Nikon FM2 Overview: How to Use a Nikon FM2 Film Camera
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- Опубликовано: 16 дек 2020
- In this video, I will be providing a basic overview of how to use the Nikon FM2 35mm film camera!
This is a really popular film camera, it was my first. With its ability to shoot at 1/4000th of a second, and operate without the light meter battery, it is still sought out by film enthusiasts to this day.
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EQUIPMENT:
My Main Camera: Canon 5D Mark IV
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Lenses:
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM
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Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
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My (Favourite) Stabilizer: Glidecam HD-PRO
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My Film Cameras:
35MM: Nikon FM2
Medium Format: Hasselblad 500CM with 80mm f2.8 Zeiss Planar C - Chrome Lens
AUDIO:
On-Camera Audio: Rode VideoMic Pro
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I bought one of these - exact model - in the 1970’s as I recall. It worked great and never failed. I still have it. I took a variety of pictures, but those taken of constellations were special to me. A tripod is necessary and cable release also. Using ISS 400 speed Ektachrome, lens open to 2.4 and with a 5 to 6 second exposure on a clear and calm night will produce a satisfactory result. Any longer exposure time will begin to show star trails, at least for what I did. I used this approach to get a few images of Orion and Halley’s Comet when it was last seen. Digital is ok, but there is something unique and rewarding emotionally about using film to capture an image. Thanks for the review.
That's awesome! Yes, I love night sky photography! It's absolutely gorgeous! I tried it on my Hasselblad with Cinestill! Very thrilled with the results.
I'll definitely be holding onto my fm2 for a while!
What lens do/did you use?
Thankyou, so helpful!
Thanks a million for the kind words, Indra! Happy shooting! Feel free to share some of your work on Instagram! Tag me in the comments @mikestechy
I thought the N in the serial number meant it was an FM2n, but then I saw the honeycomb shutter and now I’m all sorts of confused.
AH such a good video, i’m debating between the Contax RX and this nikon, i love them so much and i’m getting both in the future but i don’t know which to get first. (new to film)
Both are excellent cameras! I will say this about the Nikon FM2 though; it is on the costly side of the 35mm SLRs (if you want a model in excellent condition).
Navigating the camera is fairly simple. I love the internal light meter. Very easy to read!
The fact that you can shoot at 1/4000th of a second is a HUGE plus. So the FM2 definitely has an advantage over some of its competitors. Although, I know the Contax RX has 1/4000th of a second as well.
Lastly, I know that some SLRs require a battery to operate, however, the battery in the Nikon FM2 is used to power the light meter. If that battery dies, you'll still be able to use the camera without the light meter.
Hope that helps! Happy shooting!
@@mikestechy ohh okay thank you so much! i don’t mind if it’s on the costly side, my budget for a film camera is $200-250 so i think that’s plenty. after all the info you’ve told me and that i’ve seen, i think i’ll go for the FM2 so i can manually wind and rewind the film, and just overall get used to it. plus there’s way more videos on the nikon
last question tho, difference between the FM2N and the FM2?
Great question! So, they are essentially the same model. What you will notice is the 1/250th is in red (I believe that its for the flash, but I could be wrong)... and there is a and serial number on the back. I believe it was just for manufacturing in Japan. It just means it’s a later model. A “New” model.
If you come across a Nikon FM2 T, that “T” means titanium shutter. All around, they are all equally the same. Very minor differences that won’t impact your shooting.
thank you!!
Hey hey! I hope you enjoyed it!
my light meter is not showing up when i look into the view finder. i just loaded it with 2 1.5v batteries
Hi Marcus,
Step 1: make sure that the film advancement knob is not locked into place, have it ready to go. And you’ll notice that the LightMeter will show up.
Step 2: lightly press the shutter release button to see if the LightMeter will appear.
If none of these steps worked, I would suggest removing the batteries and reinserting them again.
If that doesn’t work, I would highly recommend inspecting the red light meter lights inside the camera. Sometimes they need to be replaced after a certain amount of time.
Also, I just wanted to point out that your camera will be fully operational even if the LightMeter is not working inside the camera. The batteries are only for the internal LightMeter. The rest of your camera should work just fine. You could always use a LightMeter app on your phone, I find this works better than using the internal LightMeter most of the time. Finally, if you have some money to spare, you could always buy a pocket lightmeter. A Sekonic L-308X-U is the one I now own.
I hope these steps help. If not, I do apologize and I wish you the best of luck.
Nice video🙏🏻
Thank you so much! 😊
Is there a eyepiece shield for the Nikon fm2 ? (For long exposure shots) you know like the Nikon Dk-8 is for the Nikon F100
Hey There KanonMadness! I'm not entirely sure, I've never thought of that/or looked into it... But here's what I found! I would love to try long exposure also! Here you go! I hope this helps! www.amazon.ca/Nikon-Finder-Eyepiece-For-FA-FE2-FM2-FE-FM/dp/B00005NPWA
@@mikestechy yeah thats just the eyepiece. I will keep looking around as for now im just using a black piece of take to cover it when im doing long exposures :P
Great video! Just picked this up myself. One question: it doesn't seem that the light meter is able to lock into perfect exposure. The + or - light up, and sometimes the 0 with either a + or - with it, but never a 0 alone. Have you encountered this at all? Just got it, and I'm kinda bummed if somethings wrong with it!
you won't regret it! It happens sometimes.
It's a very interesting meter....
its very rare for me to get a perfect "o". I usually aim for a "+o", that way I know its not underexposed even by the slightest.
@@mikestechy Oh, man that helps a lot. I was stressing because it seemed so hard to get the "0" every time. You telling me that this isn't an anomaly makes me feel way better.
@@dinodemopoulos3336 Happy to help, bro! It's a really fun camera! Hope you enjoy it!
Hey, i bought this recently. It always shows -ve sign in exposure meter, even if i point it toward Direct sunlight. I haven't loaded any film yet.but Do i have to load it then only will it show me the reading??
Why dint you cover flash synchronization and flash usage?
Hey boss! You’re absolutely right! I missed that! I don’t have a flash for my camera, but I definitely should’ve covered it. I’ll have to make another video for flash synchronization and flash use. Appreciate that feedback!
Hey, i bought this recently. It always shows -ve sign in exposure meter, even if i point it toward Direct sunlight. I haven't loaded any film yet.but Do i have to load it then only will it show me the reading??
Hello! That’s very interesting that this is happening. Whether the film is loaded or not will not have an affect on how the meter is reading.
Questions:
1) did you set your ISO setting to the box speed of the film?
2) when was the last time you checked/changed the battery for the FM2? (When the light meter flickers, or switches through the metering signs, it’s a sign that the battery might be dying)
3) (and I REALLY hope this isn’t the case) might the light meter LEDs be dead? The light meter LEDs also have a life on them, so there is also the possibility that they need to be replaced (which I hope not, because repairs can be costly).
What’s really cool about this camera is it can still operate without the light meter/without a battery. It just means that you have to use a separate light meter. Or a light meter mobile app. I hope this helps, if not I do apologize. Good luck!
@@mikestechy hey, thank you for putting up so much effort into this... Yes i have set the correct iso according to the film.
I changed the battery, even cleaned the battery slot with some sand paper..
All the led is working. But he meter always has -ve light on. I think so there might be some problem with the meter but. I am shooting it by calculating the settings and shooting +1 exposure. Really dont want the film to under expose..
Yes, good thinking! Much MUCH better to be a little over than under. I really hope you enjoy this camera regardless! It’s such an amazing camera! I’ve been shooting Medium Format more than 35mm lately, but I’ll definitely get some 135 soon!
I was given one of these from my girlfriend and your video’s been helpful but how would I develop the film? The most I’ve seen so far is id have to take it to my local cvs or mail it.
Hi there! So, at the moment I do not develop my own film. It is something I would most definitely like to try in the future. I go to my local lab to get my film developed and then I scan the negatives myself using an Epson V600 scanner.
Might me a silly question, but could I mount my sigma F mount Art lenses to this?
Great camera for those that can't afford the FM3a.
An amazing camera! The FM3 is a beauty as well!
just got one off the ole ebay with 3 lenses :)
Hey! That’s great! Have fun with it! Which lenses did you get?
@@mikestechy 85mm F2 AI-S (my new baby)
50mm 1.4
and some sigma 28-70 zoom one that came with it
@@ikaros4203 Yes! The 85 f2 is great!!! On my lens wish list!!! the 50mm 1.4 is mine. Wow! You've got a great kit!
@@mikestechy Indeed, its so small/light for such DOF range. This makes it look so good with clear subject isolations and compressing photo layers with distant background subjects
Like it can be run wide open at 2 and not distort much unlike a lot of
even the more expensive 1.4-1.8 dont get really good until like 4 at
which point the f2 model is crystal. In my mind this is superior, idk.
Overall im a big fan of the colors/clarity of vintage Nikon
And the AI"S" special quick focus ring action. Yeah i'm excited.
My first film camera :)
@@ikaros4203 It is my first film camera too! No plans on parting ways with it. I agree. Vintage Nikon glass is incredible. Looks amazing when I adapt it to my Canon DLSR. Great alternative for cinematographers also.
Hahaha classic I still can't twist these lenses off the right way first go 😂