Would you buy a Nikon FM2n in 2020?

[Les Sarile]

A good question. Yes, but "right to me" would be pretty ridiculous -- like $30. At which point the temptation to re-sell would be too great. Honestly, I can't see a situation where an FM2 would give me any clear advantage over my FE.

Aaron

So really the short answer is if the price is right and you find a clear advantage over your FE and not a straight no . . . Now that I can understand . . .

 

[Autonerd]

So really the short answer is if the price is right and you find a clear advantage over your FE and not a straight no . . . Now that I can understand . . .

Hah!!! Well, my problem is that I run a home for wayward cameras and I can't say no to a good camera deal (hence my overflowing shelves). There aren't many (working) cameras to which I'd say no!

 

[voceumana]

I bought an FM2n new in the mid 90's and paid that or more for it and that was just the body. Considering inflation, you got a good deal. I paid about $700 for an F3HP a couple of years ago in virtually NOS condition (new, old stock). Pristine, and I haven't regretted that, either. You made a good choice.

The only thing the FM3 has that the FM2n doesn't have that I would like, is mirror lockup. (Yes, the F3 has other features, but I they are not important to me.) But, if you use the self timer on the FM2n, the mirror goes up when the shutter release is pressed, the timer times down, and then the shutter releases, so it's sort of a mirror lockup. I prefer the general feel of the F3, including the additional weight, but I still like the FM2n.

 

[dourbalistar]

I bought a FM2n in early 2019, and it's been my most used camera since. Glad I bought one when I did, because prices have gone up significantly since then (but of course the same could be said about a lot of film cameras). Started with a factory AI'd 55mm f/1.2, but have since paired it with the highly recommended AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S pancake. It's the Japanese domestic market version, all metal construction and close focuses down to 0.45m. Makes a compact, rugged, and versatile kit.

A good question. Yes, but "right to me" would be pretty ridiculous -- like $30. At which point the temptation to re-sell would be too great. Honestly, I can't see a situation where an FM2 would give me any clear advantage over my FE.

Aaron

To play devil's advocate, I can think of two situations... 1/2000 and 1/4000. All joking aside, the FE has its advantages, too. Auto exposure, and backwards compatibility with non-AI lenses.

 

[Huss]

Honestly, I can't see a situation where an FM2 would give me any clear advantage over my FE.

Aaron

Cold weather. Which I try to avoid. Batteries don't like that stuff.

The electronics on my Fe2 failed so I had to unload it. It started shooting at random speeds. Perhaps the older FE has better electronics?

I agree with the metering display. The one in the KX is great.

 

[Autonerd]

The electronics on my Fe2 failed so I had to unload it. It started shooting at random speeds. Perhaps the older FE has better electronics.

Nope -- well, not in my case. My FE would not shoot at multiple speeds when I got it, but since the camera was free, I decided it was worth repairing. <$100 for the repair, CLA and seals. It was stored in a hot storage unit so that might have brought about premature failure. Most of the other electronic cameras from this era that I have purchased worked (and still work) just fine. Including the FG, another gift from a friend and a camera that supposedly has a reputation for unreliability.

Aaron

 

[zanxion72]

A good question. Yes, but "right to me" would be pretty ridiculous -- like $30. At which point the temptation to re-sell would be too great. Honestly, I can't see a situation where an FM2 would give me any clear advantage over my FE.

Aaron

You could get a practica, or even a modern Nikon F60 with only advantages over a FE for 30-40 euros. Would you do that? What advantages could a FE over over an F60? What I asked was if the price was right for an FM2n nowdays and not how it compares to a cheaper camera. My bad if it sounded otherwise.
(as you posed it price-wise)
I own a Bronica S2A because I like it and not because it is the best value for money camera of a class, although I rarely use it as it weights some 1.7 Kg and this makes it a pain carrying it around for long.

 

[zanxion72]

I bought an FM2n new in the mid 90's and paid that or more for it and that was just the body. Considering inflation, you got a good deal. I paid about $700 for an F3HP a couple of years ago in virtually NOS condition (new, old stock). Pristine, and I haven't regretted that, either. You made a good choice.

The only thing the FM3 has that the FM2n doesn't have that I would like, is mirror lockup. (Yes, the F3 has other features, but I they are not important to me.) But, if you use the self timer on the FM2n, the mirror goes up when the shutter release is pressed, the timer times down, and then the shutter releases, so it's sort of a mirror lockup. I prefer the general feel of the F3, including the additional weight, but I still like the FM2n.

The FM3A is the next to get. I have always wanted one (dear Santa), but still saving for a like new boxed one.
I had an F3 with the high eyepoint finder, but I gifted it a few years ago to a dearest friend of mine. Sometime, perhaps I will buy again one.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

 

[flavio81]

Honestly, I can't see a situation where an FM2 would give me any clear advantage over my FE.

Me too.

Some months ago I got an almost mint FM2n for a very good price. I didn't like it. It had flimsy build quality (i'm accustomed to the F2, F3, EL and FTN) and an inferior viewfinder (to the F2 and F3). And it can't mount pre-AI lenses. I kept it for 2 weeks then sold it.

What I kept is my FE. It has the same (inferior) build quality, but it has a very useful auto mode, great battery life, and mounts pre-AI lenses.

Sorry but I always thought the FM2n is overrated. And I don't care for 1/4000 speed; i seldom use even 1/500 !

 

[flavio81]

You could get a practica, or even a modern Nikon F60 with only advantages over a FE for 30-40 euros. Would you do that? What advantages could a FE over over an F60?

These are the advantages:

- FE meters with manual focus lenses, the F60, doesn't.
- FE has a better viewfinder
- FE allows you to easily manual focus a lens through the viewfinder
- FE uses common LR44 batteries instead of the rather uncommon CR123A lithium of the F60.

 

[DREW WILEY]

FM2n flimsy build quality?? I personally knew some of the greatest Himalayan extreme climbers of my generation, and it's the one camera model they considered the most reliable. And it doesn't even need a battery except for the light meter. One more plus. Over time, manufacturers figured out how to reduce weight without losing durability. The earlier FM2's had a less reliable shutter, but not the FM2n's.

 

[Huss]

Funny how amateurs complain about build quality that professionals don't seem to notice.

 

[DREW WILEY]

I'm certainly wasn't privy to Nikon's engineering specifics. But there can be little doubt their intention was to market a highly durable but distinctly lighter weight camera. And despite some early skepticism, the FM2n thereafter truly earned its reputation for being rugged. I was personally involved around that same era with re-designs of non-photographic equipment where ergonomic improvements such as lighter weight went hand in hand with new aluminum alloys and entirely new ways to diecast them. This didn't occur in cameras first, but in certain types of machinery. Then AFTER that era came the ubiquitous downward slide into essentially disposable gear using cheaper moulded junk alloys or plastics instead.

Where the lack of bully mass affects FM2 series is in exceptionally long telephotos usage. The lighter weight in conjunction with the ample shutter allegedly doesn't dampen that kind of amplified vibration as well. In other words, it's not a popular amateur astrophotography camera; but most of those guys have gone MF or digital anyway. I sometimes adapt mine to my P67 300EDIF telephoto, and it works just fine for that.

 

[Les Sarile]

Funny how amateurs complain about build quality that professionals don't seem to notice.

Perhaps you should credit the owner of the shot or show ownership . . .

 

[Autonerd]

You could get a practica, or even a modern Nikon F60 with only advantages over a FE for 30-40 euros. Would you do that? What advantages could a FE over over an F60? What I asked was if the price was right for an FM2n nowdays and not how it compares to a cheaper camera. My bad if it sounded otherwise.

True, true. I wouldn't want an F60 -- I don't care for autofocus and auto-wind cameras. I have an N8008, it's a fantastic machine but I agree with Jim Gray, I tend to take boring photos with it. I think the FE2 really is the sweet spot in the Nikon lineup, but for some reason I can't explain, I don't enjoy my FE as much as some of my other cameras. Including the FG!

 

[darkosaric]

For us casual users any Nikon camera is more that good quality build, my "worst" Nikon is F75, and it is awesome camera. But it is also true that F/F2/F3 are much more sturdy than FM/FE, and feel by holding and using a camera is also significant, if you can afford this luxury. That is why many take Leica over Bessa. That is why I use F100 more than F80, even if F80 is a great camera. And also why I don't enjoy using Leica CL so much, and I enjoy LTM Leica, even with this painful film trimming and loading. It is a hobby, and in hobby one can be picky and emotional, it is good .

 

[flavio81]

FM2n flimsy build quality??

Compared to the F, F2, EL, EL2 and the Nikkormats, yes. Flimsy. The F3 is also better built. My hands don't lie, i had the FM2N, the F3, F2S, EL and Nikkormat FTN on my table.

At least the FE2 gives a great auto mode and a wonderful match needle meter. The FM2 doesn't offer none of this.

As for the himalayas this or that, i wasn't speaking about reliability. I was speaking about fit, finish and apparent build quality.

 

[flavio81]

FM2n flimsy build quality?? I personally knew some of the greatest Himalayan extreme climbers of my generation,

A Lomo Smena 8M would probably never fail on a himalayan trip either. Maybe never fail after 10 Himalayan trips. Yeah, it's reliable. It also has extremely cheap build quality, fit, and finish.

I stand for what I wrote, as a Nikon fan. Never understood the glorification of the FM2. And again, I've owned it. As well as the FM, FE, and FE2 (which is preferable).

 

[DREW WILEY]

flavio - I don't really care how cute a camera is and have no use for auto anything. I do care about reliability. Nobody in their right mind is going on a serious expedition with a toy camera. But frankly, I outfitted my nephew with just a simple little Pentax MX, which worked perfectly for the most difficult month-long climb ever done in the arctic, the most difficult climb ever done in Patagonia, a very extended New Zealand climbing project, multiple Himalayan climbs, and just kept working. No winterization needed. I used the heck out a basic early Honeywell Pentax H1 in the mountains when I was young. The great Himalayan photographer Shirakawa used a simple Pentax Spotmatic in addition to his Pentax 6X7 system. These are lightweight 35mm cameras, so one can understand why Nikon would want to market a reliable lighter weight version of their own.

By contrast, as 35mm cameras acquired more electronics and auto nonsense, it was inevitable they got less reliable. But some expeditions types used them because they were sponsored to do so, sometimes to their regret. I heard my share of disappointment stories.

I'm certainly not adverse to a little more weight. In fact, I haven't taken a 35mm camera into the mountains for the past 50 years! Mostly 4x5 and even 8x10 gear, and now that I'm in my 70's, sometimes medium format. But when it comes to Nikons, I'm very happy with the FM2n; just right, no nonsense. Wonderful rainy day camera tucked under a parka. It will long outlast me.

 

[albireo]

Sorry to be that guy, but..

I just don't get all the love for the FM/FE lines of cameras.

There I said it. I should be ashamed of this, as a Nikon fanboy and owner of so many of their cameras, I know. I bought a minty FE last year. It just doesn't do it for me. I really wanted to love it but there's something.. off. It feels (I know sorry) _cheap_ when you press the shutter release. I never got used to the"twang" springy bell sound it makes when taking the shot, for starters. The viewfinder is 'meh'.

Love Nikon and I will never part with my F3HP and F90x, but when it's about a simple (mostly) mechanical camera, I just find myself reaching for my Olympus OM2n over my FE. All the time. A much smoother, more enjoyable experience for me. ymmv.

 

[Huss]

Perhaps you should credit the owner of the shot or show ownership . . .

I didn't want to brag, but I am Steve McCurry. Great, now my cover's blown.

(I did a google search "Nikon FM combat" and that pic came up as I show it.)

 

[Huss]

Sorry to be that guy, but..

I just don't get all the love for the FM/FE lines of cameras.

There I said it. I should be ashamed of this, as a Nikon fanboy and owner of so many of their cameras, I know. I bought a minty FE last year. It just doesn't do it for me. I really wanted to love it but there's something.. off. It feels (I know sorry) _cheap_ when you press the shutter speed. I never got used to the"twang" springy bell sound it makes when taking the shot, for starters. The viewfinder is 'meh'.

Love Nikon and I will never part with my F3HP and F90x, but when it's about a simple (mostly) mechanical camera, I just find myself reaching for my Olympus OM2n over my FE. All the time. A much smoother, more enjoyable experience for me. ymmv.

I totally get that. I currently have an FM and FM2n and can't remember the last time I used them. I use an F3, or F2AS, or XK, or LX, or K2, or MX, or SuperA, or P30T, or R7 or or before the FMs. All those are just more fun and/or satisfying to use. I really don't like the way the FM/2 has the exposure information all over the place in the VF. Aperture over here. Shutter over there. Correct exposure information over here..

 

[MattKing]

I didn't want to brag, but I am Steve McCurry. Great, now my cover's blown.

Really enjoyed your talk a couple years ago in Richmond BC.
Even if you did say that film was in the past now, particularly Kodachrome.
Guess you couldn't safely use your real name here, given the predilection of some of the participants .

 

[Acticus]

F3 blows, FM2 sux, FM2T rules. What can I tell you, I have two of them. Nananana.