Nikon FM2n 5-Month Review

My search for the perfect SLR for me has come to an end…

Of course, there is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ anything, but this camera comes pretty close to having everything I need or want in an SLR.

Mechanical. Light Meter. Self-timer. Multiple-exposure mode. Stylish. Nice shutter sound. Reliable. Relatively small-ish. Pancake lenses. Dials for settings.

I bought this camera in March 2024 and it’s been the only SLR camera I’ve used since then. So, I thought today I’d share it with you along with the results and talk about it.

I made a Youtube video to accompany this post (or this post to go with the video lol) which you can check out here!

About the Camera/History:

Released in 1983, the FM2n features a blazing shutter speed of 1/4000 made possible by a new titanium shutter design. Later, these shutters were replaced with aluminum and this is the version that I have.

The camera doesn’t have any automatic settings, exposure is set manually. The shutter speed and ISO dial are the same, and the aperture is set on the lens like many manual SLR cameras.

The camera’s metering display in the viewfinder is an over-under system with the classic “+, 0, -”. A green light pops on with middle exposure and red for the over-under lights.

Shutter speed and aperture are also shown in the viewfinder, although this can be a little hard to see with glasses. Thankfully, the viewfinder mine has is a split prism so I can align this to get focus, rather than guessing if the middle circle is clear or not, something I am NOT a fan of.  

Additional tools the camera has include a self-timer, a multiple exposure knob, bulb mode, and a cable release socket on the shutter button.  

User Experience:

Overall, the experience of using the FM2n is wonderful. This camera has everything I need in a mechanical SLR and nothing more. It’s simple and minimal but doesn’t leave out functions to get creative, such as the multiple exposure mode.

One of the small details that I can be very picky about in a camera is the shutter sound. It has to be satisfying but also not too loud. The wind on sound also has to be nice but not too long.

I loved my F3, EM, and Nikkormat, they were all great cameras but the FM2 feels right. The F3 wind on was too long, the Nikkormat shutter too loud and the camera too heavy, I prefer more control if I can have it on the FM2n over the EM (still a great camera).

Another small detail for me is how the camera hangs on my body when the strap is around my neck or neck and shoulder.

There are quite a few cameras that tilt backwards and I find this awkward and uncomfortable. My Canon L3 does this and it’s the only flaw I see in that camera.

For me, these small details come together to create a sensory experience that can either be irritating or lovely. The Nikon FM3 has my preferred placement of the strap lugs and sits comfortably when I’m carrying it around my neck.

The viewfinder is nice, although I do find it hard to get exact focus with SLRs. I much prefer the rangefinder method of focusing because I can see clearly when things line up. SLR focusing is slower for me and this affects how I shoot and what I shoot with this camera.

With an SLR, I’m more likely to shoot slower, less street photography. Street can still be shot with an SLR, but they are louder, more obtrusive, and slower to operate if you are not pre-setting the focus to a particular distance or “zone”.

Am I A Nikon Fan?

Looking back, I didn’t intentionally stick to Nikons and I have tried so many other camera brands and types, but this is where I seem to land for 35mm film SLRs. I LOVE Canon and Minolta glass but haven’t quite found a mechanical SLR that I liked as much as the Nikons. Between the design, ergonomics, and user experience, the mechanical Nikons seem to always come out on top for me.

Saying that, Nikon glass for me is a little too sterile. I find Canon and Minolta more contrasty and characterful and my favorite glass is the Minolta Rokkor series. So perhaps someday I will find an adapter and try different glass on the Nikon FM2n, but that adds a lot of bulk to the camera and I like to keep things slim and light.  

Lenses

I have the 50mm Series E, the 28mm Series E, and the 20mm AI-S lens.

The 20mm does not work with the light meter and therefore it’s the least used lens for this camera.

The 28mm usually stays on the camera as I’m not a huge fan of a 50mm focal length.

It’s sharp and has a quick focus throw which I love!! It’s annoying to have a long focus throw for me because that means it takes longer to focus. Quick shooting is more my style.

So, I stick to the 28mm 🙂

The Nikon F-mount lens system is extensive, so there are plenty of options for this camera. The series E are some of the more affordable ones and they work with the light meter. The 50mm is the cheapest one, and the 28mm or the 35mm will run around $70-$120 for ones in good shape on eBay.

You can use older lenses on this camera but you’ll have to meter separately. There is a helpful chart I found when researching which F-mount lenses will work with the FM2n, check that out here if you are interested:

https://www.nikonians.org/reviews/nikon-slr-camera-and-lens-compatibility

Pre-AI lenses will NOT work on the FM2n. AI, AI-S, and Series E will work though, with manual focus only. The source above says you can even use AF lenses that are a bit newer but of course, this will be manual focus only as well.

The website above also has a great chart of the types of Nikon lenses to help you understand them better as there are many different versions!

Multiple Exposures

One of my favorite things about this camera is its multiple exposure capability. There is a small lever on the winder that allows the camera to shoot as many exposures as you want on a frame. I tested this out a bit and will be using it A LOT more! It’s super cool.

I LOVE experimenting with multiple exposures as it adds an extra layer of creativity and interest. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, but when it does, it’s exhilarating.

Self-Timer

This is super handy to have on any camera, not only for taking self-portraits or group shots but also if you forget a cable release and are shooting long exposures on a tripod.

Ending Thoughts

I’ve enjoyed shooting with this camera a lot. It feels just right for me and I have no plans to get rid of it anytime soon. It is a more popular Nikon and isn’t the cheapest out there if you are looking for budget options.

However, if you can afford to spend a little bit more and want something that ticks all the boxes (if they are the same as mine) and will be a long-term investment, then this might be a good option!

Let me know what you think about the Nikon series, FM2n, or if you have an SLR that is the best match for you!

Thanks for watching and/or reading, like and subscribe if you want to, and I’ll see you in the next one 🙂

peace,

~M