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Nikon FM or FM2 or FE or FE2 …
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Hi folks,
Was thinking of picking up a reasonably priced secondhand film camera on ebay to complement my Nikon dSLR.
I am looking at something for shooting slide film (landscapes, still life, that sort of thing!) and can share (the non DX sized anyway) lenses with the digital.
I like the idea of a totally manual camera, to force me into thinking more about the mechanics of photography, hence was looking at FM2. I like that the only battery is for the meter and you can still shoot without it.
Missed the odd bargain on ebay, but generally they are a bit out of my post-christmas budget!
Thinking maybe an older FM or possibly FE might be what I should aim for?
What would a reasonable price be for each of these?Feedback appreciated!
The FM2/FM2n was one hell of a camera. If you can get your hands on one I think that would be the one to go for.
I have an FM2 that I bought in 1983. It had paid for itself over and over and over again. I used it well into the 90’s before I managed to stupidly stick my finger through the shutter curtains. I then decided later to have it fully repaired and serviced and to permanently retire it to my collection. If you can get an FM2 I’d say grab it…..its a workhorse that does not die easily.
I keep mine out of sentimentality as it is really the first camera I used professionally and it did the job very well until I got a few quid together to go to medium format. I still continued to use it side by side with the Bronicas into the 90’s until I screwed it up.
The FM2n is a lovely camera. (Higher flash-sync than the earlier FMs). I bought an FM3A, I don’t think anyone will ever build a manual 35mm camera of this sort of quality again, a sound investment.
The Olympus OM4ti is another absolutely corking camera (not quite so manual though). :)Si
I loves the FM2n I does. I’ve very fond memories of it. I reluctantly had to let it go, but the upshot was in p/ex for a Leica M4P.
As a camera it’s still my ideal man/mech, with fast flash sync and fast shutter speed – remember it’s all nuts & bolts, no electronics. I might even re-invest in one, such was my bond. It’s a solid workhorse, can take abuse and I’ve never heard it being bad mouthed, or complaints about unreliability – far from it.
I still have an FA, which is good – I’ve no complaints and it’s never let me down either, however as a measure I can just say that it does it’s job (did it’s job, since my digital exile). The FM2n has a standing hard to beat in my eyes.
As for guide prices I would get my ideas from the usual online places and from hunting around on the interweb. I haven’t the foggiest about how much that kit is worth nowadays. Sorry about that.
I have had fm’s , fm2, f4’s and f3’s …………….oh and a fe2…………….love the fm and really love my f3’s………..still have those and a slu of lenes……….
you should be able to pick up a drive for cheap as well………..
good luck
Got a FM2n on ebay, in lovely nick too. Looking forward to shooting some slides.
dmg wrote:
Got a FM2n on ebay, in lovely nick too. Looking forward to shooting some slides.
Congratulations – superb choice. Hope you have fun with it!
dmg wrote:
Got a FM2n on ebay
Snap!
Yes all the talk of this gem whetted my appetite … and.. so.. I.. just.. HAD to get one and the eBay stork delivered it last week. It’s not in as good nick as the pristine one I used to have but was reportedly serviced and checked and light seals replaced prior to auction. And, thankfully, everything checks out OK. Despite the obvious use this camera has had, I should think the shutter still has enough shelf life to see it through a few years at least, given the conservative frame rate I’ll be pushing.
I took it out on it’s maiden perambulation in this life over the weekend and, my, shooting film again with a manual/mechanical camera does bring a lot of enjoyment after some 18 months of digital.
The FM2n still handles as nicely as I remember it – it has this solid, reliable no messing sense about it – and it’s remarkable to notice the difference in speed – it makes you slow down and consider your subject more. For the occasional ‘break’ from (digital) photography this is definitely a recommended tonic!
dmg, I’m sure you’ll grow immensely fond of it – good luck! :D
Thanks stasber, enjoy your camera, and everybody else for recommending this. Glad I took advice and went for this model.
Just to make sure everything working well I took a roll of colour negative film over the weekend and awaiting its return today. Holding off on my ebay feedback until then!
Clicking the aperature and shutterspeed really makes you think of what your doing and the relationship between them. Shutter makes a lovely noise too!
Can’t wait to get some Fuji Velvia 50 and some nice light.
Great cameras alright, I used to have an fm2n which my wife now has. Personally I prefer the match needle metering in the FE / FE2 rather than the -0+ led in the fm / fm2 and ofcourse the option of aperature priority.
I still have my trusty old FE that has been with me for years, I’d never sell it. One of the best things I bought for it was one of these grips http://www.photoequip.net/ . Really improves the handling IMHO, but then I don’t do straps.
Now that I have a DSLR I am gonna load up for IR film in it for a play around.
Enjoy!
I have NEVER dropped a camera or a lens, or even both at the same time.
Until Saturday, that is.
Yes, it happened to my trusty steed the FM2N and Nikkor 135/2.8. Just finished loading up the camera with film when the zip god unleashed hell on my bag and said appareil collided with the floor, lens down. Ouch, and a silence in the shop, with poised eyebrows. I picked it up, checked the lens over, took it off the body, shook it about to my ear. Nothing. Checked focusing, checked aperture, checked glass, dents, lens hood. Nothing. Checked camera, all OK save for actually taking a few exposures, which I did a few mins later without scrape, jam or incident.
Only damage was a dented & cracked 10eur UV filter. DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT ONE!
Tough as nails I tells ye :D
I’ve heard stories of people using a Canon F1-N to hammer nails into a plank of wood and surviving :? :D They sure don’t make them like they used to!
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