I Love My FM2n

Chriscrawfordphoto said:
I've never liked the FM2 or the other cameras in the same series from Nikon (FE, FE2, FA, FM). The shutter won't fire on them unless the film advance lever is pulled out, meaning that the camera is never 'ready to shoot' when you're carrying it. Also, the lever pokes my eye since I shoot left-eyed.

I feel like Nikon built these cameras so well that they'd attract pros away from the F3, the top pro Nikon of the time, so they had to deliberately hobble it ergonomically to keep the pros away and keep them as amateur cameras.

I tried shooting an FE2 and an FM years ago and I just couldn't deal with a camera that was designed to 'get in my way.'
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Glass half empty 😉

Glass half full:

I've always liked the FM2 or the other cameras in the same series from Nikon (FE, FE2, FA, FM). The shutter won't fire on them unless the film advance lever is pulled out. This means that you can lock the camera with shutter cocked w/o having to worry about it accidentally taking a shot. Say if you are carrying several cameras at once, or jam it into a tight bag. Also, this also turns the light meter on and off. So you never have to worry about the meter being turned on accidentally draining the batteries because something is touching the shutter button while it is in your bag.
A truly brilliant and simple design.
 
My first camera was an FE2, bought in 1984 or 85, and in 90 or 91 I added an FM2n, and it became my favorite camera for many years. Sadly the FE2 suffered electronic failure that couldn't reasonably be repaired, but I rather prefer the simplicity and reliability of the FM2n. I know what Chris is saying about the never ready feature with the lever needing to be out to shoot, but I don't mind it (of course I am right eyed...). I really love to big bright viewfinder with just the simple and direct information of current shutter speed and aperture and the binary meter. It has everything I need and nothing more, which I deeply appreciate in a camera. I still use it pretty regularly, and hope to for a long time to come.
 
dave lackey said:
Robert, that 28 sounds terrific. I will look into that one.

I had a nice thought awhile ago... Now that I have an FM2n, I need to set up a Steve McCurry Kit. First lens to look for is the 105 2.5... But isn't there more than one?😕
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I would recommend a Series E 100 to match your 50. They are fairly reasonable, smaller and lighter, and close enough on performance for casual shooting. The Levis analogy works with this lens as well. Who is Steve McCurry? LOL
 
Contarama said:
I would recommend a Series E 100 to match your 50. They are fairly reasonable, smaller and lighter, and close enough on performance for casual shooting. The Levis analogy works with this lens as well. Who is Steve McCurry? LOL
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Who is he? Oh some slacker from the old days.. LOL

I have the Series E 100 2.8 but I haven't yet shot it much. I would love to see comparisons of it with the 105 2.5, or shoot comparisons for myself!
 
Hmm.. I guess I am weird. I have tried for a couple of days to shoot with my dominant left eye and get poked in the right eye with the film wind lever. I can't do it!😕
 
The 105 2.5 is one of Nikons classics. Very affordable in both AI and AIS versions. I've had both in the past and favoured the AI version for it's longer focus throw. I sold mine a while ago as i'm mainly a 28 / 35 user.
The 28 AIS 2.8 is probably one of the best 28's ever made. Not super sharp at infinity but at less than that it is super sharp with no distortion. Mine lives on my F100/F6.
I've had 2 FM2n's in the past but never bonded with them for one reason or another. Compaired to an F2 they feel a bit fragile which is obviously not true given their indestructable nature and the later F3 can be had cheaper!
The choice for film Nikons is great now as most can be had for little money. I remember my first Fm2 was 75 euro which is what my last mint F!00 cost! There's so much choice for little money that we can afford to experiment.
 
It dawned on me yesterday that the shutter dial turns the same way as my Big M6.

Too cool!! I guess it was just intuitive to use it without thinking. These days it is too much work to think. 🙂)
 
dave lackey said:
Hmm.. I guess I am weird. I have tried for a couple of days to shoot with my dominant left eye and get poked in the right eye with the film wind lever. I can't do it!😕
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David, David, David,
An MD-12 drive will let you shoot with film advance lever tight to the body so you won't poke yourself in the eye or forehead.
I'm a left-eye shooter, so this is an essential accessory (all other advantages aside) for me.
You can get one for next to nothing on ebay or from KEH, so why not spring for one and solve your problem?
Tell you what, if you promise to use it, I'll send you one I was given, and you can have it free if you pay the postage.
Lemme know.
Robert
 
thanks to this thread I just bought another Fm2n. I really needed another film camera Dave! This will be my 3rd attempt at liking this camera. Reasons for buying? smaller than my F2, F100 and F6. good film partner to the M9 for trips.....let's see how it goes this time 😉
 
nobbylon said:
thanks to this thread I just bought another Fm2n. I really needed another film camera Dave! This will be my 3rd attempt at liking this camera. Reasons for buying? smaller than my F2, F100 and F6. good film partner to the M9 for trips.....let's see how it goes this time 😉
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😀😀😀

I fell asleep last night with the FM2n in my hand, I guess the exercises for my damaged finger wore me out. You made me smile this morning, thank you for that! I am finding that the M6 matches better than I thought with the FM2n with the bonus that I can use the FM2n in situations I would not dare use the Big M6.

The compact F bodies are addicting... I have two FE2s... but I can quit anytime I want.
 
When my Nikon F Photomic FTn and FM bodies were stolen
I used the insurance money to purchase a brand new black Nikon FM2N.

I never warmed up to it like my previous Nikon bodies.
Over ten years I used the camera less and less.
Finally in the late 1990's I sold it.

I have never been tempted to get another Nikon FM2n,
though a couple years ago I did acquire an F2 Photomic.

Chris
 
rbsinto said:
David, David, David,
An MD-12 drive will let you shoot with film advance lever tight to the body so you won't poke yourself in the eye or forehead.
I'm a left-eye shooter, so this is an essential accessory (all other advantages aside) for me.
You can get one for next to nothing on ebay or from KEH, so why not spring for one and solve your problem?
Tell you what, if you promise to use it, I'll send you one I was given, and you can have it free if you pay the postage.
Lemme know.
Robert
Click to expand...

Hi, Rob! Hope you are doing well. 🙂

Actually, I have no problem with the lever on any camera least of all the short one on the FMFE bodies. I meant to say that I can't even make it poke me in the eye no matter how I try. I have an MD12 which seems to reside on the black FE2 most of the time. I really enjoy using it.

Thank you for your offer, though, such kindness is really rare and appreciated, my friend.:angel:
 
nobbylon said:
thanks to this thread I just bought another Fm2n. ... good film partner to the M9 for trips.....let's see how it goes this time 😉
Click to expand...

When traveling I used a lot the FMn2 on the side of the M7...usually one camera left in the safe of the hotel and one for the daily use, alternating them, one day Nikon next day Leica...

robert
 
ChrisPlatt said:
When my Nikon F Photomic FTn and FM bodies were stolen
I used the insurance money to purchase a brand new black Nikon FM2N.

I never warmed up to it like my previous Nikon bodies.
Over ten years I used the camera less and less.
Finally in the late 1990's I sold it.

I have never been tempted to get another Nikon FM2n,
though a couple years ago I did acquire an F2 Photomic.

Chris
Click to expand...

And that is why there are different models made for the masses!

Personally, I hated the F2A, ergonomics sucked. Meterless was wonderful but I tired of not having a meter. F3... never liked it. Wound up with the M3. And now the M6.

The only Nikon I use full time is the F6 in spite of the fact that the FM3a is my favorite camera of all on the planet. Different tools for different folks.

I still love the FM2n... The FM was my very first Nikon and the compact F bodies always make me smile.
 
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