Is there anyone who can repair my Nikon FM2 focus issue?

[shutterfinger]

The FM2 is there also!, just a little further down the page.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

The FM2 is there also!, just a little further down the page.

Woops. Sorry, I got distracted by the F2 stuff.

 

[shutterfinger]

Woops. Sorry, I got distracted by the F2 stuff.

I was thinking about the F2 problem in the 35mm fourm.

 

[Bud Hamblen]

There is an FM2 service manual at the URL quoted. I did not find anything about adjusting the focus when I scanned through it but I easily could have missed it.

 

[Light Capture]

Using glass from glass slide mount with scotch tape on one side is the most precise method available without expensive tools.

This way you have ground glass for your 35mm camera.

Glass is taped to the film gate so that scotch tape is on the film plane. You can also grind that glass with valve compound or aluminum oxide grit mixed with water. Ground one would probably be more precise.
I didn't have any issues with tape and that's what I use to check focus.

Camera is mounted on tripod and focused on ground glass. Then checked through viewfinder. Checking infinity is usually the best.

I've cut paper shims for focusing screens to adjust focus. Not sure if shimming would work with FM2. Depends which way it needs to go.

 

[shutterfinger]

There is an FM2 service manual at the URL quoted. I did not find anything about adjusting the focus when I scanned through it but I easily could have missed it.

Its disguised as the distance from lens mount to film plane, mirror angle and related assembly adjustments.

 

[yuribeast]

Hope you get it fixed, the FM2 is sn awesome camera.
There's a decent place in Sacramento that I've had work done in the past if you want.

 

[rpavich]

Hope you get it fixed, the FM2 is sn awesome camera.
There's a decent place in Sacramento that I've had work done in the past if you want.

Thanks. At this point it's my "extra" FM2. I bought an FM2n to replace it when I realized it was messed up and I needed to be able to use it on a vacation during that time.

I've already spent 100.00 having a camera shop fix it and it didn't end up being fixed 100%. It's still slightly off after two trips to them...I don't want to spend more, I only bought it for $125.00 in the first place.

 

[John Koehrer]

Interesting discussion. OP, you say focus is off by 1". At what distance?

Very interesting that no one mentioned that the FM2 has an interchangeable focusing screen. Is the screen in right side up and properly seated?

As Dan asks, "focus is off by 1" at what distance?"

 

[rpavich]

As Dan asks, "focus is off by 1" at what distance?"

As i said in the OP, it was repaired and so its not off that much now, just slightly back-focusing. Id sat about 1/4”

 

[BrianVS]

1/4" at what distance? Since it is back-focusing, you could make a shim for the focus screen. Knowing the exact error at a specified distance allows the thickness of the shim to be computed.

 

[rpavich]

1/4" at what distance? Since it is back-focusing, you could make a shim for the focus screen. Knowing the exact error at a specified distance allows the thickness of the shim to be computed.

I dont know exactly, at minimum focus distance. Today i checked with a 100mm lens at 6’.

 

[rpavich]

Well good news!
I made a shim out of a paper plate (about .015 thousands thick) and shot a roll using a ruler at a 45 Deg angle and also shot various objects around the house. I used several lenses also.

My results are that the shimming brought the focus in the right direction; it's 99% perfect but unfortunately when installing it I got a bunch of finger prints all over the screen so I have to take it out anyway. Soon I'll measure the thickness of the plate-shim and make a permanent one out of something more suitable.

Thanks for all of the help!

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Good! The FM series took over the niche occupied by the Nikkormats, they're great cameras and some of the last "real" Nikons, mechanical, simple to use, reliable, if they have a flaw it's not coupling with pre ai lenses. If you need very thin material for shims, measure some cigarette papers some are .0015" and less.

 

[M Carter]

Test with tiny pieces of film on the film plane and develop them to determine film plane focus. Make certain that this film is totally upon the film gate: Otherwise you will not get film plane focus and increase your problems! - David Lyga

I'll toss in my experience with these sorts of tests - ortho film or ortho lith film does make this a bit easier, due to safe light handling. If you have some around, keep it in mind. I use ortho lith to check for light leaks.

It's also not that hard to just get a roll of whatever you use, shoot a few frames, and cut those off in the dark and develop. I like testing that way, since the film is easy to align - it's in its "real world" position.