Hi Riccardo and fellow Nikon users,
>I own a FM2 and I want improve the handling of the camera.
>Of course I considered purchasing the MD-12, but it is really too
Actually, the MD-12 does improve handling. But to the uninititated, it
first appears to be very cumbersome and not so handy. But with time (and
enough handling), the MD-12 really does make the FM2 feel alot better to hold.
>Any other Nikon motor drive (MD-11, MD-15)?
The MD-11 is basically the same as the MD-12 but with 2 very important
difference:
1) It does not auto switch off after 12 sec. of non activity but continues
to slowly drain the battery power;
2) It advances the film only after you release the shutter-firing button.
You cannot possible use the MD-15 on the FM2 without making an extra hole
on the base plate. But the MD-15 does feel better to hold than the
MD-11/12, though. Unfortunately, it only fits the FA.
>Any third party winder? I heard of a Soligor winder (bad news actually):
>can it somehow harm my FM2n?
Over here in Singapore, the shops have a third party winder made under the
name of Maxwell (I suppose a Soligor alias) and it reminds me of the grip
for the EM (plus a firing button). But it doesn't perform as well as the
MD-11/12. Its made of cheap plastic and the motor drive sucks. But as a
grip, its lot less bulky than the MD-11/12.
>I thought about buying a not functional MD-12, and use it only as a
>grip.
You might as well get a FA/FG hand grip and stick/tape it to your FM.
Better yet, carve your own grip out of a block of wood. Its cheap and you
can customise it to your hands.
>Can I use the camera shutter button with a 'dead' MD-12 attached?
Yes, you can use the camera shutter button on a dead MD-12. But not the
shutter button on the MD-12 itself. Hope that helps.
Regards,
Deric Soh.
