Nikon FM2 or FE2?

[dave lackey]

That is the question and would like to hear some feedback from knowledgeable Nikonistas....😛

Both black bodies in great condition.
FE2 has a custom grip + MD12 for $250 listed/$200 cash
FM2 is body only for $100 cash.

I have some items for a trade/partial trade but not sure which would be the better one.😕

What say you?:angel:

 

[jdvf]

Hi Dave,

I would buy the FE2 due to its aperture priority mode (and sell the motor drive). But if you can live without it go for the FM2. The lack of electronics will probably make it more robust. A couple of years ago I was confronted with the same decision - and ended up with a FM3a I found here for a bargain in the classifieds.

BR,
Greg

 

[sevo]

According to my former Nikon service technician, the FM2 and the initial honeycomb shutter FM2n had a reliability issue with the shutter (a titanium bonding issue causing the riveted pin bearings on the blinds to sometimes come loose) which was addressed in the revised FM2n (which received the plain aluminium shutter blinds from the FE2/FA). On the other hand, the FE/FE2 match needle display isn't entirely shock-proof. I have had both for twenty or thirty years, and neither failed due to either cause, so both seem to be "issues" at a level many other cameras don't even get close to...

 

[sykotec]

I'd really say it comes down to what you prefer - battery independence vs aperture priority, and LD vs needle viewfinder display.

I've had an FM2n - bought brand new eons ago - and it's great when you want something small, and want to see the meter yet manually set exposure in very low light. That said, I *can* just point the F5 at all the same things, and let it do it's thing. Those are 2 very different cameras in other ways tho, unlike the siblings you're considering.

My FM2n does indeed have the post-honeycomb shutter, and has never given me any trouble. Works like new, and silly me, I've had the batteries die while out and about and kept on shooting with no problem on more than one occasion.

 

[Waus]

I would vote for the FM2👎-in this auto-everything-digital age a camera that makes you think about shutter speed/diafragm and film-speed is a great joy to use!
Als it has less buttons than an FE2-and 300 buttons less than an D7000 etc. etc.

 

[raid]

I have had the FE, FM, and FE2. I am still using the FE2 as my main Nikon SLR camera. You can't go wrong with either choice, Dave. The FM2 for $100 is cheap. Save money and go for it.

 

[Mongo Park]

Would go with the FM2n. Easy to use, no frills and can take a few knocks. Got a user off the bay about 6 months ago for about $80 - its my everyday weekday camera - goes with me to work with a 50mm 1.8. Am rather pleased. FE2 might be ok - if you want da aperture priority. Can't see that there is much hassle setting an aperture on the FM2 and then hunting for a speed - can all be done fairly quickly.

 

[Vics]

Do you have any Nikon lenses, and if so, are any of them NAI? NAI lenses (I've been told) shouldn't be mounted on an FE, for fear of damaging the electronic contacts body to lens. The FM has no such issue, as you can just flip the little tab out of the way. If it sounds like I don't know what I'm talking about, that's true. But when I tried to buy an FE from a local camera store, the guy said I shouldn't because he knew I'd been buying NAI lenses for my F from him for years.

 

[TennesseJones]

I have an fm2n, lovely camera. Tough, simple, terrific.

Mine came from a press photographer and had seen lots of use. It still chugs on merrily for me, and I'd take it anywhere. So a strong vote for fm2!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41537236@N08/tags/fm2/

For $100 seems a terrific deal.

 

[bobkonos]

FM2. Any experienced Leica user like yourself deserves the joy and freedom of not needing the "E" option/escape route. And, yes, I feel the same about the M7.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Bought an FM2n in 1995 as my back up to an N-90 and then an F4S. Used it on many assignments and it never let me down. I happen to like the MD-12 stuck on the bottom, and although some have had issues with that combination, I never have.

Just serviced my sister-in-law's FE2 and it's a nice camera too, but I prefer my FM2n.

Best,
-Tim

 

[BSchall]

Do you have any Nikon lenses, and if so, are any of them NAI? NAI lenses (I've been told) shouldn't be mounted on an FE, for fear of damaging the electronic contacts body to lens. The FM has no such issue, as you can just flip the little tab out of the way. If it sounds like I don't know what I'm talking about, that's true. But when I tried to buy an FE from a local camera store, the guy said I shouldn't because he knew I'd been buying NAI lenses for my F from him for years.

The FM and FE has the tab to flip up for mounting pre-AI lenses. The FM2 and FE2 do not have the tab, thus pre-AI lenses cannot be mounted.

Personally, I have a FM and a FM2n. I had FE's but sold them all. Nothing wrong with them, just kept the FM's because they function independently of the batteries. When I want automation, I grab the F100, it's light years ahead of the FE2.

 

[celluloidprop]

I'd probably go FE2 - battery dependence doesn't bother me and sometimes aperture-priority is nice to have.

 

[bigeye]

Do you have any Nikon lenses, and if so, are any of them NAI? NAI lenses (I've been told) shouldn't be mounted on an FE, for fear of damaging the electronic contacts body to lens. The FM has no such issue, as you can just flip the little tab out of the way. If it sounds like I don't know what I'm talking about, that's true. But when I tried to buy an FE from a local camera store, the guy said I shouldn't because he knew I'd been buying NAI lenses for my F from him for years.

The NAI lenses do not have electronic contacts, nor do the FM or FE bodies. You might be thinking of AF, AF D or AF G lenses. (G lenses don't have manual aperture rings and cannot be used on the manual focus bodies.)

Both bodies have the AI tab, that flips up when you release the little safety button for NAI lenses.

FE batteries last about 15 years, so yes, I suppose you could run out.

.

 

[Pablito]

Having used the FM and FE series professionally ever since they were introduced in the late 70s and owned probably a dozen FM2 and 7 or 8 FE2, my advice would be definitely the FM2. I have found them significantly more reliable. I also prefer the LED meter over the match needle of the FE2 but then I rarely use auto-exposure.

 

[kdemas]

I have had an FM2N for many years and I can attest to its reliability. Great camera.

 

[dave lackey]

Wow! Great response...keep 'em coming, please.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Nothing wrong with either the FM2 or FE2 and I have a couple of copies of each. I prefer the FM2n, just seems simpler. The LED meter is easier to see in dim light than the needle display in the FE2. My copies have both honeycomb and plain shutters and never a problem with either type. As both the FM2 and FM2n are marked FM2 on the front you might be looking at an FM2n. Easy to tell, if the serial number starts wit an "n" and the sync speed is 250 then it is a FM2n. I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Bob

 

[dave lackey]

Hmmm...seems like a great combination would be both an FM2 and an FE2, matching bodies, one metered, one not....one for B/W and one for color...wow, this is getting interesting.😱

BTW, will the FE2 work with a 50mm 1.8 D AF lens?

 

[steelheart]

I'd really say it comes down to what you prefer - battery independence vs aperture priority, and LD vs needle viewfinder display.

I've had an FM2n - bought brand new eons ago - and it's great when you want something small, and want to see the meter yet manually set exposure in very low light. That said, I *can* just point the F5 at all the same things, and let it do it's thing. Those are 2 very different cameras in other ways tho, unlike the siblings you're considering.

My FM2n does indeed have the post-honeycomb shutter, and has never given me any trouble. Works like new, and silly me, I've had the batteries die while out and about and kept on shooting with no problem on more than one occasion.

If it were me, I'd pass on both the FE2 and the FM2. I would shop for a nice FM2n instead as the FM2n is an upgraded and improved version of the FM2.

I have an FM2n and an FM2/T and they are drop dead reliable; neither has given me any trouble or failed me - ever.

The reliability of a totally mechanical camera is like insurance - you don't think about it till you need it and when you do need it, you are grateful that it's there.

It is a great thing to be able to continue shooting when your batteries drop dead. You can continue using the exposure settings you were using (provided the light is the same) and continue making images without missing a beat - no stopping to change batteries or worse yet, packing it in because you didn't have spare batteries in your camera bag. :bang:

No missed photographs, no missed decisive moments - that is worth the camera's weight in gold.

JMHO...