Reliability of Nikon FM

RalphLambrecht · Nov 16, 2015

go, I sent the cameras to sa Nikonprofessional service and paid $50/ camera.The cameras worked well after that.Now, the issue is back;I think spending $50/camera every three years is a bit much.My Hasselblads don't give me this kind of trouble.What's your exp[erience?

MattKing · Nov 16, 2015

RalphLambrecht said:
go, I sent the cameras to sa Nikonprofessional service and paid $50/ camera.The cameras worked well after that.Now, the issue is back;I think spending $50/camera every three years is a bit much.My Hasselblads don't give me this kind of trouble.What's your exp[erience?

Back in the day, I remember a couple of wedding photographers I used to work with complaining bitterly about how frequently their near new Hasselblads required service, and how expensive it was.

So I think it depends.....

Xmas · Nov 16, 2015

Hi Ralph

Which issue?

Noel

presspass · Nov 16, 2015

Have never had that issue with FM2n. So far, the only problem I've ever had is an MD12 disintegrating in mid-shoot.

John_Nikon_F · Nov 16, 2015

Ralph,

What issue are you talking about?

If you don't need to mount pre-AI lenses, it might be worthwhile just picking up an FM2n, having a shop do an actual overhaul on it ($140, instead of $50), then enjoy 20-30 years of use without taking it in every 3 years. Not sure if I'd bother fixing up an FM, now that they're cheaper to replace than repair. A shame really, but...

-J

bo eder · Nov 16, 2015

When I had an FM, then an FM2n, they were both solid cameras. But $50 for a maintenance seems a bit high when there are people selling good used FM's for just under $100 nowadays. Unfortunately, you're in that position of no longer maintaining, but just replacing because it's easier. Most sellers I've met have the cameras checked out and brought up to spec. Unless there is a nostalgic reason to keeping what you have?

I do miss my days spent with mechanical SLRs, and I'm trying to get some of those back as I have a helluva time with this F2 I just purchased!

k.hendrik · Nov 16, 2015

bought my fm in 1980; in 2007 new seals, never missed a shot !

macfred · Nov 16, 2015

Bought my FM in 1982 (used) - no problems so far !

tessar · Nov 16, 2015

Exactly the same experience as macfred with my FE.

Chan Tran · Nov 16, 2015

RalphLambrecht said:
go, I sent the cameras to sa Nikonprofessional service and paid $50/ camera.The cameras worked well after that.Now, the issue is back;I think spending $50/camera every three years is a bit much.My Hasselblads don't give me this kind of trouble.What's your exp[erience?

This is why I am against the advice to send the camera out for service. I much rather buy another one. I found the camera might last a long time with no problem but when it has the problem and after service it would come back.

j-dogg · Nov 16, 2015

How do you break an FM they pretty much can survive a nuclear blast

frank · Nov 16, 2015

j-dogg said:
How do you break an FM they pretty much can survive a nuclear blast

Yep, FM's and cockroaches.

Theo Sulphate · Nov 16, 2015

All the more reason we gots to know what the original problem was...

trythis · Nov 17, 2015

j-dogg said:
How do you break an FM they pretty much can survive a nuclear blast

Leave the batteries in for 5 years, they expand and crack the plastic battery compartment. Yeah, it still fires but no meter

Sent with typotalk

swchris · Nov 17, 2015

Chan Tran said:
This is why I am against the advice to send the camera out for service. I much rather buy another one. I found the camera might last a long time with no problem but when it has the problem and after service it would come back.

Unless you try before you buy, you won't know if the new body also has a problem. Therefore I prefer to have my body serviced, even if it costs more. Then I know I have a good one.

That said, my FM bought in 1980 has the equvalent of the "jumping needle" problem (should I call it "flashing LEDs" problem). AFAIU that's not repairable because the spare parts aren't available anymore

swittmann · Nov 17, 2015

Ralph, what about a Nikon F with plain prism - or, dare I say, a F100

I own both and both have been fully reliable over several years. Also, both have great viewfinders.

Xmas · Nov 17, 2015

swchris said:
Unless you try before you buy, you won't know if the new body also has a problem. Therefore I prefer to have my body serviced, even if it costs more. Then I know I have a good one.

That said, my FM bought in 1980 has the equvalent of the "jumping needle" problem (should I call it "flashing LEDs" problem). AFAIU that's not repairable because the spare parts aren't available anymore

Remove the batteries.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 17, 2015

Xmas said:
Hi Ralph

Which issue?

Noel

shutter release stuck.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 17, 2015

John_Nikon_F said:
Ralph,

What issue are you talking about?

If you don't need to mount pre-AI lenses, it might be worthwhile just picking up an FM2n, having a shop do an actual overhaul on it ($140, instead of $50), then enjoy 20-30 years of use without taking it in every 3 years. Not sure if I'd bother fixing up an FM, now that they're cheaper to replace than repair. A shame really, but...

-J

shutter release is stuck.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 17, 2015

frank said:
Yep, FM's and cockroaches.

but they cannot survive 40 yeats unused in a cabinet don't buy'nearly- new,never used

RalphLambrecht · Nov 17, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
All the more reason we gots to know what the original problem was...

shutter release stuck

JBish130 · Nov 17, 2015

Switching to manual (M90, whatever) won't release it? I had that problem with a little FG years ago, which came down to the computer needing replaced. Those haven't been available for probably 20-25 years now.

I agree with the other posts, cheaper to replace them if you can't fix them yourself. I'm not even sure what Nikon's I have right now; EM, FG's, FE2, F3HP, Nikkormat, F1's, F2's, F100, N90, so on and so forth. There's probably 25-35 different lenses for them too. I love my Nikons (actually, I love all my film cameras). Meter's in the old F's die off, but hey, who needs a meter anyway? There are hand-held meters and you can always just look at your shadow and work from there.

horacekenneth · Nov 17, 2015

RalphLambrecht said:
shutter release stuck

Exact same problem with mine, occurred after a trip to the ocean though, so pretty clear problem source.

Russ - SVP · Nov 17, 2015

Bought my FM in the late 70's. I've had it serviced one since then. It's still performing flawlessly.

Ricardo Miranda · Nov 17, 2015

RalphLambrecht said:
shutter release stuck

It seems to me operator error.
You didn't fully cock the shutter and then it go jammed.

See the Nikon FM repair manual.

Reliability of Nikon FM

RalphLambrecht

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Reliability of Nikon FM

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