silverwren Loc: Alabama

I picked up my beloved Nikon FM2 yesterday and discovered that the shutter has frozen. Is there any gentle action that I can try to free it or do I send it off to Nikon? Thanks for any advice.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

This happened with two of my Nikons. Sad to say you'll need to send them off for repair. In one case, for me, one of the cameras was never right again. In the other, Nikon replaced the shutter. Good luck! P.S. I was also charged a $250 processing fee, so be sure to ask if this applies.

Charlie'smom

I had a Canon AE-1 that I fixed by removing the bottom plate and “fiddling” with a cog or something. I found where to fiddle by watching a YouTube video.

spaceylb Loc: Long Beach, N.Y.

Here ya go...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UApVO5YzN8A

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

Hi. My name is Rick. I’m the owner and lead technician at Discount Camera Repair and a member in good standing here at the UHH. I’ve been doing repairs for other members here at greatly discounted rates and would be glad to help.

I'd be more than happy to repair your camera for you and keep the cost as low as possible. If you’re interested, please respond by private message.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

My suggestion... DO NOT fiddle with or disassemble that fine old camera. An awful lot of "first time camera repairers" end up with paper weights!

I also would NOT send it to Nikon. Not even sure they'd work on it, due to its age.

Get it to an experienced, independent tech like Rick. You'll spend less than sending it to Nikon and will get just as good a repair on the older models like the FM2 (I've got an FM2n and know why you love it!)

Modern Nikon DSLRs, you may not have a choice but to send one needing repair to the factory repairs or a short list of "official", authorized repairers. Nikon refuses to sell repair parts to independent repairers. They say this is done to "insure quality repairs", but it also creates an effective monopoly where they can fully control the cost of repairs. (AFAIK, no other camera manufacturer does this.... I know for certain that Canon doesn't.)

On the other hand, with older Nikon film SLRs such as ours, you have lots of choices and can opt instead for a quality repair from an independent such as Rick... usually at much lower cost.

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

Just a curious question: approximately how many shots had you taken with it? Over 100,000? One of the little issues with digital photography: with a film camera we would never hit 100,000 snaps. That is years and years of pics. But with digital, since there are no expendables (film), it is not uncommon for shutters to reach 100,000, their expected life.

BebuLamar

I doubt that either camera mentioned, the OP FM and a poster AE-1, has 50,000 actuations. However, back in the film days shutter were rated with fewer actuations than todays' DSLR.

silverwren Loc: Alabama

I really don’t have any idea of the number of shutter actuations on my FM2 but I am sure it would not be anywhere in the 50,000 range. I used it exclusively for 20 years but not every day. I don’t think the shutter is worn out, just sticking from sitting in the case unused for a long period of time. I put a desiccant pack in the case but I am in the humid south.

grahambw Loc: Edmonton, AB. Canada

I went to Japan on a study mission in 1990. I had my trusty Nikon FE with me. On my first day there, the film advance lever jammed while trying to advance the film and this also disabled the shutter release. Since this trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me I spent hours at the hotel wiggling and jiggling everything on the camera to free it up...to no avail. I found out at the hotel concierge that there was a Nikon repair facility only a short walk from the hotel I was at in downtown Tokyo.
I took the camera there and asked for a repair estimate. “Tomorrow” they said. The repair estimate called for a shutter replacement at almost what I had paid for the camera in 1976. I passed on the repair. Back at the hotel, I looked at the camera again and in frustration, banged it down on the dresser. Then I heard the unmistakable click of the shutter and/or mirror. The camera was once again functional and I have never had another problem with it. It doesn’t get used any more but I still have it and it still works to my knowledge.
Now I am not suggesting anything but, what does a guy have to lose?
Good luck!

bfur396

Sounds to me like a great excuse to get a new camera! Have to convince the boss lady of a "great need" to expend the $$$!

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

How is it stuck? Remove the lens. Sometimes the “stuck shutter” is actually a stuck mirror. Over time the pad that protects the mirror deteriotes and can actually glue the mirror in the open position. There are fairly inexpensive kits to replace the light seals AND the mirror pads. Although, I’ve replaced several of these: I own an FM2, four FGs, and a NIB FG20. Personally, I would contact Rick—who posted earlier.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Disagree. The FM2is a great camera.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Send it to Rick! Good independent camera repair technicians are a rarity theses days. They know what the are doing and they want to keep their clients and garner good reputations so they don't charge all kinds of insane fees and "processing charges".

Do not mess with your camera- you are likely to make it worse! Regular tools and lubricants are inappropriate for camera repair.

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

Actually, I work on newer camera models as well. Most parts are available from sources other than Nikon and readily available from sources in countries where Nikon does sell parts..