So, I have been "amassing" cameras/lenses (not collecting because collecting means obtaining rare or pristine cameras) for several decades. Among these cameras are two FM2N's (a silver one and a black one). I've had these cameras since 1984 & 1986. Since I normally use my other film cameras (F, F2A, F3hp with MD4 motor drive, F100, F5), I rarely test my older 2 cameras.
Today I decided to test the two FM2N's, so I removed them from storage, unwrapped them from their bubble wrap and tried using them. They didn't work!!!! Neither one of them worked! One of them won't advance and the shutter button is dead. The other one won't stop winding when I crank the film advance lever! Also, it won't fire at slower shutter speeds.
I have no idea why both cameras died at the same time. They were in a temperature controlled storage and wrapped in bubble wrap.
I immediately took out my other cameras from storage and was able to verify that they are working. My heart skipped a beat when I took out my Nikon S2 Rangefinder. Luckily it still works and all the speeds are accurate.
It's frustrating for me because I thought that my mechanical FM2N'S were supposed to last forever since they only require a battery for the meter. Maybe the lubrication in them went dry. I have no clue. I do feel that I should have used them more to prevent them from freezing up/malfunctioning. I might send the chrome one for repair because it holds sentimental value for me. It will probably need a complete overhaul.
Anyway, my point is make sure you use your old film cameras. Don't assume (like I did) that they will remain in pristine condition in storage.
Edit: I forgot to include my F with FTN Photomic Viewfinder. The meter was working perfectly well 3 or 4 years ago (also in storage). Now the meter stopped working (new Weincell batteries). Luckily I have another F (with standard viewfinder), and a handheld Sekonic L-308x-u meter.
Wrapping in bubble wrap may hold in moisture which will eventually stop mechanical things from working, but yes, need to exercise them every so often to keep grease and other lubricants moving. Good Public Service Announcement!
Important issue.. I recently went through my film safe creatures and my Bronica RF645 wasn’t functioning. Luckily I found a good repair person. The side benefit is that I’ve started shooting film again. Just returned from a film week long road trip and at the beginning of November will do two weeks making it up to Oregon.
This is like putting vintage violins through their paces. Show no love and the hide glue drys and cracks and they literally fall apart. I try and use all my gear, and feel guilty if I don't. It's like - "why own it if you don't use it". See if you can gently coax the Nikon bodies back to life, and shoot a few rolls.
bwcolor wrote:
Important issue.. I recently went through my film safe creatures and my Bronica RF645 wasn’t functioning. Luckily I found a good repair person. The side benefit is that I’ve started shooting film again. Just returned from a film week long road trip and at the beginning of November will do two weeks making it up to Oregon.
Just curious, who did you find that will work on the R645? I picked one up recently and while so far it has been great I would love to have another tech on my short list. Thanks!
anselwannab wrote:
Had a Canon A1 develop a squeak and an F!N need some work. I try to excercise them regularly.
Is there an orientation that cameras should be stored into? Wrap them in Saran Wrap?
I guess nothing lasts forever.
I've never seen an explicit answer to camera orientation but just to be safe I'd orient them normally, bottom plate down, to minimize risk of abnormal lubricant migration. I'd not wrap them in Saran Wrap - you do not want to trap moisture given the risk of fungus growth.
Rainbow Chaser wrote:
So far here I've read twice or four times per year. Is that often enough? Is once per quarter overkill?
Every manufacturer recommendation I've seen is to exercise the shutter a few times at least once a month. I normally will iterate through all of my speeds once or twice to do so if I'm not regularly using the camera.
snegron7 wrote:
The other one won't stop winding when I crank the film advance lever!
A bit of a story. I had a similar issue. An FE I never used but was mint, and I pulled it out and it auto-fired every time I wound the film. I sent it off to Chicago for a repair. They said it needed a new main board. I got it back and it had the same problem, so I returned it. After a second "repair" it would wind without firing the shutter.
So I took the camera to a local guy (1 hr drive) and relayed the story. When I got to it "autofiring", he told me exactly what was wrong and shook his head when I said they replaced the main board. When I got to it advancing without firing the shutter, he said, "Give me that." He took the camera into the back room, and it two minutes came back with a small piece of metal. "This end should have a little more bend." After warning me that the metal could break if he bent it, he came back in 3 minutes and handed me the camera fixed.
So, there's a little pawl that needs a touch more bend and the camera will advance properly. It's a super simple repair for those that know how to do it. No idea about the other problems.
But, this brings up a point, that if your camera needs a repair, get it done now, because the guys who know how to do it are retiring, or having health problems or whatever and are disappearing.The guys that don't know how to repair are a problem.
jay w wrote:
...if your camera needs a repair, get it done now, because the guys who know how to do it are retiring, or having health problems or whatever and are disappearing.The guys that don't know how to repair are a problem.
jay w wrote:
A bit of a story. I had a similar issue. An FE I never used but was mint, and I pulled it out and it auto-fired every time I wound the film. I sent it off to Chicago for a repair. They said it needed a new main board. I got it back and it had the same problem, so I returned it. After a second "repair" it would wind without firing the shutter.
So I took the camera to a local guy (1 hr drive) and relayed the story. When I got to it "autofiring", he told me exactly what was wrong and shook his head when I said they replaced the main board. When I got to it advancing without firing the shutter, he said, "Give me that." He took the camera into the back room, and it two minutes came back with a small piece of metal. "This end should have a little more bend." After warning me that the metal could break if he bent it, he came back in 3 minutes and handed me the camera fixed.
So, there's a little pawl that needs a touch more bend and the camera will advance properly. It's a super simple repair for those that know how to do it. No idea about the other problems.
But, this brings up a point, that if your camera needs a repair, get it done now, because the guys who know how to do it are retiring, or having health problems or whatever and are disappearing.The guys that don't know how to repair are a problem.
