Modern
Classic SLRs Series : |
Nikon FM2n is one of the longest serving SLR camera on the market. It was based on an original Nikon FM - Nikon's first attempt to bring an compact SLR to replaced the bulkier Nikkormat to supplement the usually even larger and heavier professional F-class Nikon SLRs. Nikon corporation has introduced the third generation of the NikonFM seris, Nikon FM3a in 2002 and it has a clear indication that the new model could well be the replacement model for this evergreen classic. Well, depending on your need and requirement, this simple, sole mechanically operate camera still has its following and may take a while for users to adapt to the new operating habit of using a hybrid shutter that offers both auto/manual exposure control in the FM3a. In the mean time, while the new camera has a separate site on its own, we will just concentrate on the Nikon FM2n here.
As long as you have some basic knowledge of how an exposure is formed, even if you have not handle a SLR camera before, the simple controls in the Nikon FM2n are so logically placed that it is kind of natural for one to easily get accustomed to. For any experienced photographers, one will hardly need to refer to the instruction book to start operate the camera. And this is essentially attractive selling point and appreciated by startup photographers. For those art college students who enrols into photographic course and being asked to invest into a simple SLR camera, the Nikon FM2n seems more like a logical choice. In fact, after two decades of soul searching amidst all the evolution of changes and development of SLR cameras, I would safely conclude the true strength actually lies in its straight forward mechanical simplicity, dependability, and compactness. Most of the time, it force you to think more before you shoot.
Still being manufactured and assembled in much the same manner as when the original Nikon FM was introduced back in 1977, the moderate-size-and-weight all-metal body requires no battery power to operate the shutter's full range of speeds. And while looking around all the electronic do-it-for-you modern high tech AF SLR bodies, It's one reason the FM2n valid reasons to be still around to serve as a backup body for all those battery dependant electronic gadgets. Many modern autofocus SLRs don't have depth-of-fleld preview or multiple exposures levers, but the FM2N does! The handy DOF lever is w011 shaped. The ME lever provides unlimited number of exposures per frame. The large-image viewfinder is not high eyepoint so you may have to shift your eye to see shutter speeds and apertures. Finder has very good central-focusing aids, is bright, but has only three metering LEDs, making precise exposure adjustment a bit tricky.What does the FM2N lack that you might miss? Dedicated-flash capability and spot metering. When you attach the MD-12 motor drive to the bottom plate of the FM2N, the camera can provide continuous speeds up to 3.3 frames per second. Significance: Considered by many to be a classic, the Nikon FM2N is admired by pros and serious amateurs as a bastion of Pros find it an excellent backup body for their F3's, F4s's, F5's, and N90x's. However, many students and serious amateurs also appreciate the FM2N: those who want a thorough grounding in the basics °f Photography and feel today's re lance on automation hinders se ~ng your own controls. "IF it ain't broke, don't fix it," might be the slogan of the solid, unpretentious machine that has changed little from the original Nikon FM of 1977. Available in chrome, black finish, or with titanium outer shell (FM2/T), its top shutter speed has been raised to 114000 see, the flash-sync speed increased to 1/250 see, and it accepts interchangeable finder screens. Aside from those improvements, the FM2N is almost a dead ringer for its predecessor, the FM. In an age of autofocus, electronic modes, and computer like controls, this Spartan, match-diode-metering machine offers a refreshing, if fairly expensive, alternative for those who say they don't want or need "all that stuff."
Features: Even for a manual, mechanical camera with match diode metering, the FM2's features seem somewhat old fashioned. It's got Nikon's classic center weighted metering pattern (no newfangled multi pattern or even spot options), lift and turn ISO settings built into the shutter dial, and a basic, semi dedicated, non-TTL flash system. It also has a nice ratcheted manual-wind lever, press-the-button and-turn-the-crank rewind, and no DX. Despite this, there's enough here to attract serious amateurs and pros, namely an excellent mechanical shutter with a fast flash-sync speed, depth-of-field preview, threaded PC contact, and, what's even m~important, an excellent track record for reliability and durability. It's a camera for people who know what they're doing and like to be in control. Capability: As long as the photographer using this camera is thoroughly familiar with the assets and limitations of classic center weighted metering, the camera is capable of first-class results. You can even give the subject about half a stop more or less exposure than that recommended~by the metering system by turning the aperture ring until the plus or minus LED and the correct-exposure LED dot are lit simultaneously. The camera's basics are of very high quality. The focusing screen is bright and snappy, though the microprism collar around the central split-image rangefinder is skimpy. Metering system and shutter are accurate, according to our tests, and the extensive line of Nikkor lenses is outstanding. While the all-manual FM2N cannot match auto exposure AF cameras for sheer speed of operation, it is a pleasant and competent all around picture-taker. Those who shoot action should consider adding an MD-12 motor drive. Convenience: Certainly all the FM2N's controls fall readily to hand for anyone used to operating a traditional manual-focus SLR. There are no surprises and no real glitches either. Everything operates smoothly, predictably, and with a quality feel. Sure, Nikon might improve the finder readouts and LEDs and fit a positive action multiple exposures lever, but this is niggling criticism, indeed, of one of the best-integrated manual SLRs ever designed.
Even though the FM2N requires you to do practically everything yourself in the time-honored manner of a 1970's SLR, we still consider it a convenient camera. Setting controls may take slightly longer, but there is a precision, beauty, and sureness in the FM2N that is absent from most electronic cameras.FOCUSING: Manual.
LENSES: Manual and AF Nikkor lenses in Nikon F bayonet mount.
EXPOSURE SYSTEM: Metered manual. Counter weighted TTL system reads overall pattern with 60 percent emphasis on central 12-mm area. Metering range, EV 1 to 18 (at ISO 100, with f/1.4 lens).
VIEWFINDER: Standard screen has split-image rangefinder with microprlsm collar; circle indicates center metering area. Viewfinder data includes shutter speed, f-stop, under/overexposure LEDs, and flash-ready.
FLASH: Hot shoe; PC socket. Flash-charge status indicated in viewfinder for semi dedicated units. No TTL flash control.
OTHER FEATURES: Depth-of-field preview, self-timer, multiple-exposure provision, film memo holder.
PRICE: $745.Standard production Nikon FM Series models:- Nikon FM | Nikon FM2 | Nikon FM2n | Nikon FM10 | Nikon FM3a |
Known variants:- Nikon FM Gold | Nikon FM2/T | Nikon FM2N Tropical Set | Nikon FM2/T Limited Edition | Nikon FM2N LAPITA | Nion FM2n Millennium 2000| Message Board | for your favourite Nikon FM Series SLR models
| Message Board | for your Nikon Optics in a shared environment
| Message Board | Specifically for Dispose or Looking for Nikon/Nikkor Photographic Equipment
Shared Resources: MD-11 | MD-12 | * Alternate 3rd party products: Soligor Power Winder | Y.I.C Power Winder
Focusing Screens | Titanium Shutter | Flash Units -SB-16 | SB-15 | SB-10 or other Options | Databack | Nikkor lens mount (related info)Others:- Nikon AF-TTL Speedlights | SB-20 (1986) | SB-22 (1987) | SB-23 | SB-24 (1988) | SB-25 (1991/2) | SB-26 (1994) | SB-27(1997) | SB-28 (1997) | Nikon SB-29(s) (2000) | Nikon SB-30 (2003) | Nikon SB-600 (2004) | Nikon SB-800 (2003) Nikon AF-TTL Speedlight DX-Series: Nikon SB-28DX (1999) | SB-50DX (2001) | SB-80DX (2002)
Nikon BC-flash Series | Original Nikon Speedlight
SB-2 | SB-3 | SB-4 | SB-5 | SB-6 | SB-7E | SB-8E | SB-9 | SB-E | SB-10
SB-11 | SB-12 | SB-14 | SB-140 UV-IR| SB-15 | SB16A | SB-17 | SB-18, SB-19 | SB-21A (SB-29) Macro flash | Flash Accesories | SF-1 Pilot Lamp
Instruction Manual: Nikon FM (HTML | PDF) | Nikon FM-10 (HTML) | Nikon FM2n's User's Manual available only in HTML format (6 parts) | Nikon FM3A (HTML)
Specifications: Nikon FM, FM-10, FM2, FM2n and FM3A / Main Reference Map: (HTML) Nikon FM, FM2, FM-10, FM2n (Applicable to FM2T, FM2 "Year of the Dog"; Millennium 2000") and Nikon FM3A
Nikon F | Nikon F2 | Nikon F3 | Nikon F4 | Nikon F5 | Nikon F6 | Nikkormat / Nikomat | Nikon FM | Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital SLRs | Nikon - Other models Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page
Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:- Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame | Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm15mm18mm20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm28mm35mm | Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto Lenses - 85mm105mm135mm180mm & 200mm | Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |
Index PageSpecial Application lenses:
Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm
Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm
Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF
Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm
Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm
Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm
Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm
Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm
MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm
Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20ERecommended 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.htmlW A R N I N G: The New G-SERIES Nikkor lenses have no aperture ring on the lens, they CANNOT ADJUST APERTURES with any of these manual focus Nikon FE series SLR camera models; please ignore some portion of the content contained herein this site where it relates.
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| Back | Main Index Page of Pictorial History of Nikon SLRs| Message Board | for your Nikkor optics ("shared" because I do wish some of you to expose to other's perspective as well. Isn't it a sad sate to see photography has to be segmented into different camps from the use of various labels)
about this photographic web site
Home - Photography in MalaysiaCredit: 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.