Nikon FM2 Flash

[Ariston]

I cannot get either of my two flashes to work with my FM2. They both work fine for my FE. Has anyone else encountered this problem? I rarely use a flash on this camera, but I like my equipment to work properly. Using a PC sync cable doesn't work, either. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Johnkpap]

First , does a very basic flash work on your hot shoe?

Try cleaning everything :if not you may have a faulty flash contact in side your FM2

Johnkpap

 

[Ariston]

Hi John, one of my two flashes is an SB15, which is pretty basic and used in manual mode. It works on my FE and modern Nikons fine. The contacts are clean. I'm thinking there may be some internal short, but am not confident in my skills to disassemble the top plate. I was wondering if anyone else has done this successfully, or found another reason for the problem.

The batteries do not fire the flash, do they? I thought they were only for the meter, but maybe I should try swapping them out...

 

[shutterfinger]

Page 86 of the repair manual http://arcticwolfs.net/ shows that the hot shoe and PC flash contacts are tied together and are operated by the light meter IC.
Weak batteries can cause problems. Page 7 of the instruction manual http://www.cameramanuals.org/nikon_pdf/nikon_fm2.pdf says the meter stays on for approximately 30 seconds after removing your finger from the shutter release button after pressing it half way. Timing the shut off time will tell you the condition of the batteries. If the meter turns off after 10 to 15 seconds or less replace the batteries, if it turns off in 15 to 20 seconds they're getting weak and may cause metering/flash problems.

 

[John Koehrer]

The wiring diagram seems to show a mechanical switch, not anything related to a power switch or shutter release.
If it's like other vertical travel shutters the switch is internal to the shutter.

 

[Ariston]

Thank you both for actually taking your time to pull up the manual and wiring diagram. I still can't believe how kind everyone is.

I swapped out the batteries with no success. I am guessing it is something internal. The funny thing is that the "flash ready" led on the FM2 lights up solid as if the flash is ready, so the flash and camera are communicating...

 

[shutterfinger]

The wiring diagram seems to show a mechanical switch, not anything related to a power switch or shutter release.

My mistake, S8 operates the contacts. The flash ready is all that is connected to the IC for the flash ready LED indicator.
S8 is not listed separately so its likely an integral part of the shutter control or the release switch and operated by the shutter control. I would take the bottom plate off and check for a broken wire or measure the continuity from the center contact of the hot shoe to any wire associated with the shutter control unit.
Be sure to take the batteries out and turn the meter on before any disassembly/testing.

 

[Ariston]

Thanks everyone. I took off the bottom plate and saw nothing amiss. I guess I'll leave it as it is.