Top shutter speed.... top flash sync... unbeatable metal body... smooth advance lever (not as smooth as the F3 I've used) . Best of all--simple enough.

Nah

This is the camera for you and for me. I've tried all those fancy high tech stuffs, nth compares to this little wonder-FM2N. I changed to Nikon because of this wonder... so guys, why do you need to buy a EOS1N-RS when u can spend less money on a more gorgerous camera?

Customer Service

great in hong kong, but expensive when yr camera need to get some sort of repairs...

Similar Products Used:

F90x, F70, F50, F3, Canon 50E and 1N,

The FM2N is simple, durable and takes the entire range of quality Nikon lenses.

No problems. It's always ready to go.

This camera is a modern classic. It doesn't drain AA or photo batteries because it doesn't have any! You can even use this camera when the meter batteries die. It's rugged and dependable.

Customer Service

Very responsive.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FE, Pentax K1000

The simple layout of the controls and the availability of good lenses make this camera a winner. You think, you adjust the controls without taking the camera from your eye, and you shoot.

Nowhere near as tough as Nikon make out! I take an FM2n with me when I go tramping in Fiordland, and you have to take care, otherwise they break.

This camera's strength lies in the simple, classic layout of the controls. The availability of a wide range of excellent lenses rounds out a good compact package. Some lenses from Sigma and Vivitar seem to be just as good as Nikkors. I use the depth of field preview lever a lot, but I hardly ever use flash. If I used flash a lot I would buy another camera with more sophisticated functions. I own both chrome and black versions of the FM2n, and the chrome version shows wear much less and is more practical. The meter is simple but excellent for 99% of photos. For the really trick stuff I reach for my Sekonic Digilite meter. If these cameras last as long as my Nikon F then I will be very happy.

Customer Service

Very expensive in New Zealand, and not particularly fast.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FM2n (I liked it enough to buy another one!)

Mechanical shutter,
Simple to use,
No battery dependency (apart from metering, and this lasts ages).

No spot metering,
Would like a high viewpoint view finder (I wear glasses)

I have used FM2s with prime lenses since 1991. I have recently moved to using an F90X. I still keep and use the FM2, and each time I pick it up, it is a joy to use. In fact it is easier to hold compared to the F90X which is heavier and bulkier.

Customer Service

No comment. I get my FM2s cleaned and serviced every now and again.

Similar Products Used:

F90X, F70.

Robust/sleek/plain/no-frills/manual control/reliability

rewinder leaver keeps undoing itself

The best of the best in the line of manual Focus SLR's

Customer Service

excellent

Similar Products Used:

Pentax ???? ('twas long ago)

I fell in love with it when a camera store salesman showed me both an FM2n and an F3HP. He said the F3HP is probably the best manual focus camera they had in the entire store, but I immediately took a liking to what I consider a better "feel" of operating an FM2n. I even like the tactile feedback of the shutter release in the FM2n better than that in a Leica M6. The Leica's shutter release button felt mushy. All in all, the feel of the FM2n is what I expect from an SLR; the feel of a Leica is what I expect from a laboratory instrument.

Relatively dark and grainy viewfinder. Also, noticeable pincushion distortion in the viewfinder image that makes it very difficult in precise copywork. I didn't realize these shortcomings until I got a Nikon F4s and saw how much brighter, easier-to-focus, and distortion-free an SLR viewfinder could be. Also, not as tough as I expected. I knocked one over on a tripod onto carpeted surface and shattered the main casting, totally ruining the camera. Didn't expect that much damage. Top and bottom plates quite susceptible to denting and brassing, unlike the F4s. You really have to be careful with the FM2n to keep it looking nice.

An F4-type screen would have made this camera perfect, or close to it. Not the best when you need exact framing or want the best possible screen for manual focusing. I don't miss a spotmeter or a TTL flash because I use a Minolta Flashmeter IV and a Pentax Digital Spotmeter, a combination of which can easily give me more accurate results than probably any in-camera meter out there.

Customer Service

I haven't had any need for it.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F, FE, FA, F3HP, F4s; Leica M6. Canon FTB, A1, AE-1, AE-1 P; Olympus OM1n.

Compact body, controls precisely where you would want to find them, rugged and reliable yet delightfully light and easy to use.

This is probably the optimum design for a 35mm manual SLR. The one thing I would like to add is TTL flash metering.

After I sold my beloved FE2 I regretted my decision for years. The FM2 is a great replacement; same size, weight, controls, handling and the light meter is a joy to use. I don't miss auto exposure, but I do miss the TTL flash metering of the FE2. The FM2 is a masterpiece of design and manufacture, a solid workhorse that will last many years.

Customer Service

Nikon UK repaired my FE2 shutter (same design as FM2) for much less $$$ than I expected.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus OM-1, Nikon FE2, Nikon F, Nikon F3HP and Nikon F801s (N8008s)

1. All manual shutter. Works even without batteries at all speeds up to 1/4000.
2. High flash sync speed of 1/250. Great for fill flash in daylight or sunset shots.
3. Shutter blades is now more durable aluminum carbon fiber as opposed to previous honey-combed titanium blades which arp easily.
4. Tough LED metering system. More durable than LCD.
5. Works with really old AI modified lenses and with metering to boot!
6. More metal construction compared to plastic parts in the newer Nikons and Canons (yuk!!).
7. Accurate metering. 60% center weight is nicer than 75% of the newer Nikons.

1. Wish it had spot metering option.
2. Wish it had a winder option. Motor drive is too bulky, heavy, too many batteries.
3. Wish it had an option to use AA or AAA batteries in a grip.

1. Great back-up camera. Don't rely on your electronic camera especially in the remote field. The FM2N has saved the day for me countless times.
2. The manual speeds up to 1/4000 and sync of 1/250 is a great asset for stopping motion and fill flash or using high speed film in bright day light. You won't find these 2 important features in any other camera of any brand, at any price.
3. Tough shutter and LED metering. More durable than any camera of its class.

The only improvement I see in this great camera is the addition of spot meter option and better ergonomics to allow easy handholding with long lenses. Otherwise this camera is already perfect.
Also, I wish Nikon would design a less bulky motor drive or winder w/c uses less batteries , is lighter and cheaper!

Customer Service

None required yet

Similar Products Used:

Nikons F801, F3, F90s, F
FE2

The FM2n is durable. The fact that its batteries are only used for the meter makes this camera body quite capable of working in almost any situation. It's max shutter speed and flash sync is as good as most modern AF models. It light weight doesn't bog me down and allows me to conserve strength for my assignments. But in the end, its simplicity is its main strength.

The viewfind is grainy and has some distortion. It can get quite difficult to focus in the dark. TTL flash would be heaven-sent! Also, a film canister window would make a useful addition (though not having it is not much of a problem). Could be quiter too. Quite a bit expensive too...but in retrospect, it was worth it. Okay...so I'm nitpicking : ) It's still a lovely camera!

i'm going to begin by being a bit defensive. No camera is perfect, even the most advanced. If these inconveniences stop you from making good images, then that says much more about the photographer than the camera body.

That being said, I use this camera for photojournalism and sports photography. Because of its ruggedness, I can focus on being at the right place at the right time, without having reservations if my camera will work under the difficult circumstances. Its simplicity slows me down and allows me to conctenrtrate on the picture being made. I had to choose between selling my FM2n and F90x to buy more lenses. I let go of my F90x. All in all, this camera gets almost all kinds of work done. And I've made my best images using it.

Similar Products Used:

None

1/250 X-sync.
Minimal electronics (meter only).
No meter movement to fall off pivots.
Availability of excellent lenses!
Classic knobs, "right where they should be".
MD-12 motordrive.

No high-eyepoint version (I wear eyeglasses).
Accessory viewfinder magnifier is only 2x, and the magnifier could use longer eye-relief too.
No mirror lockup (pseudo lockup via timer is better than nothing, though).

An excellent camera, which should suit anyone seeking a tradional, top-quality camera. I would only move from an FM2n if those "weaknesses" I mention were addressed, say with an FM3 :-)

Customer Service

Used for the companion MD-12 only. Nikon Canada was prompt, and their work was top-notch, although expensive.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Spotmatic, K1000, MZ-5.
Minolta 'A' rangefinder.