Nikon FE2, FM2, FA Shutter Cleaning

In this continuing Nikon FE2 series, I will disassemble the shutter to clean the shutter blades and pivots then reassemble and install in the body. I include the Nikon FA and FM2 because the blade sets are the same even though the control mechanisms are different.
Have a lens or camera that needs repair or servicing? Contact me for a quote: ictcamera.com/
Looking to purchase a fully serviced lens or camera? Check out my shop: www.ebay.com/s...

[@bartwaggoner2000]

Really scary stuff to watch for newbies like me - I'm glad I have you do it!

[@Nickporter17]

Be brave friend. I mean don't mess up a good camera, but you got to just go for it sometimes.

[@ashrafkhokhar8834]

Very interesting watching how you repair the shutter.

[@quincygolson9265]

Your videos are incredible! So much knowledge on display.

[@richardlee9139]

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[@Nickporter17]

Incredible video! Thank you so much! Gives me the confidence to rebuild this baby.

[@royfrenkel]

Love seeing your work on it Jim. I am looking into getting a Nikon FM2 (own a few other bodies - I am attracted to the fully manual, high performance option). Was questioning whether it's better to buy a used body in good condition, potentially untouched, or one that was going bad and serviced. While I am still not sure about the answer - especially since you never really know the condition of the alternative - seeing this video gives me reassurance about what you do! and it's great to support people like you who keep these trades alive!!

[@ictcamera560]

The biggest issue I see is sticky sluggish levers from 30-40 year old lubrication. Now a rarely used camera will still have the same 30-40 year old lubrication just slightly less wear and tear.

[@richardlee9139]

Ĺ

[@alanploeger15]

Very enlightening thank you

[@stevechan5569]

A real eye opener.

[@ictcamera560]

Thanks

[@weijunjiang799]

Thanks. Awesome video!

[@edmak448]

Très bon travail très précis Merci👍

[@merlinmarquardt]

Amazing!

[@h0294]

Hey, love watching your Videos !! I have a shutter Problem with my Nikon F3. Would it be possible for you to do a video like this for the F3 ? Mutch love and appreciation !

[@spader1357]

I have a FA that was passed down to me. Only used 2 rolls of film when the shutter stopped working. It works on bulb and m250 but the electronically controlled shutter speeds don’t. I swapped the batteries and although it’s metering and displaying on the lcd it still won’t work 😢 Hope it’s not to expensive to fix.

[@ictcamera560]

If the meter is turning on and the camera is fully charged than I would say the release magnet is sticky. This is only a guess but the FA did have issues with the release magnet. Not many people know the FA very well and repairing the magnet is a very involved service. So Yes, it probably will be expensive I'm sorry to say. I charge $250 plus parts and shipping.

[@sleake1000]

Jim, awesome and the most informative videos on repairing vintage cameras. What is your source for the screwdriver you use the most - the chrome one with the T handle?

[@b.kbangash9006]

Do have any Leica m4 reassembling video please?

[@rexbutcher2332]

Amazingly interesting videos. Thank you very much. Where can I buy the screwdrivers you are using?

[@abolzon]

Great video, thanks for sharing. My Nikon FA got its shutter stuck after my son has touched the blades. I have tried to reactivate the shutter by triggering it mechanically from the back, but it releases correctly only once. If I try to advance the film lever again, shutter comes in but releases just after. Could it be related to the magnet problem you describe?

[@ashrafkhokhar8834]

I have a question.i have taken apart a nikon fm camera,the reason being the battery hold had cracked and bits fell inside.i managed to repair it and the shutter which was stuck because bits of the broken plastic got stuck in the shutter gears.i have one question.i messed up with the screws that go on the camera body.i didn't make a note were or what size goes were.i need some help to identify were the screws go on the camera body.

[@ictcamera560]

Go to a website called Learn camera repair and download the manual.

[@andrewsze4528]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@lrgames4956]

hello, i recently got a nikon fm and when i am advancing it to around 80% it does that weird loud clicking sound, then it advances normally and erveything else works fine. i am trying to identify where this is coming from, seems to come from the middle lower part of the camera. do you have any idea what that might be? i wanna try to fix it on my own, but i cant locate the issue. very interesting video though!

[@alejoniux]

I have a question: Can I use the shutter blades of a Nikon FA in a Nikon FM2 (early version, not N) I have a Nikon FM2 with broken blades. Thanks so much for the video.

[@ictcamera560]

YES, the Nikon FE2, FM2 and FA use the same blades and even the unpatterned blade will fit.

[@alejoniux]

@@ictcamera560 great! Thanks so much.

[@aiming2shoot]

What fisheye lens is that in the intro

[@ictcamera560]

That is the Nikon AF 16mm 2.8 fisheye

[@markjones4258]

Hi, I have a FE2, when you crank to load the shutter, it doesn’t fully load most of the time. Flick the lever many times and it will unstick. I have pull the base plate off and checked for dust. What else do you recommend to do?

[@ictcamera560]

Most of my repairs come from sticky old lubrication. It probably just needs a servicing.

[@markjones4258]

@@ictcamera560 could it be a magnetic issue? Besides this issue the camera works fine.

[@greggschwabauer6241]

No lubrication for any one of these mechanisms?

[@ictcamera560]

What mechanisms, the shutter?

[@greggschwabauer6241]

@@ictcamera560 Mostly the escapement, winding and mirror box controls.

[@Nickporter17]

My heart just sank. I accidentally released the shutter while loading film. The leader dropped down between the shutter blades. Then I stupidly just yanked it out. Now, there's a slight gap, less than half a millimeter, between the top rear curtain shutter blade and the blade below it. I'm not sure if it was there before. But, the other one I have has perfectly flush blades. I finished loading it and took some shots and it doesn't seem to be affecting the shutter. So, wondering if there's anything I can do to make sure I don't ruin it from here? Or, is it just a matter use it and eventually it will foul? I was planning to take it apart to do the shutter service at some point in the near future anyways.

[@ictcamera560]

Sometimes small gaps won't leak light and if your pictures are good the shutter should expose properly. If you see oth blades starting to get wear makes than maybe it is time to replace the second curtain.

[@Nickporter17]

@@ictcamera560 thank you. Finding replacement parts is going to be a challenge. 🙁

[@peterbarth1479]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing this knowledge, this is greatly appreciated. Btw. is the FA any special? I See a lot of them in defective state, mostly saying the mechanical speed is still working, while the electronically controlled speeds are not. When I can work on an FE/FE2, can I work on an FA as well?

[@ictcamera560]

The FA is a real tricky camera to work on, lots of little traps for the inexperienced. The stop down system tends to get squeaky, so many need the front to be pulled out which have a few circuit boards that like to get caught and tear.

[@johntazbaz1121]

@@ictcamera560 When you say the stop down system, does that mean the meter coupling ring? I have an F3 that lets out a squeak when I rotate the last bit before landing on the maximum aperture on the lens.

[@ictcamera560]

@@johntazbaz1121 The stop down system is the mirror box system that drives the mirror up and stops the aperture down. What I think you are saying is that you F-stop ring is squeaking. It is not difficult to clean the ring but there are a few things to watch out for like loose springs, a pin and the string linkage from the ring to the metering system.

[@johntazbaz1121]

@@ictcamera560 Thank you!

[@michaeldimmitt2188]

What about the FM? How different is it from this? Thanks for posting!

[@ictcamera560]

The Fm is like and FE. Despite what some say on the internet the FM and FM2 are not even close to the same camera and neither are the FE and FE2 similar. I have worked on hundreds, more like thousands, of these cameras, and I would say the FM and FE are quite a bit more difficult to work if you have to pull out the shutter. Don't get me wrong, the FM is a really nice well built camera but nowadays they need a lot of work. They are nearly 50 years old now.

[@michaeldimmitt2188]

@@ictcamera560 Thank you! My regular carry is the FM. I would love to learn to work on them. Is there anyone that you know in the San Jose area that does? Anyone who can teach mechanical camera repair (hobbyists included) up here?

[@ictcamera560]

@@michaeldimmitt2188 I don't know anyone up in that area, frankly there are very few who know how to work on them anymore. Generally the shops I have worked at tend to have technicians that look for the fastest repairs that they can do at the highest price, so most have turned to the digital realm. On Facebook there is good group called Learn Camera Repair which might be able to help. Also Film Camera Repair and Resource group.