FM2 serial numbers

[Jerome Charles]

Hi,

I would like to know the production date of my FM2 from its serial
number. Where I can find this kind of information on the Net ?

Thanks,

Jerome

[Darrell A. Larose]

Can't be done, there is a Urban Myth that the first two digits of
a Nikon is the year of manufactuer, but when you consider that the
original 1959 Nikon F had a 64 as the frist two numbers... AFAIK
none of the Nikons have a year. The only makers that I know of is
Hasselblad, and Leica (via collector's guides)

Darrell Larose | http://www.newforce.ca/darrell | darrell@.newforce.ca

"Living at risk is jumping off the cliff
and building your wings on the way down" (Ray Bradbury)

[ClintAK]

Jerome,

With the exception (sort of) of the F and F2 series, you can't really tell the
year of production from the serial number. The first two digits on the F and
F2 serial numbers APPROXIMATES the year of manufacture but it certainly isn't
exact. Especially when you consider the first F's were made in 1959 but had
serial # that started with 64xxxx. FWIW, if you have an FM-2 and not an FM-2n,
that camera was made I think between the years 1982-84.

Best, Clint

[Jerome Charles]

> serial # that started with 64xxxx. FWIW, if you have an FM-2 and not an FM-2n,
> that camera was made I think between the years 1982-84.

What is the difference between FM2 and FM2n ?

Best regards,

Jerome

[James Grove]

In article <36230B...@NOSPAMqcd.th.u-psud.fr>,
charle...@NOSPAMqcd.th.u-psud.fr says...

Shutter improvement and a flash sync of 1/250 sec

--
=======================================================================
James Grove West Midlands Fire Service UK
Mnt Elbrus (5644 mrts) Russia 1995 Ja...@jpgservices.ndirect.co.uk
Mt. Blanc (4800 mrts) France 1996 www.jpgservices.ndirect.co.uk
=======================================================================
A true traveller takes only pictures, and leaves only footprints.
=======================================================================

[Jerome Charles]

> I believe there were a few batches of FM2n's that came with the Titanium shutter as per
> FM2/FE2 until the changover in 88/89 to the F801 aluminium shutter. I just bought one
> in mint condition. It is definately an FM2n( has an 'N' at the start of the serial
> no.), has the titanium shutter and the flash sync of 1/250.

Are you able to recognize a titanium from an aluminium shutter ?!

Jerome

[Doug Rollins]

As mentioned in other posts, there is no date information recorded in
the FM series serial numbers. In addition to the change in shutter
design and the increased flash sync speed, the FM2n's flash sync speed
is metered (that is, the meter is operative at the sync speed).

doug

[Shannon Hong]

I believe there were a few batches of FM2n's that came with the Titanium shutter as per
FM2/FE2 until the changover in 88/89 to the F801 aluminium shutter. I just bought one
in mint condition. It is definately an FM2n( has an 'N' at the start of the serial
no.), has the titanium shutter and the flash sync of 1/250.

[Shannon Hong]

The Titanium shutter is etched with a honeycomb pattern while the aluminium alloy shutter is
smooth. Check out an FE2 or FM2(sync 1/200) and compare it with a late model FM2n to see
what I mean.

Jerome Charles wrote:

> > I believe there were a few batches of FM2n's that came with the Titanium shutter as per
> > FM2/FE2 until the changover in 88/89 to the F801 aluminium shutter. I just bought one
> > in mint condition. It is definately an FM2n( has an 'N' at the start of the serial
> > no.), has the titanium shutter and the flash sync of 1/250.
>

[Shannon Hong]

If your FM2 has the letter 'n' in front of the serial no. then it is an FM2n.
If the shutter leaves of your FM2's shutter are smooth - it was probably made after 1988/89
as that was when Nikon changed the Titanium shutter in the FM2n to the same aluminium shutter
as the F801(to cut costs I presume).