Nikon Fm2n exposure meter tends to overexposure.

[John Bragg]

Hi All. I have recently been rediscovering the joys of my Fm2n having neglected it whilst using my Leica. I always thought it was exposing generously but on reading elswhere on the web I found this to be a common trait with this fine model. I can't fault the camera as the difference is mainly seen in denser negatives which still are in the bounds of normal for scanning or printing and would probably be advantageous with colour film, but I was wondering if others have found this to be a problem? I have now set the iso dial to 320 instead of 200 (my normal personal ei for Tri-X) and it now meters the same as my Leica M6 and my other Nikon, an F90x. I guess the proof is in the pudding and the next roll will tell, but I am quietly confident. Tri-X is a resilient film exposure wise, but unnescessary overexposure can make grain more pronounced and I am trying to avoid that.

 

[TennesseJones]

Yeah, mine did the same, before it broke.
But the breaking wasn't anything to do with the meter!
Loved that camera.

 

[Rob-F]

I don't have an FM2, but my FE2s do the same thing. John: does it seem to you that the overexposure has gotten worse over time?

 

[John Bragg]

I don't have an FM2, but my FE2s do the same thing. John: does it seem to you that the overexposure has gotten worse over time?

Not at all. It has always been like that, but I am just trying to standardise my exposure and development from one camera to another. The results are definitely denser than my other cameras and I am looking for the best negs for my purposes, ie scanning and probable wet printing in the future when I am able to set up my darkroom again.

 

[Pete B]

Get hold of an incident meter and see how the readings compare (or check sunny 16).
Pete

 

[John Bragg]

Get hold of an incident meter and see how the readings compare (or check sunny 16).
Pete

Thanks Pete, done that. 2/3 stop discrepancy.