In praise of Nikon FM/FE/1/2/3

[68degrees]

I bought a good used FM many years ago, and kitted it out with ...., right-angle finder

Whats your opinion on the right angle finder, how did you like it? Thanks.

 

[twvancamp]

Had an FM years ago and was missing it. Saw a great offer on an FM2 from RFF member jja. Such a great camera--here's one from the first roll.



Nikon FM2 by twvancamp, on Flickr

 

[jja]

Great photo, Thom! Glad you put the camera and lens to immediate use.

 

[Huss]

Curiosity got the better of me and I picked up an FM2n today just to see if I remembered it correctly.... The film advance is so much nicer than a wobbly F3 and actually feels very like my F2. ....

Right? I hate the super loose and floppy feel of the film advance on my F3P and F3 Limited. I find it curious as to how much praise that got. Feels absolutely horrible!
(rest of the camera is great though).

I still have my FM2n but sold my FE2 after it started having electrical issues which made the shutter timing 'interesting'. A little research has shown that it is not unknown on the FE2.
So bombproof? Only the mechanical ones (FM, FM2, F, F2 etc). As we now expect.

Great camera, I haven't used mine in years though. Just get more enjoyment from the F or Leicas. Fun though with the MD12 winder - makes it sound like you are covering a Duran Duran press conference in the mid '80's!

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Took my FE out today for a walk in London with the Ultron 40mm. It was that or the FM2n, but I decided to make life easy. I bought my FM2n entirely by accident - I was off on a street photography day in Manchester, and popped in to West Yorkshire Cameras in Leeds on the way. Checking my bag (which had the Intrepid 4x5 and my Pentax 67) I'd forgotten my Minolta XD7. So in the end I bought a black FM2n and a 35mm f2 lens, and never looked back. I don't think the Minolta has been used since.

I have an F2AS I love but its extra bulk and weight generally gets it left behind. I also prefer the match needle of the FE to the LEDs of the FM2n, as you have to guess by how much you are under/over.

My favourite photo from that day shot on the 35mm Nikkor f2- FP4 developed in FX39.

 

[dourbalistar]

I just got a FM2n earlier this year, and it's a wonderful camera. There was a problem with the first lens that I got for it, something in the aperture mechanism wouldn't allow it to stop down properly. Without the top 1/4000 shutter speed, I wouldn't have gotten this shot from my first roll, shot wide open at f/1.2 outside in the sun.

Nikon FM2n, Nikkor-S.C Auto 55mm f/1.2, Ilford HP5+, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes.


2019.03.16 Roll #198-03198-positive.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr

 

[giganova]

I had an FM for a while but didn't like the 3-LED exposure display and wish it had the FE needle meter. Too little information with a 3-LED display. With a needle meter you know the exposure time and how much your exposure is off and you can compensate on the fly to difficult light situations (e.g., shooting against light). So here is the conundrum:

If you want a mechanical camera you can't have a needle display. Thank you Nikon! 😡

 

[twvancamp]

Great photo, Thom! Glad you put the camera and lens to immediate use.

And thank you! I couldn't figure out the feedback function in classifieds--thought this would be next best.

My first camera was a K1000 so I've always thought needle meter made the most sense, but I shoot enough low light now that the led is worth getting used to.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I have owned and used FM, FM2n, FE2 and FE models.
The original FE is my favorite.

Chris

 

[lcpr]

I had an FM for a while but didn't like the 3-LED exposure display and wish it had the FE needle meter. Too little information with a 3-LED display. With a needle meter you know the exposure time and how much your exposure is off and you can compensate on the fly to difficult light situations (e.g., shooting against light). So here is the conundrum:

If you want a mechanical camera you can't have a needle display. Thank you Nikon! 😡

The FM3a is the answer to your conundrum, it has the automation and needle readout of the FE2, TTL flash metering and finally the mechanical nature of the FM2n.

To be honest I never found the LED readout on the FM2n any worse for making on the fly adjustments, the LEDs have five readouts (+, +O, O, O-, and - ) which are generally enough, plus they're easier to see at night. Didn't stop me from picking up an FM3a last year though! One annoying thing with the LED readout is that the shutter speed display is on the left and the LEDs are on the right so you kinda have to move your eye around a bit more compared to the needle readout which merges exposure and selected speed in one area.

 

[dfdann]

Just discovered this thread. Purchased a FE 2 several years ago to replace one stolen
years ago. Added to my M7,M8,CL(digital) collection. Although I primarily use the
CL, I took the FE2 to Cornwall to shoot film in addition to digital. Nothing feels better
in my hands than the old FE2.
Cheers, Dan

 

[Uncle Bill]

As an owner of a a chrome FE, a black FE2, chrome FM, black FM and a chrome FM2n, you are preaching to the converted.

 

[Uncle Bill]

Camera: Nikon FM, Nikkor Ai 50 f2 lens.
Film: Efke 100, HC110 B.

At the Crosswalk in Leslieville_ by Bill Smith, on Flickr

PCC Car on Queen St. East by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Art by Bill Smith, on Flickr

 

[Uncle Bill]

Camera: Nikon FE2, Nikkor Ais 35 f2 lens.
Film: kodak Tri-X 400, Xtol Stock.

Walking Down Bay St. August by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Temperance St. Patio _ by Bill Smith, on Flickr

Crossing at Queen and Peter by Bill Smith, on Flickr

 

[GarageBoy]

The fe and FM series has everything I want in a camera and nothing I dont. Its the perfect size too. If they were Leica r mount or contax yashica mount, I would never look in the direction of leica r or cy cameras

Small, tough, and refined

 

[Photon42]

The fe and FM series has everything I want in a camera and nothing I dont. Its the perfect size too. If they were Leica r mount or contax yashica mount, I would never look in the direction of leica r or cy cameras

Small, tough, and refined

If you want to try a Leica lens, Leitax may be the way to go, in case you don't mind stopping down for metering or shooting wide open. And then there is Zeiss.

 

[Waus]

I've bought my first chrome Nikon FM2n in 1995 at Nivo Schweitzer in Amsterdam. With this camera I photographed my travels to India/Nepal, first holidays with my wife, the birth of my two children-our holidays as a family.
This camera has become a part of our us. I'll take it everywhere we go, most of the time with only two lenses 20/3,5 or 24mm/2,8 and a 50mm/1,4.
In all those years Nikon F3', FA's, FE's came-and went...
I only bought an extra FM2n when it came cheaply.

 

[Ste_S]

Another FE/M series fan. For me the original FE and FM in black with a bit of brassing are the best looking cameras around.

 

[Uncle Bill]

Just revisiting this thread makes me want to get a second FE2, this time in chrome to go with my black one.

 

[jamin-b]

IMHO The FM3a is an underrated gem. I have never had the slightest issue with mine, and it has a big clean and clear viewfinder and all the solidity people value in a Leica.