM2n recently in Australia have seen good cla'd ones exceed $450. They would have stopped at $250 a year ago.

Strokebloke · May 7, 2009

Have a look here for some others. [presumably someone would pay silly money for one, or all of them]
http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/ha...ndex2.htm#NIkon FE GREEN Lizard-Skinned Model

BradS · May 7, 2009

I remember seeing the "Year of The Dragon" special edition Nikons in stock at the big houses in New York well into 2002. IIRC, the new FM3a had already been announced by the time the special FM2N went on sale. I think most people saw the "special edition" FM2N as a cheap marketing ploy by Nikon to try to move the remainder of the FM2Ns.

KWhitmore · May 7, 2009

How ridiculous. I bought mine new almost 9 years ago for around 500$ Canadian...mine's special too!

Poisson Du Jour · May 7, 2009

Let's hope those proud collectors one day bravely remove the baseplate and find a "Made in China" mark inside!
What proof is there this camera isn't a fake from the Land of Fakes?

dougjgreen · May 7, 2009

largely said:
To shamelessly paraphrase George Carlin's line (he was talking about cocaine), "This is God's way of telling you you've got too much money"

Larry

I believe that this was actually Robin Williams' line.

nicefor88 · May 9, 2009

Thanks to all of you for these comments.
Serge

FM2n sold for $ 1011

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