Longevity of Nikon FM2n

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Pfreddee

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Out of idle curiosity rather than any real concern, I wonder about the reliability/longevity of the Nikon FM2n. What has been your experience with the camera? I am still learning my way around the center-weighted metering, but I really like the it, especially with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S lens (I've always wanted an f/1.4 50mm lens, don't have a single rational reason, except I like available-light photography). I have read that it is reliable, but I'de like to have some first-hand experiences, please.

Thank you to all who reply.

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)
 
In 1999 I slipped on wet rocks while carrying my FM2n and 50/1.4 AIS. The camera and I fell from similar heights. I needed stitches over my right eyebrow and lost the skin off the knuckles of my right hand.

The Nikon didn't miss a beat. Still going strong today. You could hammer nails with it.
 
Pfreddee said:
Out of idle curiosity rather than any real concern, I wonder about the reliability/longevity of the Nikon FM2n. What has been your experience with the camera? I am still learning my way around the center-weighted metering, but I really like the it, especially with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-S lens (I've always wanted an f/1.4 50mm lens, don't have a single rational reason, except I like available-light photography). I have read that it is reliable, but I'de like to have some first-hand experiences, please.

Thank you to all who reply.

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)
Click to expand...

Oh I am sure you will get some great discussion here. Oddly, I need one myself! After all these years. I love my compact F bodies, FE2 and FM3a. But I am addicted to them. They are very reliable in the long term.
 
Have had my FM2n for twenty years now, bought it new, doesn't get used that much anymore, but whenever it does, never skips a beat. Mine has had the MD-12 on it since about 2001.
 
Oh crimeny...here we go again!!

Everyone knows that Nikon cameras were designed as hammers first and cameras second.

If you really honestly believe all the drivel you read about the ability of ANY camera to withstand the abuse advertised then you probably deserve the repair bills.

Of course most of those who actually do these types of things don't repair them. They just sell them on E-Bay! :bang:
 
I had the FM2n and have the FM3a. Wonderful mechanical cameras and you couldn't kill them with a stick.
Stop fretting about that.
 
A big PS: I take care of my equipment, and use it but I don't baby it nor do I thrash it around. It is, after all, a mechanical/optical piece of equipment and needs the same care as a fine pair of field glasses, IMO. I try not to drop it and when I travel in my car, it's secured against being flung on the floor by a sudden stop.

Just an observation; not intended as a criticism of anyone. But I agree with Pioneer about the ludicrous claims of using a camera to drive nails, realizing that in most cases, this is a bit of poetic license intended to assert how rugged one's camera is.

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)
 
Weakest link are the meter and electronics. Had earlier FE, paid CLA to it and just few years later camera started to expose film wrong. Now would probably pay premium for FM3a just to avoid the same repeating again.
 
My FM3a took a hit on concrete last year. After replacing the bottom plate it looked like new, but the nylon cord that pulls the meter needle was broken. It shoots well but there's no meter display anymore until a repair.

No camera is indestructible I guess. The FM/FE series cameras are simple in nature, crafted well but not tanks like the flagship Fs: you can't really drive nails with them...but given proper care they (the FM ones) certainly will outlast us.
 
I bought an FM2n in 1995, shot thousands of rolls with it, carried it everywhere for years (mostly with just a 50mm f1.4) and got to where I could nail slide exposure every time very quickly (that center weighted meter is solid, and very consistent). It got soaked when my basement apartment flooded in 2005, took a service/rebuild and still ticking. I haven't shot with it in a couple of weeks, but whenever I pick it up it just begs me to shoot with it. I have a positively embarrassing stable of gear, but the FM2n just might be the best and most reliable camera I've ever owned. It would be my first choice for a long trip or desert island camera. In short: don't worry about it.
 
I have had an FM2N for several years now. It is wonderful, and really nicely made. But compared next to my Nikon Fs and F2s, it is obviously made to a much more delicate/lighter standard. Which makes sense as it is much lighter.

All of these cameras would break if I tried to hammer nails, unless they were itty bitty little ones.
 
Sorry about being the first to mention nails.

I stand by my anecdote as a way of conveying my impression that the FM2n is a rugged, reliable camera.

Now, where's my hammer?
 
My FM2n is a last year made in Japan. It is my go to camera in less than ideal street environment. I have a MD-12 but prefer the GMP FM hand grip for the size. To provide a more positive grip, I wrap the grip with anti-slip pad--those used on car dashboards for mobile, etc. I have never dropped this camera but my did so with my S2 rangefinder in the few times when I did not use a wrist strap. The drop left a small dent on the base plate corner and slightly dented my lens hood but luckily no effect on performance.
 
I never owned one but there are plenty of comments on the internet about how reliable it is. Any camera will be able to take good pictures and If you are lucky they could potentially survive a couple of bad accidents. I suppose the Nikon FM2n is one of them.
Having said that, my Practika BMS survived a fall from the first floor onto a sandy road and gave me a good service for the following 10 years. One day I picked it up to use it and the electronics were dead.
 
That entire series of cameras (Nikkormat EL, ELW, Nikon EL2, FM, FE, FM2, FE2, FM2n, FM3a) were relatively full featured, rugged and reliable.
Here in Toronto, at least one of the daily newspapers had FM and FM2 bodies in their Press Pool, and used them for years until they finally decided to switch to auto focus equipment.
I saw a great deal of it when it was put up for sale in a local camera store. The bodies looked like they had been sandblasted, with much of the black finish gone and dings and dents in the prism housings and top plates. But everything still worked.
And I do believe the stories about the abuse that these and the other Nikon film SLRs take and keep on working. I've got a few of them myself regarding my F, F2, and even FA bodies, so I know they're true.
 
As mentioned above, one of the really nice things about the FM2n is it's weight. I've been using a rebuilt F2 for the past few months, and it's just too darn heavy for my liking. May take the MD-12 off the FM2n and start using that again. I really do like its weight.
 
Oh, by the way. In the mid-90's Practical Photography posted an article in which they had a Nikon FM2 run over by a Challenger tank (in a sandy road). The camera suffered a lot of damage (they provided a picture of it) but despite some light leaks, the camera worked ok.
I had the following issue that hosted some responses from readers and provided a picture of the battered FM2. I still have this magazine somewhere in my house in Athens....
 
rbsinto said:
That entire series of cameras (Nikkormat EL, ELW, Nikon EL2, FM, FE, FM2, FE2, FM2n, FM3a) were relatively full featured, rugged and reliable.
Here in Toronto, at least one of the daily newspapers had FM and FM2 bodies in their Press Pool, and used them for years until they finally decided to switch to auto focus equipment.
I saw a great deal of it when it was put up for sale in a local camera store. The bodies looked like they had been sandblasted, with much of the black finish gone and dings and dents in the prism housings and top plates. But everything still worked.
And I do believe the stories about the abuse that these and the other Nikon film SLRs take and keep on working. I've got a few of them myself regarding my F, F2, and even FA bodies, so I know they're true.
Click to expand...

You wouldn't by any chance have copies of their repair bills?? :D

Seriously though. Cameras that get used regularly tend to keep working while cameras that are not used a lot seem to develop problems.

I have a K1000 that has gone around the world with me several times since I bought it in 84. It definitely suffered some abuse though I do use a case and try to take care of it. It has never required any service and has been very reliable. But I have also bought a couple K1000s that had been put away in a closet for years and years. They have always looked much better than my original one but they have always needed some attention just to bring them back to properly working status.
 
jarski said:
Weakest link are the meter and electronics. Had earlier FE, paid CLA to it and just few years later camera started to expose film wrong. Now would probably pay premium for FM3a just to avoid the same repeating again.
Click to expand...

Akshully the FE was prone to that, while the FE2 is rock solid. And about 1/4 to 1/5 of the price of an FM3A!!
 
Hard to believe my FM2 will be 30 years old later this year. That just means I'm old too! Camera is probably more reliable though...
 
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