Nikon FM2 Millennium 2000 Commemorative Model A review by MC Lau for Photography in Malaysia

What so special with this millennium edition?

In all fairness, I have noticed that Nikon has not labeled it as a special edition any where in its printed material. It is refereed to as "the millennium edition", "the dragon model", and "limited edition" in different places, but not once as a special edition. So, what are differences when compared to the standard production model of the FM2n? I reached out for my old faithful FM2n, and the FM2/T which I picked up in Hong Kong last December, and the following is what I observed.

It is in essence a limited edition kit of the FM2n bundled with a Nikon 50mm f1.4 AIS lens. Only 2,000 units were produced. This is reflected in the serial number as xxxx/2000. In the case of my unit, both the camera and the lens were inscribed with the number "1388/2000" signifying that it is the 1388th unit from the total production run of 2000 units.

The serial number is inscribed on the usual place in the body; at the vertical side of the top panel just below the advancing crank There is another line of text just above the serial number, with a slightly larger font size that reads "YEAR 2000". The serial number of the lens is inscribed on the front retainer ring, and it reads as "Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4 1388/2000". The construction of the lens does remind me of the excellent handing and projecting such robust feel which is so synonymous with Nikon those days and is heavily missed in today's 'entry grade' autofocus Nikkor lenses. <<< --- Copyright-free image by Leofoo® Malaysian Internet Resources

FM2n Champagne ? Having recovered from the disappointment that the dragon model is not gold-plated (Great expectation? But some would think IF the camera was designed as gold plated as with the Nikon FA gold in 1983, it may be too catchy to be used as normal SLR), I took a long and hard look at the finishes. It is fairly obvious to me it is not the same titan finishes as the FM2/T and it also differs from the chrome finishes of the standard FM2n production models. The camera body feels slightly heavier then the FM2/T, dispelleing suggestion that it is made of titanium. The camera is well finished, the metallic finishes has a slight matt finishes, and uniform through out the whole body.

The colour of the metallic covering is closer and similar to the champagne colour as can be seen in the early model of the F3T. It is as elegance, and I think the colour is a bit pale when compared with the F3T champaign version. I hope you'll get the idea, because I am not sure if your monitor will show the exact colour as shown in the accompanying jpegs. Update: A quick reply from Factory through an enquiry by Miss Rissa Chan indicated the uniquely difference in color in this model was referred as "Champaign" color, so does the Lens mounting ring on the Nikkor 50mm f1.4. The material used for the camera is having the same specification as the normal FM2n. - leofoo -

The lens mounting ring that one usually finds in the lens, separating the focusing ring and the aperture ring is also similarly finished as the camera body; making it a perfect match. Very well thought of. The vinyl ( or whatever it is made of) covering to the body appears to be the same as the FM2n. Same colour, same texture and same grains. The covering is very homogeneous, and the workmanship in bonding the covering to the body work is first rated.

It is interesting to note that in comparison, the covering to the FM2/T is actually different. The FM2/T has a slight colour variation from the FM2n, finer grain and texture.

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New update: Material used for the TOP and BOTTOM plate: Contributed by Mr Eric Andeson <eric.andersen@central.sun.com>

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Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

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Credit: To all the good people who has contributed their own experience, resources or those who are kind enough granting us permission to use their images appeared in this site. Mr. MCLau®, who has helped to rewrite some of the content appeared this site. Chuck Hester® who has been helping me all along with the development of all these Nikon websites;LarsHolst Hansen, 'Hawkeye' who shares the same passion I have; Ms Rissa, Sales manager from Nikon Corporation Malaysia for granting permission to use some of the official content; TedWengelaar,Holland who has helped to provide many useful input relating to older Nikkor lenses; Some of the references on production serial numbers used in this site were extracted from Roland Vink's website; HiuraShinsaku from Nikomat Club Japan. t is also a site to remember a long lost friend on the Net. Note:certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures, sales manuals or publications published by Nikon over the years and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.