I love this camera it was my issued camera when I was a army photographer still own one today 3rd version never let me down a real beauty of a Nikon simple camera and easy to use I also have a FM2N as well that’s great camera also
Such a great, dependable camera, I learned my photography with one of these in the mid 80's. I recently had mine serviced with new seals, an upgraded battery compartment and the light meter calibrated, which was previously a long way out. It will now last for the remainder of my life. The cost of a second hand camera and a full service is still very reasonable for what you get and for how long it will last.
Great advice for anyone purchasing a 40+ year old camera! I like to buy from a shop that does all this BEFORE the camera is even offered for sale. Sure, you pay more $$$$$ but to me, it's worth it! Some of our Club members are pretty adept at doing light seals themselves. And that's fine. But sticking shutters, or mirror issues can be a real pain. Again, great advice!
Not only did your video remind me that I needed to replace my light seals, I also found out that my camera has a button I never noticed before ! I actually had to go and check my camera to see if it had one. All chuffed (little amuses the innocent etc ) by that
Love your buyer's guides, really nice to be able to hear from a point of view of someone who goes through a lot of used cameras and sees what fails most often and what to look out for. I do have a Nikon FM that visually looks really nice, like it was barely used, nothing looks knocked or otherwise broken, it focuses on infinity fine, local repairer with good rep can't find anything wrong with it. Despite it all I have constant issues with the point of maximum sharpness being definitely in front of what I was aiming at, with smaller apertures the depth of field sometimes reaches the subject, but with the lens wide open it's very obviously out of focus. What's more, I'm pretty sure it's not just user error or something wrong with my eyesight, other people taking photos with this camera also miss focus and it's always in front of the intended subject, not behind. Eyepiece doesn't have any markings on it so I'm assuming it's not a corrective one. Ever encountered anything like that?
I love the way you present stuff and watch videos of you talking about gear I'm not even that interested in just for the sake of it. Getting ani F3 based on your buyers guide this week. I wonder, is there any chance we'll see film related stuff like film scanners, enlargers etc.? Keep it up man, I think this is really important content to have in this new analog renesance for the younger generations like me.
Thanks for your comments - much appreciated. Cameras and lenses are what I know best. Less so enlargers, lighting, scanners etc. But maybe something for the future?
Yes. The light seals must be checked. I finally learned this and have changed five so far... one Pentax K-1000 to go! I do not have an FM. I have an FT-N and I must say... Nikon cameras are good old cameras to work with.
There are 3 different main big revisions of this camera, it's worth picking up the later ones in my opinion as they're newer and any issues have been ironed out. These are my favorite Nikon SLR and paid pretty much the value of the camera just to have it CLA'd so it can keep on shooting well for a long time (£120 I think it was), yes the F series has all the prestige and versatility but these are just way more convenient for general shooting than say a F or F2. The meter btw on the ones I have come across have been spot on they all read the same as my F4 or D800 when those are set to center weighted. It's GPD photo cells are pretty robust and don't fail like most of the cadmium photocells found in cameras of the 60's. They are also virtually insensitive to infrared rays and whose spectral sensitivity closely parallels that of the human eye. Silicone cells need blue filters
This was my first camera, and still my favorite. I am also a watch enthusiast, and my curiosity has the better of me-that appears to be a handsome watch you are wearing, would you mind telling me what it is?
Just been given one of these and it seems in good order, but when I advance the film it doesn't stop if I continue winding. Is this normal? Very informative video. Thank you!
Hello, Jonathan. One quick question: Is there a recommended source for purchasing specific Nikon model light-proof seal kits ? Thank you in anticipation of a rapid response, Best, Andrew.
Personally I’d leave it to a Nikon repairer. It isn’t a particularly difficult job but the cost isn’t high and you know it’ll be done properly with the correct seals.
Hey I have a quick question. My light meter is being temperamental on this camera. Sometimes it is dead and I clean everything and it works again. Recently if I tighten the battery cap all the way it won’t work, but will work a little looser. Currently it’s fine, but it’s not consistent. I have cleaned it as I have said, and I am using 2 Sr-44’s. Any possible solutions? I really love the camera, besides the iffy meter it is in great condition. Also has new light seals.
as for the light seals... judging from the pictures I don't think there are any at all.. but that's even better than crummy old seals. ill just put new ones in. did it on my pentax mx. the fm has like half the number of seals so it shouldbe pretty easy
It’s quite a time consuming job but not too difficult. Make sure the replacement foam is suitable for a Nikon. If it’s too dense the camera back may not open and close perfectly (not the end of the world).
@@WorldwideCameraExchange I got a three pack seal kit from usa cameras. where i got my mx seal kit from. The only question I have is there seem to be seals on the back door as well but don't think any comes with the kit. Oh well. still a good buy. I could probably flip the lens for 50, 60 and use my 40mm k mount pancake with an adapter or get one of those nikon pancakes. aren't awfully pricey those.
@@WorldwideCameraExchange Do you know anything about the versions? According to nikon and another youtuber there are three versions of these. the earlest has knurling on all three knobs, the newer one has two, and the newest one only has knurling on the shutter speed dial. Heard that the first version has a dreaded felt seal at the bottom of the mirror that is hard to get to(which is entirely why I'm trying to replace my me super with the FM). and that is not present on the newer models? I would love to hear you take on this if you know anything about the versions..
Yes, three/four versions depending upon how you categorise? If you're looking for a Nikon to use day-in day-out I'll strongly recommend the newer FM2. FMs are great but they're getting old!
I have the Nikon FE2, I inherited it from my grandmother, and I think I may have a fungal problem above the mirror, what can I do☹my shutter is stuck also😭😭what can I do to save my camera?
If you buy a old camera, replace the seals and the mirror anyway, one can find the fome in sheets. its around 15 e and you can make 5-7-8 cameras from it. don't be lazy and pay somebody to do it. its simple as F S :) . Shoot film every single F day :) !
A test film won’t highlight fungus in a viewfinder or partially deteriorated light baffles or corroded battery terminals or scratches on the glass or optical coating issues. Good luck buying a 40 year old camera without these checks.
Sorry, but this is just clickbait. The title suggests that the FM has a model specific weak point that always fails. Degraded light seals is a given with the vast majority of vintage cameras. Thumbs down.
Yes, it affects most older film cameras but how often do you see FMs (and other cameras) for sale with rotten light seals? All the time. If one thing fails on an FM it’ll be the light seals. Do you expect me not to highlight the fact, just because it affects other cameras too? I highlight this issue with every camera where relevant. Not everybody knows everything about every camera.
