Nikon FM2

The Nikon FM2 is one of those cameras that reminds you why shooting film can be so enjoyable.

Introduced in 1982, the FM2 became a favourite among photographers who wanted something reliable, straightforward and built around the essentials of photography. No complicated menus or unnecessary features, just a beautifully considered mechanical camera that puts you in control.

Everything is hands-on. You choose the shutter speed, set the aperture and focus yourself. The built-in light meter helps you find the right exposure, while the optical viewfinder makes composing your photographs feel natural and immediate.

One of the FM2's standout features is its mechanical shutter, capable of speeds up to 1/4000 second. It's particularly useful when shooting outdoors with faster film or wider apertures.

And because the shutter is mechanical, the camera can continue taking photographs without batteries. Batteries are only needed to power the light meter.

The FM2 uses Nikon's F-mount system, opening up a wide range of compatible lenses and plenty of opportunities to explore different styles of photography.

There's something particularly satisfying about using a camera like this. The sound of the shutter, the movement of the film advance lever and the process of making each photograph feel a little more considered.

Whether you're learning to shoot manually or already have a collection of Nikon film cameras, the FM2 is a camera that's easy to appreciate and genuinely enjoyable to use.

Best for

• Everyday film photography

• Street photography

• Travel and documentary photography

• Portraits

• Learning manual exposure and focusing

• Black and white photography

• Photographers who enjoy mechanical cameras

What to expect

The Nikon FM2 is a fully manual 35mm SLR, so you'll be making the creative decisions yourself.

You'll choose your shutter speed and aperture, focus through the optical viewfinder and advance the film after each photograph.

The built-in light meter provides exposure guidance, while the mechanical shutter allows you to continue shooting even without battery power.

The interchangeable Nikon F-mount system also gives you the freedom to experiment with different focal lengths and photographic styles.

It's a camera that rewards taking your time, understanding the light and enjoying the process of making photographs.

Developing

The Nikon FM2 uses standard 35mm film.

Colour negative film is typically developed using the C-41 process, while black and white and slide films require their respective processing methods.

Once you've finished your roll, rewind it into the cartridge and take it to a film lab for developing and scanning.