I've owned at least a dozen of these over the years, and broken many of them. I love that the wind lever cuts the shutter release off. I am a left eye shooter with SLR's and it doesn't poke me. That being said, on two cameras, the door latch unlock ring has broken and sealed the film chamber like a sarcophagus, forevermore. I really enjoyed this video, and even learned something amazing, for the dozen or so that Ive owned and maybe over 100 that I've bought and sold, I never realized that you could push the self timer the other way to get an exposure lock. SUPER COOL! thanks for the video.
The pinnacle of Nikon design AND reliability. The FE2. Sold mine to a girl who took it to Everest and then bought it back from her. Still works perfectly. I’ve had it since new. When was that?
Nikon FA is my favourite. I have EM, FA, FE, FM and a Nikkormat FT3 in really nice condition. The build quality and design of Nikon 35mm SLRs of that era (1970 - 1985) is incredible. All we need now is a 35mm camera that can take a film back or digital back.
Good to see you coming around on the Nikon cameras. I've been using them since the mid 80's when I was in high school and a photographer on the yearbook staff.
I went from an ME Super to an FE as well, it was such an upgrade, the ergonomics are so much nicer than more entry level stuff from the period, it makes the AE-1P feel like plastic junk. Never had an issue with the advance lever, felt perfectly natural to me, it's a nice anchor point to hold the camera to one side with one hand. My only gripes with it are the exposure compensation dial, i know it was a common style at the time, but boy is it awkward to lift and turn, and the aperture viewing window, really hard to read in anything but good light. A couple of upgrades i would recommend, get an K2 focus screen, you have to compensate +0.5EV for it being that much brighter, but worth it. I also never liked the stubby nature of the shutter release so i bought a concave soft touch button, and find it much more pleasant. But yes overall i agree, it's a near perfect blend of auto and manual features in a pleasant to use body.
Great review of an outstanding camera. My Nikon journey began with an EL2 in the late 70's then F3HP in about 1982. After a 15 year hiatus, my film photography journey has resumed with an F2AS , two F3 eye levels now only 20 years old (S/Ns in 200xxxx range), an F4, and FM2/T. MF is via a Bronica GS-1. For travel and trips on foot, the FM2 and a few primes are preferred. Your channel is one of my favorites.
@@AzrielKnight Thank you. What attracted me most was the weight, though it seems well built. You have to use bulb after 1 sec shutter speed but does go to 1/4000. Very compact with Voigtlander Ultron 40 mm f2.
You're two complaints, lever having to be extended to fire shutter and lever to unlatch the back, are my only complaints about the FE2, which is my all time favorite film camera. Had an M3 for a couple years and never used it when I had an FE2 nearby.
I love your videos! Always, very insightful and thought through. Also, your photos which you so kindly share with us are so cool. I just love them. My all time camera is a love between the Minolta X-570 and you guessed it, the Nikon FE. Thank you so, much once again. God Bless you. Roger
Had the FE, loved it and sold it for a profit, thinking about getting another one soon! Have a N80 now and love this as well and am not going to see it, at least not this week!
I have F70, F80, F90 , F90X & D700 Nikons - they are great value secondhand now, people don't seem to like the '90s AF cameras. My favourite to shoot is the F90X, it feels great, sounds great and reliably produces great photos. The D700 is also fabulous but is pretty big and heavy. Oddly my second favourite is the F70. I love it's lightness, the sound and feel of its shutter, the splendid viewfinder and I don't mind the quirky user-interface.
My two favorite Nikons are an FG20 and an N80. I don't have an FE or FM, but I'm always checking the thrift stores and swap meets (or was before the pandemic). I got the FG20 for $7 with a lens and it is small, light and easy to use. The N80 controls are nicely similar to my D810 and can use all my Nikon G lenses.
I have an FE and love it. It takes all my Nikkor lenses from 1959. I love the shutter release lock and back lock system. The Nikkor 50mm F2 came with the camera and it's great. It's my only Nikon that has auto so my partner, who is not a photographer can use it. It takes lr44 batteries.
Nice camera! I was out shooting with my FE today, actually. I'm a left eye shooter, and that is a bit of a pain. But I've found a technique where I use it as a sort of rest above my right eye. So now it's actually a nice little stabiliser for slow shutter speeds. Wish it had more mechanical functionality than just the 1/90, but all in all a very good camera.
I did all my exams at my art school with Nikon Fe, I still have it together with the motor, angle viewfinder and a few other "toys". it is a really good camera, and the fact that it is so little known is due to the fact that professionals in the 1980s were afraid of electronic shutters and preferred mechanical ones. but thanks to this you can buy this equipment very cheaply
I've had a ridiculous number of slrs and dslrs over the years and continue to love my F3-HP. Huge viewfinder image; removable prism has come in handy several times for top down viewing; bang on metering; and sparing many other listables, it has the "It Factor". I actually just finished a roll of Kodak 125-PX in it less than half an hour ago! I have it mounted, via adapter, to my Sinar F2 4x5 monorail, shooting close-ups with a 210mm Rodenstock Lens.
Great Video and great camera! The FE came out the year I graduated high school. I still use a Nikon FE and the other "auto" camera Nikon had before that, The Nikkormat EL. Both still meter accurately enough for me to shoot slide film, with no worries. It will probably outlive me and be used by my grandchildren someday.
Interesting - I find the advance lever / meter on safety feature (with battery check led) is actually a great feature - it allows for constant match-needle metering without having to half-press the shutter over and over.
This is great. Always read the manual... and its funny, having shot so many cameras for so many years the shutter safety has to be the most natural thing ever for a right-handed Photog. Its key for operation, no accidental shots in your bag. My FM2N so significant in my life, the FE new to me and a delight, its like the Olympus OM ones I loved so much. The Pancake lens, even the plasticy E lenses are great. Spoil yourself and get a new focusing screen, the 3 series are much brighter.
I had an FE for quite a while. I think I was one of the people bothering you to review it. Mine ended up packing up and after fixing it twice, I got rid of it. I ended up picking an FA. I’d now say it’s more camera for the same money but it’s definitely not quite as sleek. The advance lever standoff thing is annoying at first but now I pull out the lever even on non Nikon cameras out of habit. I also am a left eye shooter, and a huge fan of that e series pancake lens. Great review!
The M90 override is a life saviour. I got a mint FE for pennies because the battery was dead and it "broke"... Put it in M90 and used it, bought a new battery, and two years later, she's still my little workhorse.
Few days ago, I bought Nikon FA with the same lens as yours. I was deciding between FE2 , FE and FA, but I decided to pick FA because of 1/250th flash sync and Matrix meter.
Hi, love your channel, I have two fe’s, (one of them from new) i love ‘em, would never get rid, i have owned many other cameras, you mame it....35mm & medium format, The back release interlock is a major reason i ditched an extensive OM setup ... i missed the coffee table and caught my om1 before it hit the floor, however the strap hooked the back open and fogged an unrepeatable film.... The other issue you have, ie the wind on lever stand off position, on my previous cameras i wasted frames in my bag because the shutter wasnt locked,, batteries drained etc.. I am left eyed, i find it more natural because i don’t have to shut my right eye and squint with my left, (camera blocks view of right eye).i find the thumb behind the lever to be comfortable/natural whilst viewing. So your negatives (!) are my positives, it illustrates how personal your kit is, and how important total familiarity with it is. Alll the best , keep film alive Bobburden. Uk.
I bought my niece an FE2 a couple of Christmases ago, it has the same need to have the advance lever pulled out to activate the meter& shutter button. So does my FM3a.
I have a lot of old film Nikons! : F, F2, F3, FM, FM2, FE2, FA,EM, F90 and used to own the F70, F100. The F3 is my fav, although I dont really love the LCD display. It does NOT have that annoying shutter advance issue. It is a bit bulkier than the FE/FE2, but the operation is amazingly smooth, and the finder is fantastic. The F2 is also amazing, and a beast. You should check them out if you can!
I've got: F, F2, F4, FM, FM2, Nikkormat FTN, N2020, N90, N8008, and I'm sure others I'm forgetting. I'd have to say my favorite is the F4. I once found a black FE with a service tag in it at thrift store for $15. Emailed the store with serial number out of curiosity, and they told me it had gotten new seals the year prior. Not bad for $15. Ended up giving it to a family member as a gift. I love Nikon.
Get a FE10 if the lever is a problem for you. FE10 is made of plastic and does not work with motor-drive . However if it is fitted with a plastic AF 50 mm lens , you have a super lightweight combination.
I've had an FE since the mid 80's. i never had a problem with the lever, i've just thought of it as the power switch. turn the camera on to shoot, turn it off to save the battery. I also don't have a problem with the unlock lever. the extra half second it takes isn't a problem, especially when you consider the time it takes to wind back a roll of 36. I love the lens compatibility, I also have an F90, and a D810 which replaced a D700 that was stolen. All my lens are auto focus D series. they all work in all my cameras. I had an F1.8 50mm, e series, but it was dropped and now cannot focus. The only thing you can't do is fit G series lenses. Nikon, after decades of compatibility have removed the aperture ring on the G lenses. no matter there are so many great lenses on the second hand market. something else nice, my FE functions exactly the same as my nikonos 5 so i don't have to overthink when diving.
My fav Nikon SLR is the F4. Used it on multiple trips overseas, took a licken and kept on ticken. Sadly I think I fried mine. Accidentally left AA batteries in it fo over a year when I put it in storage and moved to California. I may have to get another one.
@@AzrielKnight I hope so. I'm in Chicago now and won't get back to it for a while. Last time I held it was January and there was the fine white powder of exploded batteries all over it. #SadFace
I really dig the Nikons. I personally own 2 FMs, it's nice because almost all of my lenses work on the FM as well as the F5 and D700. It's a great system! One thing to note is that the Nikon lenses are almost too good for their own good at times. I find that the bokeh is less interesting than some of my pentax lenses. Great video, glad to see you're thriving!
used the Nikon fe for one roll but soon after bought a f2, find that much more pleasant to use personally. And really nice video, almost want to use my FE some more!
The Nikon FE is, was a work horse camera. I was 14 yrs old when it came out. Produces amazing pictures. I love the old cameras that forced us to have to think when using them. Now a days you have to shoot in full Manuel mode to take that kind of control of your images. My first purchased brand new camera as a teen was a Pentax ME Super! Loved that little camera! it had a bit of “high tech” added for a consumer camera at that time competing against the Canon A1, and AE1 super. There is much respect for the older cameras that will continue to take pictures when the power is gone. Digital can’t compete with that one thing in any way.
Personally I love my Nikon FM2. I had one a while ago for about two weeks when the shutter locked up. Had to take it back but I got my money back and bought another one! 😁👍🏻
The lens that paired up with the body from Nikon was 50mm f/1.8 AI ‘long nose’ verses f/2 with the FM a year earlier. Both models were targeted to the US market in the late 70s.
I've loved my F90 since I sold my motorbike to by it and 2 lenses new in 1995, still chuntering along, ultra robust, I was shocked to see them available for less than 100 euro in good condition nowadays. Yes my plastic did get sticky, It's all rubbed off over the years and now simply shiny, takes ordinary AA batteries, does everything i ask, I keep an fm in the bag too which lives with a nifty fifty on it, great for grab and go.
From Nikon film slrs i use a N8008 it is old and not expensive, but reliable camera in manual, aperture and shutter priority, with multiexpose ability and 1/8000 max shutter speed and etc. It is like a tank and heavy but stable in hands even for long exposures. It uses AI, AI-S, AF and even AF-S lenses (in shutter priority or program shutter priority mode) which permits me to use most of my Nikon DSLRs lenses without issues. Anyway if i need to travel lightweight i use nikon f65 which uses AF or AF-S lenses sharing the same DSLRs lenses. These are my 2 preferred nikon film slrs... although sometimes i shoot for fun with zenit et (preferred camera especially when near me is someone with an expensive mirrorless camera ) or carena cx-300 which is the smallest Film slr camera i have.
Never a Nikon Shooter, my history is a Pentax Spot 500, Several versions of Konica, and Olympus OM-2, Minolta Maxum series, all the camera companies made great film lenses it was mainly the lens mount that varied, still using the various Konica Auto T cause of the auto exposer feature. My next step up is a Mamyia C-300 TLR, then the Mamiya 645 with 80mm and 210mm f2.8 serious size and weight. Wish you could show some of the advertising that came out when these cameras were new as you get to see the latest and greatest as cameras evolved from big and manual to small and trap light meter, zoom lenses, to auto exposer, to auto focus, to advanced film drive, to program modes, to digital. When I was in the US Navy the preferred camera was Canon AE-1 for events.
I love love love the design of the FE's but I placed two consecutive orders (eBay and Used Photo Pro) and both had failed electronics (1st bad meter and 2nd bad timing oscillator so all shutter speeds were default 90th with good batteries). So I gave up and went with an FM.
i just picked up my own FE. thank you for your tips!!! can u make a video on how to take the right photos with the right settings ?? in terms of the pin and green highlight in the view finder
It was my first Nikon in 1979 and i still have it... i am using its lenses (35mm, 105mm and 200mm) on my half-format Lumix G5 with a cheap ring adapter.
it is an amazing lens, one of the best of all the Nikon AI system: with its F 2.5 allows you to work in low light. It is very sharp and plus it is very compact. Of all the lenses I owned in my entire life, this is the most favored one @@AzrielKnight
My favorite Nikon is FE. Although, I’ve F, F2, F3, F5, FM. My second favorite is the FM2. I believe the FE is one of the best 35mm film cameras of all time. Compact, easy handling and versatile. 70s made great metal mechanical shutter cameras by hand.
Having used Nikon cameras starting with a Nikkorex F in 1962 -( I know, not a real Nikon) , I've used most of the manual focus models and a few of the AF bodies. For it's basic, no frills to get int the way, warhorse design, my 2nd favorite is the Nikkormat FT2, although I added an FT3 when I AI'ed all of my lenses. My current love is the F100, for its large variety of features and ease of use without weighing a ton. For a beginner, nothing works better than a nice FG. If I had to personally photograph Mars, I'd take the Nikkormat FT3 and a selection of three prime lenses.
Thanks for the video! :) I also has this combo. 50 E and 28-105D. Plus a 35 E and a Soligor 28 pre-ai converted. 28-105 is a really nice lens! I wish it let me focus closer during 28-50 instead. Be close to the subject is somehow important for me with wider focal length.
I love the FE, of the many cameras I've had over the years I really regret selling mine. In many ways I enjoyed the FE more than my F3 in part because the meter is so simple and easy to read. I've also had an FE2 and as great as that camera is I still think the FE is better, especially that you can meter before you reach frame No. 1, I get why Nikon started doing that but I always like to squeeze a couple extra frames into my rolls. If I had to choose a favorite Nikon I suppose I'd have to go with the F100 but the FE is really unparalleled, at least for my aesthetics.
@@AzrielKnight Yes unfortunately, it caused some confusion for me initially because at first I thought the battery was dead, which is another feature they did away with on the FE2 (the battery check light). It's a similar situation with the F3... until you reach frame one it defaults to 1/80s. All of which at least gives you the option to shoot, the F100 automatically winds to frame one.
My first SLR was an ME Super, still have it and many more, including an FE. Love the FE and don’t mind the advance lever on/off positions. It’s much easier to remember to turn off the FE than the F3, for example. For a favorite, currently I’m tempted to say the controversial Nikon EM. I can’t fully endorse it as my favorite yet as I am 10 frames into its first roll with me, however I really love the small body and lenses, and when I want a quick and easy SLR, the EM’s auto shutter/aperture priority makes shooting very easy. Even with the motor drive, the EM is incredibly small and portable. Not the camera for every outing but it has been a fun and affordable potential new favorite. And I certainly appreciate being able to use the flat e series 50 with my other Nikons!
@@AzrielKnight The EM is actually surprisingly well built for what it is, but is rather lacking in features. It was only n production for three years before being replaced by the FG, which is one of my favourites. This in turn was replaced by the FG-20 which was built for Nikon by Corina, and was a step down from the original FG. These are the bottom tier, fully amateur Nikon bodies. The later F301 (N200 in America) introduced the integrated motor drive, and the almost identical looking F501 added autofocus. These two models are sometimes considered to be part of the same series but are quite different to the EM and FG, though they are still smaller and lighter than a conventional body with a separate motor drive added. The mid tier, serious amateur, range started with the Nikkormat (Nikomat in Japan) which had a built-in exposure meter and rage FS which lacked this feature. These fully mechanical cameras were followed by the FT which simplified maximum aperture indexing when mounting lenses, and the FM2 which added a hot shoe and used alkaline or silver oxide batteries in place of the mercury ones in the earlier models. The final mechanical Nikkormat was the FT3 which was the same as the FM2, but took ai lenses; it was only made for a few months until the FM was ready for production. There were also electronic Nikkormats, starting with the EL which introduced aperture priority auto exposure and the ELW which could take a winder. Finally there was the Nikon EL2 which was basically a Nikkormat though it didn’t use that name, this was basically the same as the ELW, but built for ai lenses until the FE was ready; it was also short lived. The next generation of the mid tier cameras started with the FM and the FE; like the Nikkormat FT3 and Nikon EL2 which they replaced could mount pre-ai lenses but had to use stop down metering with them; later models dropped this feature, though it returned with the digital Df rather surprisingly. The FE had user-replaceable focusing screens, which the original FM did not. These models were replaced by the FM2 and FE2 which had various fairly minor improvements, and then what is generally known as the FM2n though I’m not sure if the camera actually carried that model name, which allied a slightly faster flash sync speed. As with the FG-20, cheaper mid tier models with more plastic were inter introduced, the FM-10 and FE-10, I think these were also made by Cosina. The final model in this series was the FM3a which offered both mechanically timed manual and electronically timed aperture priority auto exposure modes at all speeds. This one is a very nice camera, but expensive. The FA was something of an oddity. It was something like the FE2 but introduced many new features including shutter priority and program modes and matrix metering however, it feels less well built than the FE series, and there are reported to be reliability issues with the electronics, though mine works fine. The LCD display in the viewfinder is rather dim, and difficult to use with my poor eyesight. The top tier professional models are the F, F2, F3, F4, F5 and F6. The F had separate finders, a plain unmetered prism and waist level finder which could be used with a clip-on meter, an action finder and a series of metered prisms, the Photomic which was not TTL, the Photomic T which was, the TN which added centre-weighted metering and The FTN which introduced the semi-automatic maximum aperture indexing system. The F2 has various fairly minor changes, the back hinges open for loading rather than sliding off, the shutter release button and strap lugs are slightly repositioned, the metered finders are totally changed, with the battery compartment now in the body rather than in the finder. A 6x High-magnification finder was available. Any accessories were incompatible with the earlier model. The F3 was totally different, with electronic shutter. An auto-focus version, the F3-AF was made but was not successful, only two lenses were made for it, and later autofocus ones are not compatible with the autofocus system on this camera. I don’t know about the F4, 5 and 6. About 20 years ago I started collecting Nikon cameras, most came from collectors’ fairs or EBay, and I didn’t pay much for any of them. The only professional body I own is the F. From the mid tier I have the Nikkormat FT, FTn, FT2, FT3 EL and Nikon EL2, FM, FE, FA and F90x. From the bottom tier I have the EM, the FG, the F-301 and the F-501. After these I tend to lose interest, and the model numbering system gets rather complicated. One controversial thing about the EM was the advertising for it. Being a simple camera with few controls they suggested that it was suitable for women! Don’t think that would go down too well today, and seems inappropriate even for its time.
Oh, there are some, out in the wild... Like me. I tried to switch, and I tried hard, over a period of about 3 years. Composition was a nightmare, and I couldn't even figure out how to properly focus. I guess my left brain hemisphere won't adjust anymore, not in this lifetime :D Apart from that, there were no issues with shooting an F3 HP - I just angled my face rightwards and looked slightly to the left when peeping thru the viewfinder. Fun fact: With a waist level finder, I can use both eyes independently.
Here's another one! My left just has sharper focus than my right one for some reason. My nose is used to close encounters with the back of many a camera.
Left eyed shooter here - One nice thing is that I can keep both eyes open when looking through the finder, because most of the camera body covers my right eye.
If you want a reliable Nikon film camera with auto exposure which is quite new, that can work on any setting without battery, I'd nudge you towards the Nikon FM3/A. Yes that camera is (almost) unique, and it ain't cheap, but given that a couple of comparable cameras (Canon F1n & Pentax LX) cost about the same despite being quite older, FM3/A is still a catch...
Since the F90D (N90 w/ data back) I inherited from my dad is my "daily driver" in terms of 35mm film, I hope the electronics won't give up on me. If so, I would now look for the FE as well, not only for a fully-manual but overrated FM/2 - so, thank you for posting this. And I'm going to look for this standard prime lens. Again. I think I've owned one back in the days but sold it for whatever reason - shouldn't have done that!
I have both ME Super and FE2 (not the FE, but it doesn't matter) and I wouldn't say I prefer one over another. They're just different. I love small and light Pentax and cary it everyday in a backpack. Nikon is bigger, heavier and I take from the shelf only if I'm in a mood for it.
The Nikon F is what you should explore next (or F2). At least you'd be able to experience classics and I loved my Nikon F! Even with its idiosyncrasies.
Very fair review of this camera, I got rid of a mint Nikon FE 6 years ago because the mirror was stuck. I didn't know about the M90 setting then lol. I now have a FE again in great working order but I've been looking at an FM2N for my next purchase, did you end up upgrading to another body?
I'm pretty sure my dad used to have one of these, but he sold it. in hindsight, I wish he hadn't then I'd be able to use it. at least he didn't sell his Nikkormat and Yashica MAT 124g. I love those cameras. The Nikkormat will still fire if you don't have the lever sticking out (I actually don't like that). and it'll work without the batteries. My meter can be a bit jumpy though. I recently got it a 24mm 2.8 Nikkor lens, which is pretty awesome.
I had a Nikon FE for many years shot the thing to death three times and after having it serviced for the fourth time I sold it no regrets and bought a freshly serviced near mint Pentax K1000. My dream camera is to once again own a Nikon FM 3a maybe. LOL stay safe
When the mirror locks, rotate to m90 to release it then cock the shutter while pressing the double exposure switch.This way you don't lose a frame because as far as I remember, the shutter wasn't firing when the mirror was locking up. For the last 2 years it worked perfectly without locking and still going strong. I also got a md-12 motor drive to solve the frame spacing problem I had while manually advancing the film.
I've owned at least a dozen of these over the years, and broken many of them. I love that the wind lever cuts the shutter release off. I am a left eye shooter with SLR's and it doesn't poke me. That being said, on two cameras, the door latch unlock ring has broken and sealed the film chamber like a sarcophagus, forevermore. I really enjoyed this video, and even learned something amazing, for the dozen or so that Ive owned and maybe over 100 that I've bought and sold, I never realized that you could push the self timer the other way to get an exposure lock. SUPER COOL!
thanks for the video.
Thanks my man :)
The pinnacle of Nikon design AND reliability. The FE2. Sold mine to a girl who took it to Everest and then bought it back from her. Still works perfectly. I’ve had it since new. When was that?
Very good discussion
I got given my dads Nikon FE2 back in about 2012. Love it, still shoot with it to this day.
Awesome
Nikon FA is my favourite. I have EM, FA, FE, FM and a Nikkormat FT3 in really nice condition. The build quality and design of Nikon 35mm SLRs of that era (1970 - 1985) is incredible. All we need now is a 35mm camera that can take a film back or digital back.
Good to see you coming around on the Nikon cameras. I've been using them since the mid 80's when I was in high school and a photographer on the yearbook staff.
Yeah I'd like to try a few more, for sure.
Glad you are still using the FE, they really are a lovely camera to use.
I went from an ME Super to an FE as well, it was such an upgrade, the ergonomics are so much nicer than more entry level stuff from the period, it makes the AE-1P feel like plastic junk. Never had an issue with the advance lever, felt perfectly natural to me, it's a nice anchor point to hold the camera to one side with one hand.
My only gripes with it are the exposure compensation dial, i know it was a common style at the time, but boy is it awkward to lift and turn, and the aperture viewing window, really hard to read in anything but good light.
A couple of upgrades i would recommend, get an K2 focus screen, you have to compensate +0.5EV for it being that much brighter, but worth it. I also never liked the stubby nature of the shutter release so i bought a concave soft touch button, and find it much more pleasant.
But yes overall i agree, it's a near perfect blend of auto and manual features in a pleasant to use body.
Great review of an outstanding camera. My Nikon journey began with an EL2 in the late 70's then F3HP in about 1982. After a 15 year hiatus, my film photography journey has resumed with an F2AS , two F3 eye levels now only 20 years old (S/Ns in 200xxxx range), an F4, and FM2/T. MF is via a Bronica GS-1. For travel and trips on foot, the FM2 and a few primes are preferred. Your channel is one of my favorites.
Thanks for sharing. I hear good things about the FM2.
@@AzrielKnight Thank you. What attracted me most was the weight, though it seems well built. You have to use bulb after 1 sec shutter speed but does go to 1/4000. Very compact with Voigtlander Ultron 40 mm f2.
You're two complaints, lever having to be extended to fire shutter and lever to unlatch the back, are my only complaints about the FE2, which is my all time favorite film camera. Had an M3 for a couple years and never used it when I had an FE2 nearby.
This is why I prefer the F2 or F3 - I hate the shutter advance thing. Edit: Im a left eyed shooter :)
I love your videos! Always, very insightful and thought through. Also, your photos which you so kindly share with us are so cool. I just love them. My all time camera is a love between the Minolta X-570 and you guessed it, the Nikon FE. Thank you so, much once again. God Bless you. Roger
Picked up an FE at the thrift store for $15.. Works perfect and have ran about 20 rolls through it at this point im more than happy with it
Had the FE, loved it and sold it for a profit, thinking about getting another one soon! Have a N80 now and love this as well and am not going to see it, at least not this week!
I have F70, F80, F90 , F90X & D700 Nikons - they are great value secondhand now, people don't seem to like the '90s AF cameras. My favourite to shoot is the F90X, it feels great, sounds great and reliably produces great photos. The D700 is also fabulous but is pretty big and heavy. Oddly my second favourite is the F70. I love it's lightness, the sound and feel of its shutter, the splendid viewfinder and I don't mind the quirky user-interface.
My two favorite Nikons are an FG20 and an N80. I don't have an FE or FM, but I'm always checking the thrift stores and swap meets (or was before the pandemic). I got the FG20 for $7 with a lens and it is small, light and easy to use. The N80 controls are nicely similar to my D810 and can use all my Nikon G lenses.
Nice!
Hopefully we'll be out on the hunt again soon.
That’s a dam nice camera... great video buddy!!! Love the presentation... the way you shoot and it edit these... is just spot on
I have an FE and love it.
It takes all my Nikkor lenses from 1959.
I love the shutter release lock and back lock system.
The Nikkor 50mm F2 came with the camera and it's great.
It's my only Nikon that has auto so my partner, who is not a photographer can use it.
It takes lr44 batteries.
Thanks for the comment Neil!
Nice camera! I was out shooting with my FE today, actually. I'm a left eye shooter, and that is a bit of a pain. But I've found a technique where I use it as a sort of rest above my right eye. So now it's actually a nice little stabiliser for slow shutter speeds. Wish it had more mechanical functionality than just the 1/90, but all in all a very good camera.
I did all my exams at my art school with Nikon Fe, I still have it together with the motor, angle viewfinder and a few other "toys". it is a really good camera, and the fact that it is so little known is due to the fact that professionals in the 1980s were afraid of electronic shutters and preferred mechanical ones. but thanks to this you can buy this equipment very cheaply
I've had a ridiculous number of slrs and dslrs over the years and continue to love my F3-HP. Huge viewfinder image; removable prism has come in handy several times for top down viewing; bang on metering; and sparing many other listables, it has the "It Factor". I actually just finished a roll of Kodak 125-PX in it less than half an hour ago! I have it mounted, via adapter, to my Sinar F2 4x5 monorail, shooting close-ups with a 210mm Rodenstock Lens.
That sounds really amazing, thanks for sharing. The F3HP is on my list for sure.
Great Video and great camera! The FE came out the year I graduated high school. I still use a Nikon FE and the other "auto" camera Nikon had before that, The Nikkormat EL. Both still meter accurately enough for me to shoot slide film, with no worries. It will probably outlive me and be used by my grandchildren someday.
That's Nikon quality for ya, thanks for sharing :)
Great video. Thanks.
Interesting - I find the advance lever / meter on safety feature (with battery check led) is actually a great feature - it allows for constant match-needle metering without having to half-press the shutter over and over.
This is great. Always read the manual... and its funny, having shot so many cameras for so many years the shutter safety has to be the most natural thing ever for a right-handed Photog. Its key for operation, no accidental shots in your bag. My FM2N so significant in my life, the FE new to me and a delight, its like the Olympus OM ones I loved so much. The Pancake lens, even the plasticy E lenses are great. Spoil yourself and get a new focusing screen, the 3 series are much brighter.
I had an FE for quite a while. I think I was one of the people bothering you to review it. Mine ended up packing up and after fixing it twice, I got rid of it. I ended up picking an FA. I’d now say it’s more camera for the same money but it’s definitely not quite as sleek. The advance lever standoff thing is annoying at first but now I pull out the lever even on non Nikon cameras out of habit. I also am a left eye shooter, and a huge fan of that e series pancake lens. Great review!
Thanks very much! Sorry to hear about the FE, but glad the FA works for you.
The M90 override is a life saviour. I got a mint FE for pennies because the battery was dead and it "broke"... Put it in M90 and used it, bought a new battery, and two years later, she's still my little workhorse.
makes me want to take a poke on ebay for a "broken" one
Some of my best shots are from my FE. I went from an EM and FE combo to F100 and F4.
I use a motor drive and don't need to pull the winder out with it fitted and it sounds very cool lol
Few days ago, I bought Nikon FA with the same lens as yours. I was deciding between FE2 , FE and FA, but I decided to pick FA because of 1/250th flash sync and Matrix meter.
Nice, hope it works out for ya!
Hi, love your channel,
I have two fe’s, (one of them from new) i love ‘em, would never get rid, i have owned many other cameras, you mame it....35mm & medium format,
The back release interlock is a major reason i ditched an extensive OM setup ... i missed the coffee table and caught my om1 before it hit the floor, however the strap hooked the back open and fogged an unrepeatable film....
The other issue you have, ie the wind on lever stand off position, on my previous cameras i wasted frames in my bag because the shutter wasnt locked,, batteries drained etc..
I am left eyed, i find it more natural because i don’t have to shut my right eye and squint with my left, (camera blocks view of right eye).i find the thumb behind the lever to be comfortable/natural whilst viewing.
So your negatives (!) are my positives, it illustrates how personal your kit is, and how important total familiarity with it is.
Alll the best , keep film alive
Bobburden. Uk.
I bought my niece an FE2 a couple of Christmases ago, it has the same need to have the advance lever pulled out to activate the meter& shutter button. So does my FM3a.
Thanks for the tip. I guess I wont be escaping that :)
I have a lot of old film Nikons! : F, F2, F3, FM, FM2, FE2, FA,EM, F90 and used to own the F70, F100. The F3 is my fav, although I dont really love the LCD display. It does NOT have that annoying shutter advance issue. It is a bit bulkier than the FE/FE2, but the operation is amazingly smooth, and the finder is fantastic. The F2 is also amazing, and a beast. You should check them out if you can!
Thanks for the comment Timothy. I do plan to check out the F series at some point.
I've got: F, F2, F4, FM, FM2, Nikkormat FTN, N2020, N90, N8008, and I'm sure others I'm forgetting. I'd have to say my favorite is the F4. I once found a black FE with a service tag in it at thrift store for $15. Emailed the store with serial number out of curiosity, and they told me it had gotten new seals the year prior. Not bad for $15. Ended up giving it to a family member as a gift. I love Nikon.
Thanks for sharing Ryan. Nice find on the black FE
Get a FE10 if the lever is a problem for you. FE10 is made of plastic and does not work with motor-drive . However if it is fitted with a plastic AF 50 mm lens , you have a super lightweight combination.
Hello Azriel, my favorite Nikon camera is the F2, fully mechanical!
Thanks for sharing Raul :)
I've had an FE since the mid 80's. i never had a problem with the lever, i've just thought of it as the power switch. turn the camera on to shoot, turn it off to save the battery. I also don't have a problem with the unlock lever. the extra half second it takes isn't a problem, especially when you consider the time it takes to wind back a roll of 36.
I love the lens compatibility, I also have an F90, and a D810 which replaced a D700 that was stolen. All my lens are auto focus D series. they all work in all my cameras. I had an F1.8 50mm, e series, but it was dropped and now cannot focus.
The only thing you can't do is fit G series lenses. Nikon, after decades of compatibility have removed the aperture ring on the G lenses.
no matter there are so many great lenses on the second hand market.
something else nice, my FE functions exactly the same as my nikonos 5 so i don't have to overthink when diving.
My fav Nikon SLR is the F4. Used it on multiple trips overseas, took a licken and kept on ticken. Sadly I think I fried mine. Accidentally left AA batteries in it fo over a year when I put it in storage and moved to California. I may have to get another one.
Might just be the contacts, here hoping :)
@@AzrielKnight I hope so. I'm in Chicago now and won't get back to it for a while. Last time I held it was January and there was the fine white powder of exploded batteries all over it. #SadFace
I really dig the Nikons. I personally own 2 FMs, it's nice because almost all of my lenses work on the FM as well as the F5 and D700. It's a great system! One thing to note is that the Nikon lenses are almost too good for their own good at times. I find that the bokeh is less interesting than some of my pentax lenses. Great video, glad to see you're thriving!
Thanks for the comment. I do love me a Pentax prime!
The Canon EF (perhaps same vintage) also requires the advance lever out to shoot, or at least to enable the meter. Not my favorite feature...
used the Nikon fe for one roll but soon after bought a f2, find that much more pleasant to use personally. And really nice video, almost want to use my FE some more!
Glad you liked the video. I really love this camera and I think many of my future cameras will be compared to it.
The Nikon FE is, was a work horse camera. I was 14 yrs old when it came out. Produces amazing pictures. I love the old cameras that forced us to have to think when using them. Now a days you have to shoot in full Manuel mode to take that kind of control of your images. My first purchased brand new camera as a teen was a Pentax ME Super! Loved that little camera! it had a bit of “high tech” added for a consumer camera at that time competing against the Canon A1, and AE1 super. There is much respect for the older cameras that will continue to take pictures when the power is gone. Digital can’t compete with that one thing in any way.
Thanks for the comment Joe!
Personally I love my Nikon FM2. I had one a while ago for about two weeks when the shutter locked up. Had to take it back but I got my money back and bought another one! 😁👍🏻
The lens that paired up with the body from Nikon was 50mm f/1.8 AI ‘long nose’ verses f/2 with the FM a year earlier. Both models were targeted to the US market in the late 70s.
Thanks for sharing :)
I've loved my F90 since I sold my motorbike to by it and 2 lenses new in 1995, still chuntering along, ultra robust, I was shocked to see them available for less than 100 euro in good condition nowadays. Yes my plastic did get sticky, It's all rubbed off over the years and now simply shiny, takes ordinary AA batteries, does everything i ask, I keep an fm in the bag too which lives with a nifty fifty on it, great for grab and go.
From Nikon film slrs i use a N8008 it is old and not expensive, but reliable camera in manual, aperture and shutter priority, with multiexpose ability and 1/8000 max shutter speed and etc. It is like a tank and heavy but stable in hands even for long exposures. It uses AI, AI-S, AF and even AF-S lenses (in shutter priority or program shutter priority mode) which permits me to use most of my Nikon DSLRs lenses without issues. Anyway if i need to travel lightweight i use nikon f65 which uses AF or AF-S lenses sharing the same DSLRs lenses. These are my 2 preferred nikon film slrs... although sometimes i shoot for fun with zenit et (preferred camera especially when near me is someone with an expensive mirrorless camera ) or carena cx-300 which is the smallest Film slr camera i have.
Never a Nikon Shooter, my history is a Pentax Spot 500, Several versions of Konica, and Olympus OM-2, Minolta Maxum series, all the camera companies made great film lenses it was mainly the lens mount that varied, still using the various Konica Auto T cause of the auto exposer feature. My next step up is a Mamyia C-300 TLR, then the Mamiya 645 with 80mm and 210mm f2.8 serious size and weight. Wish you could show some of the advertising that came out when these cameras were new as you get to see the latest and greatest as cameras evolved from big and manual to small and trap light meter, zoom lenses, to auto exposer, to auto focus, to advanced film drive, to program modes, to digital. When I was in the US Navy the preferred camera was Canon AE-1 for events.
My Favorits are the FM3A and the F4 but a great and affordable Option is the all mechanical Nikkormat FTn, FT2, FT3 and i also like the F301.
Thanks! Doesn't the FM3A have a similar body?
I love love love the design of the FE's but I placed two consecutive orders (eBay and Used Photo Pro) and both had failed electronics (1st bad meter and 2nd bad timing oscillator so all shutter speeds were default 90th with good batteries). So I gave up and went with an FM.
That sucks. Mien has been reliable for the year and a half or so I've had it but I always expect a failure. So far, so good.
i just picked up my own FE. thank you for your tips!!! can u make a video on how to take the right photos with the right settings ?? in terms of the pin and green highlight in the view finder
It was my first Nikon in 1979 and i still have it... i am using its lenses (35mm, 105mm and 200mm) on my half-format Lumix G5 with a cheap ring adapter.
the 105mm is a solid lens from what I hear.
it is an amazing lens, one of the best of all the Nikon AI system: with its F 2.5 allows you to work in low light. It is very sharp and plus it is very compact. Of all the lenses I owned in my entire life, this is the most favored one @@AzrielKnight
My favorite Nikon is FE. Although, I’ve F, F2, F3, F5, FM. My second favorite is the FM2. I believe the FE is one of the best 35mm film cameras of all time. Compact, easy handling and versatile. 70s made great metal mechanical shutter cameras by hand.
I do miss my FE, but I invested in modern glass.
Having used Nikon cameras starting with a Nikkorex F in 1962 -( I know, not a real Nikon) , I've used most of the manual focus models and a few of the AF bodies. For it's basic, no frills to get int the way, warhorse design, my 2nd favorite is the Nikkormat FT2, although I added an FT3 when I AI'ed all of my lenses. My current love is the F100, for its large variety of features and ease of use without weighing a ton. For a beginner, nothing works better than a nice FG. If I had to personally photograph Mars, I'd take the Nikkormat FT3 and a selection of three prime lenses.
Thanks for sharing!
Nice! Recently got the whole black version for a really, really cheap price together with a Nikon Nikkor 1:3.5 43-86mm.
Thanks for the video!
:)
I also has this combo. 50 E and 28-105D.
Plus a 35 E and a Soligor 28 pre-ai converted.
28-105 is a really nice lens!
I wish it let me focus closer during 28-50 instead.
Be close to the subject is somehow important for me with wider focal length.
That's so cool we have the same lens combo. Thanks for the comment.
I love the FE, of the many cameras I've had over the years I really regret selling mine. In many ways I enjoyed the FE more than my F3 in part because the meter is so simple and easy to read. I've also had an FE2 and as great as that camera is I still think the FE is better, especially that you can meter before you reach frame No. 1, I get why Nikon started doing that but I always like to squeeze a couple extra frames into my rolls. If I had to choose a favorite Nikon I suppose I'd have to go with the F100 but the FE is really unparalleled, at least for my aesthetics.
no reading before frame one on the FE2 you say? I'm going to remember that.
@@AzrielKnight Yes unfortunately, it caused some confusion for me initially because at first I thought the battery was dead, which is another feature they did away with on the FE2 (the battery check light). It's a similar situation with the F3... until you reach frame one it defaults to 1/80s. All of which at least gives you the option to shoot, the F100 automatically winds to frame one.
My first SLR was an ME Super, still have it and many more, including an FE. Love the FE and don’t mind the advance lever on/off positions. It’s much easier to remember to turn off the FE than the F3, for example. For a favorite, currently I’m tempted to say the controversial Nikon EM. I can’t fully endorse it as my favorite yet as I am 10 frames into its first roll with me, however I really love the small body and lenses, and when I want a quick and easy SLR, the EM’s auto shutter/aperture priority makes shooting very easy. Even with the motor drive, the EM is incredibly small and portable. Not the camera for every outing but it has been a fun and affordable potential new favorite. And I certainly appreciate being able to use the flat e series 50 with my other Nikons!
You're the second person to mention an EM, now I want to try one :)
@@AzrielKnight
The EM is actually surprisingly well built for what it is, but is rather lacking in features. It was only n production for three years before being replaced by the FG, which is one of my favourites. This in turn was replaced by the FG-20 which was built for Nikon by Corina, and was a step down from the original FG. These are the bottom tier, fully amateur Nikon bodies. The later F301 (N200 in America) introduced the integrated motor drive, and the almost identical looking F501 added autofocus. These two models are sometimes considered to be part of the same series but are quite different to the EM and FG, though they are still smaller and lighter than a conventional body with a separate motor drive added.
The mid tier, serious amateur, range started with the Nikkormat (Nikomat in Japan) which had a built-in exposure meter and rage FS which lacked this feature. These fully mechanical cameras were followed by the FT which simplified maximum aperture indexing when mounting lenses, and the FM2 which added a hot shoe and used alkaline or silver oxide batteries in place of the mercury ones in the earlier models. The final mechanical Nikkormat was the FT3 which was the same as the FM2, but took ai lenses; it was only made for a few months until the FM was ready for production.
There were also electronic Nikkormats, starting with the EL which introduced aperture priority auto exposure and the ELW which could take a winder. Finally there was the Nikon EL2 which was basically a Nikkormat though it didn’t use that name, this was basically the same as the ELW, but built for ai lenses until the FE was ready; it was also short lived.
The next generation of the mid tier cameras started with the FM and the FE; like the Nikkormat FT3 and Nikon EL2 which they replaced could mount pre-ai lenses but had to use stop down metering with them; later models dropped this feature, though it returned with the digital Df rather surprisingly. The FE had user-replaceable focusing screens, which the original FM did not. These models were replaced by the FM2 and FE2 which had various fairly minor improvements, and then what is generally known as the FM2n though I’m not sure if the camera actually carried that model name, which allied a slightly faster flash sync speed. As with the FG-20, cheaper mid tier models with more plastic were inter introduced, the FM-10 and FE-10, I think these were also made by Cosina. The final model in this series was the FM3a which offered both mechanically timed manual and electronically timed aperture priority auto exposure modes at all speeds. This one is a very nice camera, but expensive.
The FA was something of an oddity. It was something like the FE2 but introduced many new features including shutter priority and program modes and matrix metering however, it feels less well built than the FE series, and there are reported to be reliability issues with the electronics, though mine works fine. The LCD display in the viewfinder is rather dim, and difficult to use with my poor eyesight.
The top tier professional models are the F, F2, F3, F4, F5 and F6. The F had separate finders, a plain unmetered prism and waist level finder which could be used with a clip-on meter, an action finder and a series of metered prisms, the Photomic which was not TTL, the Photomic T which was, the TN which added centre-weighted metering and The FTN which introduced the semi-automatic maximum aperture indexing system.
The F2 has various fairly minor changes, the back hinges open for loading rather than sliding off, the shutter release button and strap lugs are slightly repositioned, the metered finders are totally changed, with the battery compartment now in the body rather than in the finder. A 6x High-magnification finder was available. Any accessories were incompatible with the earlier model. The F3 was totally different, with electronic shutter. An auto-focus version, the F3-AF was made but was not successful, only two lenses were made for it, and later autofocus ones are not compatible with the autofocus system on this camera. I don’t know about the F4, 5 and 6.
About 20 years ago I started collecting Nikon cameras, most came from collectors’ fairs or EBay, and I didn’t pay much for any of them. The only professional body I own is the F. From the mid tier I have the Nikkormat FT, FTn, FT2, FT3 EL and Nikon EL2, FM, FE, FA and F90x. From the bottom tier I have the EM, the FG, the F-301 and the F-501. After these I tend to lose interest, and the model numbering system gets rather complicated.
One controversial thing about the EM was the advertising for it. Being a simple camera with few controls they suggested that it was suitable for women! Don’t think that would go down too well today, and seems inappropriate even for its time.
Never met a left-eye-shooter..... :). Thanks for this video :)
Oh, there are some, out in the wild... Like me. I tried to switch, and I tried hard, over a period of about 3 years. Composition was a nightmare, and I couldn't even figure out how to properly focus. I guess my left brain hemisphere won't adjust anymore, not in this lifetime :D
Apart from that, there were no issues with shooting an F3 HP - I just angled my face rightwards and looked slightly to the left when peeping thru the viewfinder.
Fun fact: With a waist level finder, I can use both eyes independently.
Lots of us out there
Here's another one! My left just has sharper focus than my right one for some reason. My nose is used to close encounters with the back of many a camera.
I should become one because my right eye is worse, but most Nikons favor a right eye, especially if you shoot both eyes open.
Left eyed shooter here - One nice thing is that I can keep both eyes open when looking through the finder, because most of the camera body covers my right eye.
If you want a reliable Nikon film camera with auto exposure which is quite new, that can work on any setting without battery, I'd nudge you towards the Nikon FM3/A. Yes that camera is (almost) unique, and it ain't cheap, but given that a couple of comparable cameras (Canon F1n & Pentax LX) cost about the same despite being quite older, FM3/A is still a catch...
Thanks for the suggestion!
have you ever tried the OM system?, I love my OM-1. and the OM-10 is great camera as is of course the OM-2, but I don't own one of those - yet.
I think I shot with a broken OM a few years back. I would love to try it sometime but it's just a matter of coming across one that is cheap enough.
Since the F90D (N90 w/ data back) I inherited from my dad is my "daily driver" in terms of 35mm film, I hope the electronics won't give up on me. If so, I would now look for the FE as well, not only for a fully-manual but overrated FM/2 - so, thank you for posting this.
And I'm going to look for this standard prime lens. Again. I think I've owned one back in the days but sold it for whatever reason - shouldn't have done that!
We all have gear we regret selling :)
I have both ME Super and FE2 (not the FE, but it doesn't matter) and I wouldn't say I prefer one over another. They're just different. I love small and light Pentax and cary it everyday in a backpack. Nikon is bigger, heavier and I take from the shelf only if I'm in a mood for it.
Nice, thanks for sharing
The Nikon F is what you should explore next (or F2). At least you'd be able to experience classics and I loved my Nikon F! Even with its idiosyncrasies.
Very fair review of this camera, I got rid of a mint Nikon FE 6 years ago because the mirror was stuck. I didn't know about the M90 setting then lol. I now have a FE again in great working order but I've been looking at an FM2N for my next purchase, did you end up upgrading to another body?
Hate to say it, but it was likely the battery :( At least you have another one.
I'm pretty sure my dad used to have one of these, but he sold it. in hindsight, I wish he hadn't then I'd be able to use it. at least he didn't sell his Nikkormat and Yashica MAT 124g. I love those cameras.
The Nikkormat will still fire if you don't have the lever sticking out (I actually don't like that). and it'll work without the batteries. My meter can be a bit jumpy though.
I recently got it a 24mm 2.8 Nikkor lens, which is pretty awesome.
I used to own a 124g, regretted selling it.
@@AzrielKnight one of my top five favorite cameras for sure.
The Nikon FE is the AK 47 of cameras.
Great analogy!
The only Nikon film SLRs I own are the chunky F5 with the 50mm f/1.4D and a $3 thrift-store N60 that I snagged a cheap
shoot, thanks for the heads up. I was fixing it at one point but forgot. my template needs an overhaul.
@@AzrielKnight Thankfully the direct links work and I was able to pick up a Tri-X shirt! 😊
My fav Nikon is FA for sure
Solid choice.
I had a Nikon FE for many years shot the thing to death three times and after having it serviced for the fourth time I sold it no regrets and bought a freshly serviced near mint Pentax K1000. My dream camera is to once again own a Nikon FM 3a maybe. LOL stay safe
Thanks for the kind words Robert. I hope you get your dream camera :)
I would like to see the Nikon N2000 and Nikon N2020.
I'll keep my eyes peeled, thanks!
Just remeber...was it Nikon who were producing some Prototypes of cameras for lefties?
Hands down the Nikon FM2 :)
Hi
Can someone tell me how does the FE compare to Minolta XD7/11? Except for the lack of shutter priority. Which one would you recommend?
I haven't shot the Minolta so I'm not sure.
@@AzrielKnight ok, thanks
FM2 is my favourite SLR bare none. No electronics that can fail. Get over the lever flip thing, it becomes second nature after a while.
Thanks for the comment :) I hear good things about the FM2
I've killed a couple of batteries myself. The most fun I have with this camera is shooting "Blue Hour" photography.
Thanks for the comment! I have yet to do much blue hour photography.
When the mirror locks, rotate to m90 to release it then cock the shutter while pressing the double exposure switch.This way you don't lose a frame because as far as I remember, the shutter wasn't firing when the mirror was locking up. For the last 2 years it worked perfectly without locking and still going strong. I also got a md-12 motor drive to solve the frame spacing problem I had while manually advancing the film.
Great tip, thank you :)
Personally my nikon F2AS is the one
Thanks for the comment Jacob :)