Nikon FM2...should I?

Hmmm, while I heartily agree that he FM2 and Nikkor lenses are fine photo tools (I've owned one), I wonder why. If you're into longer lenses than 135 (or 90) or macro, then it makes perfect sense; if not, then the addition of another camera system (with the additional cost of overlapping focal lengths) makes little sense to me. Of course YMMV.

It's been said and demonstrated by far better photographers than me that it can be best to learn to use the few tools well and concentrate on those.
I'm just not into collecting gear just to have another perspective. Buying and processing film might be a better use of one's funds.

Hey, just my $0.02
 
Advantages of SLR are:

It's easier/faster to do tight, dramatic framing with telephoto lenses.

Telephotos can go longer than 135mm.

Fast telephotos might be easier to focus on an SLR.

Don't need separate finders for wide-angles.

Wide-angles and "normal" lenses nearly always focus closer.

Macro is much simpler.

Usually faster flash sync makes daylight fill less troublesome.

Depth-of-field preview gives a good indication of final image's out-of-focus characteristics.

Polarizers are easier to use.

EDIT: all that being said, my film cameras have pretty much exclusively been RFs the past six or seven years. Last autumn, my 9-year-old's soccer/football team moved to a fullsize field, forcing me to dust off my 180/2.8. Her first game of the new season is this Saturday, so I guess I'll be out there again with an FM2 instead of an S3. The 7-year-old is still on a half-field, which I can photograph with a 135mm RF lens.
 
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I had had two--a chrome and a black. Sold both. But, I still keep an FM2T in my stable of SLR's. Don't leave home without one, if you feel SLR is the 'main course' of the day.

It's easy to use. Visible LED's even in the dark. Compact and sturdy. Can outlive the owner. :)

Buy it, and you won't regret.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
The only negative that I find with the FM/FE series is that the viewfinder is difficult to see with glasses. I end up grabbing an F2, F3HP, or N8008s for SLR use over the lighter FE2 or FM. I've gotten some great shots with the FE2 and FM cameras on the back of a 1000mm lens.

I recently picked up a "user" F3HP from KEH Camera for under $90. It was their "BGN" grade, but works perfectly and has a great finder. The F3 does require a battery for use: only shoots at 1/80th without one. But the viewfinder is easy to use with glasses. Just something to consider.
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um....did you say you bought an f3hp for less than $90...? How did I miss that? Ok, off to check out KEH
 
The FM2n is the camera I learned on seven years ago, and some of my best photographs were made with it. It's as reliable as it is solid, and it will always be in my arsenal.

Because I prefer shooting aperture priority, it sits more these days. (My main shooter is a Mamiya 6, which is similar in build quality and reliability, btw.) If you like aperture priority, too, I would recommend the FM3A, which I've heard is amazing. Too bad Nikon stopped production of so many wonderful cameras like that one a few years ago.

I've used AF and AI/AIS lenses on my FM2n with great results. My favorites are the 105/2.8 Micro, the 24/2.8 and the 85/1.8.

You can't go wrong with the beautiful beast.
 
yes - it is an absolutely great SLR - I have a FM2 and an FM3HP. I will always prefer the FM2. Have bought it 20 years ago. Had an Canon A-1 before that - but I did not like the feeling of the Canon.
 
Wow thanks for all the replies, i didnt expect this much help. Thats it...im getting it, it seems like such a good camera
 
Quiet, please!

Quiet, please!

In my Nikon days I owned and used FM and later FM2n cameras.

The FM2n was the loudest SLR I ever owned, capable of
scaring animals and small children at distance.

With MD12 attached my FM2n was well-suited as a noisemaker
for New Year's Eve celebrations. ;)

Chris
 
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I just checked. My FM2n is one of the late ones with the smooth aluminum shutter. It is about as loud as an F or F2, a bit louder than an RF. I once owned an early FM2 with the 1/200 flash sync and titanium curtains, at it was also pretty quiet compared to an F (I traded it in as partial payment for my original S3). I've also shot with several of the 1/250/honeycombed titanium shutter FM2ns, and loudness wasn't an issue, again compared to a regularly used pair of Fs, an F2 and RFs. The RFs and F/F2 have different, deeper shutter sounds, more authoritative compared to the lighter, higher pitch of the FM2n.

One minor annoyance is that you can't ratchet the shutter-advance lever. It requires a single stroke; my F and F2 and all my Nikon RFs allow me to make several small throws of the shutter lever instead of one big one. The FM2n doesn't let me do that.
 
If you go down the Nikon SLR road the FM2 is a great way to go. Bulletproof as stated above. When thinking about lenses try this site- Bjorn knows how to talk about lenses and has shot nearly all of the Nikon glass there is.

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html

I never had the FM2- had the FE2, but they are quite the same- FM2's are a tad more reliable I think being more manual. Nice simple, clear controls. The black models wear a little nicer IMHO.
 
KEH has a bunch of Nikon F3HPs combined with 24, 35, 50 or 105 mm lenses selling for about $150. They are graded UGLY, but the price is very tempting!
 
the FM2 is an excellent camera. I was using it with the same lenses used on my F100. Last year I found a 50mm/1,4 at a reasonable price and since them, beside my Bessa, is the most used camera-lens set.
rob
 
EcoLeica said:
ok i know its not a rangefinder but seeing that most of you all seem to have SLRs as well i would love to know if anyone who has one can tell me whats it like. I have just been offered one at a very good price but im pretty much useless when it comes to SLRs
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If you need an SLR, you won't regret getting an FM2 -- it is arguably the ultimate all-manual SLR. The only minor drawback is that it requires the use of AI or AIS lenses, but these are pretty abundant and usually good modern designs, especially the ones made by Nikon.
 
Old favourites

Old favourites

Bought two FM2's (Black and Chrome) 20 odd years ago and until I was seduced into the world of RF photography they were my faves...(come to think of it I might just take them off the shelf)...go for it they are great cameras to hold and shoot with and the lenses are great.

Smiler
 
I believe (I'm almost positive) that the AF lenses, as long as they are not those horrible 'G' versions should work fine on the FM2.
 
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