Nikon FM2 newbie problem

hotcoffeeshooter · Jun 6, 2018

Hi, all! I just purchased an old FM2 in decent condition and had it checked out and serviced. I just shot my first film and I have a habit of jotting down my setting in a small notepad I carry around. It hasn't been 11 shots that my shot counter displayed 36 and the film won't advance further. Can someone please tell me where I am going wrong or if this is a camera fault? Thanks a lot in advance!

Theo Sulphate · Jun 6, 2018

Hi - welcome to the forums.

It's an odd problem. The only thing I can think of is to rewind the film, open the back and then see what's happening when you try to wind and trip the shutter.

Is the camera still under the service warranty?

hotcoffeeshooter · Jun 6, 2018

It is under warranty. I will have it checked out. But I am not sure if I did something wrong while loading the film.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 6, 2018

When you were advancing the film for the first 11 photos, did you notice whether the rewind knob turned?

The best indication of correct loading, once the back is closed, is to take up the slack using the rewind lever (pretend you're rewinding, but don't press the rewind button on the bottom of the camera) and then after taking up the slack, advance the film and check whether the rewind knob turns. If film is advancing properly, then each time you wind the film, the rewind knob should turn.

shutterfinger · Jun 6, 2018

Along the film advance lever side if the camera there is a lever or pin in the gap that the back fits into that releases the film counter when the back is closed. When pressed its not fully releasing the counter mechanism so its not going back to the start point, its bent so that the back is not pushing it in far enough to reset the counter or the counter is not correctly functioning internal of the camera.
When you open the camera to change the film inspect the top grove of the body that the lip of the back fits into. The lever/pin should be parallel to the top plate of the camera. Close the camera back and check the film counter, it should be blank or a dot showing, not at a number.
If the lever/pin is bent or the counter does not reset to the start point take it back to the shop that serviced it.

hotcoffeeshooter · Jun 6, 2018

shutterfinger said:
Along the film advance lever side if the camera there is a lever or pin in the gap that the back fits into that releases the film counter when the back is closed. When pressed its not fully releasing the counter mechanism so its not going back to the start point, its bent so that the back is not pushing it in far enough to reset the counter or the counter is not correctly functioning internal of the camera.
When you open the camera to change the film inspect the top grove of the body that the lip of the back fits into. The lever/pin should be parallel to the top plate of the camera. Close the camera back and check the film counter, it should be blank or a dot showing, not at a number.
If the lever/pin is bent or the counter does not reset to the start point take it back to the shop that serviced it.

Yes this is exactly what is happening. I did not pay attention before, but now that you mentioned it, I noticed that the film counter is stuck at 36 even when I open the back. I will get the camera serviced tomorrow.

shutterfinger · Jun 6, 2018

hotcoffeeshooter said:
I noticed that the film counter is stuck at 36 even when I open the back.

It should reset when you close the back, not when you open it.

Vilk · Jun 6, 2018

shutterfinger said:
It should reset when you close the back, not when you open it.

nope

John Koehrer · Jun 6, 2018

As Vilk says, it should reset to start when the back is opened. As you said the counter works when the finger on the
back depresses the plate in the top groove on the body.

To the OP the counter will count even without film so, close the back and just advance/trip to check the counter..

hotcoffeeshooter · Jun 6, 2018

John Koehrer said:
As Vilk says, it should reset to start when the back is opened. As you said the counter works when the finger on the
back depresses the plate in the top groove on the body.

To the OP the counter will count even without film so, close the back and just advance/trip to check the counter..

This functionality is not working properly, regardless if the back is opened or closed. I will have it checked out today.

Chan Tran · Jun 7, 2018

If it's only the reset level the camera should still take 36 exposures. The counter doesn't stop the camera from working.

Nikon FM2 newbie problem

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