Yashica or Nikon?

[kminov]

Hi all,

I have found two cameras, Yashica FX-D and Nikon FM2n. I need to get one of them, obviously. The Yashica comes with 3 lenses, ML 28/2.8, 50/2 and 135/2.8, The NIkon comes with Nikkor 35-105/3.5-4.5 Ai-S. The price is exactly the same for both kits, so money is not an issue here. I'm leaning towards the yashica stuff, since it is complete kit, and the nikon would require buying some more lenses down the road. Yet i'm slightly put off by the electronics in the yashica, the all mechanical nikon seems a bit more reliable and serviceable. I have no experience with both of these brands, so any feedback is most welcome.
Thanks!

 

[Vonder]

Wow, tough choice.

I own both cameras and I can tell you that both are reliable, at least in my experience. The FX-D has a slightly quirky metering system. You don't get a meter reading via the shutter button. The FX-D can also suffer from mirror creep. The glue they used to attach the mirror can melt in heat, and over time, it will slowly slip, until it hits the rear element on your mounted lens. Easy to fix, I've done it myself a couple times. But it is an electronic camera, while the Nikon FM2N only needs a battery for the meter; otherwise it's fully mechanical. It also has a higher max shutter speed and much faster flash sync. You can easily and cheaply get a data back and motor drive for the Nikon. The FX-D has no data back and the winders are slower.

I do love my FX-D(s) but I would recommend the Nikon.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

That, and the FM2n was made for a long time. Parts are very easy to find, if the camera does need repair. Alas, Zeiss lenses will be more expensive for the Nikon F mount than they would be for the Contax/Yashica ML/MM mount.

One thing, when you're checking the FM2n out, set the meter up so it's showing a correct exposure at 1/8 of a second, then at 1/15. At each setting, very slowly rotate the shutter speed dial back and forth within the shutter speed setting detent. Watch the LEDs. If there's any twitchiness in the response, that means the ring resistor is beginning to have issues. I had one black FM2n that I wound up replacing the shutter speed dial assembly on, since the resistor was going bad. Tech said that it had actually broken in half.

-J

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I would go for the FM2.

Jeff

 

[fotch]

Nikon.

 

[trythis]

How much is either?

 

[kminov]

It's a bit over 100 euros.

Thanks guys, you have been most helpful!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Which feels better in your hands? It is your decision that you will live with not someone else's opinion.

Once you post your decision, someone will promptly post a reason that you made a bad choice. Don't believe it.

Enjoy.

 

[shutterfinger]

I had a Yashica TL Electro. The PC socket came loose from disconnecting snug fitting sync cords and eventually the center lead shorted to ground killing the camera. The lens were quite nice. I saved up and bought a new Nikon F4s. The photos taken with the Nikon are as good as or better than the Yashica. Go with the Nikon as it has better build quality. The FM2n is a pro level camera, the Yashica is a amateur/advanced amateur at best.

 

[resummerfield]

The Nikon FM2 with the Nikkor 35-105/3.5-4.5 Ai-S lens is a wonderful combination.... I used the combo for years and years with no problems.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

The FM2N is a hell of a camera.

 

[cliveh]

Nikon.

 

[Alex Muir]

Nikon. I have owned and used at least 9 of them from F to F100 and they have all been great. I had a Yashica and a Contax and both developed faults that were never cured.
Alex

 

[trythis]

Thats a good price for the fm2n if you like manual exposure. Get that and buy a series E 50/1.8 for lower light work. You'll be able to get your money back easy if it doesn't work out.

 

[ic-racer]

ML 28/2.8 is a nice lens but they made two version of it. The later one is sharper in the corners (I have both).

 

[kminov]

Wow. You have been most helpful. Thank you all!

 

[GarageBoy]

The FX-D is dead reliable, but the FM2 is a better deal

 

[kminov]

Yeah, im getting the nikon