Nikon FM2n Repairs

[dof]

Hi, I'm looking for recommendations for having repairs done on an FM2n body. The camera is no longer on the list of film cameras that Nikon USA supports. Hopefully parts aren't in short supply as I'll very likely need a couple of new springs in the winding mechanism.


Thanks much for any input!

 

[KEH]

Abiline Camera Repair did a nice job on my FM2N. KEH.com is also a Nikon service repair depot.

Cheers,
Kirk

 

[richardHaw]

whats wrong with the fm2n 😱😱😱

 

[dof]

Abiline Camera Repair did a nice job on my FM2N. KEH.com is also a Nikon service repair depot.

Cheers,
Kirk

Thanks for the info, Kirk!

whats wrong with the fm2n 

Thank you for asking! It’s an odd thing - The film advance lever often fails to engage the winding mechanism. The shutter release button remains in its locked state When this occurs as well. The camera then requires several “mis-firing”, slack feeling strokes to ensure that the film is advanced and the shutter is cocked and available for use. Occasionally the winder engages both mechanisms, but it’s rare.

When the winder does engage after a mis-fire (or several), it feels as though the last bit of travel is catching on an aspect of the mechanism that was missed in the prior stroke(s). This occurs even when the full travel of the lever is used on every stroke, whether a miss or a hit.

Clearly not an ideal situation!

 

[james.liam]

A repair will probably cost at minimum, $250, assuming the parts are available. KEH has several FM2n's in Ex+ condition for $430-480.

Pick your poison.

 

[ornate_wrasse]

I had my FM2N repaired at Advance Camera in the Portland, OR area.

Here's a link to use to get an online estimate of repairs:

http://www.advancecamera.com/repair/

Good luck!

Ellen

 

[Timmyjoe]

Authorized Photo Service was the Nikon Service center in the Midwest before Nikon cut back on service centers. They do good work and probably still can service the FM2N. You can see info on them at this web page:

http://www.nikoncamerarepair.com

Best,
-Tim

 

[Beemermark]

The Nikon website lists"Authorized" Nikon Repair centers. They will generally repair any Nikon and give you a quote for repair very quickly. I've been very happy with the one I've used when Nikon refused to touch it.


As far as repair vs buying another one, why does anyone think another used Nikon will last longer than a properly serviced one? And I wouldn't worry about parts, any competent jobs can repairs 90% of the film cameras out there.

 

[drewbarb]

The Nikon website lists"Authorized" Nikon Repair centers. They will generally repair any Nikon and give you a quote for repair very quickly. I've been very happy with the one I've used when Nikon refused to touch it.


As far as repair vs buying another one, why does anyone think another used Nikon will last longer than a properly serviced one? And I wouldn't worry about parts, any competent jobs can repairs 90% of the film cameras out there.

This is excellent advice.

When I lived in NYC I used Nippon Photo, as they were where all the pros I worked for had their gear serviced. They still do excellent work. http://nipponphotoclinic.com

 

[dof]

A repair will probably cost at minimum, $250, assuming the parts are available. KEH has several FM2n's in Ex+ condition for $430-480.

Pick your poison.

A good point, James and worthy of consideration. This particular body & I have a lot of history together (I bought it new in 1985) which makes it special, even if only to me. I also like that the FM2 is from an era when things were built to last and to be repairable when things do eventually break. And practically speaking, the repair is cheaper!

I had my FM2N repaired at Advance Camera in the Portland, OR area.

Here's a link to use to get an online estimate of repairs:

http://www.advancecamera.com/repair/

Good luck!

Ellen

Thanks for the tip, Ellen! I’ll check them out.

Authorized Photo Service was the Nikon Service center in the Midwest before Nikon cut back on service centers. They do good work and probably still can service the FM2N. You can see info on them at this web page:

http://www.nikoncamerarepair.com

Best,
-Tim

Thank you, Tim!

The Nikon website lists"Authorized" Nikon Repair centers. They will generally repair any Nikon and give you a quote for repair very quickly. I've been very happy with the one I've used when Nikon refused to touch it.


As far as repair vs buying another one, why does anyone think another used Nikon will last longer than a properly serviced one? And I wouldn't worry about parts, any competent jobs can repairs 90% of the film cameras out there.

Thanks for the info and for the reality check. A well-serviced camera is in my opinion a better bet than taking a chance on a new-to-me body and any required maintenance that may come along for the journey.

That said, the question of getting another body vs. fixing an old one has a few dimensions. I had an R6 repaired almost 10 years ago. The repair person I worked with actually recommended getting another body rather than going the repair route on the basis of cost. Parts for older Leicas have gone up in price along with all other things from the company, which made the repair potentially more expensive than the cost of another used body.

I chose to get the body repaired in part for the reason already mentioned and in part so I wouldn’t have another broken thing lying around the house.

When I lived in NYC I used Nippon Photo, as they were where all the pros I worked for had their gear serviced. They still do excellent work. http://nipponphotoclinic.com

Thank you for this! Glad to see there are a few options.