Humby Valdes

My Nikon FM2 Mod

Fixing the film advance lever

My Nikon FM2n is the nicest, yet most simple film camera I’ve owned. It's "teached" me more about photography in a couple months than anything I've ever used. It's all manual! This simplicity forced me to focus and learn what it is I’m doing. It has a light meter but it's super simple.

Nikon FM2n with a modified film advance lever.

About 1/2 Inch

I love this camera but it has one major problem I had to fix… To shoot a photo the film advance lever needs to be in the open position. I use my left eye for the viewfinder so the film advance lever pokes straight into my face, making the camera hard to use.

I ordered a spare film advance lever. Grinned about 1/2 of an inch off. Glued on the plastic cover. Then watched Youtube teardown videos to see how to replace the film lever. A few very nervous steps later and voila, my film advance lever is replaced. It's now shorter and doesn’t poke my very handsome face.

The original longer lever had more leverage so it did feel shorter. I don’t notice the difference any longer thou. The pushing of the lever works flawless. I'm glad I did it and I love shooting with this camera even more. I made this fantastic camera even better!

My solution

Much shorter

Note: I could have made this mod on the original lever. I would have saved myself the spare lever cost of $7 and the hassle of swapping it out. But, I wanted a way to revert back to stock just in case things went wrong.

Neon overhead display at the real IMAX, Ft Lauderdale.

Neon at IMAX

I went to see the new Top Gun movie at the real IMAX in Ft Lauderdale. I brought my film camera to photograph the neon there. As you wait in line, above you is the coolest retro 90’s neon display.

FLOWERS ON FILM

Kodak Ektar 100

Good place for chocolate shakes - Schwab's Pharmacy

Neon on Kodak Ektar 100 film

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

-1 Peter 1:24

ALL THE GLORY OF MAN

Kodak Ektar 100 looks like slide film

Kodak Ektar 100 is a fantastic film stock. It's really makes color pop! I love this film! Also I noticed some say it doesn't work well for portraits but I've had huge luck with it. It's a go for almost any situation. I really wish Kodak had a 400 speed version.