Built to last forever. Simple, easy to use layout, completely mechanical (except for the meter) so no batteries are required to operate it. Doesn't make you lazy and doesn't screw up your pictures (you have to do that yourself).

Some plastic parts, but nothing that will be a problem. A tad difficult to see with glasses on, but the DK-3 eyecup makes it a lot easier.

The FM2N is a great camera to learn photography on, and if you're good, you won't feel limited by the features it lacks. Thinking is underrated these days.
It's not as solid as my Nikkormat, but it also doesn't weigh as much and can still take a good beating. I was taking photos at a show not too long ago and a kid dived off of the stage right onto me when I was holding it... I flew backwards and landed on the (hard) floor, but the FM2N didn't seem to notice.
In terms of use, the FM2N is transparent - it doesn't do any of the work for you, but it does everything you need it to do and you don't have to baby it. Unless you NEED auto-everything (or TTL flash or mirror lockup), this is the perfect camera. It is for me, anyway.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikkormat FTN

Built like a Nikon Tank. Simplicity defined.
Reliability Confirmed after years and thousands of rolls.

Rubber eyecup wears out or unscrews itself = scratched sunglasses!

I've used a zillion different cameras. I've never found a better manual/mechanical camera. It's also, appreciated a great deal since I bought my first one.

Customer Service

Bent the frame (believe it or not), sent to NPS (Nikon Pro Services) - cost $125 for replacement! Whadda deal!

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F2, F3, F4, F100, Oly OM-1, OM-2, Yashica FR2, Pentax SP - K1000, Mamiya 645 Pro TL, 6 x 7, and of course, Canon AE-1

Amazingly rugged build. I took this round South America for a year, on many treks, and at many altitudes/humidities etc., with great confidence. It also has the advantage of a great system range of motors, lenses(superb quality) etc. Much easier to service worldwide due to the massive popularity of the range, just about everywhere! Great value considering they last so well. When I fried the meter on my FM2 I bought a used black FM2N in Quito, with an MD12 for $500. I tossed it about a lot but it kept on working. Don't toss it about though if you can avoid it!
Other massive bonuses are the 1/4000 max shutter speed and the 1/250 (on FM2N)flash sync (1/200 on FM2) for advanced users.
FOr me DOFP is a must have, as are the flash PC socket and cable release socket.

Sometimes I really missed not having aperture priority auto, with a nice compensation dial (although the exposure compensation dials on Nikon manuals are notoriously fiddly). The weight could also be a turn-off, but you don't get rugged construction from lightweight plastic! Also missed TTL flash - but this is my problem. I'll just have to get a new FM3A.
Totally unexpectedly my meter went awol in the Amazon, and couldn't be fixed. This I think I can attribute to my using an SB23 speedlight, which is an auto TTL flash made for auto models. I believe there may have been incompatible voltages from the flash which literally fried the circuit. My own stupidity. I got better results from a little generic GN10 flash for a fraction of the cost.
With the FM2N I bought later I had a minor niggle which I wasn't sure wether it was due to the screen, the mount or the lens. BAsically what happened was that in my split microprism I could not focus to infinity, the lines would never straighten out. THis happened after a couple of drops. Sometimes it would be fine and other times not - still a mystery to me.

A real beauty which will serve you well if you respect it. Far more durable than modern electronic SLRs. Mechanical shutters rule!

Customer Service

Couldn't fix the meter without a major replacement. The beauty of the camera is you can still use it fine as a studio backup for example with no meter.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax K1000, Canon A1, Minolta X700, Ricoh XR7

Reliable horse I am working with since its introduction in Holland. Like the F's, Nikkor- mats and the FM mechanical precision which will last for many years. Nikon never changed the lens mount!!

No spot metering and no folding AI-lens prong (like on the FM, FE, F2, F3, F4 etc.!!) which makes it impossible to use non-AI lenses. It's missing on the FM3a again! Why, Tokyo?

Wunderfull camera for many generations. Especially for profs working in difficult situations and for amateurs willing to experience photography as it is.

Customer Service

If you bring it to the importer's repair service yourself there are no problems. I never had a camera body serviced, just some lenses cleaned.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F2, FM and FE
Canon AE-1 and various old RF Leica's

This camera is built like a tank. I wanted a completely manual camera so that left me with two choices (from Nikon anyway), the FM10 or the FM2N. I held both and felt the sturdiness of that beautiful chrome body. It was a no-brainer. In addition to being very sturdy, it's very straightforward to use. The light meter has been dead on every occasion.

I occasionally encounter a scenario where an auto-SLR would be very nice, but I want my FM2N to allow me to learn how to do without all of the bells and whistles. I'll deal with that stuff later on.

This camera is beautiful to look at and takes great pictures. Since there are no automatic features on this body, the photographer can make no excuses when a picture doesn't come out (trust me....I've wanted to!). It does exactly what it is told. No computer chips or sensors to betray or deceive you. If you like making excuses for your bad photographs, buy an automatic-SLR so you'll have a good story. If you want full credit for the great photographs, buy the FM2N.

Customer Service

Never had to deal with that yet. Doubt I ever will.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM10, Canon AE1, Yashica P&S

-Simplicity
-Quality construction
-Not battery dependent
-Beautiful used lenses are widely available

No TTL flash (Get a good automatic flash, learn how to use it, and you'll be fine)

This the best camera I've ever used. It forces you to think about your pictures, and the results show. I recommend the MD12 motor drive when using large lenses like the 85/1.4 (my favorite) as it helps balance the camera better. Go get one of these cameras and a couple primes with your favorite focal lengths and get ready to take the best pictures of your life.

Customer Service

Nikon USA has been helpful in answering technical questions. Never needed for repairs.

Similar Products Used:

N60, F100

A work of Art. Fast strong, and reliable.

Except for the shutter curtain in the old FM2, (with the beehive shutter), the camera is flawless.

My very first camera that started my voyage into Photography back in Jan 1989, was my FM2. I still have and use it today. I brought a second "used" FM2(n) 5 years after that. I love them and will not part with them unless I am desperate. Simply the best cameras in my arsenal.

Customer Service

My first FM2 had a beehive shutter curtain that jammed once. I managed to release it, and never had a problem ever since. There is still a "dent" on the curtain though.
My second FM2 is an "N" version, (with a curtain similar to an 8008). I do not have a problem with that one so far.

Similar Products Used:

None

Utterly reliable. I take thousands (literally) of photos each year with my FM2ns (I currently own and constantly use 4 of them). The only problem I've ever had was that the rewind crank came loose on one of them. It was a quick, inexpensive repair.

I wish the FM2n had TTL flash capability, but I've used them so long with non-TTL that manually calculated flash exposures are second-nature to me now.

In my part-time wedding photography business (~20 or so weddings per year) my major concern for choice of cameras is reliability. Although I use medium format cameras for the formal, posed photos, I use my FM2n's for everything else. In my nearly twenty years of using FM2's for such work, they have never failed me. I will probably buy a FM3a for its TTL capability, but I'm so comfortable with the FM2's that I'll just keep on using them.
I'd recommend the FM2n to anybody who needs a reliable, no-frills camera that works in just about any temperature or weather condition.

Customer Service

I have my cameras CLA'ed in a local shop on a yearly basis and have never needed to send my FM2n's to Nikon's repair facility.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F's, F2A, F3hp.

Accurate Metering.
Durable.
Nice Handling and solid feel.
Mechanical Shutter and all speeds available without a battery.
Depth of field preview is a big bonus (especially since most of today's AF cameras can't do DOF preview).

No TTL flash. An FM3a could be an interesting consideration.

This is a great camera. It gets you back to the fundamentals of photography and forces you to think about what you are doing when taking a picture. A classic. If you want a computer controlled Auto-Focus system, you're looking at the wrong camera. If you're interested in photography (without breaking your bankbook), the FM2n is for you.

Customer Service

None. Never needed.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Super Program
Pentax K1000
Nikon F3HP

1) Robust
2) Very Reliable
3) Easy to Use
4) Good feel

1) No TTL capability

No better choice for anyone who want a feel of manual camera. It will serve very well as a 2nd body on a photography trip, because it is so robust and can withstand any condition.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM10