Nikon FM serial number 38: Tips and tricks for using this legendary camera

Major system accessories for the FM include the MD-11 and MD-12 motor drives; which enables continuous film advance at 3.5 frames per second, the Data Back MF-12; enabling the imprinting of date and time data on the film, and the Speedlight SB-8E electronic flash; guide number 82/25 (feet/meters) at ASA 100.

The Nikon FM2 is an advanced semi-professional, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K. K. (today Nikon Corporation) in Japan from 1982 to 2001. The original camera was released with some incremental improvements (such as a higher flash-sync speed) in 1984, and this later version is commonly referred to as the FM2n (for 'new', due to the N preceding the serial number on the rear of the top plate), although both versions are labelled as the FM2 on the front of the camera body.

nikon fm serial number 38

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Accessories for the FM2 included the Nikon MD-12 motor drive (automatic film advance up to 3.2 frames per second), the Nikon MF-16 databack (sequential numbering, time or date stamping on the film), and the Nikon SB-15 (guide number 82/25 (feet/meters) at ASA/ISO 100) and Nikon SB-16B (guide number 105/32 (feet/meters) at ASA/ISO 100) electronic flashes.

You can identify this cheap American version by serial numbers beginning with 4, and only focussing to 2'/0.6m. If you have one of these in-hand you'll see that the focus ring is all plastic, as is the aperture ring.

All Nikon F2/T came with a serial numberthat starts from "F2T 92xxxxxx" and it does not mean it was produced in1992. Actually, there were all together three known versions of Nikon F2 models whichmade of Titanium. The standard version of F2/T was in Nikon product listing sinceits debut in 1976 and remained until 1980. The next version was a little exotic withits background.

Early products by Orion and Miranda have six-digit serial numbers. The first two look as if they might indicate the year of production, but this is misleading: they might be related to the release year of the camera model or device, but do not give a precise indication of the production year of the particular example.[19] Based on the serial numbers, there is an assessment of the numbers produced of the different Miranda SLR groups. According to this, Miranda produced a total of about 865,000 (+/- 15%) units [20].

Back home, I started tinkering with it. It was light about 540g (without lens). The serial number on the back of the top-plate started with an N (N7634115) making it a Nikon FM2n. Interestingly, the shutter-blades had a honey-comb pattern. I found out decades later that these shutters were made of titanium and because they were thin, the honey-comb pattern was to give the titanium blades a greater degree of rigidity.

In 2002, I bought a black FM2n (serial number N7711819). By that serial number, more than 77,000 production units later, the titanium honey-comb shutter blades had been replaced by aluminium ones without the honey-comb pattern. I sold the chrome FM2n 4 months later.

Lynn: "I used the Nikon FM and FE for quite a few decades until moving to a Canon 5D soon after it came out. Loved the 5D. Then one day in 2015 I was browsing in an op shop (charity store I think you call them) and I asked if they had any cameras. Usually they keep them on display but there were none in sight. The staff member mentioned they had some in a box out the back and would I like a look. A few minutes later he returned with a large cardboard box filled with old cameras most of which you wouldn't look twice at. Then I noticed an old tan leather never-ready case with Nikon F embossed on the front. Inside was a plain prism F in chrome with the original 5cm ƒ/2 lens. It was dusty and the mirror was hanging up but on a hunch I bought it. It wasn't until I got it home that I noticed the serial number: 6407XXX, which I believe makes it a late 1959 model. A CLA later it looked like new, a thing of beauty.

NEAR NEW 99.9% (CHALLENGE... try to find any signs of handling!) The Dark Box M-35S is an improved version of the M-35, enabling picture formats in half-size (17.5mm x 24mm) format by means of a change-over knob. The Dark Box is specifically designed for taking photomicrographs in combination with the Nikon Microflex, using a Type B Adapter Ring.This very fine example (serial no. 88275) is supplied c/w original instruction manual and early grey coloured maker's box

This is the very rare first F-36 motor drive for the Nikon F circa 1959. It is the 296th one manufactured and has Nippon Kogaku Tokyo (Japan Optical) triangle logo and serial number engraved on the base. It comes complete with the first type green/grey finish battery shoulder pack and grey connecting cord. Furthermore, it is supplied in the original grey finish maker's box. This was a time prior to branding the boxes with the Nikon logo. It is stamped on the base of the box Motor Drive No. 97296

We offer a 14 day money-back approval on all second-hand equipment purchased from Grays of Westminster. This means that if the item fails to live up to your expectations for any reason whatsoever, you may return it within 14 days of purchase for a full refund (this does not include postage charges). If, however, you are happy with your purchase it will be covered by a full one-year warranty. Or, if you are a standard subscriber to Nikon Owner magazine the warranty period is extended to 18 months or 24 months if you are a Gold subscriber. For full details go to: www.nikonownermagazine.com

Wow Renee those are some awesome shots with the nikon F5 and the Mamiya RZ67.I have a f5 coming my way but my two main cameras now are the f100 and the mamiya 645. If I was down in your area I would just pay you to job shadow for a day. Great shots. Nothing beats film.

hi i have one like new near the last made modell was wery less film shooted i replace a zero shoot complete inside so camer it in the original boxes and the large nikon string and i have a full functionally shooter speed what replaced with a new make camera value but i have one to and with these camera and new zeiss milvus it really no word say be resoult i neve want stop shoot nikon f5 wil rest in my every day shooting of soon pelillo

Millennium Edition FM2s have special matching serial numbers on the top plate and the lens itself. It was a way to distinguish the special edition camera from other FM2 camera kits. It was also called the Dragon FM2 since it was released in commemoration of the Year of the Dragon back in 2000 and had a Chinese-style dragon design near the self timer. It was a representation of fortune and good luck. In light of this, the Dragon FM2 had a limited run of only 2000 units. The limited edition FM2 bodies and lenses were made in Japan while other Nikon pieces were then made in China.

What are the differences between these card types? Although you should check out our article on memory cards for more information, the basic idea is that CF Express cards are larger and more expensive than SDs, but also tend to be much faster and more durable. However, many photographers have collected a large number of SD cards over the years, while CF Express is a much newer type. Nikon is trying to get the best of both worlds with the Z6 II.

The Nikon Z6 II is built on the template created by the Z6, and the two cameras are almost indistinguishable side by side. However, the Z6 II does add a number of new features under the hood that we found helpful for our photography. The two biggest changes are the addition of the second memory card slot and the new clutter-free live view display option. The other changes also add up, including the improved timelapse settings, extended shutter speeds, better video features, longer battery life, and EVF sensitivity fix.

Amazing write up!Fun fact, Olympus used the same prism through at least the OM-F (OM-30). I recall reading somewhere that Jon Hermanson himself has confirmed this.Using the "Fix Old Cameras" video and a donor OM-F body, I replaced the de-silvered prism in my silver OM-1. My Black OM-1 is a seven digit serial, so no worries there. 2ff7e9595c