Nikon FE

Well, I guess everyone has gushed about their FE. Okay, time for some reality. I purchased my first used one some time ago, Sent it in for a CLA, it needed an FRE, an obscure glass-encased part under the ISO dial. I'm told that the part is (gasp!) 'somewhat fragile'. Really? this camera is supposed to be so incredibly robust and reliable. Hah. I was also told by the repairperson that one of these cameras can have no visible damage and have a bad FRE. Okay, second FE I purchased FE numero two, had it CLA'd by a reputable repairperson, I received it, put a roll of film through it, the scans actually looked good. The next time I took it out, gee, wouldn't you know, the shutter seems to be ignoring the meter, it's going off at the same speed no matter the light conditions. I've send it back to be repaired, maybe it will work then; And this one looks close to new, too. I tell ya, I own a Pentax Spotmatic SP II. The meter is a little off, but the darn thing works.

.

Now, this is one amazing camera. I got mine second hand in 1976, together with the AI 50 mm. f/1.4 and the AI 28 mm. f/2 lenses, that I still use on occasion.
I am looking forward to use those on my next full frame DSLR, especially the 50 mm.
Although the FE is collecting dust since the turn off the millennium, I KNOW that if I were to take her out of the cabinet today, attach the MD-12 motor-drive and load a roll of film, she would happily shoot off frames like I had never abandoned her.
This camera (unlike the FM I bought 2 years later) has never ever seen the inside of a Nikon repair shop in 35 years.
When combined with the MD-11 motor drive she used to eat light meter batteries for breakfast, but then - even without battery - you could set her to M90, guess aperture, and keep shooting.
This camera never misses a beat.
Over 35 years, she has been dropped, beaten, rained upon, taken to the beach, the Peruvian jungle, tossed around on the back of bicycles, mules and 4x4's and she is still alive and kicking.
As you can realize, I LOVE my FE, it's such a petty she has been overtaken by time. However, I still look through the viewfinder from time to time, even if it were only to remind me what a viewfinder is REALLY supposed to look like.
Let's be honest, the one thing we've lost with the arrival of digital, are those beautiful 100%, bright views that we took for granted when we still used fine pieces of craftsmanship like the FE.

She worked for her previous owner since 1972, for me since 1976. In her 37 years of existence, she has never ever skipped a beat. She still works today and I'm sure will still work in 37 years more.
She is mechanical strenght reincarnated, with electronics impervious to cold, heat, water and dust.
She is NEVER off on lighting, except when the photographer makes mistakes; and is - therefor - a great & patient teaching camera.
I wonder what will eventually kill her. Probably the failure of some obscure inner piece, that the techies don't have a replacement for anymore; much like a human eventually comes down with a broken hip or a heart failure...
Anyway, that's what killed hers sister FMie.

NONE

Praktica LTL, Nikon FM, Nikon D1x, Nikon D200, Nikon D40

NUP NEVER NUNCA

I bought my first FE, while tourguiding Southern Africa, with a 80-200mm f:4.5 lens. A year later I bought a second body, an FE again, with a 28mm f:2 lens and I replaced the f.4.5 lens with a 80-200 mm f:4... Eversince, the 2 body's are my companions and I use them almost daily in sometimes harsh conditions (heat, moisture, rain, dust...).

Durability, reliability, lightweight, can do with little maintenance. "AUTO" feature, B,... Cheap! Excellent starters camera, capable of good to very good results. Excellent back-up camera for Pro's, I would suggest.

Sometimes you wish the camera had a higher shutterspeed.

F301 and a few digital cameras

i will start with this statement... its my baby, its what i learned photography upon and for those reasons i love it. I am a professional tv news cameraman and look through a lens daily, yet despite all my options i always come back to my nikon when travel calls or simply to go out for a relaxing day with a lens. I can't say its never let me down, but i must also say i am abusive and live in one of the coldest climates in Canada and the nikon fe is horrible in cold temperatures due to its battery. What i love about it is its simplicity, its laid out how a camera should be with simple aperature control, a quick auto function for ae over-ride for fast composition, its a metal camera which doesn't mind a scratch or bump or two or three. I just returned from syria, lebanon.. have travelled north africa, india etc... AND this is its major strength as far as i'm concerned is its simple appearance. It doesn't attract attention. As a travel camera that cannot be overemphasized. I feel comfortable with it anywhere due to its humble looks.

simplicity ergonomics (hate that word) and simple humble appearance durability... with regular maintenance price (a real steal compared to similar fm3a, and how often do you need that 4000 shutter speed really?)

battery reliance... score one for the fm3a cold weather its is horrible... and not water proof in the least bit. would be a five star camera with better battery

nikon f nikon fm hasselblad 500cm yashicamat Television cameras too many to mention.

never really used nikon but any camera fixit shop can repair one... advantages of a common non exotic camera.

About 7 years ago,I bought the Nikon FE as a backup to my Nikon F601. However, the FE is the camera I use most. It is a reliable workhorse, and very durable. It will take AF lenses, and works with my Nikon F-22 speedlite,so I didn't have to purchases any lenses or buy a new flash .It goes everywhere with me.

Durable, batteries are inexpensive and last a very long time. It is compatible with AF lenses. DOF, multiple exposure button.

Hard to read the meter and apeture in low light.

Nikon F601, Canon T50, Canon T70, Pentax ME

never used.