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Tech head-to-head

Nikon FE2vsNikon FM2

Nikon FE2 and Nikon FM2 are both Nikon, and they average 8.2 and 8.3. Nikon FM2 takes Durability, 9.4 to 8.4.

Nikon FE2

Nikon

8.2

The FM2's sibling with aperture priority. Easier to shoot, but it needs a battery for everything except 1/250.

Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.

Nikon FM2

Nikon

8.3

A fully mechanical shutter to 1/4000 that fires without a battery. The used SLR built to outlast its owner.

Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.

Where they diverge

The widest gap is Durability, Nikon FM2 ahead 9.4 to 8.4. They come closest on Performance, 8.8 to 8.6. Left of center is Nikon FE2, right is Nikon FM2.

Nikon FE2 versus Nikon FM2 — axis scores out of 10Horizontal bar chart of editorial scores out of 10 across 5 axes. Bars for Nikon FE2 run left from the axis labels, bars for Nikon FM2 run right. Nikon FE2: Performance 8.8, Value 7.2, Durability 8.4, Ease of use 8.6, Design 8.2. Nikon FM2: Performance 8.6, Value 7.0, Durability 9.4, Ease of use 8.2, Design 8.4.Nikon FE2 (left)Nikon FM2 (right)PerformanceNikon FE2 — Performance 8.8 out of 108.8Nikon FM2 — Performance 8.6 out of 108.6ValueNikon FE2 — Value 7.2 out of 107.2Nikon FM2 — Value 7.0 out of 107.0DurabilityNikon FE2 — Durability 8.4 out of 108.4Nikon FM2 — Durability 9.4 out of 109.4Ease of useNikon FE2 — Ease of use 8.6 out of 108.6Nikon FM2 — Ease of use 8.2 out of 108.2DesignNikon FE2 — Design 8.2 out of 108.2Nikon FM2 — Design 8.4 out of 108.4Editorial score out of 10 — higher is better

Which one to pick

Take the Nikon FE2

Leads on Performance, Value and Ease of use.

  • You want to set the aperture and let the camera pick the shutter speed
  • Long exposures, since the automatic mode runs as long as 8 seconds
  • You'd like the FM2's lens mount and shutter range with less thinking per frame

Take the Nikon FM2

Leads on Durability and Design.

  • You want a camera that keeps shooting if the battery dies in the cold
  • You might move to Nikon digital later and want lenses that carry over
  • Bright-sun shooting with fast film, where 1/4000 lets you open the aperture

What each one gets wrong

Nikon FE2

  • You'll shoot in deep cold, where weak batteries leave only 1/250 and B
  • You want the fully mechanical body, which is the FM2

Nikon FM2

  • You want the camera to set exposure for you
  • The premium over a K1000 or AE-1 Program is money you'd rather spend on film

Specs, side by side

SpecNikon FE2Nikon FM2
ShutterElectronic, 8 s to 1/4000 s; mechanical 1/250 s and BMechanical, 1 s to 1/4000 s, B
ModesAperture priority, manual—
Flash sync1/250 s1/200 s (FM2n: 1/250 s)
MeteringCenter-weighted, needle readoutCenter-weighted, LED readout
PowerTwo SR44 cellsTwo SR44 cells, meter only
MountNikon F (AI)Nikon F (AI)

Rankings they both appear in

Questions

Both are Nikon. Which one do I want?
Nikon FM2 leads on Durability and Design. If Performance, Value and Ease of use matter more to you, take the Nikon FE2 instead. Nikon FE2 averages 8.2 and Nikon FM2 averages 8.3, over the 5 axes Tech is scored on.
Where do the two Nikon models actually differ?
Durability is the widest gap, Nikon FM2 ahead 9.4 to 8.4. Every axis lands somewhere different, so the profile shapes differ as much as the totals.
Which one ranks higher in "35mm film SLRs still worth buying used"?
Nikon FM2 sits at #1 in "35mm film SLRs still worth buying used", Nikon FE2 at #2.