Nikon FM2 or F3?

BMbikerider · Apr 14, 2020

I am not in the market for either, but what I do know is the F3 which is electronic are disappearing of the sales counters because there are no spares for them when they need repairing. The FM2 and all the other mechanical Nikons can usually be repaired to put in a lot more years service. Almost every mechanical Nikon from the Nikkormat right through to the F2 so long as they have not been damaged by ham fisted attempts at repairs before, they will last for years.

Paul Howell · Apr 14, 2020

When released the P was restricted to vetted members of the press, I don't recall if the P was ever available to the general public. As much as I liked the F3P I still regret not getting a Pentax LX, I was very close to the LX, it was the cost of replacing my lens that kept me with Nikon. I had envisioned the LX, MX second body, 28, 50 1.5, 100 and 200, at the time, seemed like too much money.

138S · Apr 14, 2020

Both are excellent choices.

F3 was Pro, FM2 was prosumer.

F3 is more Pro solid build but it is 750gr, the FM2 is 500gr.

F3 has Auto mode, but it has electronics. FM2 has no Auto mode and is all mechanic with meter being the single electronic circuit.

If you use eyeglasses then the F3 with HP (High Eyepoint) finder is a better choice.

Both models are absolutely legendary, the FM2 is a battle machine that always fires. The F3 was manufactured since 1980 until 2001 !!! twenty years in a row, with the F5 being sold since 1996.

So consider low weight vs pro solid build, Auto_mode vs All_Mechanic, and if you use eyeglasses...

Huss · Apr 14, 2020

I like my Limited.

johnha · Apr 15, 2020

Paul Howell said:
When released the P was restricted to vetted members of the press, I don't recall if the P was ever available to the general public. As much as I liked the F3P I still regret not getting a Pentax LX, I was very close to the LX, it was the cost of replacing my lens that kept me with Nikon. I had envisioned the LX, MX second body, 28, 50 1.5, 100 and 200, at the time, seemed like too much money.

+1 for the LX, interchangeable finders, weather sealed, the mechanical speeds will shoot from 1/75th to 1/2000th without batteries (or if the electronics fail). MX or KX is a perfect backup.

Most will need a CLA to fix a sticky mirror at some point but easily worth it. Sync speed is a little slow though if that matters.

jimgalli · Apr 15, 2020

I grew up on the FE FE-2 series and had a long love affair with them. When I took over the photo shop out where I worked for Unc. Sam I inherited a bunch of FM FM2's, and an FA. All very usable except the FA had an intermittent problem we never found and it got shelved.

Then we had a need for many exposures and a 250 frame MF1 back was available to us so we bought an F3HP with a motor. Awesome stuff as I think back on it now. But in regular use, the F3 seemed obtuse to me. Rather like getting into a 1982 Mercedes after driving a Ford Falcon. I never did get comfortable with it. And the flash photography options were weird too. We had 283's laying all over the place and they didn't work well on an F3. Of course we had to digitize everything when that all happened. Our customers wanted digital. The F3 and a couple of FM's are still in the cabinet out there. I'm retired.

I'd like to buy a clean FE-2 again but I'm rather afraid of the 1980's electronics at this point. Nothing lasts forever. Same thing with my Minolta F meters. Getting old and nervous. I have an EL2 that someone gave me and an FM that I can't remember where it came from. Both running great and nearly worthless. I used the EL2 yesterday and the auto exposure was as superb as ever.

eli griggs · Apr 15, 2020

I've used both and while the F3 size is more familiar in my hand, with my being a long time Canon F1 (Types 2 &3) because of size and weight, I Like the FM2, haven used it on occasion to cover assingments for a couple or so, of commercial photographers and for shooting many college graduations and at least one Marathon.

It snuggles into the hand, has a solid feel and is quick to put up and take a shot with.

The F3 is all right, but it never felt like I could trust it, like I could a Mechanical Canon metal body camera, (orA-1) or the older Nikon F Photomic or F2.

See if you can borrow/rent both cameras, shoot a roll or two and then decide, which gives you what you want, and fits into your already know habits and practices; then decide.

Good Luck, Go Health and Godspeed to All.

Kodachromeguy · Apr 15, 2020

BMbikerider said:
I am not in the market for either, but what I do know is the F3 which is electronic are disappearing of the sales counters because there are no spares for them when they need repairing. The FM2 and all the other mechanical Nikons can usually be repaired to put in a lot more years service. Almost every mechanical Nikon from the Nikkormat right through to the F2 so long as they have not been damaged by ham fisted attempts at repairs before, they will last for years.

The alternate viewpoint: go ahead and buy a F3, FE, FE2. Use it vigorously. Eventually the electronics will fail. OK, so what, it served its purpose. After that, buy another body. Some sort of Nikon mount film bodies will be around for many more years.

138S · Apr 16, 2020

Kodachromeguy said:
Use it vigorously. Eventually the electronics will fail.

F3 has been quite reliable, and we can find units manufactured in 2001 after 20 years manufacturing experience. Even very old FE Nikon electronic cameras (+40 years) are still working...

In any case, both the FM2 and the F3, in case of failure, may require purchasing a "for parts" unit that has the required part OK. But those cameras are still quite reliable, impressive !!!

Chan Tran · Apr 16, 2020

"Used it vigorously. Eventually the electronics will fail"
Everything will fail at some point but it's the mechanical parts that fail when used vigorously. The electronics fails but not due to use.

wilfredo69 · Apr 19, 2020

Tengo FM y FM2 y son maravillosos. Quería comprar un F3, pero descubrí que su medidor es muy pequeño para leer y que su zapata es muy costosa y difícil de conseguir y que sin baterías solo cierra a 90 si no recuerdo mal, así que dejé la compra. y me quedé con los FM.

narsuitus · Apr 19, 2020

wilfredo69 said:
Tengo FM y FM2 y son maravillosos. Quería comprar un F3, pero descubrí que su medidor es muy pequeño para leer y que su zapata es muy costosa y difícil de conseguir y que sin baterías solo cierra a 90 si no recuerdo mal, así que dejé la compra. y me quedé con los FM.

¿Por qué no mantuviste también el FM2?

wilfredo69 · Apr 19, 2020

Lo hice, mantuve FM y FM2. Negro y plata. Me gusta usar más el FM porque acepta mis viejos pre AI y AI (solo FM2 AI) Todavía tengo ambas lentes

narsuitus · Apr 19, 2020

¿Qué tipo de fotografía disparas?

¿Qué lentes usas?

wilfredo69 · Apr 19, 2020

I do portraits and still lifes ... double exposures, lucigrams. Years ago I did not do color, only black and white. I have in AI 50mm f1.4, 50mm 1.8, angle 28mm, zoom 35-70 vivitar f2.8 AI, zoom vivitar AI series 1 28-90. In pre AI I have 50mm f2 and vivitar 70-150 and I think a 35mm angle. Then my old Canon A1 with its Fd 50mm f1.4 and vivitar zoom series 1 70-210. That's it. I sold my other cameras for not giving them use and I preferred that another take advantage of it

MFstooges · Apr 24, 2020

I used FM2 long time ago, I had F3 and now use FM due to being poor and can't afford FM2.
What I like about FM2 is the higher top shutter speed and flash sync speed but viewfinder is not 100% and average viewing experience.
What I don't like about F3 is the slow flash sync speed. At 1/80 is too slow for daytime and you always need to carry the detachable hot shoe. Also, the LCD info sometimes is not easy to see in very bright scene.
What I like about F3 is the viewfinder, if you don't use glasses then get the NON HP finder. You'll get breath taking IMAX viewing experience.

Oh and I really like F3 film advance lever, it is buttery smooth. I probably will buy it just for dry firing it

Huss · Apr 24, 2020

MFstooges said:
Oh and I really like F3 film advance lever, it is buttery smooth. I probably will buy it just for dry firing it

Buttery smooth? It is a light floppy mess with play in the vertical axis due to the ball bearings put in there.
They did this to maximize winding speeds, not for feel. I pretty much prefer the film wind feeling on every other camera I have.

MFstooges · Apr 24, 2020

Huss said:
Buttery smooth? It is a light floppy mess with play in the vertical axis due to the ball bearings put in there.
They did this to maximize winding speeds, not for feel. I pretty much prefer the film wind feeling on every other camera I have.

Yes it is. I don't care the play. When I crank it is light and smooth, almost feels like it doesn't make any contact other than the shaft unlike my FM, FE or Canons.

NB23 · Apr 24, 2020

I love my F3s winding action, which I almost always double-stroke for a double whammy of pleasure. And I detest my FM2 and FE2 winding action. Just not satisfying and impossible to double-stroke.

I’m left-eyed so a double or triple stroke action helps me keep the camera to my eye.

awty · Apr 24, 2020

Just gave my F3 with a sb-12 to my daughter to use, may as well get some use as the electronics are bound to fail any decade now. Will make a nice upgrade from the FG-20 she's been using, also still going strong after nearly forty years. Actually the only Nikon's I have that doesn't still work is a 801, actually have 2 that are cactus, they were a waste of $5.

Nikon FM2 or F3?

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