Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
When I say new, I mean new to me, but actually this is about as close as you can get for any sensible amount of money to a new one. It came boxed, it even had the paper shutter guard inside the back of the camera. Im not entirely sure it had been used, the only clue it wasn't truly "new" was the fact it wasn't in its polythene wrapper. One way or another, it's absolutely mint, and quite beautiful!
Nikon FM2n by Hamish_Gill, on Flickr
Nikon FM2n by Hamish_Gill, on Flickr
The FM2n is the new version of the fm2 which was of course the successor to the FM. I'm not 100% sure but I have always considered the M to stand for mechanical. The F is of course the F mount that all nikon SLRs are based around.
This camera has no automation at all, the shutter is completely mechanical and with speeds from 1 sec - 1/4000th was quite a feat in it's day. It was in fact the first SLR to provide a 1/4000th shutter speed.
Early versions had a honeycomb pattern titanium shutter, this one has a later aluminium alloy shutter. My other (slightly tatty) FM2n has the honeycomb one.
Due to the mechanical shutter, no batteries are required for anything apart from the lightmeter.
There is a very simple 3 led lightmeter that provides 5 possible readings; under, correct and over are represented by a -, o and + respectively. The other two possibilities are when the - and o are lit together or + and o. These tell the user that they are between 1/5th and a stop away from correct exposure.
Nikon FM2n by Hamish_Gill, on Flickr
Other features include a switch to allow the user to cock the shutter without winding on the film thus allowing multiple exposures on one frame. There is a self time, DOF preview, a little light above the vf that tells when a compatible flash is charged. Sync speed is up to 1/250th. There is also a thread in the shutter release.
Thats about the lot.
It is easy to identify an n version over the original by the n prefix to the serial number on the back.
Nikon FM2n by Hamish_Gill, on Flickr
There is a pc sync socket as well as a hot shoe.
Nikon FM2n by Hamish_Gill, on Flickr
In terms of use, the camera is of course very simple to use. The aperture is of course adjusted on the lens, and in use the chosen setting is displayed to you in the view finder through a little window. The shutter dial is on the top of the camera and is changeable with your forefinger when you have the camera to your eye. The shutter speed is also displayed in the VF.
I have the standard 'K' type focusing screen in mine, this provides both a horizontal split screen with a microprism collar. Basically, its very easy to focus accurately!
Beyond that, all you need to know is how to turn it on and off, quite simply, the film advance pops out slightly. In doing this, the shutter is unlocked and the lightmeter is switched on.
Nikon FM2n by Hamish_Gill, on Flickr
Nikon FM2n by Hamish_Gill, on Flickr
The FM2n is the new version of the fm2 which was of course the successor to the FM. I'm not 100% sure but I have always considered the M to stand for mechanical. The F is of course the F mount that all nikon SLRs are based around.
This camera has no automation at all, the shutter is completely mechanical and with speeds from 1 sec - 1/4000th was quite a feat in it's day. It was in fact the first SLR to provide a 1/4000th shutter speed.
Early versions had a honeycomb pattern titanium shutter, this one has a later aluminium alloy shutter. My other (slightly tatty) FM2n has the honeycomb one.
Due to the mechanical shutter, no batteries are required for anything apart from the lightmeter.
There is a very simple 3 led lightmeter that provides 5 possible readings; under, correct and over are represented by a -, o and + respectively. The other two possibilities are when the - and o are lit together or + and o. These tell the user that they are between 1/5th and a stop away from correct exposure.
Nikon FM2n by Hamish_Gill, on Flickr
Other features include a switch to allow the user to cock the shutter without winding on the film thus allowing multiple exposures on one frame. There is a self time, DOF preview, a little light above the vf that tells when a compatible flash is charged. Sync speed is up to 1/250th. There is also a thread in the shutter release.
Thats about the lot.
It is easy to identify an n version over the original by the n prefix to the serial number on the back.
Nikon FM2n by Hamish_Gill, on Flickr
There is a pc sync socket as well as a hot shoe.
Nikon FM2n by Hamish_Gill, on Flickr
In terms of use, the camera is of course very simple to use. The aperture is of course adjusted on the lens, and in use the chosen setting is displayed to you in the view finder through a little window. The shutter dial is on the top of the camera and is changeable with your forefinger when you have the camera to your eye. The shutter speed is also displayed in the VF.
I have the standard 'K' type focusing screen in mine, this provides both a horizontal split screen with a microprism collar. Basically, its very easy to focus accurately!
Beyond that, all you need to know is how to turn it on and off, quite simply, the film advance pops out slightly. In doing this, the shutter is unlocked and the lightmeter is switched on.
I enjoy shooting on my FM2n, that light meter is really useful as its either over exposed, under exposed or slightly under or over which is great if you are wanting more detail in the shadow or hilights 
