I love this camera it was my issued camera when I was a army photographer still own one today 3rd version never let me down a real beauty of a Nikon simple camera and easy to use I also have a FM2N as well that’s great camera also

Such a great, dependable camera, I learned my photography with one of these in the mid 80's. I recently had mine serviced with new seals, an upgraded battery compartment and the light meter calibrated, which was previously a long way out. It will now last for the remainder of my life. The cost of a second hand camera and a full service is still very reasonable for what you get and for how long it will last.

Yes. The light seals must be checked. I finally learned this and have changed five so far... one Pentax K-1000 to go! I do not have an FM. I have an FT-N and I must say... Nikon cameras are good old cameras to work with.

Great advice for anyone purchasing a 40+ year old camera! I like to buy from a shop that does all this BEFORE the camera is even offered for sale. Sure, you pay more $$$$$ but to me, it's worth it! Some of our Club members are pretty adept at doing light seals themselves. And that's fine. But sticking shutters, or mirror issues can be a real pain. Again, great advice!

Not only did your video remind me that I needed to replace my light seals, I also found out that my camera has a button I never noticed before ! I actually had to go and check my camera to see if it had one. All chuffed (little amuses the innocent etc ) by that

Love your buyer's guides, really nice to be able to hear from a point of view of someone who goes through a lot of used cameras and sees what fails most often and what to look out for. I do have a Nikon FM that visually looks really nice, like it was barely used, nothing looks knocked or otherwise broken, it focuses on infinity fine, local repairer with good rep can't find anything wrong with it. Despite it all I have constant issues with the point of maximum sharpness being definitely in front of what I was aiming at, with smaller apertures the depth of field sometimes reaches the subject, but with the lens wide open it's very obviously out of focus. What's more, I'm pretty sure it's not just user error or something wrong with my eyesight, other people taking photos with this camera also miss focus and it's always in front of the intended subject, not behind. Eyepiece doesn't have any markings on it so I'm assuming it's not a corrective one. Ever encountered anything like that?

There are 3 different main big revisions of this camera, it's worth picking up the later ones in my opinion as they're newer and any issues have been ironed out. These are my favorite Nikon SLR and paid pretty much the value of the camera just to have it CLA'd so it can keep on shooting well for a long time (£120 I think it was), yes the F series has all the prestige and versatility but these are just way more convenient for general shooting than say a F or F2. The meter btw on the ones I have come across have been spot on they all read the same as my F4 or D800 when those are set to center weighted. It's GPD photo cells are pretty robust and don't fail like most of the cadmium photocells found in cameras of the 60's. They are also virtually insensitive to infrared rays and whose spectral sensitivity closely parallels that of the human eye. Silicone cells need blue filters

I love the way you present stuff and watch videos of you talking about gear I'm not even that interested in just for the sake of it. Getting ani F3 based on your buyers guide this week. I wonder, is there any chance we'll see film related stuff like film scanners, enlargers etc.? Keep it up man, I think this is really important content to have in this new analog renesance for the younger generations like me.

Excellent video, thanks for sharing your experience / knowledge.

I own one and it’s an amazing camera, gets the most unique shots!!

A fine camera, use it a lot. Correct call on light seals, need to be checked.

Thank you for another very simple, and well done video. Liked and subbed.

Great tips about a great camera!

My dad gave me his. Love the FM.

This was my first camera, and still my favorite. I am also a watch enthusiast, and my curiosity has the better of me-that appears to be a handsome watch you are wearing, would you mind telling me what it is?

Never spent a cent on a preset to emulate film because I know what I'm doing.

You can use stop down metering with pre-Ai lenses.

just saw a mint one with a 50mm 1.2 lens for 150.. snatched that puppy faster than you could say cheese.

Just been given one of these and it seems in good order, but when I advance the film it doesn't stop if I continue winding. Is this normal? Very informative video. Thank you!

If you buy a old camera, replace the seals and the mirror anyway, one can find the fome in sheets. its around 15 e and you can make 5-7-8 cameras from it. don't be lazy and pay somebody to do it. its simple as F S :) . Shoot film every single F day :) !

The Pentax LX also suffers from sticky mirror syndrome.

Hello, Jonathan. One quick question: Is there a recommended source for purchasing specific Nikon model light-proof seal kits ? Thank you in anticipation of a rapid response, Best, Andrew.

Hey I have a quick question. My light meter is being temperamental on this camera. Sometimes it is dead and I clean everything and it works again. Recently if I tighten the battery cap all the way it won’t work, but will work a little looser. Currently it’s fine, but it’s not consistent. I have cleaned it as I have said, and I am using 2 Sr-44’s. Any possible solutions? I really love the camera, besides the iffy meter it is in great condition. Also has new light seals.

I have the Nikon FE2, I inherited it from my grandmother, and I think I may have a fungal problem above the mirror, what can I do☹my shutter is stuck also😭😭what can I do to save my camera?

If only you could check test film before buying a camera

Sorry, but this is just clickbait. The title suggests that the FM has a model specific weak point that always fails. Degraded light seals is a given with the vast majority of vintage cameras. Thumbs down.