I think so too! I have had many different film SLRs over the years, and the FM2 is my favorite. Very versatile, well built, relatively light weight, and just a super fun experience!
By the way, really good review of one of my favorite old Nikons! I first began shooting with the venerable F, and then to the FM2 which I always really enjoyed using, and then to the F3. I now own all of those along with my new stable of DSLR's & Mirrorless. I have D850's, a D800E converted for IR, and my Zed 7 and even a new acquisition, an OM System OM5 which is a petite little gem of a very fine micro 4/3 camera and a GAS to use! As to your wear, and the brass showing through worn down paint. Back in the day, before I was shooting with one of my father's F's that he gave me when I was teenager, one of his friends was a UPI/AP stringer in Viet Nam, and his Fs were dented and worn with a lot more brass showing than yours. It was the tell-tale sign of a "Real" photographer, not a wanna be one. There were even instances of photographers who'd not been in war zones, taking fine sandpaper to their Fs, to scuff down to the brass around the top plate and bottom plate and also, denting their bodies so they'd appear to have been heavily used "In Country" when they were not. Just a bit of trivia. As well, beginning with the F model, later issues of it through the mid-late 60's into the 70's were venerated by serious photojournalists, and during that period Nikon dominated the market quite easily. The great majority of cameras carried into Viet Nam and other conflicts around the world for almost 2 decades were Nikon Fs. Their all metal, mechanical, heavy bodies were exceptionally durable compared to the competition. When other manufacturers were switching to wire activated shutter releases, Nikon held onto fully gear and push arm and spring technology, making them heavier but more reliable. You could almost drop your F into a muddy and flooded rice paddy, pick it up and shake it off and keep shooting. The bodies were conveniently HEAVY in part to also be able to absorb some of the internal vibration from just the mechanical shutter mechanism alone.
I've been shooting Nikon for 20 years. Digital and film so I interchange lenses for both platforms. I mostly use D series lens but do have ais and pre ai converted lenses. They work with the Nikon Fm2n and my F4 and digital D750. However they obviously are manual focus. In the next month I will be getting the Leica MP camera in black. I already have the Voightlander Nokton Classic in 35mm 1.4
The FM2 is a fantastic SLR. It's one of those classic workhorse cameras of the 80s. My parents always used Nikon, but my first SLR was a Minolta, and I use Canon gear professionally. Now I have an FG20 (among a few other SLRs that I hope to show off eventually), and I'm so glad I picked it up even though the great majority of my collection is Kodak. Nikon make really beautiful cameras, their film cameras were even more so. I wish that they would come back to film cameras. Maybe if Pentax finds success with their recent model....
me too!! that would be awesome if nikon made film cameras again, their digital isn't my fav at all lol what Minolta did you have? i love Minoltas :) and what kind of Kodak cameras do you have in your collection?
I'm old enough to remember when the FM-3 came out in the 90s I guess. Always loved this series because they had a reputation of being indestructible, like, "I'm going down the amazon to contact a lost tribe" kind of gear.
Really enjoyed that review Molly! Well done! This is definitely one of those cameras on the bucket list and this video totally makes me wanna buy it yesterday.
Great video, I have a Nikon 45mm f2.8 pancake for my F3 and FE2. I love it, great character and super light and compact. A little expensive but totally worth it
Molly, fyi the 'wear' you describe at 3:17 is NORMAL for the finish the camera was made with, the 'worn' parts are called brassing, or in some antique circles patina and is quite desirable for some, as this feature shows age well, so you know what you are in for.
If you struggle with seeing the viewfinder information (I'm the same with my F2's), you might try the Olympus Om2n with it's bigger and brighter viewfinder. Also, you don't have to take your concentration away to change shutter speeds as everything is found the lens mount on the Om2n.
Oh I’ve tried that and didn’t get on with it (the shutter speeds being in the lens mount) lol I found it awkward to change but also the viewfinder sounds nice tho!!
@@EclectachromeIt's one of those things you either love or hate. Personally, I love it, but then, I learned photography on a OM-1. To me, it just makes so much sense. That's why I also really like the Nikkormat FT2..
@@hansemannluchter643 I do also own a FT2. But to be honest, as robust and perfectly designed this camera is - it's always a challenge to switch between handling the FM2n and the FT2. Well, maybe I should't call it a challenge, rather an "interesting experience"...😄
Love the FM2N which is exactly why I bought a minty FM3A. Its gets paired and shares lenses with my Zf when walking around. Those FM2N's were just Nikon at its best.
The FM3a has more in common with the FE2. They're basically the same camera but the FM3 can shoot without a battery. (the FE2 can shoot without a battery at 1/250th)
The first camera video from you that I've seen. Well done! Your presentation is on point, with no hesitation or scripting, and your photos are great! I'll be following you from now on! By the way, I'm not located far from your secret undisclosed location and know several of your shooting spots. Andy (who's been shooting Nikons since the early 70s)
I bought the FM3a in 2001. Had an FM in the late 80s and still have it. Bought used motor winders for both - which really were seldom used except for bike races. My favorite lenses are 35mm for normal shooting and the classic 105mm for portrait work. (Exploring a Canon AE-1 and a Canon AE-1 program - both given to me this year. Nice but the Nikons are simpler and more robust.)
Lovely! Interesting to see how you get on with the Canons over time, I liked my AE1 program when I had it but the Nikon is as you said and I enjoy using it more
I had a Nikon Fm2n long time ago and I love film photography. I recently sold it as it was getting harder to focus properly with poorer eyesight and bought the F5 for the auto-focus. We need to have more film orientated videos so we get people more into film photography and keep it alive. I encourage you to keep going.
I have one and bought it as my eyesight was weakening and I won’t sale it because it is one of the most attractive cameras ever made . My F2 died ; my other gear was sold or stolen long ago and after giving my Pentax to a nephew to explore if he wanted to take up photography , I settled on an Olympus EM 10 Mkii . Lovely camera and digital ; hence I can use with my failing eyesight . Loved the video . Thanks !
I bought a Nikon F (OG, BP) this year with period 28/2 and 50/1.4 lenses, it's a great camera! Respectfully expressing that I appreciate your channel! 😀
I have 2 F's, and 2 F2's.. Great cameras, but: They are BIG, and HEAVY. Nikons lenses aren't exactly light-weight either, that's what makes the FM-series so appealing..
AF and AF-D lenses will work. Newer lens which don't have aperture rings will be useless because there's no way to adjust the aperture. I have a Nikon 70-210mm f4 AF lens which works and I love. My 35mm f2 AF-D works quite nicely too. Nice work. Good to see you back.
Agreed AF & AF-D lenses will work on the FM2n (no auto focus of course). Newer G lenses with no aperture rings will also work but only wide open. Which may not be a bad thing if you are shooting portraits or low light subjects.
Hi, this is a camera which was kind of newspaper reportage ikon in 80s and 90s. Great choice. If you are tempted to tune it up, buy FM3A dedicated K3 screen, which is amazingly bright. Fits all FEs, FMs and FA with exception of FM OG, which does not have interghangable screens option.
yes, Molly, Nikon is an extensive system, but once you get your head around the abbreviations, its a wonderful system to use, I went in straight to the digital offerings though, but used the 50 f1.8 AFD, and the 105 F2.8D {macro, with the PN-11 extension tube on} on my D700/D610 rigs, fantastic lenses, great ergonomics, esp. the detents on the iris rings.
I started with SLR's in 1972, but got my first Nikon in 1974, FTn. I worked at a camera store from 1976-early 80's. You have a great camera, although I got an F2 instead. From being an OLD film photographer and taking 1,000's of rolls from people to develop at the camera store, I'd like to warn you and others to never load film in direct sun! The little fuzzy light-trap can leak light, especially with 400 speed film being more sensitive. Love the video. Keep it up! ❤
I'm happy to watch the videos that you are happy to upload. I'm a nikon shooter and have been trying to decide between the FM2/n, FE2, and FA. On on hand the full mechanical of the FM2 appeals, but you can often get the FE2 for cheaper, and the FA has the matrix metering as well as shutter priority.
If you want the convenience of automation, the FE2 is enough. The FA was over-engineered and the electronics were rather fragile. The FA also had a known issue of shutter failures. So give that a miss. If you want matrix metering in a more throwback body style, look up a N2000/N2020 for a fraction of the price.
Please keep going. Don’t stress about it and keep it fun for yourself. My favorite Nikons are the f and f2. They have everything I need with no excess features.
Hello, Eclecta! I haven't seen photography content on TH-cam for a while and I'm glad to find your video. I have this camera in my sights because my Nikkormat recently died and I want a camera that will last, and although it is expensive for me, I am finishing saving what is equivalent to 210 US dollars in Colombian pesos because I think it is worth it. This camera would be a gem to have, especially because of the multiple exposure quality and because I want to experiment more for my thesis in photography. Watching your video encouraged me more to buy the camera. By the way, I really appreciate your content and I thank you for supporting me on Instagram. What a joy to see you again. Enjoy your trip and shoot a lot. A hug from Colombia!
Oh yay!!!!! so nice to hear from you :) hugs back from the US! It's definitely an awesome camera to have, solid and reliable, I have no regrets and can't imagine having any about buying the camera. Go for it! --- I shot so many photos on the trip haha it was like my film budget for the year! but worth it :) hope your well!
I am in total agreement with you, with all the film camera's I have collected over the years the Nikon FM2N is the one I always go to if I want to make sure I get the shots with no issues :)
Aloha Molly! Wow, your review of the Nikon FM2N brought back memories! I am old enough that I shot film during my early Photojournalism career and loved both the FM and FM2/FM2N for it's purely mechanical (no batteries required!) shutter. I always had less issues with the "original" FM, which I preferred in black than either the FM2/FM2N, which I thought looked better in the chrome version, although maybe not as professional looking? The change in shutter material/design I believe was to make it more reliable/longer lasting? The viewfinder is darker in the FM and max shutter speed of only 1/1000, but it will take Non-AI lenses as you can fold back the tap that engages the aperture dial on the lens. If you had a F3 with the HP viewfinder, than with glasses on, it would be easier to see the full viewfinder (one of the issues with Leica rangefinders, at least for me!) Don't know how much portraiture work you do, but any of the 105mm F/2.5 lenses are a must as well as the 180mm F/2.8. Don't know about the cost of old manual focus lenses these days, but I am guessing the 105mm since there's a few of those out there, shouldn't be too expensive? Anyway, I had much more to say, but not sure how much you and your followers care to read! Love the review and your photos! Keep up the great work and I will fore sure watch you past videos. Mahalo from Kauai, Hawaii. Thomas
I always love reading long comments! but then it takes me longer to respond haha but hi! and thanks for sharing a bit of your history, yeah the F3 was easier to see through with glasses, I don't do portraiture anymore these days but who knows, might do it again in the future, I did really enjoy the photos! thank you so much, take care!!
Great review of the FM2n and great photos. Now I know why Nikon based their digital retro Nikon Zf on the FM2 series. Such a beautiful camera the FM2n.
So nice to see you again! I have this camera and I love it, I agree totally it's a 'slower' camera. I used it for a wedding and realised quickly it wasn't great for run and gun stuff, but I love it. Hopefully we'll meet again at some point 🙂 shout if you're ever in London! Would be interested to see a video on the Canon L3 if you haven't done one already, I'd never heard of it and I'm still looking for my perfect small 'quick' camera!
oh yess, for sure it would be hard to run and gun with this one, but could be possible, trickier than other cameras, the canon L3 is a spectacular street camera if you don't need a light meter (use sunny 16)! I did one ages ago, one of my first videos, but would love to do a newer one again soon! will do, hopefully I get back there in the next couple years, miss it!
Thanks for the video! My Nikon is a Nikkomat EL, one of the first automatic shutter Nikon models from around 1973. It has both a microprism ring and split circle for focusing and the viewfinder is really big and bright. Luckily the special battery (that is hidden under the mirror) is not difficult to get hold of. Have a nice trip to Croatia. I look forward to your travel photos :)
The Nikkormat EL is such a good camera, in fact, Nikon "promoted" it to a "real" Nikon, with a few changes, mostly cost-cutting plastic-parts, when they discontinued the Nikkormat-brand. It was their first camera with a vertically travelling shutter AND aperture-priority, so for these reasons alone it is a "historically significant" camera for collectors. And it is built like a tank! Frankly, it's very hard to see where Nikon saved money on the Nikkormats, they don't in any way feel "cheap" when you hold them..
@@hansemannluchter643 You are absolutely right. It is a few cm wider than my Sony a7R3, but otherwise exactly the same size, but probably weighs twice as much! It feels solid in a way that is a rarity with modern cameras, or modern technology in general. I got the camera from a guy who had bought it new himself and had been a very active amateur photographer, he has never had any problems with it and it still works perfectly after more than 50 years of use!
I bought one of these earlier this year (chrome) in great shape however it had the wrong focus screen (the focus screen was for a different Nikon camera and everything in the viewfinder was blurry). Once I ordered and replaced the focus screen (very easy to do) the photos have been perfect. Another good Series E lens is the 100mm f2.8. They are very small and light, and pretty sharp, even wide open, and they can be found for less than $100.
glad it wasn't too bad to replace the screen, sounds like a pain! and thanks for the shout on the 100mm! I don't typically shoot longer than 50mm anymore but if I ever do portraits on the regular again, I might think about it :)
I got an FM2n a month ago. It's my third film camera. Started with a Leica M6 (but switched that out for a Leica MP which is my main camera now), then added a Minolta CLE and now the FM2n. They all have something that I like. I love the quality of Nikkor lenses and they are so cheap. I started with the 35mm 1.4 AiS and added the 50mm 1.8 AiS. They are so reliable. I then got the bug to get the 85mm 1.4 AiS as a portrait lens. I've only had that for a week or so but wow the quality is amazing. I love the feel of the FM2n body. It's so mechanical in a good way. Dials are super clicky and that shutter just slaps so hard.
This camera is from 1983 and Leica's M6 is from 1984. I somehow thought both cameras would be way older until I heard the actual years of production. I never had either but for the Leica everyone says you can do Double Exposure by turining the rewind lever before pulling the shutter lever again. But I am not sure, if this will truly align the film or if it'll still move a little. Double Exposure ability is cool and I think it's cool that Lomography always implements it.
First time viewer. Love the video and the photos. I have way too many film and digital cameras; it’s a problem. 😊 What do you think of your camera strap? I want a more “permanent” one than the peak design I use on my digital bodies. Film cameras lend themselves to dedicated straps. Also, is that a UV filter you’re using?
thanks!! hehe it's okay, we can suffer from the same problem together :) i LOVE the photogenic supply strap, I never liked rope straps until this one, super comfy, I'd recommend and yes film cameras so lend themselves to dedicated straps I think!
Thanks for taking the time to put this together. I found it very informative as I’m looking for an slr and I have my eyes on an FM2n or fm3a. Just thinking which one would suit my needs better. Thanks again!
Great video! I shoot with an fm3a that I love. Nikon slr’s are always the best. Make more videos please! Just returned back to Maine after a long stint in Colorado. I didn’t realize how much I missed New England! Wish there were more photo meetups though!
Thank you! That’s a great camera ❤️ and yeah me too, there’s a few around Southern NH but I haven’t been able to make most of them yet! I bet Portland might have something if you are close to there?
Brassing is beautiful! The FM2 is a nice little SLR but I haven't really put it through its paces the way I have my several F2s. I think the F2 just feels more solid, probably because it's heavier. I've thought of making a writeup of one vs. the other. Functionally, I really have a problem with having to pull the thumb winder out before you can take a picture, the only time I've ever encountered that in a camera and not intuitive for me at all. According to Johnny Martyr who has shot the FM2 professionally for years, it's best to stay away from the honeycomb titanium shutters, so good choice there.
a write up would be lovely to read! sometimes i forget about pulling out the winder before taking a photo so that can be a bit annoying at times, and thanks for the confirmation ahah good to know!
Love your content, always down to earth and honest. The closing remarks are especially important, just do your own thing and most importantly, enjoy things and have fun! I don't have experience with Nikons (I mostly shoot Contax, both in the Zeiss Ikon and Kyocera era), but the FM2 series has always seemed quite compelling as an alternative to the Contax S2, which I love and adore for its simplicity. The only thing that kinda bothers me with the Nikon is as you were demonstrating the shutter sound, you need to have the winding lever in the armed position in order to fire the shutter, whereas I always prefer to keep the winding lever stowed away. It's a small thing, but like you mentioned about your preference of the winding lever of this FM2, sometimes the small things matter! If you get the chance, you should compare and contrast the Contax S2 and the FM2, I think that would be an interesting comparison for cameras that were designed with a similar intention.
thank you for the encouragement and for watching untilt the end!! Contax looks absolutely lovely, I'm traumatized after I got a TVS and it broke after a few rolls on me (think that was a bad choice in camera though), what's your favorite one? i LOVE the Zeiss Ikon stuff :) and yessss absolutely the small things really do make a big difference so you might as well love it completely and have everything the way you like it!
@@Eclectachrome My favorite one so far has been the Zeiss Ikon Contarex! It's just such a mechanical experience, and it has some unique features that we see in today's cameras too, like an aperture control wheel on the body side! For the Kyocera era, I love the S2 for its spot meter as well as being a compact, lightweight SLR package (I have the S2b as well that other people prefer for the center-weighted meter, but I prefer to use the spot meter on the "normal" S2), the G2 has also been wonderful for its autofocus system and rangefinder mechanism (with automatic parallax correction on the frame for near vs far focus, frame zooming when changing focal lengths, and all the information you could want in the viewfinder), and not forgetting its super fast max shutter speed of 1/6000 (although in manual mode, only 1/4000 is selectable). And the RTS III is an incredible camera too, in spite of its electronics foibles (mainly the viewfinder display having some issues due to either the LCD leaking, or the DC-DC converter not properly driving the LCD). The RTS III shutter is also incredible with a max of 1/8000 and all of the switchgear just feels so good and tactile, I find it better than the switches and knobs found on the later models like the AX and the 645. As you can tell, it's hard for me to choose a favorite!
Growing up during the golden years of SLRs, I toyed around with most of the makes when I was stationed in Japan. I owned a Pentax Spotmatic F, excellent camera with a damn m42 screw mount. I had a Canon FTB, nice camera with a breach lock lens mount, long forgotten. Then I got my 1979 Nikon F2 and a 1980s FE2. I got it because I wanted an automatic camera since the F2 was totally manual. But I have to agree the FM and FE cameras are the best if not in the top 5. I still think the best two cameras are the early Pentax Spotmatics and the Nikon F2 and the FM/FE line. Nothing like them has been made since. Also have to give credit where credit is due, and that is the Canon F1- a brick, a lethal weapon if swung at a person.
hahah yeah the F1 is a beast! handy in a pinch perhaps :) the Spotmatics are lovely!! and that's great that you were able to play around with quite a few, love how affordable the M42 mount is now, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I had a similar FE, it might still be in my mum's loft...if you ever need a portrait lens; the Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 is one of the best lenses of all time (any version) - and they aren't too expensive because they were very popular. Better than any Canon or Minolta portrait lens! Sharp as hell wide open and gorgeous bokeh. My 1973 copy (pre-AI, converted) is still going strong!
Hey, hey! It's reat to see you again, Molly! I have and *love* my FM2n. It feels like a grown up version of the camera I learned on, waaaay back in the day, the Pentax K1000. They have a very similar feel and layout, but the Nikon just takes it up to the next level. As for glass, I would love to find something affordable at 42mm. I have an Olympus SP rangefinder that has a fixed 42 on it and I just love that length. Happy shooting ~
thanks Randy!!! Oooo a few folks mentioned a 45mm f2.8 (i think it was 45 or maybe 48?) lens that was more pancake but I think it was a little on the pricier side...it is a lovely focal length and the SP! what a cool camera :) you too!
@@christosmanos1491 Thanks....I picked one up a week ago. I have it on my D750 now, getting to know it... and am really liking it. I'll put it on the FM2N soon.
Nice review! You gave a lot of great information about why someone might like this camera without getting bogged-down in technical details. These are very reliable cameras with a really good design and no unnecessary features. I've had/have all the FE and FM series cameras (as well as most Nikkormats and all the F-series cameras) and the FM2 is a great blend of features and price. It's comfortable to hold and not too heavy, but it is still durable. I had an older FM that fell about 4 feet onto concrete landing straight on it's prism. Big dent in the top but the camera was 100% OK otherwise. Also, you can use AF lenses if they have an aperture ring. If you're still looking for a 35mm lens, I can recommend the Nikkor 35/2.0 AI or AIS lens. Great performance, not too expensive and not too big. I had a 35/2.8 AIS and it was not good. Also, if you're going to shoot Nikon you have to try a Nikkor 105/2.5 AI or AIS. Great portrait lens and versatile as a short telephoto. Very sharp. Happy shooting!
thanks!! I'll add that 35mm onto my list to keep an eye out for :) I usually don't shoot tele lenses but a few folks have mentioned this one so perhaps someday if there's any extra budget haha
Welcome back to TH-cam! I don't know if you remember me as I was the random guy at analogue spotlight last year who thought you were Canadian and had an FE2, which coincidentally finally came back from it's CLA today!
I love the F2 and F3, but I've been able to use a friend's FE2 and the shutter speeds and quietness are great on that one. The added functionality is a plus, but not enough to move me to selling the F3 to get one. I just got the F2 so really I need to use it more ... hard camera to turn down for $60. :) I haven't. use the FM2n but since the FE2 is closer to it, I at least have an idea of its quality. Definitely a keeper!
I adore my FA which is fairly similar to the fm2 but comes with the matrix meter and Aperture priority mode. The 105mm F2.5 compliments the camera so well, It might be my fav 35mm lens for nikon!
@@Eclectachrome I shoot a mix of portraits and street, Don’t feel comfortable getting into people’s faces so the narrower FOV seems to help me and I feel I compose my shots better with a longer focal length. Don’t get me wrong I do love the 35mm f2 but lately I’ve just been infatuated with the 105!
11:59 af lenses totally work (depending on the type). AF-D are probably the most compatible, but I have an af-s G lens that works great, so long as you don’t want to stop down! 😹 lenses with aperture rings and longer focus throws will probably be the most satisfying to use.
The FM2n is an excellent camera. I had one and gifted it to another photographer, who, after a few months, turned around and sold it. :( I miss having one and always keep an eye out for a deal on a body. Great images btw!
First! :) Though not a fan of canon I agree that Minolta glass is terrific. Good to see you again! -mike ((I have nothing against canon glass I just am not a fan of the things that the lenses fit on))
I had the FM2n for a bit and loved it that it made me want to get the FM3a - but I ended up getting a stellar F3 instead. You are right it's a perfect SLR to have in your kit.
Molly, a pair of FM2s replaced my stolen Nikkormat FTn's shortly after the model was introduced. Most of my work then was photojournalism, but I used them subsequently for my ballet work for 14 years, along with a range-finder, and later for everything from jewelry to portraiture. At the time I got them, I had a choice between one new F3 and two FM2s. The former had alluring features, but I really didn't need them for my work. The FM2s were absolutely solid, light (even with Nikkor non-E primes), and handled beautifully for more than 20 years. I would have them today if circumstances hadn't obliged me to sell them and their lenses for a painfully low price, in order to purchase an HD camcorder for other work. I am only a little bit surprised that you entirely overlooked one feature, at least in this video. Only a little, because few seem to think about it or use it on cameras that do include it. It was one of the features that won me to the FTn over another at the time, and ito recommend it over the K1000 later on. It's the depth-of-field preview lever. It closes the aperture to let you see DoF at the aperture set. I used mine constantly, and if, as you say, you're not going to be using yours for hip-shooting, I can only encourage you to start using it.
that's a very keen observation! I did skip over it, I don't use it and actually forgot about it when making the notes for the video, but definitely a handy feature for anyone looking for it so thanks for mentioning it! and thanks for sharing a bit of your story, sorry you had to get rid of them but sounds like an necessity - do you shoot any other film cameras today?
Hi Molly. 1st comment. Been enjoying your content for a while. Talk me through (or put a vid up) about your filter use. I saw a polariser, also a sunny CS/Cross Star filter. I think the CS filter softened some of the images, I expect that was deliberate. I've only used mine when I want the point light source star, hence my interest in how you used it here, seems to work really well producing a dreamy look. I'm very, very fortunate, I've been with Nikon cameras for 40 years. I currently have my Uncle's FE, my Dad's old EM, his Nikkormat FT2, and my own FM3a, all bought new back when. I still love shooting film, but mostly I'm a heritic and shoot digital!
thanks for leaving me a comment! That's a good idea for a future video :) but since it will probably take me some time (and I might want to include other lenses I haven't tried like a new warming filter I just got) I'll say quickly now, yes I wanted to use the CS filter to make things softer and dreamier! I love the effect. Star filter was really only because I forgot to take it off and it was my lens protection since I lost my lens cap at the time lol but I do like how it works with the sun in reflections! The polariser I am going to have to learn more how to use it but was hoping it would dampen the sky highlights a bit or water highlights, not sure it came across that well. That's a lovely Nikon collection haha digital is totally understandable, I shoot a lot of my street photography on it!!
I thought the FM was the best mechanical SLR till I picked up the FM2n. Love it with the 85mm 1.8D (af lens). The 28mm 2.8 hasn’t grown on me though. Cool review!
@@Eclectachrome on the FM2n, I’ve become a fan of the close up look, the image quality and the easiness of focusing. I’ve never been happy with the images from the 28 2.8 or the 50 1.8z
Hi, because of this video, I also bought a Nikon FM2n from ebay. :-) with a 50mm lens. I am now also thinking about getting a 28mm lens. I am an analog film beginner, but otherwise a hobbyist mainly street photographer. Greets from Switzerland
Hello!! That's amazing!! Congrats, hope you like it, the 28mm has that short focus throw which might be good for street and 'pre focusing' if you do that in your practice, if you ever share photos from it let me know! Have fun!
I have my silver FM that got me back into photography, and I just picked up an FM2N with the titanium shutter this spring. I think I like the shutter sound a little more on the FM, but I just love the usability of the FM2.
Hey Molly, great choice! I came pretty close to getting an FM2 last year. I ultimately went for the F4 instead, but I wound up regretting that decision, lol. As it happens, I'm switching to Pentax nowadays (long story), but if I was to stick with Nikon, I think the FM2 could be the camera I settled on. One nice thing about Nikon is that multi-exp. feature. Almost all the Nikons from the 80's onward had that. It's easier on the older ones, though. I'm glad you decided to stay on TH-cam. I enjoy your videos, and I'd hate to see another photography channel disappear (I'm still sad that Azriel Knight left, for example). I can definitely see why it would cut in on your enjoyment of shooting if it becomes the dominant focus, but I think you'll find a nice little groove where youtube serves you, rather than you serving it. Everybody goes through slumps, and it sounds like maybe that's what you were dealing with. At any rate, I'm glad you got through it. Looking forward to your video on the doubleshot. That seems to have been pretty popular. Yvonne Hanson did a video on it recently, and she gave it pretty positive remarks. Curious to see your results with it. I'm still on the fence with half-frame, lol. Cheers!
hey thanks for the comment! what Pentax are you going for? and also thanks for the encouragement! I don't like seeing channels stop either because I enjoy them, Azriel's is a good one :) but yeah looking to find a good balance like you said, or maybe going with the flow of highs and low periods of energy or motivation or ideas or whatever else affects producing videos lol I saw Yvonne's video which was great! it's a fun camera and cheap enough for someone who maybe wants to experiment with half frame but not spend too much money on a first camera!
@@Eclectachrome Yup. It's gonna result in better videos too. :) For sure I want to get a K1000 for 35mm (Currently I'm rockin' a Konica Autoreflex A1000, and am convinced that it's a blatant K1000 ripoff. When I get my K1000, I'm totally making a comparison video because I don't see anyone else talking about it.) and eventually (when I can afford it) a K-3 Monochrome for digital (drooling just thinking about it, lol). That's gonna be a ways out though, I'll probably get a 5D for the short term. By the way, speaking of Konica, they made an SLR called the autorex (not to be confused with autoreflex) that can actually switch between half and full frame on a whim. It's a wonder why that didn't become a common thing. To my knowledge, Konica is the only company that did that. I could be wrong, but I've never seen it anywhere else. Cheers! Hope you're having a good labor day weekend!
The FM2n is also my favorite mechanical SLR. AF-D lenses should work just fine, since they have focus and aperture rings. I use the AF Nikkor 50mm F1.8D with the FM2.
FM2 is my favorite but I got a Nikon FM for less than half the price and it is basically the same except for the two fastest shutter speeds (which can be replaced in those rare instances with an ND filter :) Great video!
FM2n is just amazing, I’ve been using it all year and have put at least 200 rolls through it and I haven’t changed the battery once… built to last these cameras
Always great to watch your videos -- but definitely make videos when you feel motivated and comfortable doing them. Would love an FM2(n) -- but yeah, I haven't spent that much on any film cameras (yet) -- and that is probably reflected in the reliability/performance of the cameras that I have! Though I do have thrift-priced Nikon SLRs (do like the Nikkormats though they can be finicky), lenses and compatible lenses -- so maybe one of these days I'll *splurge*!!! My first SLR was a Nikon F (no meter prism -- just the standard prism) -- it was made in 1965 and I was born in 1963, so it was only a few years younger than me. Shot yearbook photos with it in high school and it was built like a tank (weighed close to one also!) -- darn, now I am missing it!
@@Eclectachrome -- Yep -- shot TriX in the F, had a Nikkor 50mm f2, 3rd-party 28mm and a Quantaray 70-210mm -- and a hand-held Gossen Pilot meter -- as well as the brash fearlessness of a nonconformist, punk-rocker high-schooler (late 1970's to 1981). Developed the film myself in my bathroom at home. Made prints in the photo lab at high school. Was in big demand with the cheerleaders and pom-pon squad for photo shoots. Man -- those were the days! Right now Fs in VG condition are not cheap. I think that the FM2(n) would be a good compromise -- and the built-in meter is easier than hand-held. Darn it! You show me cool new film -- and I have to buy it -- and you spin up my interest in the FM2(n) -- yeah, it's now on my 'find a good deal' list! And definitely the black version....
Well, it isn't a Minolta X-700 but it's kind of ok 🤣 But seriously, another great video Molly and do please keep promoting film photography. Nothing beats the tactile experience of using old manual SLRs and the fun of negs and prints at the end. 👏
If your concern is only manual focus, then I think the perfect SLR is FM2's successor: FM3a. With battery: apperture priority Without battery: well no problem. all shutter speeds are accessible I don't think there's another 35mm manual focus SLR that can do that.
I do like your style of presentation. I am fortunate enough to own an FM, FM2n, F3 & F4 - all wonderful cameras in their own right; the FE & EM bodies were not my preference - I like to exercise complete control over my Nikon manual cameras - often using the 'sunny 16' rule, or winging it with a guesstimated shutter speed/aperture combination; more often than not, the results are both surprising & unusual. Nikon manual cameras are built like armoured trucks, combined with their earlier glass, infinitely better than some of their later optical counterparts (but that's a subjective perspective). Admittedly, it does irritate when YT dictate algorithmic pressures upon contributors workloads - & you are correct to assert control as to when & how you offer new material. I look forward to seeing your reportage from Croatia - & do be very careful, Kindest regards, Andrew 🙂
Yeah, it's a collection built up over the years (can't remember precisely how long I've had my FM2n, but it's close on to thirty years); I'd consider it always prudent to adopt 'analogue' parameters & not to rely on digital readings too much - often, they are at variance. Keep safe, stay well, Andrew 🙂
I love the Nikon camera I always bought the camera but that Nikon fm2n is one camera I don't have. Do you print your own color negative the time you go to chemist to send to get developed. It's a great way to understand light in a camera and what photography is all about. Another photography process is wet plat collodion it's fastnation Brendan
I enjoyed this video. You took some really great shots. Do you process your own film? I personally preferred the colour of the first film stock. New subscriber. Kind Regards from Australia.
Nice camera and video! For that size and weight I've always preferred the needle light meter in the FE or FE2. I want the instant feedback of the needle, and can tell which way you are going. With the fm's plus minus, I'm always hunting for the correct exposure not sure which way to turn the shutter or aperture. I suppose if you got really good at intuitively knowing which way to turn. I never could. And I don't just want to know that its over or under, I want to know HOW MUCH over or under I am. AND you can watch the meter fluctuate as you scan darker lighter areas etc . That's me anyway. And nikon glass of that era are amazing. I've owned them all at some point but the F3 is my goto. little heavier than the above ones though.
I have an FE2 I purchased new while in Japan around 1980. Still have it, look almost pristine. It'd be pristine if it was still in the box, but it's 40 plus year old. It looks as good as today's mirrorless like my Sony A7R3. I'd love to sell it to someone would give it love, but I don't see many people in my area who are into anything but cellphones.
@@bondgabebond4907 I bet its a nice one! I love photography but I've also really got into fixing them up and giving them new life. It started with needing to replace the light seals and mirror cushions, and moved up from there. I buy them cheap from wherever I can, fix them up, test, and then sell them. I make just enough to fund the hobby, and of course keep the nicest ones for my collection. :) I've given away a bunch to students too. This is why I've had so many.
that's a good point on the meter, it is nice to know how much over or under you are! for me, I don't use it too much past one stop over under so thats fine for me, but if you are doing more than that, then the needle seems a nicer way to tell! The F3 is beauuuuutiful :) but yeah a tad more weight!
Nice review! My mind went to the shutter sounds being 'subtle'... Then you said elegant, which describes it perfectly 😁 Why do we care about these things so much? Haha I can't help it, love a good shutter sound.
For the same quality built body at half the price the aperture priority Nikon FE is worth looking into...it does need a battery to operate but is very reliable and battery last forever, almost.
Got mine from my father (I bought a new FE2 in the 80s, which I like more) - much better than any rangefinder camera like M6, because you have a much better ecosystem with lenses from 6mm up to 2000mm, some can focus up to 0,2m. 🙂
I have nothing against Nikon and i think the F3 is one of the best designed SLR's, but just I somehow started with Canon FD and Pentax. Pentax lenses and cameras are really compact by the way. I have a Pentax LX and it is very small, the Canon cameras and lenses are quite a bit bigger. Two 35mm systems (or actually 3, I also have an EOS 3 to use my digital lenses with) is already overkill for someone that prefers medium format. I think it was noticeable you didn't really like the videos before, I watched this video to the end but as far as I remember the previous videos didn't catch me.
@@Eclectachrome Basically any format between 6*4,5 and 6*9, Mamiya M645, C330 and RB67, Fujifilm GSW680 and GW690. And Rolleiflex 2.8C and 3.5F. You see, even without 35mm it's hard to choose a camera that I am going to use😆
I own several mechanical SLRs, also a Nikon, similar to yours, but I am not such a big fan of this type of camera. I think, they are all hard to focus. If it needs to be an SLR, I prefer the more modern AF ones meanwhile … of otherwise, rangefinders are easier to focus for me.
i hear ya! it's only the split screen that enables me to see the focus, otherwise no way haha in this sense, rangefinders are much better so agree with you :)
I haven't had to use it much, most of my images are pretty stopped down as you noticed! but would be handy if needed, and yessss LOVE that ME ability :) especially if you only want to do a few on the roll and overlay right after!
The EM, FG, abd FG-20 were a consumer tier below the FM/FE/FA. The EM is more plastic, smaller, and was an auto-only camera. The FG-20 was a tiny step up in that you had manual control over the shutter. Similar to the difference between the Pentax ME vs. ME Super. The FG, was an anomaly in that it was one of the earliest models besides the F3 to offer TTL-OTFP flash control. Consumer tier or not, the FG was incredibly feature packed, but it was not especially fast or noted for durability. While i dislike and try to ignore the EM, it was a milestone for Nikon. I still prefer the FG-20 and had one for years that lived in my car. It was very much the tiny plastic thing that is often picked on, but the metering and exposure was always on the mark. The series E lenses are a mixed bag. Notice they are marked Nikon and not Nikkor. While acceptable designs for the 70's, they were very basic but with the introduction of new materials to make them lighter and less expensive. They were also not made to be serviced regularly. By using adhesives, sonic and radio frequency "welding" to join the plastic parts, made it impossible to disassemble them for cleaning and lubrication. Ai, Ai-S, AF, AF-d and Ai-P lenses that had "normal" aperture rings should work on these cameras just fine. The gelded G-series levses with no aperture rings are a different matter. These series E lenses also missed out on advanced optic formulations like ED glass, aspheric elements, and the latest coating tech that was applied to Nikkor lenses. Overall, series E lenses were on par with "better" third party lenses of the day, but not intended to compete with Nikkor lenses.
I have a Nikon FM2 as well, it was loaned to me by my daughter. She used to shoot plays for the drama club in college in Germany. It is a great camera. However it seems with your images, there's a lot of haze, I'm thinking maybe your lens was not very clean? Or quite possibly your lens has fungus; hold it up to the light (lens only), and look through the elements. You quite probably will see lots of little specs, which will diffuse the sharpness. The only resolution for that is to take it apart and clean it, or buy another (clean) lens.
Hi the electronic controlled FE.FE2.EM.FG.F3.FA are old now and they are no longer reliable and nearly impossible to repair.The FM.FM2. are mecanikal exept light meter.Great video 😊
What makes the FM2 (and FM, FE and FE2) less than perfect for me is the fact that you need to push the film advance lever out to shoot and meter. Kind of hate that design because of the way it changes the handling, and as someone who is left eye dominant I almost get my eye poked. For that reason I prefer the F3 if I want to shoot Nikon.
It's a F-mount lens. It usually lives on my Nikon Z6II (via FTZ adapter) but one day I put it on the FM2n and works just as good. Sharper than my Nikkor 28mm AI lens. Kinda on the pricey side tho (more than the camera 😅) but again, it's primarily on my Z camera. It's the pancake Color-Skopar version so it's SUPER compact on the FM2n.
@@rf.photographs nice! i love the look of the voightlander color skopar but have never used it, yeah it is a little over budget haha but maybe someday, sounds great :)
An amazing camera, I just don't like the meter. The FE2/FM3A/EL2 or even the FT3 win for me because of the meter. I flat-out dislike the meter on the FM2 series.
I think the FE2 is better :) But the best camera of the era that isn't that big and heavy is the Olympus OM-4 and the OM-4. The multizone light metering and the meter acccuracy is fantastic, even better than on the Canon T90 but in a very high quality lighter format
@@Eclectachrome Back in the 80's when i was travelling and shooting material for travel agencies i got really tired of the size and weight i had to carry around each day. I switched from my Nikon FE2 setup to two Olympus om-4's. I mean i could fit the necessary lenses and two houses in a bag that only one Nikon house + lenses would fit into. I never looked back. And realized i prefer the Zuiko lenses over the Nikon counterparts. Nikon FM & FE as well as Canon T60 are based on Cosina CT1. They purchased licenses for the house and tweaked it at Nikon and Canon :) Canon T90 is the only other camera from the era that can measure itself in some way against the OM-4 when it comes to the light metering system, but its huge :)
@@matereo hahah yeah the weight/ability trade off!! ohhhh yes the zuiko lenses are super lovely :) interesting about the licenses for the nikon/canon, thanks for sharing!
You are comparing cameras with electronic shutters to a fully mechanical camera. The ones you mention are basically paper-weights when the battery dies, or a capacitor dies. A fair comparison would be Olympus OM1 and OM3, both fully mechanical, except for the lightmeter. Or perhaps the Canon EF..
I don't think you 'change the ISO' on a film camera, the ISO is whatever film speed you're using. The setting on the camera is so the auto-exposure knows how to properly expose the film, and as a reminder in manual mode. Beautiful camera though, the pinnacle of a good sixty years of mechanical SLR evolution.
@@Eclectachrome Good point, still it's different from digital in that the base sensitivity of the medium doesn't change. I just thought it was important to point out the difference since people new to film might assume it works the same way as a digital camera. What might have been common knowledge before isn't necessarily so now. Besides having basic photographic technique in common, film processing I'm sure is becoming something of a lost art with a lot of knowledge unique to film not immediately obvious or considered. While the change from analog (film) to digital certainly has been striking (just ask Kodak), I do find it a bit ironic that without using film and photographically reducing the vast circuitry of a microchip onto a tiny sliver of Silicon to be etched there would have been no digital anything. One of the pioneers of computing, Vannevar Bush, in I think 1949 predicted that future computers would use microfilm as memory (Article: "As we may think" The Atlantic, available online).
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Bought mine in 1988. Still going strong... The FM2 is the pinnacle in the development of fully mechanical SLR cameras.
That’s awesome!!
I think so too! I have had many different film SLRs over the years, and the FM2 is my favorite. Very versatile, well built, relatively light weight, and just a super fun experience!
My first camera was a Nikon FM, purchased in 1978. One of the best decisions I have ever made.
By the way, really good review of one of my favorite old Nikons! I first began shooting with the venerable F, and then to the FM2 which I always really enjoyed using, and then to the F3. I now own all of those along with my new stable of DSLR's & Mirrorless. I have D850's, a D800E converted for IR, and my Zed 7 and even a new acquisition, an OM System OM5 which is a petite little gem of a very fine micro 4/3 camera and a GAS to use! As to your wear, and the brass showing through worn down paint. Back in the day, before I was shooting with one of my father's F's that he gave me when I was teenager, one of his friends was a UPI/AP stringer in Viet Nam, and his Fs were dented and worn with a lot more brass showing than yours. It was the tell-tale sign of a "Real" photographer, not a wanna be one. There were even instances of photographers who'd not been in war zones, taking fine sandpaper to their Fs, to scuff down to the brass around the top plate and bottom plate and also, denting their bodies so they'd appear to have been heavily used "In Country" when they were not. Just a bit of trivia. As well, beginning with the F model, later issues of it through the mid-late 60's into the 70's were venerated by serious photojournalists, and during that period Nikon dominated the market quite easily. The great majority of cameras carried into Viet Nam and other conflicts around the world for almost 2 decades were Nikon Fs. Their all metal, mechanical, heavy bodies were exceptionally durable compared to the competition. When other manufacturers were switching to wire activated shutter releases, Nikon held onto fully gear and push arm and spring technology, making them heavier but more reliable. You could almost drop your F into a muddy and flooded rice paddy, pick it up and shake it off and keep shooting. The bodies were conveniently HEAVY in part to also be able to absorb some of the internal vibration from just the mechanical shutter mechanism alone.
I've been shooting Nikon for 20 years. Digital and film so I interchange lenses for both platforms. I mostly use D series lens but do have ais and pre ai converted lenses. They work with the Nikon Fm2n and my F4 and digital D750. However they obviously are manual focus. In the next month I will be getting the Leica MP camera in black. I already have the Voightlander Nokton Classic in 35mm 1.4
The FM2 is a fantastic SLR. It's one of those classic workhorse cameras of the 80s.
My parents always used Nikon, but my first SLR was a Minolta, and I use Canon gear professionally. Now I have an FG20 (among a few other SLRs that I hope to show off eventually), and I'm so glad I picked it up even though the great majority of my collection is Kodak. Nikon make really beautiful cameras, their film cameras were even more so. I wish that they would come back to film cameras. Maybe if Pentax finds success with their recent model....
me too!! that would be awesome if nikon made film cameras again, their digital isn't my fav at all lol what Minolta did you have? i love Minoltas :) and what kind of Kodak cameras do you have in your collection?
I'm old enough to remember when the FM-3 came out in the 90s I guess. Always loved this series because they had a reputation of being indestructible, like, "I'm going down the amazon to contact a lost tribe" kind of gear.
lol love it - yeah it makes me justify the price even more though because I'm like, well this will last me a lifetime + :)
Really enjoyed that review Molly! Well done! This is definitely one of those cameras on the bucket list and this video totally makes me wanna buy it yesterday.
hahaha i'm happy to promote your G.A.S anytime!
Great video, I have a Nikon 45mm f2.8 pancake for my F3 and FE2. I love it, great character and super light and compact. A little expensive but totally worth it
I saw that one when I was searching for lenses, looks fabulous!
@@Eclectachrome hope you get to try it and review it one day!
Molly, fyi the 'wear' you describe at 3:17 is NORMAL for the finish the camera was made with, the 'worn' parts are called brassing, or in some antique circles patina and is quite desirable for some, as this feature shows age well, so you know what you are in for.
yes, I know about the brassing and that it is something that people go after, I'm looking forward to it aging with me haha :)
If you struggle with seeing the viewfinder information (I'm the same with my F2's), you might try the Olympus Om2n with it's bigger and brighter viewfinder. Also, you don't have to take your concentration away to change shutter speeds as everything is found the lens mount on the Om2n.
Oh I’ve tried that and didn’t get on with it (the shutter speeds being in the lens mount) lol I found it awkward to change but also the viewfinder sounds nice tho!!
@@EclectachromeIt's one of those things you either love or hate. Personally, I love it, but then, I learned photography on a OM-1.
To me, it just makes so much sense. That's why I also really like the Nikkormat FT2..
@@hansemannluchter643 I do also own a FT2. But to be honest, as robust and perfectly designed this camera is - it's always a challenge to switch between handling the FM2n and the FT2. Well, maybe I should't call it a challenge, rather an "interesting experience"...😄
Love the FM2N which is exactly why I bought a minty FM3A. Its gets paired and shares lenses with my Zf when walking around. Those FM2N's were just Nikon at its best.
fab!!
The FM3a has more in common with the FE2. They're basically the same camera but the FM3 can shoot without a battery. (the FE2 can shoot without a battery at 1/250th)
The first camera video from you that I've seen. Well done! Your presentation is on point, with no hesitation or scripting, and your photos are great! I'll be following you from now on! By the way, I'm not located far from your secret undisclosed location and know several of your shooting spots. Andy (who's been shooting Nikons since the early 70s)
I bought the FM3a in 2001. Had an FM in the late 80s and still have it.
Bought used motor winders for both - which really were seldom used except for bike races.
My favorite lenses are 35mm for normal shooting and the classic 105mm for portrait work.
(Exploring a Canon AE-1 and a Canon AE-1 program - both given to me this year. Nice but the Nikons are simpler and more robust.)
Lovely! Interesting to see how you get on with the Canons over time, I liked my AE1 program when I had it but the Nikon is as you said and I enjoy using it more
I had a Nikon Fm2n long time ago and I love film photography. I recently sold it as it was getting harder to focus properly with poorer eyesight and bought the F5 for the auto-focus. We need to have more film orientated videos so we get people more into film photography and keep it alive. I encourage you to keep going.
Thanks! Yeah the auto focus is really nice to have for sure!
I have one and bought it as my eyesight was weakening and I won’t sale it because it is one of the most attractive cameras ever made . My F2 died ; my other gear was sold or stolen long ago and after giving my Pentax to a nephew to explore if he wanted to take up photography , I settled on an Olympus EM 10 Mkii . Lovely camera and digital ; hence I can use with my failing eyesight .
Loved the video . Thanks !
Oh that’s a nice one!! Sorry to hear about the other gear tho, that’s a bummer, but sounds ok in the end, thanks for watching!
I bought a Nikon F (OG, BP) this year with period 28/2 and 50/1.4 lenses, it's a great camera! Respectfully expressing that I appreciate your channel! 😀
hehe THANK YOU! appreciate the respectful expression :) and ooooo the F sounds lovely and a nice pairing of the lenses, enjoy!!
I have 2 F's, and 2 F2's..
Great cameras, but:
They are BIG, and HEAVY.
Nikons lenses aren't exactly light-weight either,
that's what makes the FM-series so appealing..
AF and AF-D lenses will work. Newer lens which don't have aperture rings will be useless because there's no way to adjust the aperture. I have a Nikon 70-210mm f4 AF lens which works and I love. My 35mm f2 AF-D works quite nicely too. Nice work. Good to see you back.
thanks! good to know, oh the 35mm sounds nice, I'd love to add that focal length soon, will keep an eye out, and thank you!!
Agreed AF & AF-D lenses will work on the FM2n (no auto focus of course). Newer G lenses with no aperture rings will also work but only wide open. Which may not be a bad thing if you are shooting portraits or low light subjects.
Hi, this is a camera which was kind of newspaper reportage ikon in 80s and 90s. Great choice. If you are tempted to tune it up, buy FM3A dedicated K3 screen, which is amazingly bright. Fits all FEs, FMs and FA with exception of FM OG, which does not have interghangable screens option.
Sounds lovely!! Will keep it in mind 😊
yes, Molly, Nikon is an extensive system, but once you get your head around the abbreviations, its a wonderful system to use, I went in straight to the digital offerings though, but used the 50 f1.8 AFD, and the 105 F2.8D {macro, with the PN-11 extension tube on} on my D700/D610 rigs, fantastic lenses, great ergonomics, esp. the detents on the iris rings.
I started with SLR's in 1972, but got my first Nikon in 1974, FTn. I worked at a camera store from 1976-early 80's. You have a great camera, although I got an F2 instead.
From being an OLD film photographer and taking 1,000's of rolls from people to develop at the camera store, I'd like to warn you and others to never load film in direct sun! The little fuzzy light-trap can leak light, especially with 400 speed film being more sensitive.
Love the video. Keep it up! ❤
Thanks!! The ftn is great as well! I've never had any issues loading in full sun but maybe someday I will get some light leaks haha
wouldn't the fuzzy part just expose that first frame? Not even the first frame because after you load, you advance the film a couple frames.
I have a Nikon F301...some say it's noisy.....but I guess it's the microphone....on the studio one....
Love this video x
I'm happy to watch the videos that you are happy to upload. I'm a nikon shooter and have been trying to decide between the FM2/n, FE2, and FA. On on hand the full mechanical of the FM2 appeals, but you can often get the FE2 for cheaper, and the FA has the matrix metering as well as shutter priority.
thank you! it's hard to chose when there are a few nice options! what are you leaning towards, any of them?
If you want the convenience of automation, the FE2 is enough. The FA was over-engineered and the electronics were rather fragile. The FA also had a known issue of shutter failures. So give that a miss. If you want matrix metering in a more throwback body style, look up a N2000/N2020 for a fraction of the price.
Please keep going. Don’t stress about it and keep it fun for yourself. My favorite Nikons are the f and f2. They have everything I need with no excess features.
Those are lovely cameras! and thank you for the encouragement :)
Hello, Eclecta! I haven't seen photography content on TH-cam for a while and I'm glad to find your video.
I have this camera in my sights because my Nikkormat recently died and I want a camera that will last, and although it is expensive for me, I am finishing saving what is equivalent to 210 US dollars in Colombian pesos because I think it is worth it. This camera would be a gem to have, especially because of the multiple exposure quality and because I want to experiment more for my thesis in photography. Watching your video encouraged me more to buy the camera.
By the way, I really appreciate your content and I thank you for supporting me on Instagram. What a joy to see you again. Enjoy your trip and shoot a lot. A hug from Colombia!
Oh yay!!!!! so nice to hear from you :) hugs back from the US! It's definitely an awesome camera to have, solid and reliable, I have no regrets and can't imagine having any about buying the camera. Go for it! --- I shot so many photos on the trip haha it was like my film budget for the year! but worth it :) hope your well!
I am in total agreement with you, with all the film camera's I have collected over the years the Nikon FM2N is the one I always go to if I want to make sure I get the shots with no issues :)
Lovely!
Aloha Molly! Wow, your review of the Nikon FM2N brought back memories! I am old enough that I shot film during my early Photojournalism career and loved both the FM and FM2/FM2N for it's purely mechanical (no batteries required!) shutter. I always had less issues with the "original" FM, which I preferred in black than either the FM2/FM2N, which I thought looked better in the chrome version, although maybe not as professional looking? The change in shutter material/design I believe was to make it more reliable/longer lasting? The viewfinder is darker in the FM and max shutter speed of only 1/1000, but it will take Non-AI lenses as you can fold back the tap that engages the aperture dial on the lens. If you had a F3 with the HP viewfinder, than with glasses on, it would be easier to see the full viewfinder (one of the issues with Leica rangefinders, at least for me!) Don't know how much portraiture work you do, but any of the 105mm F/2.5 lenses are a must as well as the 180mm F/2.8. Don't know about the cost of old manual focus lenses these days, but I am guessing the 105mm since there's a few of those out there, shouldn't be too expensive? Anyway, I had much more to say, but not sure how much you and your followers care to read! Love the review and your photos! Keep up the great work and I will fore sure watch you past videos. Mahalo from Kauai, Hawaii. Thomas
I always love reading long comments! but then it takes me longer to respond haha but hi! and thanks for sharing a bit of your history, yeah the F3 was easier to see through with glasses, I don't do portraiture anymore these days but who knows, might do it again in the future, I did really enjoy the photos! thank you so much, take care!!
Great review of the FM2n and great photos. Now I know why Nikon based their digital retro Nikon Zf on the FM2 series. Such a beautiful camera the FM2n.
So nice to see you again! I have this camera and I love it, I agree totally it's a 'slower' camera. I used it for a wedding and realised quickly it wasn't great for run and gun stuff, but I love it. Hopefully we'll meet again at some point 🙂 shout if you're ever in London! Would be interested to see a video on the Canon L3 if you haven't done one already, I'd never heard of it and I'm still looking for my perfect small 'quick' camera!
oh yess, for sure it would be hard to run and gun with this one, but could be possible, trickier than other cameras, the canon L3 is a spectacular street camera if you don't need a light meter (use sunny 16)! I did one ages ago, one of my first videos, but would love to do a newer one again soon! will do, hopefully I get back there in the next couple years, miss it!
Thanks for the video! My Nikon is a Nikkomat EL, one of the first automatic shutter Nikon models from around 1973. It has both a microprism ring and split circle for focusing and the viewfinder is really big and bright. Luckily the special battery (that is hidden under the mirror) is not difficult to get hold of. Have a nice trip to Croatia. I look forward to your travel photos :)
that's fun! and thanks for watching!
The Nikkormat EL is such a good camera, in fact, Nikon "promoted" it to a "real" Nikon, with a few changes, mostly cost-cutting plastic-parts, when they discontinued the Nikkormat-brand.
It was their first camera with a vertically travelling shutter AND aperture-priority, so for these reasons alone it is a "historically significant" camera for collectors.
And it is built like a tank!
Frankly, it's very hard to see where Nikon saved money on the Nikkormats, they don't in any way feel "cheap" when you hold them..
@@hansemannluchter643 You are absolutely right. It is a few cm wider than my Sony a7R3, but otherwise exactly the same size, but probably weighs twice as much! It feels solid in a way that is a rarity with modern cameras, or modern technology in general. I got the camera from a guy who had bought it new himself and had been a very active amateur photographer, he has never had any problems with it and it still works perfectly after more than 50 years of use!
I bought one of these earlier this year (chrome) in great shape however it had the wrong focus screen (the focus screen was for a different Nikon camera and everything in the viewfinder was blurry). Once I ordered and replaced the focus screen (very easy to do) the photos have been perfect. Another good Series E lens is the 100mm f2.8. They are very small and light, and pretty sharp, even wide open, and they can be found for less than $100.
glad it wasn't too bad to replace the screen, sounds like a pain! and thanks for the shout on the 100mm! I don't typically shoot longer than 50mm anymore but if I ever do portraits on the regular again, I might think about it :)
I got an FM2n a month ago. It's my third film camera. Started with a Leica M6 (but switched that out for a Leica MP which is my main camera now), then added a Minolta CLE and now the FM2n. They all have something that I like. I love the quality of Nikkor lenses and they are so cheap. I started with the 35mm 1.4 AiS and added the 50mm 1.8 AiS. They are so reliable. I then got the bug to get the 85mm 1.4 AiS as a portrait lens. I've only had that for a week or so but wow the quality is amazing. I love the feel of the FM2n body. It's so mechanical in a good way. Dials are super clicky and that shutter just slaps so hard.
Yessss the haptic experience is very nice! Those are all great options tho and yeah an 85mm (while not my preferred focal length) is super gorgeous!
This camera is from 1983 and Leica's M6 is from 1984. I somehow thought both cameras would be way older until I heard the actual years of production. I never had either but for the Leica everyone says you can do Double Exposure by turining the rewind lever before pulling the shutter lever again. But I am not sure, if this will truly align the film or if it'll still move a little. Double Exposure ability is cool and I think it's cool that Lomography always implements it.
Yes love double exposures!!!
First time viewer. Love the video and the photos. I have way too many film and digital cameras; it’s a problem. 😊 What do you think of your camera strap? I want a more “permanent” one than the peak design I use on my digital bodies. Film cameras lend themselves to dedicated straps. Also, is that a UV filter you’re using?
thanks!! hehe it's okay, we can suffer from the same problem together :) i LOVE the photogenic supply strap, I never liked rope straps until this one, super comfy, I'd recommend and yes film cameras so lend themselves to dedicated straps I think!
Thanks for taking the time to put this together. I found it very informative as I’m looking for an slr and I have my eyes on an FM2n or fm3a. Just thinking which one would suit my needs better.
Thanks again!
Thanks for watching! Both are great options so you can't really go wrong!
@@Eclectachrome I’ve ended up with an FM3a. But will also get an FM2n for Xmas. 😉
Great video! I shoot with an fm3a that I love. Nikon slr’s are always the best. Make more videos please! Just returned back to Maine after a long stint in Colorado. I didn’t realize how much I missed New England! Wish there were more photo meetups though!
Thank you! That’s a great camera ❤️ and yeah me too, there’s a few around Southern NH but I haven’t been able to make most of them yet! I bet Portland might have something if you are close to there?
@@Eclectachrome nothing sadly! Maybe I’ll have to start one of my own events…
Brassing is beautiful! The FM2 is a nice little SLR but I haven't really put it through its paces the way I have my several F2s. I think the F2 just feels more solid, probably because it's heavier. I've thought of making a writeup of one vs. the other. Functionally, I really have a problem with having to pull the thumb winder out before you can take a picture, the only time I've ever encountered that in a camera and not intuitive for me at all.
According to Johnny Martyr who has shot the FM2 professionally for years, it's best to stay away from the honeycomb titanium shutters, so good choice there.
a write up would be lovely to read! sometimes i forget about pulling out the winder before taking a photo so that can be a bit annoying at times, and thanks for the confirmation ahah good to know!
Love your content, always down to earth and honest. The closing remarks are especially important, just do your own thing and most importantly, enjoy things and have fun! I don't have experience with Nikons (I mostly shoot Contax, both in the Zeiss Ikon and Kyocera era), but the FM2 series has always seemed quite compelling as an alternative to the Contax S2, which I love and adore for its simplicity. The only thing that kinda bothers me with the Nikon is as you were demonstrating the shutter sound, you need to have the winding lever in the armed position in order to fire the shutter, whereas I always prefer to keep the winding lever stowed away. It's a small thing, but like you mentioned about your preference of the winding lever of this FM2, sometimes the small things matter!
If you get the chance, you should compare and contrast the Contax S2 and the FM2, I think that would be an interesting comparison for cameras that were designed with a similar intention.
thank you for the encouragement and for watching untilt the end!! Contax looks absolutely lovely, I'm traumatized after I got a TVS and it broke after a few rolls on me (think that was a bad choice in camera though), what's your favorite one? i LOVE the Zeiss Ikon stuff :) and yessss absolutely the small things really do make a big difference so you might as well love it completely and have everything the way you like it!
@@Eclectachrome My favorite one so far has been the Zeiss Ikon Contarex! It's just such a mechanical experience, and it has some unique features that we see in today's cameras too, like an aperture control wheel on the body side!
For the Kyocera era, I love the S2 for its spot meter as well as being a compact, lightweight SLR package (I have the S2b as well that other people prefer for the center-weighted meter, but I prefer to use the spot meter on the "normal" S2), the G2 has also been wonderful for its autofocus system and rangefinder mechanism (with automatic parallax correction on the frame for near vs far focus, frame zooming when changing focal lengths, and all the information you could want in the viewfinder), and not forgetting its super fast max shutter speed of 1/6000 (although in manual mode, only 1/4000 is selectable). And the RTS III is an incredible camera too, in spite of its electronics foibles (mainly the viewfinder display having some issues due to either the LCD leaking, or the DC-DC converter not properly driving the LCD). The RTS III shutter is also incredible with a max of 1/8000 and all of the switchgear just feels so good and tactile, I find it better than the switches and knobs found on the later models like the AX and the 645. As you can tell, it's hard for me to choose a favorite!
Definitely one of the better film advance levers there are. Very satisfying. Not M6 smooth, but better than other mechanical SLR's.
If the M6 is anything like the CL, then I can imagine it's very nice!
Growing up during the golden years of SLRs, I toyed around with most of the makes when I was stationed in Japan. I owned a Pentax Spotmatic F, excellent camera with a damn m42 screw mount. I had a Canon FTB, nice camera with a breach lock lens mount, long forgotten. Then I got my 1979 Nikon F2 and a 1980s FE2. I got it because I wanted an automatic camera since the F2 was totally manual. But I have to agree the FM and FE cameras are the best if not in the top 5. I still think the best two cameras are the early Pentax Spotmatics and the Nikon F2 and the FM/FE line. Nothing like them has been made since. Also have to give credit where credit is due, and that is the Canon F1- a brick, a lethal weapon if swung at a person.
hahah yeah the F1 is a beast! handy in a pinch perhaps :) the Spotmatics are lovely!! and that's great that you were able to play around with quite a few, love how affordable the M42 mount is now, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I had a similar FE, it might still be in my mum's loft...if you ever need a portrait lens; the Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 is one of the best lenses of all time (any version) - and they aren't too expensive because they were very popular. Better than any Canon or Minolta portrait lens! Sharp as hell wide open and gorgeous bokeh. My 1973 copy (pre-AI, converted) is still going strong!
Sounds nice! I'm not huge into portraits at the moment but so many great things have been said about that lens!
Hi congrats to your Nikon these are great.Have several and the older FM.They just go very reliable.😊
Good to see film reviving. Use a Nikkormat and FA. Film cameras rock.
Woo!!
Nice job on the video.
I do use Nikon AF-D lenses on my FM.
Cool, thanks!
Hey, hey! It's reat to see you again, Molly!
I have and *love* my FM2n. It feels like a grown up version of the camera I learned on, waaaay back in the day, the Pentax K1000. They have a very similar feel and layout, but the Nikon just takes it up to the next level.
As for glass, I would love to find something affordable at 42mm. I have an Olympus SP rangefinder that has a fixed 42 on it and I just love that length.
Happy shooting ~
thanks Randy!!! Oooo a few folks mentioned a 45mm f2.8 (i think it was 45 or maybe 48?) lens that was more pancake but I think it was a little on the pricier side...it is a lovely focal length and the SP! what a cool camera :) you too!
Voigtlander 40 mm f2.0 Ultron SL II - S
@@christosmanos1491 Thanks....I picked one up a week ago. I have it on my D750 now, getting to know it... and am really liking it.
I'll put it on the FM2N soon.
Nice review! You gave a lot of great information about why someone might like this camera without getting bogged-down in technical details. These are very reliable cameras with a really good design and no unnecessary features. I've had/have all the FE and FM series cameras (as well as most Nikkormats and all the F-series cameras) and the FM2 is a great blend of features and price. It's comfortable to hold and not too heavy, but it is still durable. I had an older FM that fell about 4 feet onto concrete landing straight on it's prism. Big dent in the top but the camera was 100% OK otherwise. Also, you can use AF lenses if they have an aperture ring. If you're still looking for a 35mm lens, I can recommend the Nikkor 35/2.0 AI or AIS lens. Great performance, not too expensive and not too big. I had a 35/2.8 AIS and it was not good. Also, if you're going to shoot Nikon you have to try a Nikkor 105/2.5 AI or AIS. Great portrait lens and versatile as a short telephoto. Very sharp. Happy shooting!
thanks!! I'll add that 35mm onto my list to keep an eye out for :) I usually don't shoot tele lenses but a few folks have mentioned this one so perhaps someday if there's any extra budget haha
FM2n is arguably one of the most beautiful camera ever made.
Welcome back to TH-cam! I don't know if you remember me as I was the random guy at analogue spotlight last year who thought you were Canadian and had an FE2, which coincidentally finally came back from it's CLA today!
thanks! and hey!! glad to hear it came back from CLA - was a sign haha hope you get to get out soon and use it :)
I love the F2 and F3, but I've been able to use a friend's FE2 and the shutter speeds and quietness are great on that one. The added functionality is a plus, but not enough to move me to selling the F3 to get one. I just got the F2 so really I need to use it more ... hard camera to turn down for $60. :) I haven't. use the FM2n but since the FE2 is closer to it, I at least have an idea of its quality. Definitely a keeper!
The F3 is hard to sell!! But great deal on the F2! The quieter is definitely a super perk for me 👌
I adore my FA which is fairly similar to the fm2 but comes with the matrix meter and Aperture priority mode. The 105mm F2.5 compliments the camera so well, It might be my fav 35mm lens for nikon!
thanks for sharing! that sounds really nice, what do you shoot with it?
@@Eclectachrome I shoot a mix of portraits and street, Don’t feel comfortable getting into people’s faces so the narrower FOV seems to help me and I feel I compose my shots better with a longer focal length. Don’t get me wrong I do love the 35mm f2 but lately I’ve just been infatuated with the 105!
11:59 af lenses totally work (depending on the type). AF-D are probably the most compatible, but I have an af-s G lens that works great, so long as you don’t want to stop down! 😹 lenses with aperture rings and longer focus throws will probably be the most satisfying to use.
thanks for confirming! hahah ok I'll keep that in mind!
The FM2n is an excellent camera. I had one and gifted it to another photographer, who, after a few months, turned around and sold it. :( I miss having one and always keep an eye out for a deal on a body. Great images btw!
aw that's too bad! and thank you! but hope you might find a good on one in the near future!
First! :) Though not a fan of canon I agree that Minolta glass is terrific. Good to see you again! -mike ((I have nothing against canon glass I just am not a fan of the things that the lenses fit on))
Haha yeah I hear that!
Try the Voightlander Nokton 58mm F1.4 on your FM2.
I had the FM2n for a bit and loved it that it made me want to get the FM3a - but I ended up getting a stellar F3 instead. You are right it's a perfect SLR to have in your kit.
The F3 is beauuuuutiful!
Molly, a pair of FM2s replaced my stolen Nikkormat FTn's shortly after the model was introduced. Most of my work then was photojournalism, but I used them subsequently for my ballet work for 14 years, along with a range-finder, and later for everything from jewelry to portraiture. At the time I got them, I had a choice between one new F3 and two FM2s. The former had alluring features, but I really didn't need them for my work. The FM2s were absolutely solid, light (even with Nikkor non-E primes), and handled beautifully for more than 20 years. I would have them today if circumstances hadn't obliged me to sell them and their lenses for a painfully low price, in order to purchase an HD camcorder for other work.
I am only a little bit surprised that you entirely overlooked one feature, at least in this video. Only a little, because few seem to think about it or use it on cameras that do include it. It was one of the features that won me to the FTn over another at the time, and ito recommend it over the K1000 later on. It's the depth-of-field preview lever. It closes the aperture to let you see DoF at the aperture set. I used mine constantly, and if, as you say, you're not going to be using yours for hip-shooting, I can only encourage you to start using it.
that's a very keen observation! I did skip over it, I don't use it and actually forgot about it when making the notes for the video, but definitely a handy feature for anyone looking for it so thanks for mentioning it! and thanks for sharing a bit of your story, sorry you had to get rid of them but sounds like an necessity - do you shoot any other film cameras today?
Hi Molly. 1st comment. Been enjoying your content for a while. Talk me through (or put a vid up) about your filter use. I saw a polariser, also a sunny CS/Cross Star filter. I think the CS filter softened some of the images, I expect that was deliberate. I've only used mine when I want the point light source star, hence my interest in how you used it here, seems to work really well producing a dreamy look. I'm very, very fortunate, I've been with Nikon cameras for 40 years. I currently have my Uncle's FE, my Dad's old EM, his Nikkormat FT2, and my own FM3a, all bought new back when. I still love shooting film, but mostly I'm a heritic and shoot digital!
thanks for leaving me a comment! That's a good idea for a future video :) but since it will probably take me some time (and I might want to include other lenses I haven't tried like a new warming filter I just got) I'll say quickly now, yes I wanted to use the CS filter to make things softer and dreamier! I love the effect. Star filter was really only because I forgot to take it off and it was my lens protection since I lost my lens cap at the time lol but I do like how it works with the sun in reflections! The polariser I am going to have to learn more how to use it but was hoping it would dampen the sky highlights a bit or water highlights, not sure it came across that well. That's a lovely Nikon collection haha digital is totally understandable, I shoot a lot of my street photography on it!!
I thought the FM was the best mechanical SLR till I picked up the FM2n. Love it with the 85mm 1.8D (af lens). The 28mm 2.8 hasn’t grown on me though. Cool review!
Thanks! What do you like to photography with the 85?
@@Eclectachrome on the FM2n, I’ve become a fan of the close up look, the image quality and the easiness of focusing. I’ve never been happy with the images from the 28 2.8 or the 50 1.8z
@@Eclectachrome mainly cars, wife, street/people and puppers
Hey, thanks for the Video!
Whats that nice looking strap?
thanks for watching! it's from Photogenic Supply Co!
Hi, because of this video, I also bought a Nikon FM2n from ebay. :-) with a 50mm lens. I am now also thinking about getting a 28mm lens. I am an analog film beginner, but otherwise a hobbyist mainly street photographer. Greets from Switzerland
Hello!! That's amazing!! Congrats, hope you like it, the 28mm has that short focus throw which might be good for street and 'pre focusing' if you do that in your practice, if you ever share photos from it let me know! Have fun!
@@Eclectachrome Thank you, yes I will do that then.
I have my silver FM that got me back into photography, and I just picked up an FM2N with the titanium shutter this spring. I think I like the shutter sound a little more on the FM, but I just love the usability of the FM2.
Oooo awesome!!! And yes it makes me want to use it more than the rest, well except the holga haha that one is special
@@Eclectachrome I’ve been having that feeling with my FM2 and now my Minolta CLE. I also enjoy the canonet but its meter just stopped working on me…
@@andykphoto oh bummer about the canonet! but the CLE is nice too :)
Hey Molly, great choice! I came pretty close to getting an FM2 last year. I ultimately went for the F4 instead, but I wound up regretting that decision, lol. As it happens, I'm switching to Pentax nowadays (long story), but if I was to stick with Nikon, I think the FM2 could be the camera I settled on. One nice thing about Nikon is that multi-exp. feature. Almost all the Nikons from the 80's onward had that. It's easier on the older ones, though.
I'm glad you decided to stay on TH-cam. I enjoy your videos, and I'd hate to see another photography channel disappear (I'm still sad that Azriel Knight left, for example). I can definitely see why it would cut in on your enjoyment of shooting if it becomes the dominant focus, but I think you'll find a nice little groove where youtube serves you, rather than you serving it. Everybody goes through slumps, and it sounds like maybe that's what you were dealing with.
At any rate, I'm glad you got through it. Looking forward to your video on the doubleshot. That seems to have been pretty popular. Yvonne Hanson did a video on it recently, and she gave it pretty positive remarks. Curious to see your results with it. I'm still on the fence with half-frame, lol. Cheers!
hey thanks for the comment! what Pentax are you going for? and also thanks for the encouragement! I don't like seeing channels stop either because I enjoy them, Azriel's is a good one :) but yeah looking to find a good balance like you said, or maybe going with the flow of highs and low periods of energy or motivation or ideas or whatever else affects producing videos lol I saw Yvonne's video which was great! it's a fun camera and cheap enough for someone who maybe wants to experiment with half frame but not spend too much money on a first camera!
@@Eclectachrome Yup. It's gonna result in better videos too. :) For sure I want to get a K1000 for 35mm (Currently I'm rockin' a Konica Autoreflex A1000, and am convinced that it's a blatant K1000 ripoff. When I get my K1000, I'm totally making a comparison video because I don't see anyone else talking about it.) and eventually (when I can afford it) a K-3 Monochrome for digital (drooling just thinking about it, lol). That's gonna be a ways out though, I'll probably get a 5D for the short term. By the way, speaking of Konica, they made an SLR called the autorex (not to be confused with autoreflex) that can actually switch between half and full frame on a whim. It's a wonder why that didn't become a common thing. To my knowledge, Konica is the only company that did that. I could be wrong, but I've never seen it anywhere else. Cheers! Hope you're having a good labor day weekend!
@@coryajonesvideo thanks!! And you too! Oh yeah not sure why more folks didn’t do that, seems like that would be a great feature!!
The FM2n is also my favorite mechanical SLR. AF-D lenses should work just fine, since they have focus and aperture rings. I use the AF Nikkor 50mm F1.8D with the FM2.
oh fab, thank you!
FM2 is my favorite but I got a Nikon FM for less than half the price and it is basically the same except for the two fastest shutter speeds (which can be replaced in those rare instances with an ND filter :) Great video!
Also, the FM allows for the use of the older (and lower cost) non-AI lenses.
those are great points for the FM!
I like your videos .... :) and your pictures!!!
Thank you!
FM2n is just amazing, I’ve been using it all year and have put at least 200 rolls through it and I haven’t changed the battery once… built to last these cameras
that's a lot of rolls! but yess love that about them :)
Oh it’s the BEST!!! I love mine!
Yesss!!!
Always great to watch your videos -- but definitely make videos when you feel motivated and comfortable doing them. Would love an FM2(n) -- but yeah, I haven't spent that much on any film cameras (yet) -- and that is probably reflected in the reliability/performance of the cameras that I have! Though I do have thrift-priced Nikon SLRs (do like the Nikkormats though they can be finicky), lenses and compatible lenses -- so maybe one of these days I'll *splurge*!!! My first SLR was a Nikon F (no meter prism -- just the standard prism) -- it was made in 1965 and I was born in 1963, so it was only a few years younger than me. Shot yearbook photos with it in high school and it was built like a tank (weighed close to one also!) -- darn, now I am missing it!
thanks as always!! hehe I feel a splurge coming soon ;p The F is legendary!! Sounds like nice memories with it though :)
@@Eclectachrome -- Yep -- shot TriX in the F, had a Nikkor 50mm f2, 3rd-party 28mm and a Quantaray 70-210mm -- and a hand-held Gossen Pilot meter -- as well as the brash fearlessness of a nonconformist, punk-rocker high-schooler (late 1970's to 1981). Developed the film myself in my bathroom at home. Made prints in the photo lab at high school. Was in big demand with the cheerleaders and pom-pon squad for photo shoots. Man -- those were the days! Right now Fs in VG condition are not cheap. I think that the FM2(n) would be a good compromise -- and the built-in meter is easier than hand-held. Darn it! You show me cool new film -- and I have to buy it -- and you spin up my interest in the FM2(n) -- yeah, it's now on my 'find a good deal' list! And definitely the black version....
Haha…Molly Proof, I love it. I also love my Fm2. Great video, thanks for sharing.
haha yep! Thanks for watching!
You bet, nice to see you back!
Well, it isn't a Minolta X-700 but it's kind of ok 🤣 But seriously, another great video Molly and do please keep promoting film photography. Nothing beats the tactile experience of using old manual SLRs and the fun of negs and prints at the end. 👏
hahahaha i need to try this x-700 legend!! and thank youuuu :) i so totally agree of course!!
If your concern is only manual focus, then I think the perfect SLR is FM2's successor: FM3a.
With battery: apperture priority
Without battery: well no problem. all shutter speeds are accessible
I don't think there's another 35mm manual focus SLR that can do that.
Does the FM3a have the removable prism so you can look down at the focusing screen?
@@Eclectachrome Unfortunately no. You need a single digit F (F, F2, F3...) for that purpose.
I do like your style of presentation. I am fortunate enough to own an FM, FM2n, F3 & F4 - all wonderful cameras in their own right; the FE & EM bodies were not my preference - I like to exercise complete control over my Nikon manual cameras - often using the 'sunny 16' rule, or winging it with a guesstimated shutter speed/aperture combination; more often than not, the results are both surprising & unusual. Nikon manual cameras are built like armoured trucks, combined with their earlier glass, infinitely better than some of their later optical counterparts (but that's a subjective perspective). Admittedly, it does irritate when YT dictate algorithmic pressures upon contributors workloads - & you are correct to assert control as to when & how you offer new material. I look forward to seeing your reportage from Croatia - & do be very careful,
Kindest regards,
Andrew 🙂
Thank you! That’s a nice collection you have! Sunny 16 is solid and even winging it, results can come out not too far from the middle. I will!
Yeah, it's a collection built up over the years (can't remember precisely how long I've had my FM2n, but it's close on to thirty years); I'd consider it always prudent to adopt 'analogue' parameters & not to rely on digital readings too much - often, they are at variance. Keep safe, stay well,
Andrew 🙂
I love the Nikon camera I always bought the camera but that Nikon fm2n is one camera I don't have. Do you print your own color negative the time you go to chemist to send to get developed. It's a great way to understand light in a camera and what photography is all about. Another photography process is wet plat collodion it's fastnation Brendan
which one do you have? I send my color to the lab at the moment but I have done it at home in the past, yes the wet plate looks super cool to do :)
I enjoyed this video. You took some really great shots. Do you process your own film? I personally preferred the colour of the first film stock. New subscriber. Kind Regards from Australia.
Hi! Thanks, and I do but at the moment it’s black and white, I’ve been happier sending my color film to the lab!
@@Eclectachrome I understand.
Yes, the early AF lenses will work with the FM2N as long as the lens has a manual aperture ring.
Thanks!
Nice camera and video! For that size and weight I've always preferred the needle light meter in the FE or FE2. I want the instant feedback of the needle, and can tell which way you are going. With the fm's plus minus, I'm always hunting for the correct exposure not sure which way to turn the shutter or aperture. I suppose if you got really good at intuitively knowing which way to turn. I never could. And I don't just want to know that its over or under, I want to know HOW MUCH over or under I am. AND you can watch the meter fluctuate as you scan darker lighter areas etc . That's me anyway. And nikon glass of that era are amazing. I've owned them all at some point but the F3 is my goto. little heavier than the above ones though.
I have an FE2 I purchased new while in Japan around 1980. Still have it, look almost pristine. It'd be pristine if it was still in the box, but it's 40 plus year old. It looks as good as today's mirrorless like my Sony A7R3. I'd love to sell it to someone would give it love, but I don't see many people in my area who are into anything but cellphones.
@@bondgabebond4907 I bet its a nice one! I love photography but I've also really got into fixing them up and giving them new life. It started with needing to replace the light seals and mirror cushions, and moved up from there. I buy them cheap from wherever I can, fix them up, test, and then sell them. I make just enough to fund the hobby, and of course keep the nicest ones for my collection. :) I've given away a bunch to students too. This is why I've had so many.
that's a good point on the meter, it is nice to know how much over or under you are! for me, I don't use it too much past one stop over under so thats fine for me, but if you are doing more than that, then the needle seems a nicer way to tell! The F3 is beauuuuutiful :) but yeah a tad more weight!
@@Eclectachromecan’t go wrong with any of them! Glad you found yours! Subscribed!
@@matta7647 true :) and thank you!
Nice review! My mind went to the shutter sounds being 'subtle'... Then you said elegant, which describes it perfectly 😁 Why do we care about these things so much? Haha I can't help it, love a good shutter sound.
Thanks! And yeah haha it seems many film camera lovers really appreciate the small details in design 😍
Another great video !!!
thanks!
For the same quality built body at half the price the aperture priority Nikon FE is worth looking into...it does need a battery to operate but is very reliable and battery last forever, almost.
thanks! I'll have a look!
Got mine from my father (I bought a new FE2 in the 80s, which I like more) - much better than any rangefinder camera like M6, because you have a much better ecosystem with lenses from 6mm up to 2000mm, some can focus up to 0,2m. 🙂
That close focusing distance is great! Also lens system but much cheaper too lol
I have nothing against Nikon and i think the F3 is one of the best designed SLR's, but just I somehow started with Canon FD and Pentax. Pentax lenses and cameras are really compact by the way. I have a Pentax LX and it is very small, the Canon cameras and lenses are quite a bit bigger.
Two 35mm systems (or actually 3, I also have an EOS 3 to use my digital lenses with) is already overkill for someone that prefers medium format.
I think it was noticeable you didn't really like the videos before, I watched this video to the end but as far as I remember the previous videos didn't catch me.
Canon FD and Pentax are very nice! what do you shoot medium format with?
@@Eclectachrome Basically any format between 6*4,5 and 6*9, Mamiya M645, C330 and RB67, Fujifilm GSW680 and GW690. And Rolleiflex 2.8C and 3.5F. You see, even without 35mm it's hard to choose a camera that I am going to use😆
@@Uwe_Ludolf haha yea i'd struggle to chose between those, the 680 tho!
@@Eclectachrome 6x8 is a really nice formaat indeed, I prefer it over 6x9
I own several mechanical SLRs, also a Nikon, similar to yours, but I am not such a big fan of this type of camera. I think, they are all hard to focus. If it needs to be an SLR, I prefer the more modern AF ones meanwhile … of otherwise, rangefinders are easier to focus for me.
i hear ya! it's only the split screen that enables me to see the focus, otherwise no way haha in this sense, rangefinders are much better so agree with you :)
How often to you use the 1/4000 speed (assuming wide open use)?
Your pics do not look like they have much depth separation.
Like the ME setting.
I haven't had to use it much, most of my images are pretty stopped down as you noticed! but would be handy if needed, and yessss LOVE that ME ability :) especially if you only want to do a few on the roll and overlay right after!
I'm looking to get the 35mm 1.4 ais lens. I've heard a lot of good things about that lens but its a bit pricey at $400 on eBay
that is steep!!
@ yep
The EM, FG, abd FG-20 were a consumer tier below the FM/FE/FA. The EM is more plastic, smaller, and was an auto-only camera. The FG-20 was a tiny step up in that you had manual control over the shutter. Similar to the difference between the Pentax ME vs. ME Super. The FG, was an anomaly in that it was one of the earliest models besides the F3 to offer TTL-OTFP flash control. Consumer tier or not, the FG was incredibly feature packed, but it was not especially fast or noted for durability. While i dislike and try to ignore the EM, it was a milestone for Nikon. I still prefer the FG-20 and had one for years that lived in my car. It was very much the tiny plastic thing that is often picked on, but the metering and exposure was always on the mark.
The series E lenses are a mixed bag. Notice they are marked Nikon and not Nikkor. While acceptable designs for the 70's, they were very basic but with the introduction of new materials to make them lighter and less expensive. They were also not made to be serviced regularly. By using adhesives, sonic and radio frequency "welding" to join the plastic parts, made it impossible to disassemble them for cleaning and lubrication. Ai, Ai-S, AF, AF-d and Ai-P lenses that had "normal" aperture rings should work on these cameras just fine. The gelded G-series levses with no aperture rings are a different matter. These series E lenses also missed out on advanced optic formulations like ED glass, aspheric elements, and the latest coating tech that was applied to Nikkor lenses. Overall, series E lenses were on par with "better" third party lenses of the day, but not intended to compete with Nikkor lenses.
I have a Nikon FM2 as well, it was loaned to me by my daughter. She used to shoot plays for the drama club in college in Germany. It is a great camera. However it seems with your images, there's a lot of haze, I'm thinking maybe your lens was not very clean? Or quite possibly your lens has fungus; hold it up to the light (lens only), and look through the elements.
You quite probably will see lots of little specs, which will diffuse the sharpness. The only resolution for that is to take it apart and clean it, or buy another (clean) lens.
that's great she loaned it to you! The haze your seeing is from diffusion/cinesoft filters that I've been using haha
Hi the electronic controlled FE.FE2.EM.FG.F3.FA are old now and they are no longer reliable and nearly impossible to repair.The FM.FM2. are mecanikal exept light meter.Great video 😊
thanks!
I literally watching this with the OM -2n in my hands
My favorite is Nikon FM3a it's fully mechanical and fully automatic
That sounds very nice!!!!
what camera did you like better... the fm2 or f3 ?
Definitely the FM2n!
Yes.
love the camera but who makes that strap
It’s photogenic supply I believe, I got it at glaziers in Seattle but they sell online, one of the best straps I’ve had
It would be the perfect SLR if Kodachrome were available!
Enjoy your experience
thanks!
What makes the FM2 (and FM, FE and FE2) less than perfect for me is the fact that you need to push the film advance lever out to shoot and meter. Kind of hate that design because of the way it changes the handling, and as someone who is left eye dominant I almost get my eye poked. For that reason I prefer the F3 if I want to shoot Nikon.
great point for left eye dominant, that sounds like a pain!
Try an AI Converted 35mm f/2! Sharp and cheap!
The 100 f/2.8 Series E is a really sharp and light lens for portraits.
Thanks! Will add it to thr list to watch out for (the 35mm), the 100 sounds nice but not my usual style!
L😍VE my Nikon FM2n...going on almost 2 years now. Slap my Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 Color-Spokar on and it's GO-TIME for some run & gun street photog.
ooooooooooo now that lens sounds dreamy!!!!! :) do you have an adapter for it or do they make it in F mount? sounds awesome!
It's a F-mount lens. It usually lives on my Nikon Z6II (via FTZ adapter) but one day I put it on the FM2n and works just as good. Sharper than my Nikkor 28mm AI lens. Kinda on the pricey side tho (more than the camera 😅) but again, it's primarily on my Z camera. It's the pancake Color-Skopar version so it's SUPER compact on the FM2n.
@@rf.photographs nice! i love the look of the voightlander color skopar but have never used it, yeah it is a little over budget haha but maybe someday, sounds great :)
F4S , look at stats on shutter, and the dampener, hand hold 30th with a 50mm. Only camera than can beat that us a rangefinder with no mirror.
An amazing camera, I just don't like the meter. The FE2/FM3A/EL2 or even the FT3 win for me because of the meter. I flat-out dislike the meter on the FM2 series.
do you mean the way it displays in the viewfinder (the +0-)?
I think the FE2 is better :) But the best camera of the era that isn't that big and heavy is the Olympus OM-4 and the OM-4. The multizone light metering and the meter acccuracy is fantastic, even better than on the Canon T90 but in a very high quality lighter format
I haven’t tried that one! I’d also like to try the om4, I’ve tried the om10 and 1 but didn’t like them that much
@@Eclectachrome Back in the 80's when i was travelling and shooting material for travel agencies i got really tired of the size and weight i had to carry around each day. I switched from my Nikon FE2 setup to two Olympus om-4's. I mean i could fit the necessary lenses and two houses in a bag that only one Nikon house + lenses would fit into. I never looked back. And realized i prefer the Zuiko lenses over the Nikon counterparts.
Nikon FM & FE as well as Canon T60 are based on Cosina CT1. They purchased licenses for the house and tweaked it at Nikon and Canon :)
Canon T90 is the only other camera from the era that can measure itself in some way against the OM-4 when it comes to the light metering system, but its huge :)
@@matereo hahah yeah the weight/ability trade off!! ohhhh yes the zuiko lenses are super lovely :) interesting about the licenses for the nikon/canon, thanks for sharing!
You are comparing cameras with electronic shutters to a fully mechanical camera.
The ones you mention are basically paper-weights when the battery dies, or a capacitor dies.
A fair comparison would be Olympus OM1 and OM3, both fully mechanical, except for the lightmeter.
Or perhaps the Canon EF..
For those who don't mind electronic shutters, there is also the Nikon FA..
I don't think you 'change the ISO' on a film camera, the ISO is whatever film speed you're using. The setting on the camera is so the auto-exposure knows how to properly expose the film, and as a reminder in manual mode. Beautiful camera though, the pinnacle of a good sixty years of mechanical SLR evolution.
You change the ISO setting on the camera to match the film’s ISO or a different ISO if you want to push or pull the film that way.
@@Eclectachrome Good point, still it's different from digital in that the base sensitivity of the medium doesn't change. I just thought it was important to point out the difference since people new to film might assume it works the same way as a digital camera. What might have been common knowledge before isn't necessarily so now. Besides having basic photographic technique in common, film processing I'm sure is becoming something of a lost art with a lot of knowledge unique to film not immediately obvious or considered. While the change from analog (film) to digital certainly has been striking (just ask Kodak), I do find it a bit ironic that without using film and photographically reducing the vast circuitry of a microchip onto a tiny sliver of Silicon to be etched there would have been no digital anything. One of the pioneers of computing, Vannevar Bush, in I think 1949 predicted that future computers would use microfilm as memory (Article: "As we may think" The Atlantic, available online).