I Finally Bought the Camera I Have Wanted: the FM2n

FilmOnly · Oct 23, 2008

I enjoy my Pentax and Minolta systems--and used to have an AF Nikon system, too--but I finally got the funds to purchase what would seem to be the "camera for me"...the Nikon FM2n. After comparing features, the FM2n has always seemed to come out on top:

full mechanical and manual operation--and no automation
wide shutter speed range
availabilty of a motor drive
accurate mechanical shutter
nice viewfinder (with no intrusive elements)
extremely rugged
interchangeable screens

...and there are probably other things, too. Anyway, it should be here soon (perhaps tomorrow). I welcome any comments from FM2n enthusiasts. Also, mine has the titanium shutter. How do you like this shutter? I have heard how "electronic shutters are more accurate"--especially at the extremes--but I gather the FM2n provides a fair amount of accuracy...

Glen

resummerfield · Oct 23, 2008

While I have a variety of Nikon gear, from the original F to the F5, the one camera I pick up the most to carry along in my pocket is my trusty FM2n. It's a great little camera.

John_Nikon_F · Oct 24, 2008

I've owned quite a few FM2n's over the years. I've had both the aluminum and titanium shutters. Found the titanium shutter FM2n's to be SLIGHTLY more accurate at 1/125th and 1/60th. So, the majority of FM2n's I've owned over the years have been titanium shutter bodies. My current FM2n is a VERY well worn black body with the titanium shutter. Had the meter recalibrated, so it's dead nuts accurate, and the body refoamed. Now, I just need to pay the bill, and pick the beast up.

-J

FilmOnly · Oct 24, 2008

Yes--pay the bill...the beast awaits.

I see you are an F3HP enthisiast. What a beast that camera is. I tend to like medium to larger cameras, even though I have a small hand. The HP's motor drive is huge--perhaps even too big for me.

Overall, I just do not like smaller cameras. For hand-held shooting, they feel shaky. I like the stability of the beefier bodies. In fact, I rarely use the speed of a winder or motor. I buy these devices mostly for the grip and for having a little extra weight at the bottom. For me, the FM2n is a nice medium-sized (and medium weight) body. In the bigger brutes, I like the F2A, too.

Jaq · Oct 24, 2008

Great buy! I bought one a few years ago and never looked back. I have taken mine to some pretty extreme places in some pretty extreme temperatures and it has always performed perfectly. I am sure that yours will provide you with equally good service. Enjoy!

Uhner · Oct 24, 2008

I bought a new FM2n back in 1989, and it has given me great service over the years. It has survived a high-speed car crash, several archaeological surveys and excavations, as well as travel all over Europe and northern Africa. The titanium shutter is still working flawlessly after 19 years.

All in all a very good camera.

FilmOnly · Oct 24, 2008

Well, my FM2n just arrived. Except for a few marks on the mirror, this camera looks almost new. I have yet to find any brassing on it. In fact, I am a bit surprised to see marks on the mirror, as the exterior of this camera is so nice and "unused" looking.

My waiting game continues, though, as my lenses did not arrive today. I gather at least one should be here by tomorrow. I bought an AIS 35/2.8 and an AIS 50/1.8 (later version).

I am very much looking forward to getting started with this camera.

Glen

Davesw · Oct 24, 2008

When I shoot 35 MM I have 4 Nikon Bodies to choose from But I almost always end up picking up the FM2. and If I am going to take only one camera with me this is the one for sure small light rugged and I do not need to have spare batteries with me to Keep shooting!

FilmOnly · Oct 24, 2008

I thank everyone for the replies--keep them coming.

Is the lens mount on my FM2n stainless steel or chrome-plated brass? I know the one on the F100 I had was chrome-plated brass. I think the mount on the FM2n is stainless steel, but I am not certain.

MXP · Oct 24, 2008

I am quite sure it is stainless steel. See the specification for the FE:
It looks nice with the 13/5.6.....same page.....

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/fe.htm

I have used a FE2 for many years (got it in 1986) and it has never failed.
Also got a FM2n and it looks nice with an AI'ed 50/1.4 Nikkor-S

Nick Merritt · Oct 24, 2008

You got yourself one of the very best cameras ever made, in my view. I've had them with both the plain and honeycomb shutters; it makes no difference since they're both quite durable. I love how these cameras handle, and they just keep going. The later 50/1.8 is regarded by a lot of people as Nikon's best 50 ever.

As for the lens mount, I guess it's stainless but I really don't know.

Vonder · Oct 24, 2008

I have an FM2n and enjoy it - have the data back and motor drive too - but seldom use it because I can't justify the insane price of good Nikon glass. I've recently fallen in love with another camera system, Konica, and their glass is both top-notch AND cheap. Guess that's the benefit of never making a DSLR that can use the glass.

FilmOnly · Oct 24, 2008

Indeed, the FM2n does seem like a fine camera. I noticed that I can jiggle the film advance lever a bit (up and down). It does not seem like it is going to come off or fall off, but I can jiggle it somewhat. Is this "normal" or should I look to have it adjusted?

John_Nikon_F · Oct 25, 2008

FilmOnly said:
Yes--pay the bill...the beast awaits.

I see you are an F3HP enthisiast. What a beast that camera is. I tend to like medium to larger cameras, even though I have a small hand. The HP's motor drive is huge--perhaps even too big for me.

Overall, I just do not like smaller cameras. For hand-held shooting, they feel shaky. I like the stability of the beefier bodies. In fact, I rarely use the speed of a winder or motor. I buy these devices mostly for the grip and for having a little extra weight at the bottom. For me, the FM2n is a nice medium-sized (and medium weight) body. In the bigger brutes, I like the F2A, too.

The F3P isn't that big, especially in my body's current configuration (no longer wears the MD-4 shown in my avatar). In fact, it currently is wearing a 50f1.8 Series E, and has been used as a travel-light camera, while the FM2n has been @ the shop.

I hope to get the FM2n back in a few weeks. Need to find employment and have a paycheck before I can pay the $108, plus tax for the repair bill.

-J

dpurdy · Oct 25, 2008

FilmOnly said:
Indeed, the FM2n does seem like a fine camera. I noticed that I can jiggle the film advance lever a bit (up and down). It does not seem like it is going to come off or fall off, but I can jiggle it somewhat. Is this "normal" or should I look to have it adjusted?

Check to make sure the little black cap on top of the lever is tight. On my FM it keeps coming off and then the flim advance lever falls off. I have to continually make sure it is screwed on tight.

budrichard · Oct 25, 2008

I have an FM I purchased in the 1970's and an FM3a I purchased last year. The whole series of FM cameras is excellent with the only thing I don't care for in the FM3a is the lack of exposure LED's for manual.
Anyway both have Motor's on the them. The Md-11 and Md-12 will both work. These motors can be a little finicky to hook up but with fresh batteries they work great when they get going. So if your motor appears hung, do not run to the repair shop. Make sure you are using high quality fresh batteries and the motor is correctly connected and try again. Good luck.-Dick

FilmOnly · Oct 25, 2008

You "hit the nail on the head," dpurdy. The culprit was, undeed, the cap on top of the lever. Actually, I tried tightening it last night, and it worked nicely. I thank you for the input. Will I need to do this occasionally, or should it stay put now?

Thanks,
Glen

FilmOnly · Oct 25, 2008

Dick: I do, indeed, have an MD-12 on the way. It may arrive today. I cannot wait to attach it. In fact, as I gather it should arrive today, I will wait until I have it to load film. I understand that the drive has a sturdy metal construction.

dpurdy · Oct 25, 2008

FilmOnly said:
You "hit the nail on the head," dpurdy. The culprit was, undeed, the cap on top of the lever. Actually, I tried tightening it last night, and it worked nicely. I thank you for the input. Will I need to do this occasionally, or should it stay put now?

Thanks,
Glen

I actually lost mine in an airport once and had to find a parts sales place and did get a replacement for 12 USD and now every time I use it I have a habit of checking it and it is usually loose. I wish I knew a way to solve that little problem before I lose it again.
Dennis

FilmOnly · Oct 25, 2008

Mine seems to be fairly tight now. I will continue to check it. In my opinion, I would think that there has to be something internal that could be adjusted that would solve this problem.

Uhner · Oct 25, 2008

dpurdy said:
I actually lost mine in an airport once and had to find a parts sales place and did get a replacement for 12 USD and now every time I use it I have a habit of checking it and it is usually loose. I wish I knew a way to solve that little problem before I lose it again.
Dennis

My FM2 have had the same problem. A Nikon trained repairman fixed it several years ago. I’m not sure what he did, but it sure worked very well. I have not had a problem since.

FilmOnly · Oct 25, 2008

Wow, Dick, you are absolutely right about the MD12. I have been trying to get it going for about the last hour. I am using fresh batteries. I still have yet to see any positive results. I am testing it via the meter, and it is obviously not working (since I get no meter readout when I depress the motor's shutter release). This MD12 is in beautiful condition, too. It looks hardly used, and the seller said he had tested it. I am stumped.

FilmOnly · Oct 25, 2008

After some tinkering and talking to the seller (an eBay seller), I know now that I got a bad drive. The seller was good about the return/refund, but I am disappointed because the drive is in such nice shape (there is barely a mark on it). There must be some type of electrical fault in it, as I got it to wind, but the meter never turns off. It will only turn off if I turn the drive itself is turned off. Now, I have the difficult task of finding another nice one.

Glen

Poohblah · Oct 26, 2008

FilmOnly said:
Mine seems to be fairly tight now. I will continue to check it. In my opinion, I would think that there has to be something internal that could be adjusted that would solve this problem.

some threadlock should do the trick.

John_Nikon_F · Oct 26, 2008

Peel off the leatherette disc, and use a spanner to tighten the screw that holds the wind lever down. Then, use some pliobond or similar glue to hold the disc in place on the screw.

With respect to the MD-12, it's not uncommon for there to be enough of a layer of corrosion built-up inside the battery chamber to prevent the drive from working, even if the contacts look clean. The past few MD-12's I've owned, I've had to clean the contacts on, to get them working properly. Also, are you 100% certain that the drive is an actual MD-12, and not an MD-11 that might've somehow had the MD-12 model number plate applied to it? There are a couple visual clues, other than the model plate, that tell you that a drive is an MD-12, instead of an MD-11. One is that the leatherette piece on the front of the drive is cut at an angle, at the end where the battery clip is inserted into the chamber. The other clue is that the top of the grip is plastic, not just the button and the S-C ring. A third clue is the fact that there's a black plunger inside the remote release terminal, instead of a third metal pin. I would check to see if the plunger is somehow depressed. It almost sounds like that has happened and is causing your MD-12 to imitate a MD-11. You should be able to pull it back out with a pair of small needlenose pliers.

Oh, and another thing, to turn off the FM2n's meter immediately, turn the shutter speed dial to "B". Same thing can be done on early FM2's, at that setting, and at the X200 setting.

-J

I Finally Bought the Camera I Have Wanted: the FM2n

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