Nikon FM2 Question

[Jcarroll8907]

Hello everyone,

I came across this forum when I was doing some research on a camera I bought on craigslist for 50 bucks or so a little over a year ago for a B&W photography class at my college. I was trying to research it's value and I became slightly confused as to whether it was a Nikon FM2 of FM2n. Looking into it a bit further I'm pretty sure its an original FM2 as it has 15 shutter speed selections with the 125 and 200 sync speeds in red, a serial number without an "n" or "t" prefix, a rounded hot shoe, honeycomb pattern titanium shutter, and the 4 digit code in the flim cartridge chamber is 62JC which I believe means it was produced in June of 1982. The camera itself has no mechanical issues that I'm aware of and the outside of the body appears to be in really good shape with only a few minor cosmetic defects I was able to find. I attached some photos of the camera to this post as well for your viewing pleasure.

I'd be willing to be most of the members of this forum are much more well versed in photography equipment than myself. I was hoping someone could tell me if it's my lucky day and there's any significant value to this camera or if I'd be better off selling it as an antique wind up toy. Any light you guys can shine on this for me will be greatly appreciated, Thanks!

 

[Shawn Rahman]

Definitely not some antique wind up toy!! This is a superbly crafted photographic tool. Even if this is an FM2, you got a very good deal on it. Probably worth closer to $100-$125 (maybe more) on ebay if you try to sell it.

I think it is an FM2, and not an FM2N. Without the N starting the serial number and with a 200 flash sync, it almost certainly is not an FM2N. The FM2N has a 250 flash sync.

Good luck. You should buy some film and try it out!

 

[FRM]

For $50, the "significant value" is based on whether it is functioning well. Comparing a Nikon film camera to a windup toy is insulting.

I bought my FM new around 1979 and used it in some hot, dusty places in the Middle East. When I vacation now, the FM gets a wide angle lens and B&W film or fast slide film, serving as the very capable backup to the F100, and still a pleasure to use.

Sounds to me like you picked up a gem but don't appreciate the find. Get out and put some film through it.

 

[Jcarroll8907]

Didn't mean to offend! I can see my sarcasm might have been misconstrued. I had an awesome opportunity to take a semester of black and white photography with that camera and put plenty of rolls through it and then got to do every part of the process up to the finished print. The camera definitely produced some excellent shots. It's definitely a fun hobby, it's just that I have other hobbies that I enjoy a tad more and could use a few extra bucks. Thanks for the insight though, i appreciate it.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

You might consider selling it to KEH, if you're in a rush to get rid of it. They're paying almost three times the amount for the early FM2 bodies, compared to the FM2n. A nice condition (read EX grade) early FM2 nets $94.00 in a straight buy, whereas the later FM2n is only $35.70.

-J

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

You might consider selling it to KEH, if you're in a rush to get rid of it. They're paying almost three times the amount for the early FM2 bodies, compared to the FM2n. A nice condition (read EX grade) early FM2 nets $94.00 in a straight buy, whereas the later FM2n is only $35.70.

-J

Why is that?

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Why is that?

I'm guessing it's because they don't have very many early FM2 bodies in stock, whereas they have a few FM2n bodies.

-J

 

[dorff]

Yes, FM2, not FM2n. And as others have said, worth a lot more than the $50 you paid for it. You could advertise it in the APUG Classifieds section.

 

[Xmas]

You should be able to get your 50 USD back or you could use it for a camera, getting a dev tank and changing bag.

Stick it classifieds at 100 or 150 & see what happens,

you need to describe foam condition or replace foam before you market and sell as foam just replaced.
and find a back cap.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

^Yup. Just posted my FM2n for sale for $140+ship. Since yours is less common, you can probably sell it for $150 without the drive that I'm including with mine.

-J

 

[fstop]

list it on ebay, it will bring the most. I would buy it for what you got into it as I don't have a chrome version of that model.

 

[fstop]

I would buy it for what you got into it as I don't have a chrome version of that model.