ning said:
Hi, I'm interested in getting a fully manual nikon camera,
but do not know what to get. I'm completely new to this.
Some tell me the nikon FM2 is the best. Others tell me the
nikon F2.
I apologise for my ignorance but would appreciate
any advice or comments from anyone.
Thanks so much in advance.
As someone completely new to manual camera and especially if you are new to photography as a whole. Stick to the FM2 or FM2n (as nickmak had recommended) if mechanical manual SLR is what you seek. The reason being the FM2 is a great successor to the antique classic FM and Nikormat ( a great choice of old photojournalists) but it has built-in metering and very durable parts and especially the FM2n with the titanium shutter blades and later upgraded to aluminium blade for faster shutter speeds which is even newer but still are all mechanically triggered and all speed are mechanically control. For one thing this is the best way to learn basic photography...no metrix metering, no AF lens, no computer this and that. All you have is a camera that gives you averaging readings and you really not just need to know how to creative compose your picture, choice of lens BUT you get to know how a camera really works and how to do mental calculation of exposures...etc. I use to have the FM2. It is really a great way to start and it is also a great camera that can still grow with you when you have gone on to intermediate level and on to PRO.
This is the camera all PROS use as a backup camera because everything is mechanical..even without battery to power the metering, it still works and if you are pretty good at mentally gauging exposure speed/apeture or you bracket your shots..this mechanical cameras will never let you down.
The F2 is not a good choice for beginners, for one thing..it is a Professional camera like the later F3, F4, F5 and now F6. The F2 like the F1 are more like collector's items. You hardly hear of anyone using them full time except those who are collectors. Parts are hard to come by, reliability is fine to some extend but it can cause you alot more $$$$ to buy, maintenance,use and get some upgrades of parts. Enhancement accesories are not cheap and hard to find as this camera is already out of production a pretty long time. (1971) It is also very intimidating to use and learn. Also you can't use the F2 version without a external light meter as it DOES NOT HAVE ONE BUILT-IN. It is only the "F2 Photomic" that has metering function (DP-1 Finder). Built in TTL and full aperture exposure metering.
FM2(1982) and FM2n(1983, upgrade again in 1989) are not as old and parts are still around..even brand new as FM2n is the only mechanical cameras left in the entire Nikon SLR line. I know of purist that still use them instead of the electronic ones like the F90, F100..etc.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you DON'T need to get a fully mechanical camera to learn photography. Even a good entry level electronic Nikon or Canon SLR camera will do. In fact, if you might have to share the camera with your family getting a SLR with program mode and some auto-mode would be good as a standby east to use Point & shoot. But then when you want to learn the finer point of using SLRs and Photography, you can still go back to manual mode and take over full control.
Just my two cents....as usually.