Nikon F2 vs Nikon FM2

flavio81 · Jul 20, 2020

David Lyga said:
This question's answer is not going to provide riveting and important information for those who practice analog photography as a routine endeavor. However, I find the question interesting because, here, we are delving into the inner sanctum of a real paradigm of perfection with regard to clockwork mechanisms. A viable answer is certainly going to be interesting to explore, but, even more so will be the interest garnered from the reasons for giving the answer which you offer.

Ultimately, which would you choose to own? Which is more reliable for the decades to come? The Nikon F2 or the NIkon FM2?

F2 all the way. The FM2 is an overrated camera. Some months ago i got a mint FM2 just for kicks, and I sold it the very same week.

The fit and finish is inferior, the viewfinder is inferior (in image quality, amount of information, eyepoint, and coverage), the smoothness of operation is inferior, the vibrations are higher, the shutter button feel is decidedly inferior (less firm), and it feels flimsier.

I don't care for 1/4000 shutter speed nor the high speed flash sync.

I have owned the FE, FM, FE2 and FM2 and while I think they are perfectly good cameras, they are inferior to the F2 in my view. The Nikkormat EL and EL2 were substantially better built, as were the Nikkormat FT* cameras.

In any case, I think the FE2 is a better camera than the FM2; it has a well implemented auto exposure system. And its electronics have been proven to be reliable. And the FE is perhaps better solely due to being able to mount non-ai lenses.

Huss · Jul 27, 2020

flavio81 said:
..

In any case, I think the FE2 is a better camera than the FM2; it has a well implemented auto exposure system. And its electronics have been proven to be reliable. And the FE is perhaps better solely due to being able to mount non-ai lenses.

The electronics failed in my FE2 - the shutter speeds occasionally would be very different than indicated (1/2 sec in bright sunlight when it should have been 1/500 etc), and I've seen this in a couple of others.
My FM and FM2n never have had an issue.
The FM I actually recently found at a GoodWill, and as the poor girl was bringing it over to me, she dropped it from about 5 feet straight onto the concrete floor! I checked it out, it still was fine, so gave them the $20 they were asking for it (including 2nd gen 43-86).

I also have a couple of F2 cameras - AS, DE1 and DP1. While they are more impressive to hold, and very nice to use, there is no doubt that the ergos on any FM/FE series camera are far more modern/advanced.
I'm not going to pick between the two, but the FM/2 with a CV40mm f2 lens is a tiny, light weight and fantastic package.
The F2 is very impressive to look at and show your friends, as well as take snaps with.

darkosaric · Jul 27, 2020

I had FM, sold it. I have F2, did not sold it. It is build like a tank. And it has 100% viewfinder, that is important to me because I print full frame on B&W, and on those lesser bodies you have like 90-93% of the view, so you get more on your negative than you see, and this can be frustrating (to me).

flavio81 · Jul 27, 2020

Huss said:
The electronics failed in my FE2 - the shutter speeds occasionally would be very different than indicated (1/2 sec in bright sunlight when it should have been 1/500 etc), and I've seen this in a couple of others.

But did you take it to a technician?

When a mechanical camera has a slow speeds problem, you take it to a technician.

When an electornical camera shows the problem you describe, many people think the camera is dead. However, for proper timing it relies on the exact opening and closure of at least two switches. The switches need to be cleaned and their position checked.

I don't believe that the FE2 is intrinsically less reliable than a FM2 or FM.

flavio81 · Jul 27, 2020

darkosaric said:
I had FM, sold it. I have F2, did not sold it. It is build like a tank. And it has 100% viewfinder, that is important to me because I print full frame on B&W, and on those lesser bodies you have like 90-93% of the view, so you get more on your negative than you see, and this can be frustrating (to me).

Same here. I had the FE and sold it, kept the F2. I also had a FM2, promptly sold it.

The FM/FE/FE2/FM2 have better hand ergonomics than the F2, and are lighter; however the viewfinder is very inferior and the cameras (at least the FM/FE) show some vibrations that are absent in the F2.

Additionally the build quallity is much higher on the F2 and the Nikkormats.

dynachrome · Jul 27, 2020

I've never had an FM2. I have three FEs and an FE2. The FM does not have interchangeable focusing screens and I prefer the feel of a Nikkormat FT2 or FT3 when I don't need a shutter speed higher than 1/1000. The material used in the shell of FM to FM3A cameras is extremely durable. Other things in these cameras may malfunction but the shells are very strong. I have a number of F2 cameras in various states of repair. The one which works best has a DP-2 finder. I don't like the F2 cameras as much as I thought I would. My eye must be perfectly centered to see everything properly. The F2 is heavy and bulky with a metered prism. Finding one in good condition and with a properly working meter requires not only money but also luck. I like the size and weight and handling of an FE or FE2 better than the size, weight and handling of an F2, even if the view through the finder is better with the F2. The finder of an FE might show distortion with certain lenses in certain situations but I know the lenses and I know that the finder distortion will not show up on film. The durability question is really academic now. At my age I will not be able to wear out all of my film cameras by the time I am no longer taking pictures. The two cameras I had overhauled most recently are a Pentax Spotmatic and a Minolta SRT 102 (early version). Both are pleasant to use and should work properly for a long time. My favorite durable mechanical SLR? The Canon F-1.

Ko.Fe. · Jul 27, 2020

I have F2 and where are youtube videos how to service it. Repair? I'm not sure which part.
I paid next to nothing for one which was in unknown working order to use it as source for titanium curtains, but it works with minimal adjustments.
FM2, I have not so much interest. I have working Nikkormat for twice less I paid for F2. Maybe I'll sell them all and get just FM3a.

138S · Jul 28, 2020

flavio81 said:
Same here. I had the FE and sold it, kept the F2. I also had a FM2, promptly sold it.
The FM/FE/FE2/FM2 have better hand ergonomics than the F2, and are lighter; however the viewfinder is very inferior and the cameras (at least the FM/FE) show some vibrations that are absent in the F2.
Additionally the build quallity is much higher on the F2 and the Nikkormats.

Of course, a F2 900gr body vibrates just the half than a FM2 450gr body with the same impact, also it will be more steady in the hands. Pro cameras always have weighted more, anyway with the FM2 we can use the pseudo-MLU (mirror lock up) when on tripod, from the self-timer.

If we want we may add weight to the FM2 by attaching the MD-12 motor drive...

Yes... the F2 was total Pro grade quality built, comming from the F that was used a lot to cover the Vietnam war... and the FM2 was prosumer grade, but the FM2 was extremly well made and many Pros carried one as a backup.

Personally I feel better with the FM2 than with the F2, but I perfectly understand that you kept the F2, a totally serious Pro device.

eli griggs · Jul 28, 2020

I've shot both and owned a F.

While Canon F1s old (2 gen), F1 AE and Ftb ql are my favorites, the Nikon F2 would be a good fit in my bag as opposed to the FM, any Flavor.

It has build quality like the Nikon F and the (those) camera(s) are beautiful bricks, judging on toughness and function.

With or without motor drives, hands down the F2.

IMO.

film_man · Jul 28, 2020

I'm with the FM2. I just don't like big cameras any more. The smaller the better. I had an FM2n, then got an F3HP now I'm back to a FM2n. Yes the F3HP finder is marvellous and it is annoying I have to shift my eye around to see the meter/shutter/aperture (I wear glasses) but I'll take the 1/4000 and smaller size.

DonW · Jul 28, 2020

I almost cried when I parted with my F2. One of the biggest mistakes I have ever made. My first wife being the biggest mistake I ever made!

I have used almost all of the Nikon professional film cameras and the Canon F series. By far my favourite was the Nikon F2. If I could only have one film camera for the rest of my life it would be the F2. The only down scale models I used was the Nikkormat FTN (very reliable backup camera) , an EM as a throw away camera and various Nikonos cameras.

John Koehrer · Jul 28, 2020

I wonder if the inability and need to move the eye to see the entire screen is because of the 100% image?

George Collier · Jul 28, 2020

F2's for me. OP says that there are no places to repair them. What happened to the Asian guy in England?

Bikerider · Jul 28, 2020

pentaxuser said:
Just out of curiosity as a non Nikon user but what is the evidence that the F2 is more robustly built? NB This question seeks genuine information and is not a challenge that the evidence doesn't exist

Thanks

pentaxuser

F2. Reputation, the quality of the build, utter reliability, The fact that many were thrashed by the press and they are still around to take more punishment.
FM2 Well built, slightly more modern, lighter weight, which to me suggests the components are not as rugged. I think percentage wise, there are still more F2 models around than FM2's.

For what it is worth, the LED lights on the meter adjustment are not as easily interpreted as the needle in the F2 (metered version) I have had 3 or was it 4 F2a models and regret selling any of them and if I found one in good condition at a reasonable price I would snap it up

Bikerider · Jul 28, 2020

George Collier said:
F2's for me. OP says that there are no places to repair them. What happened to the Asian guy in England?

I think here he was being hypothetical by saying IF there was no one to repair them.

David Lyga · Jul 28, 2020

George Collier said:
F2's for me. OP says that there are no places to repair them. What happened to the Asian guy in England?

I honestly do not recall ever saying that.

Instead, I was being 'restrictive' with answers, forcing a hypothetical into the equation, making believe that there was no way to get them repaired. In essence, I wanted to tease out of the people who responded which camera they would thus consider the ultimate in reliability. - David Lyga

flavio81 · Jul 28, 2020

138S said:
Of course, a F2 900gr body vibrates just the half than a FM2 450gr body with the same impact, also it will be more steady in the hands. Pro cameras always have weighted more, anyway with the FM2 we can use the pseudo-MLU (mirror lock up) when on tripod, from the self-timer.

If we want we may add weight to the FM2 by attaching the MD-12 motor drive....

It's not just weight. The horizontal curtain gives less shock than the vertical shutter. This I have found in many many cameras. Only in the '90s or late '80s the vertical shutters get to be smooth.

flavio81 · Jul 28, 2020

DonW said:
I almost cried when I parted with my F2. One of the biggest mistakes I have ever made. My first wife being the biggest mistake I ever made!.

This would be perfect as a signature text here at Photrio.

DonW said:
I have used almost all of the Nikon professional film cameras and the Canon F series.

What's your impression of the Canon F-1, compared to the F2?

flavio81 · Jul 28, 2020

John Koehrer said:
I wonder if the inability and need to move the eye to see the entire screen is because of the 100% image?

No, it's because of the eyepoint. Pro cameras like the Nikon F-series and Canon F-1 series have a longer eyepoint, so it's easier to see the whole frame.

David Lyga · Jul 28, 2020

flavio81 said:
It's not just weight. The horizontal curtain gives less shock than the vertical shutter. This I have found in many many cameras. Only in the '90s or late '80s the vertical shutters get to be smooth.

I did not know this: Was this generally believed to be true before the late eighties? Are you implying that a Chinon CS has more shock and shake when the shutter is pressed? Or, heaven forbid, a Nikkormat suffers from the same fate? I need corroboration here in order to believe this. - David Lyga

flavio81 · Jul 28, 2020

David Lyga said:
I did not know this: Was this generally believed to be true before the late eighties? Are you implying that a Chinon CS has more shock and shake when the shutter is pressed? Or, heaven forbid, a Nikkormat suffers from the same fate? I need corroboration here in order to believe this. - David Lyga

I have owned many Nikkormats: FTN and FT2, EL and EL2.

You compare against a Nikon F2 without viewfinder (so weights about are the same), both mirror up, then trip the shutter. You will feel more vibration with manual Nikkormats (the FTN in particular). EL series seem to be a bit better. FE and FM were worse!

That being said, the effect in actual picture taking will perhaps be none or will depend on circumstances. I have great, sharp shots done with the black FT2.

All in all, I own about 24+ cameras and a constant thing i've seen in focal plane shutter cameras is that, in general, horizontal shutters are smoother. There are exceptions of course, for example the Nikon N80/F80 is remarkably smooth.

voceumana · Jul 28, 2020

I wonder if a smooth shutter is more because of cloth versus metal? I'm sure the difference in sound of the F3 and FM2n I have is because of that.

Kino · Jul 28, 2020

The F2 hands down. I like a bigger camera, it's incredibly durable and fairly easy to repair.

Nuf said...

David Lyga · Jul 28, 2020

flavio81 said:
I have owned many Nikkormats: FTN and FT2, EL and EL2.

You compare against a Nikon F2 without viewfinder (so weights about are the same), both mirror up, then trip the shutter. You will feel more vibration with manual Nikkormats (the FTN in particular). EL series seem to be a bit better. FE and FM were worse!

That being said, the effect in actual picture taking will perhaps be none or will depend on circumstances. I have great, sharp shots done with the black FT2.

All in all, I own about 24+ cameras and a constant thing i've seen in focal plane shutter cameras is that, in general, horizontal shutters are smoother. There are exceptions of course, for example the Nikon N80/F80 is remarkably smooth.

Thank you for an informative response. One would have thought that the Japanese algorithmic steps for bringing a camera to market would have strongly studied this, especially because not having done this would have compromised the perceived quality of their lenses. I really think that this was a serious matter and, although I have no reason whatsoever to doubt you, I also find it hard to believe that the Japanese simply glossed over this manufacturing criterion. - David Lyga

reddesert · Jul 29, 2020

voceumana said:
I wonder if a smooth shutter is more because of cloth versus metal? I'm sure the difference in sound of the F3 and FM2n I have is because of that.

The F and F2 have metal shutter curtains made of titanium foil (except for some incredibly early F bodies, like maybe 100 or so).

The F and F2 have horizontally traveling shutters with a leading and trailing metal curtain (I imagine the F3 does too but I don't have one to look), while the FM, FE, etc have vertically traveling shutters with multiple blades.

I don't wish to contribute too much to the splitting of very fine distinctions, but shutter curtain material is just one of the pieces of the shutter. The mainspring, governor, brake, and so on probably contribute as much or more to the sound of the shutter as the curtains. For a look inside some Nikon shutters see https://imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/rhnc10shut-e/index.htm

Nikon F2 vs Nikon FM2

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency