Longevity of Nikon FM2n

rbsinto said:
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.
Click to expand...

When I was shopping for an F2 some years ago, I came across a bunch of well-used F2 bodies traded-in by one of the Chicago papers. They were WELL used! I probably should have bought one just because it had a lot of character.
 
Numerous Nikon camera's gave their lives in VietNam taking bullets meant for the PhotoJournalist using them on the battlefield. Olympus did get a contract for using OM series bodies on the battlefield, but most of the photographers threw away the Oly's and went to the PX to buy Nikon's like they had before.

The Oly's wouldn't stop a bullet...in the front and out the back, just like the photo journalist carrying the camera.

The Nikons would stop bullets from AK47's. I don't know about the Nikon FM2n, but the story attests to the build quality of Nikon.
 
kuzano said:
Numerous Nikon camera's gave their lives in VietNam taking bullets meant for the PhotoJournalist using them on the battlefield. Olympus did get a contract for using OM series bodies on the battlefield, but most of the photographers threw away the Oly's and went to the PX to buy Nikon's like they had before.

The Oly's wouldn't stop a bullet...in the front and out the back, just like the photo journalist carrying the camera.

The Nikons would. I don't know about the Nikon FM2n, but the story attests to the build quality of Nikon.
Click to expand...
Those were Nikon F's not the FE/FM series which did not start until 1978. I was photographing a demonstration on the top of the steps of the US Supreme Court in 1973 (my first year owning a used Nikon F). Got pushed and I fell down a bunch of steps. Broke my thumb and got 17 stitches on my hip. The F suffered a huge dent on the prism. Never fixed it and it works well even today.
😱
 
7724958556_00e0eb4292_z.jpg

Funny it seemed huge at the time. The dent does show up in the viewfinder but I have lived with it for over 40 years.
 
I bought an FM2N about 5 years ago and have been very happy with it. When I went to buy a Nikon film camera, I wanted something light that I could carry around with me. I eliminated the FM3A as it was too costly and decided to go for the FM2N. It has served me well. The only problem I had with it was when I went to Buenos Aires Argentina. After a couple of weeks of shooting with it, something happened with the mirror and I was unable to take any more pictures. After I got back home, I had it repaired for something like $50 or so and I haven't had any problems with it since then.

Ellen
 
Dante_Stella said:
Where else was the FM2n made? I was only aware of a titanium-shutter version and an aluminum-shutter one, both made in Japan.

Dante
Click to expand...

Sorry, I did not recollect correctly. The last year production is my 50mm f1.4D brought at the same time as the FM2 and probably I am wrong again.
 
Ok, not a 2 but an FM, not sure about the difference but I bought a new black FM when they came out and it has been the only Nikon I have had that was to costly to repair when it broke down a few years later.
I don't remember what exactly broke but it would have cost almost as much to fix it as a new body.
They are very nice and small cameras. Good looking too.
 
I picked up an FM2n this past weekend. Lovely camera in all regards. My understanding was that the FM2 was titanium shuttered and the -n was aluminum shuttered and that was the only difference? Can anyone verify that and/or offer any other differences between the two?
 
I think you're right on that Jeff. Years ago I checked and my FM2n has the aluminum shutter.

Weird thing about my relationship with my FM2n, like I mentioned I've had it for twenty years, and for some bizarre reason, I have it in my mind that it is silver and black (like most of the ones Nikon made), but mine is actually one of the black on black ones. Every time I take it out of its bag I am surprised that it's black not silver. Never fails. Complete mental block. Maybe it's age.

Best,
-Tim
 
Early FM2n had the Ti shutter
The FE2 is my favorite variant (hell, the F4- which is my favorite to use is basically a bulky FA/F3 hybrid), but the FM2 should last a long time

Everytime I use my FE2, I'm reminded that it's pretty much the perfect camera for me (down the focusing screen, which for some reason, is easier to focus for me than the F3 screens)
 
p.giannakis said:
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....
Click to expand...

Found the magazine... here is a photo...

fm2.JPG
 
If I was honest to myself my FM2n would be the only SLR that I need.


But thankfully I am not and so have lots of others..
 
kuzano said:
Numerous Nikon camera's gave their lives in VietNam taking bullets meant for the PhotoJournalist using them on the battlefield. Olympus did get a contract for using OM series bodies on the battlefield, but most of the photographers threw away the Oly's and went to the PX to buy Nikon's like they had before.

The Oly's wouldn't stop a bullet...in the front and out the back, just like the photo journalist carrying the camera.

The Nikons would stop bullets from AK47's. I don't know about the Nikon FM2n, but the story attests to the build quality of Nikon.
Click to expand...

I read about a guy who was shot in the chest and his whiskey flask stopped the bullet.

I have faithfully carried my whiskey flask ever since. 😀

@ p.giannakis - Even for someone who isn't a Nikon fan, looking at that picture is enough to make a guy cry. Some people have too much time on their hands.
 
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