No need to rely on battery, except for metering

Body MIGHT be a bit slippery to hold if your hand perspire a lot and it mounts with heavy lens most of the time

This camera has been with me for almost 20 years, and I don't intend to sell it YET mostly due to sentimental value. Most of all, it is still in tip-top condition. Together with my F100, I'm having all the fun out of any 35mm photography.

Let me tell you young people that my FM2 is the first generation FM2 which came with titanium shutter. Unfortunately that shutter mechanism went bad 3 years ago and was replaced with the current aluminum (i think) shutter...

Bottom line: if you are a student, if you want to just learn photography, or if you want to get a 35mm SLR camera with pure mechanical technology that won't be obsoleted by new electronic technologies, this is the camera you should keep and pass it onto your son, as long as 35mm film remains available.

Customer Service

Tried agencies in both Hong Kong and Singapore. Very satisfactory to my standard

Similar Products Used:

F100
Many range-finder cameras

Reliable, dependable, durable, and very easy to learn and use.

Dim viewfinder for slow lenses

How durable is this camera? Mine is more than 20 years old and it needs only one minor repari recently to replace the fabrics in the film back. The fabric has worn out over time and the defect causes light to leak in. Otherwise, the camera is almost like a new one. I use it under any conditions, including in light drizzle, and never have to worry about malfunctioning.

Customer Service

Excellent e mail responses

Similar Products Used:

F100, N80

rugged body, solid feel
accurate metering
works w/o battery

no ttl
viewfinder would be brighter (like new FM3)

I use all my AF lens with this camera. When I use 2.8 or 1.4 lens the split image focusing screen works well, but when I'm using my f/3.5 (max) aperture lens, the split image focusing sreen is a little bit dark, so it quite hard to focus.
I think fm3 will eliminae this problem because it has brighter viewfinder.

Similar Products Used:

N80, Maxxum 9000

Works without batteries; solid build; good meter; 250 flash synch, simple controls; small

The viewfinder is too small if you wear glasses.

I have an FM2T and have owned several FM or FM2s in the past. This is a great, basic, mechanical camera. It has saved the day more than a few times when my main, electronic camera died because of dead batteries or generally horrible weather. But I HATE the viewfinder -- I can't see the whole frame with my glasses on (and I can't see anything with my glasses off!). Too bad Nikon didn't put an HP prism on the FM3A.
This is a great back-up camera (one reason I stick with Nikon). This is a camera for people who know what they are doing (or really want to learn). If you just want to press the button and get a nice photo, then DON'T buy this camera -- get something AF. 5 stars if you don't wear glasses; 3 stars if you do. (I'll split the difference).

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F3HP, FE2, F801, F90, F100, Konica Hexar

Easy to learn controls.

Allow me to change viewing screen to one with grid lines for composition aid (had to pay extra for it).

Light and more value for your money compare to other Nikon models such as F3 advertised as more durable.

Rather expensive if purchased new. When you add in the lens (not included), the motor drive for auto wind and data back you might as well be paying for a fully loaded F60.

Rewind crank has to be half-way out to unlock shutter. I find the position of the eye rather uncomfortable. It is difficult to view the aperture and shutter speed set in the viewer due to angle of face when rewind lever is out.

I have been doing a lot of night photography and love shooting the city skyline at night. I do find the optional B1 viewing screen with grid lines can be very useful for daytime compositions becomes virtually useless at night because the colour is black.

In the day I've shoot flowers and insects close-ups and found a camera that allows me to change to a viewing screen with grid-lines a handy feature.

I've shoot winter snow scenes and X'mas lights at city hall in sub-zero temperature where a battery operated shutter as Minolta X-300 just isn't reliable.

Customer Service

Only 2nd year in use. So far no defect.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta X-300 & SRT. Camera used to be reliable but becomes too old and breaking apart.

Incredible quality and construction.
Silky smooth shutter release. Made in Japan. Accepts almost every Nikon lens made.

Some people would say it's a little expensive, but you get what you pay for.

This is my first totally manual SLR. I absolutely love it! When I was
looking for a new camera, I wasn't interested in anything with AF.
I just wanted a super high quality manual camera that would
take great pictures and last for decades. If you want total
control of your pictures, this is the only way to go. The light meter is right
on the money, and if you pay attention to what you are doing, all your pictures
turn out fantastic! Attach a Nikon prime lens to it and get ready for incredible results!

Customer Service

not needed yet.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax P3
Nikon 6006
Nikon Lite Touch 140
Numerous other point and shoot cameras

Semplicity, good design and construction, reliability.

None, if you've got time to think what you're doing.

A true classic. Very well designed and built, it's a workhorse. Semplicity is not a weakness, but a strength. If you trust your ability and you've got time to think at the picture you're taking, it's the best choice. FM2n it's very easy to operate. Almost istinctive. In some cases, of course, you miss the autofocus and the AE. And that's the reason I usually have another Nikon body - with these features - in my bag. That's the point: I do not complain about the present. Autofocus can be a geat help, just as AE, but on too many cameras of the last generation you find a lot of functions and you need to keep the instruction book with you. The good, old FM2n is a glass of fresh water in the desert.
What I don't like? Few things. In the viewfinder it's a little difficult to read the shutter speed, the f aperture and to look at the meter LEDs (in three different sides) if you wear glasses. The classic center weighted meter is very good, but sometimes a "spot" meter could be useful.

Customer Service

Good.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N70, Yashica FX3, Yashica 103P.

Sharp photos
Take it anywhere
Easy to use as a student

not yet

As a student, I started with an old FE that was in the house. Some of my classmates actually stopped me to ask how my pictures came out so sharp. The next week, I got my own FM2. Since then, I've taken pics everywhere from europe to house parties to the beach and I've always had great results.

Customer Service

none needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon f, FE
Rolleiflex

1/4000 speed.
metal body
no batteries requiered for basic operation.

No AA battery option for the TTL lightmeter
poor 60/40 lightmeter
PRICE!!

A must have with a 50mm 1.2f or 1.4f lens.
If you make your living on phtography, this is the only way to be shure that you can always take a picture nomather what (battery runs out, electronic malfunction, etc.).

Customer Service

Very expensive and slow in Argentina

Similar Products Used:

F3 with a great 80/20 lightmeter

total control
sincroflash at 250
easy to work on
freedom of expression

focusing mirror not so bright,better that of my f70

without falling in the usual war electronic vs mechanic all i can say is that is a funny camera,you don't lose yourself in useless regulations,you learn to use the light,the mechanic is tested good from a lot of users,and i really like classical designs,too.FM3 anyway should be better,with ttl flash and aperture priority too!!!

Customer Service

no needs

Similar Products Used:

old manuals canon
nikon f70