Benjamin Marks
Veteran
I just got a Nikon FM2N in EX condition from KEH. I tested the all-mechanical shutter on the thing with a Calumet shutter tester. Damn, if that thing isn't within 1/6 of a stop on EVERY shutter speed from 1 sec to 1/4000 of a sec. I find that just amazing in an all-mechanical used camera.
My mechanical Leicas top out at about 1/750 at their top speed. It really gives you an appreciation of the engineering that went into these film bodies. Boy, did Nikon ever know what it was doing when it designed this camera. Within its design parameters I find it sensibly perfect. Not quite as nice to hold and shoot as an M camera, but pretty darn close. Time to shoot some film.
Ben Marks
My mechanical Leicas top out at about 1/750 at their top speed. It really gives you an appreciation of the engineering that went into these film bodies. Boy, did Nikon ever know what it was doing when it designed this camera. Within its design parameters I find it sensibly perfect. Not quite as nice to hold and shoot as an M camera, but pretty darn close. Time to shoot some film.
Ben Marks
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
I'll agree with "Within its design parameters I find it sensibly perfect". One of my favourite film SLRs to use.
Bob
Bob
Vics
Veteran
I've been thinking about this camera for a while, as I have lots ot old non-ai lenses, but find the F bodies too heavy and large. How is the FM2n on that score, say compared to your M cameras? I have an M3 and find it wonderful to use and great optics, but heavy and larger than I'd like for travel.
Vic
Vic
Frankie
Speaking Frankly
The Nikon FM has a history dating back to 1977. 25+ years of refinements later we got the FM3A whose shutter also has AE, PLUS all mechanical shutter speed. In other words, no battery means only no AE.
Using Nikon's since the F days, through F2, FM, FM2T (N within titanium body) and FM3A, I most certainly agree with your opinions.
Using Nikon's since the F days, through F2, FM, FM2T (N within titanium body) and FM3A, I most certainly agree with your opinions.
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
Vics: I am used to a Nikon D3 and F3HP so the FM2N feels small to me. I would say that the body is about the size of an M camera, but the package is larger with the lens. I don't think there will be any substantial weight savings over, say, an M3 plus a 50 Summicron -- tonight, I'll slap 'em both on a scale and report the weight.
If I wanted to go small and light, I'd go with a Bessa T and a C/V lens or even an older Kodak folder like a Retina IIIC, which while not exactly a feather-weight is pretty compact and fits easily in a jacket pocket. Obviously there are any number of fine point-and-shoots (Nikon 35Ti, Contax TVS, Yashica T4 come to mind) if you want modern portability and weight is the primary concern.
If I wanted to go small and light, I'd go with a Bessa T and a C/V lens or even an older Kodak folder like a Retina IIIC, which while not exactly a feather-weight is pretty compact and fits easily in a jacket pocket. Obviously there are any number of fine point-and-shoots (Nikon 35Ti, Contax TVS, Yashica T4 come to mind) if you want modern portability and weight is the primary concern.
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ornate_wrasse
Moderator
I bought this camera about six months ago after extensive research into which Nikon SLR body to purchase. I posted a question on Nikonians and stated that one of my criteria for buying an SLR was that it was light in weight. After reading the numerous replies and suggestions made, I finally decided on an FM2N. It's a great camera and I've been enoying it a lot. I really like the metering indicator. It's bright red and is very easy to read if shooting at night. When I traveled recently to Buenos Aires, Argentina, it was the one I used the most. (This was prior to my purchase of my M6, or l would have taken that)
Ellen
kipkeston
Well-known
Great camera. Don't think I'll ever part with mine.
italy74
Well-known
No idea for the FM2N, I have the FM3a and could easily recognize its >>TLACK !<< - recoil included shutter noise - versus the more metallic LASH of my F6, KA-CHEENK of F80
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Do not look at an FM2n if you want to use non ai lenses. The use of non ai lenses on an FM2n may cause the meter coupling lever to break. You might want to consider the FM instead. The FM also has a meter coupling lever but it can be swung up out of harms way to allow the use of non ai lenses in the stop down metering mode. This feature of the FM was deleted on the FM2, FM2n and the FM3a.
Bob
N.delaRua
Well-known
I got to chime in here too. The FM2 is probably my favorite all time SLR ever. I like it more than my F100 and every modern/pre-modern SLR I have ever used, and I have a closet full of cameras. It is the epitome of simplicity, its light, its all mechanical, and the meter is fantastic. It is my favorite camera to take on my shoulder in the French Quarter. Honestly my favorite part of the camera is the viewfinder. Super bright with a super easy to understand meter. You just point at what you want exposed then recompose and the shutter never lets you down. If I had to pick out one fault... it would be that I think it has a LOT of mirror flap, but thats why I have an M3 
. Thats it. Otherwise its perfect.
. Thats it. Otherwise its perfect.
mwooten
light user
As others have stated the will be a problem with non-ai lenses.
I just weighed my FM2-n and my M4-P, and guess what? They are within a half ounce of each other. The M4-P out weighed the Nikon by half an ounce until I realized the Leica had a roll in it. So, not to get too nit-picky, they weigh the same. Width about the same, and thickness too. The FM2-n is taller, but only in the prism area.
They are really great cameras, but I do notice the mirror. I never did before I got a rangefinder, but I sure notice it now. I use my FM-2n with a Series E 50mm. A good lens that doesn't weigh much and has worked well for me for over a couple of decades.
--michael
Rico
Well-known
FM2n was my first SLR back in '83. I just acquired a period competitor, the Contax 159MM, which joins my current film SLR system. Both are similar: 1/4000, 1/250 X-sync, small size, manual advance. The 159 has AE.
aniMal
Well-known
The FM series is really the best, I have had FM, FM2N and currently and FM2. My only problem is that I really do not use them too much, I always reach for a Leica. This is purely due to ergonomics and that I like the process of working with an M better. So for me it is a little strange, I see the quality so clearly that I even have to own one - which I am not using for personal reasons! Doesn´t matter too much today, the prices are so low it is unbelievable...
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
Mwooten is right. I just weighed the Nikon FM2N with a 50/1.4 AiS lens and a roll of film against the M3 with a rigid 'cron and no film. Nikon: 875 gr. Leica: 905 gr. So weight is a wash. If you had a 50/1.8 E-series lens on the Nikon you could save another, 50 gr +/-. I wouldn't get too worried about it. The cameras are the same width and although the body of the Nikon is about 1/2 cm shorter than the Leica, the prism and the hot shoe make it abuot1 cm taller.
Ben
Ben
Mablo
Well-known
FM2n is so simple to use! I don't have many lenses for it but the Nikkor AI-S 35mm/2 seems to be my chosen one. I rarely use anything else with it.
The shutter noise is ok but I sometimes wish I could do something for that big *blang* when the mirror drops back down.
The shutter noise is ok but I sometimes wish I could do something for that big *blang* when the mirror drops back down.
TennesseJones
Well-known
i have just recently inherited an fm2n, all beaten up but fantastic, seen a lot of life this camera!
'sensibly perfect' is a great way of putting it. and it's a lovely size. would really recommend it.
the friend who gave it me always used the motor drive to make it bigger apparently!
Got a 50/1.8 and a 35mm 2.8.
working a second film through it now. feels . any insider tricks and tips? anything to watch out for trying out an very well used fm2?
'sensibly perfect' is a great way of putting it. and it's a lovely size. would really recommend it.
the friend who gave it me always used the motor drive to make it bigger apparently!
Got a 50/1.8 and a 35mm 2.8.
working a second film through it now. feels . any insider tricks and tips? anything to watch out for trying out an very well used fm2?
nobbylon
Veteran
I had an Fm2n. Last variation with the aluminium shutter. Nice camera, small, light, does the job but, dare I say, to me at any rate felt cheap and nasty! I know it's proven it's durability but it just never felt right. I sold it and bought the film camera I should have 20 years ago, Nikon F2. I've also added an F to the bag and I just think these cameras are the SLR equivalents to the build of the Leica M's if not better. Solid old school engineering and along with my D700 and some great primes, haven't used my M2 in a while. For some reason I just can't bring myself to sell my M gear though, yet!
Try an F2, get it serviced by Sover Wong and enjoy possibly the greatest SLR ever made!
Try an F2, get it serviced by Sover Wong and enjoy possibly the greatest SLR ever made!
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
The phrase "camera I should have [had] 20 years ago" resonates. I felt that way about a Leica R4s. I wanted one of those so badly when I was just getting into photography. When the time came that I could afford one, I almost had to buy it. Just on principle. I owned an FM2 twenty years ago and really enjoyed it. But I was using an F4 and a 4x5 camera a lot and so sold it to a friend. So: reunited with a durable model. Nobbylon: good for you! That moment of getting the tool that "just feels right" is a great one.
Ben Marks
Ben Marks
nobbylon
Veteran
Ben,
Your right, it's all about what feels right for each of us. Off topic, one of the great things about the digital revolution for me was the depreciation of the great film cameras I always lusted after when I was at school in the 70's. It's allowed me to indulge myself with most of the ones I liked from Spotmatics to Olympus OM'S to Leica's and after probably 6 years of buying, trying, experimenting and ultimately selling them all, feel like I've found what I was after in film cameras. Enjoy the Fm2.
Your right, it's all about what feels right for each of us. Off topic, one of the great things about the digital revolution for me was the depreciation of the great film cameras I always lusted after when I was at school in the 70's. It's allowed me to indulge myself with most of the ones I liked from Spotmatics to Olympus OM'S to Leica's and after probably 6 years of buying, trying, experimenting and ultimately selling them all, feel like I've found what I was after in film cameras. Enjoy the Fm2.
Mablo
Well-known
4
TennesseJones, enjoy your camera. The one and only thing to watch out is never ever touch the shutter blades when loading film. If you poke your finger into the shutter mechanism consider spending something like $300US for getting it repaired. I know, I did.
If your eyesight is not normal you can buy adapters. I have a +2 adapter which makes my life much easier. i don't need to use goggles when I'm shooting.
Your lenses are very good. You might consider buying a 100mm later on. I have the Nikkon E-series 100mm 2.8 which is very sharp and costs $100 or thereabout.
TennesseJones, enjoy your camera. The one and only thing to watch out is never ever touch the shutter blades when loading film. If you poke your finger into the shutter mechanism consider spending something like $300US for getting it repaired. I know, I did.
If your eyesight is not normal you can buy adapters. I have a +2 adapter which makes my life much easier. i don't need to use goggles when I'm shooting.
Your lenses are very good. You might consider buying a 100mm later on. I have the Nikkon E-series 100mm 2.8 which is very sharp and costs $100 or thereabout.