Nikon FM2 - Any users?

[MrMister]

Just found a Nikon FM2 body in my loft this weekend, looks abit tarnished and used but cranks pretty well. Would like to get this back into service for some personal work, but it needs a lens.

Any opinions on what lens "cheap" will fit on these bodies, mount wise?

I am a Canon shooter, so Nikon's are a little alien to me whats the FM2 like any users on here?

[55palfers]

I used them back in the late '80s early '90s

Very robust camera that will take any Nikon bayonet lens.

Lots of good stuff still about.

Was quite an expensive camera in its day.

[Norwegian Blue]

I have one but haven't used it much in the past few years.
They will take pretty much any Nikon lens with an aperture ring, so no G lenses, but plenty of AF-D and AI / AIS out there on the second hand market. Mine lives with a 50mm series E pancake lens on it: considered cheap rubbish in its day, and buttons to buy these days, but I can't fault it for size or quality, especially next to modern plastic lenses.
I've been meaning to pick up a home developing kit and some B/W film and getting a bit more use out of it. They are tough as old boots. I genuinely don't think there's a better camera ever made for teaching the basics of film speed, shutter and aperture.
Run a cheap film through it quickly before you use it in anger: the seals might need replacing. Also, check to see if you get the red light meter LEDs in the viewfinder on the RHS: it's the only electrical thing on them. Will need a new battery if not. Batteries last for years.

[MrMister]

Ah cool nice one guys, going to give it a good look over and try to find a cheap pancake lens for it - I have a Canon 40mm 2.8 on my Canon, makes a great walk a round prime lens

Edited by MrMister on Monday 15th July 13:29

[Boxbrownie]

Also check the light trap felt around the back, if kept in the loft in high temperatures it can “go” sticky and loose its effectiveness obviously with the consequences of fogged images.

[SCEtoAUX]

Boxbrownie said:

Also check the light trap felt around the back, if kept in the loft in high temperatures it can “go” sticky and loose its effectiveness obviously with the consequences of fogged images.

Don't knock that, it's called "auto Instagram look" and was 30 years ahead of its time.

[MrMister]

SCEtoAUX said:

Don't knock that, it's called "auto Instagram look" and was 30 years ahead of its time.

Ha! Very true, people try post-process this now - cant beat authentic light leaks (they were the days)

[sgtBerbatov]

Never had an FM2 (although my gaffer at work keeps on about them), but I have a collection of soviet film cameras which I use for film photography. If you want a bit of fun, and you're looking for cheap lenses, try looking for soviet ones. You can get adapter rings etc so they'll find the FM2.

Personal favourite is the Industar 50-2. Great lens in my opinion.