Gumby
Veteran
It's not a circuit design issue, it's mechanical. The circuit design is what it is... state of the art as the art was in that era. It relies 100% on a battery. Without a battery it doesn't work and the mirror stuck up is the mode the camera goes into without power. The FE, when not in prime cleanliness/lubrication condition MECHANICALLY jams too, causing the mirror and film advance to stick. Unjamming isn't too tough but requires removal of bottom plate and knowing which piece needs a little leverage. Other than that, the FE is a great little camera!
PKR
Veteran
To my knowledge, only the F through F6 have 100% coverage. this for film cameras. The FE and FM and as I recall the Nikkormat had coverage in the high 90%. The heaver bodies have more features. For me the mirror lock up is a must. I could live with FEs if I had at least Fxx body. I use a vertical finder on my F3. The optics on the F3 are great. The F3 was the longest produced camera Nikon has made so far. It was being made through part of the F5 production if my memory is good on this. There are a lot of them around.
Robert Lai
Well-known
I'm still using my F3 (non-HP) purchased in 1983. It's still going strong, and has the original LCD panel, which never seems to wear out. I've had the camera CLA'd as the flash synch started to act up, but that's about it. It is the most dependable camera I have.
Many Nikons, such as the F3 have what is called the ADR - Aperture Direct Readout. You can see what the f/stop of the lens is in the finder via a little mirror arrangement that reads off the lens aperture ring. So, even though the rings may turn in opposite directions from Leica, you can get the aperture you want without taking the eye off the finder window.
As for focusing, just turn it until it's sharp!
I find that the F3 with motor is really fast shooting for me, due to experience for 27 years, the ability to keep concentrating on the scene in the finder, and letting the auto-exposure deal with the shutter speeds.
With the Barnack Leicas, switching from the RF to the VF forces contemplation, and a measured approach.
Many Nikons, such as the F3 have what is called the ADR - Aperture Direct Readout. You can see what the f/stop of the lens is in the finder via a little mirror arrangement that reads off the lens aperture ring. So, even though the rings may turn in opposite directions from Leica, you can get the aperture you want without taking the eye off the finder window.
As for focusing, just turn it until it's sharp!
I find that the F3 with motor is really fast shooting for me, due to experience for 27 years, the ability to keep concentrating on the scene in the finder, and letting the auto-exposure deal with the shutter speeds.
With the Barnack Leicas, switching from the RF to the VF forces contemplation, and a measured approach.
Vickko
Veteran
Hmmm. Interesting thread. I am on the verge of selling my last Nikon F - a beautiful condition black camera. Simply a classic.
It will leave me with only one F series SLR - a titanium F2. Rounder shoulders, swing-open back, and buttery smooth mechanics. I still have three Nikon RF cameras, so still plenty of slip-open backs to play with. Not my favourite feature.
I've played with Nikkormats, but never really got into them.
I did shoot an F3 for many years, and was quite happy with it.
And I generally agree, all the Nikon film cameras were superb in their own way.
...Vick
It will leave me with only one F series SLR - a titanium F2. Rounder shoulders, swing-open back, and buttery smooth mechanics. I still have three Nikon RF cameras, so still plenty of slip-open backs to play with. Not my favourite feature.
I've played with Nikkormats, but never really got into them.
I did shoot an F3 for many years, and was quite happy with it.
And I generally agree, all the Nikon film cameras were superb in their own way.
...Vick
Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
+1.
Those changes pass. What stays is Nikon's durability, quality and value. Up to you what's more important.
tiberno
Member
Great thread going on.
I just got myself a Nikkormat FT2 with a Nikkor 50 f2 for parts/repairs for 25€. Turned out to be all working great! I love the handling of the Nikkormat, it's like a tank. But the great surprise was the lens... From f2.8 up it's much sharper than my Carl Zeiss Planar 50 1.7! I really wasn't expecting that.
Back to the FT2, the viewfinder is not that great, good but not great. It is a bit smaller than my FM2... wich in turn is smaller that, guess how? Olympus OM10! I never tried a one digit Oly so I'm expecting it to be huge...
I just got myself a Nikkormat FT2 with a Nikkor 50 f2 for parts/repairs for 25€. Turned out to be all working great! I love the handling of the Nikkormat, it's like a tank. But the great surprise was the lens... From f2.8 up it's much sharper than my Carl Zeiss Planar 50 1.7! I really wasn't expecting that.
Back to the FT2, the viewfinder is not that great, good but not great. It is a bit smaller than my FM2... wich in turn is smaller that, guess how? Olympus OM10! I never tried a one digit Oly so I'm expecting it to be huge...
PKR
Veteran
I started using F3HP bodies before I wore glasses. I packed 2 with motors and a 3rd with a Forscher back around, for a lot of years. I moved to N90s (and had an F100 briefly) with auto focus, and after converting my work output to digital, bought a couple of clean F3 bodies for personal (film) work. I don't miss the weight of the MD4s. I use a DW4 along with the HP finders. I had both bodies cleaned and re-sealed. They go in for R+R once a year with my other gear. I plan to use these cameras for a lot of years to come. It's a great change from the world of digital capture. I got a couple of +1 diopter adapters for the HP finders so they are good, sands glasses. The digital bodies I use are back to being heavy. One is as heavy or heavier than the motorized F3. I like traveling as light as possible. I get a lot more done.
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Fujitsu
Well-known
Chose lenses first, then the camera. Fast Nikkor AIS lenses are quite expensive today because they´re so popular with the D700 / D3 crowd.
cidereye
Film Freak
Long time Nikon SLR user and have owned most at one time or another and completely shocked nobody thus far has mentioned the FA. Of all the manual Nikon's I've owned this camera is by far my favourite and the matrix metering superb.
On my 3rd FA now (Can't give them up!) and have never encountered a single problem with these cameras - they offer more options than any other manual focus Nikon SLR made so there should be enough to satisfy even the fussiest of user.
On my 3rd FA now (Can't give them up!) and have never encountered a single problem with these cameras - they offer more options than any other manual focus Nikon SLR made so there should be enough to satisfy even the fussiest of user.
integrale
Happy Amateur
I shoot with Nikon F3, FG, FG-20 and D700 with an assortment of Nikon, Zeiss, Voigtländer and Leica/Leitz lenses.
I also shoot with a Zeiss Ikon with Zeiss ZM and Leica M lenses.
I cannot remember which way each of these lenses turn for A or focus, but it is not a barrier for me switching between the lot.
Nikon Fs are iconic for durability, buildquality etc and the amount of lenses that either fit directly (Nikon F lenses are World class) or can be converted (Leica R lenses does have a reasonable reputation...) is overwhelming. If you don't like your Nikon F, I have heard they work very well as hammers...
Just go for it.
I also shoot with a Zeiss Ikon with Zeiss ZM and Leica M lenses.
I cannot remember which way each of these lenses turn for A or focus, but it is not a barrier for me switching between the lot.
Nikon Fs are iconic for durability, buildquality etc and the amount of lenses that either fit directly (Nikon F lenses are World class) or can be converted (Leica R lenses does have a reasonable reputation...) is overwhelming. If you don't like your Nikon F, I have heard they work very well as hammers...
Just go for it.
Brian Legge
Veteran
I use a D70s, F4s and FG. The FG was a late purchase to try a small aperture priority film camera as a street camera. It was the only one I'm still on the face about.
I've been shooting more with medium format cameras and rangefinders recently. I grew up on SLRs so trying a screw mount Leica for the first time has been an interesting experience. I still fall back to the SLRs for serious work/reliability, but have been spending more time elsewhere.
I've been shooting more with medium format cameras and rangefinders recently. I grew up on SLRs so trying a screw mount Leica for the first time has been an interesting experience. I still fall back to the SLRs for serious work/reliability, but have been spending more time elsewhere.
campbellcj
Established
I just started 'serious' photography 4 years ago, and the majority of my shooting thus far has been with SLR's. I currently have a Nikon F100, D200 and D3 along with a bunch of glass.
Later I got a Bessa R3A and most recently an Olympus E-P2 and I love both of them for everyday people and travel stuff. I still gravitate to the SLR's for most other purposes (sports/racing, landscape, long-exposure/night, macro).
Going forward, I don't see that one flavor of tool or the other would cover all the bases for me. However, I am seriously thinking about selling my D200 kit as it barely gets used at all now that the E-P2 is here.
Later I got a Bessa R3A and most recently an Olympus E-P2 and I love both of them for everyday people and travel stuff. I still gravitate to the SLR's for most other purposes (sports/racing, landscape, long-exposure/night, macro).
Going forward, I don't see that one flavor of tool or the other would cover all the bases for me. However, I am seriously thinking about selling my D200 kit as it barely gets used at all now that the E-P2 is here.
nakedcellist
Established
I have a Nikon FE2, which is a great camera, although I do not use it much anymore, but I have loaded it with kodachrome. And about that difference in rings turning the other way: the speed dials of my m6 and m8 are also different..
Haigh
Gary Haigh
I have contax g1, Leica M4, Nikon F100 and a Nikon d80 slr. Each has thier quirks just as I have my quirks. I'm being kind to myself when I say that. You will learn to work with the oddities of the camera you choose. I personally love the F100 but love the lighter, smallish Contax. Hope this helps. There is no more a perfect camera than there is a perfect human being. Sorry about the philosophising.
rpilottx
Established
Nikon F and Leica M4 user here. I used the original F from 1970-75 as a pro photographer and have also owned the F2 and F3. I did stuff to the F when I was a pro that I am ashamed of now but it always worked. If you look at photos from Vietnam, most of the PJ's there carried a couple M's and a Nikon F for longer lenses. If Nikons could hold up in Vietnam, they will last anywhere. Within the last couple years, Canon has dominated the digital market but in film, Nikon is the way to go. And if you want AE, the F3 was the longest running F camera.
You can get a nice sets of primes for under $300-500. The Nikon 24f2.8, 55f3.5Micro, 105f2.5 and 200f4 are all legendary. They are the lenses I own and were all considered OUTSTANDING. With my M4, I use a 15/35f1.2/50f2/90f2.8 with most of my stuff now using the 35 or 90. And the Nikon and Leica systems are different enough that there really is not any confusion.
I have been using my M more but really feel the Nikon is a sturdier camera. Don't know which I would pick if I could only have one system. But a Nikon F with "B" focusing screen, standard prism, and the four lenses above would do 100 percent of everything I need. But I do love the M with 35f1.2 and Ektar 100.
You can get a nice sets of primes for under $300-500. The Nikon 24f2.8, 55f3.5Micro, 105f2.5 and 200f4 are all legendary. They are the lenses I own and were all considered OUTSTANDING. With my M4, I use a 15/35f1.2/50f2/90f2.8 with most of my stuff now using the 35 or 90. And the Nikon and Leica systems are different enough that there really is not any confusion.
I have been using my M more but really feel the Nikon is a sturdier camera. Don't know which I would pick if I could only have one system. But a Nikon F with "B" focusing screen, standard prism, and the four lenses above would do 100 percent of everything I need. But I do love the M with 35f1.2 and Ektar 100.
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Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Things like this never matter if you just give them a bit of time to work on you.
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
The FG was mentioned above and I must say that it and the EM are terrific little street shooting cameras. VERY small and surprisingly tough.
My most heavily used Nikon SLR is my D300, used primarily for sports where the crop factor keeps me from needing to buy ever longer lenses. Excellent workhorse of a camera though the focus processing is not as fast as the D3 (though it is the same module, the horsepower behind them is diffferent).
On the film side I absolutely love my F6. Great camera, so refined with everything in its place. I like to use it without the optional grip, keeping it more compact than the F5. The best thing about the camera... the meter is absolutely the best and the shutter is surprisingly quiet for an SLR.
The FM2N is a fantastic no-nonsense SLR if you like to have a non-AE body. I have had mine for probably 20 years and it's still solid as a rock.
In short, I pretty much like most Nikon SLRs, they work and work consistently. I won't talk about my D70 suffering the "blinking green light of death".
In the end, it's about what feels right to you. My problem is I'm too darn adaptable and I like almost everything!
My most heavily used Nikon SLR is my D300, used primarily for sports where the crop factor keeps me from needing to buy ever longer lenses. Excellent workhorse of a camera though the focus processing is not as fast as the D3 (though it is the same module, the horsepower behind them is diffferent).
On the film side I absolutely love my F6. Great camera, so refined with everything in its place. I like to use it without the optional grip, keeping it more compact than the F5. The best thing about the camera... the meter is absolutely the best and the shutter is surprisingly quiet for an SLR.
The FM2N is a fantastic no-nonsense SLR if you like to have a non-AE body. I have had mine for probably 20 years and it's still solid as a rock.
In short, I pretty much like most Nikon SLRs, they work and work consistently. I won't talk about my D70 suffering the "blinking green light of death".
In the end, it's about what feels right to you. My problem is I'm too darn adaptable and I like almost everything!
bobkonos
Well-known
I regularly use my Nikon FM2 and FM bodies, and their most-used lenses are the 24mm f2.8 Nikkor, the 55mm f2.8 Micro-Nikkor, and 85mm f2 Nikkor. These are wonderful machines. I irregularly use my Nikkormat FT3. I also have a Nikon F3HP that will soon get use so I can keep my sunglasses on while shooting outdoors. The early and rare Nikon F bodies get indoor exercise for now.
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
Bob- I didn't know you were a Nikon SLR man as well. I have a beauty queen in this genre as well, a mint black F. I know you must have something interesting on the shelf!
lawrence
Veteran
I shoot both Leica M and Nikon SLR and, in summary, yes it is a PITA that they turn the wrong way on the Nikon i.e. different to almost all other cameras. However, if you own M lenses that have a focussing tab you'll find the Nikkors easy to get used to because to focus closer you move the tab to the left and with Nikon you also turn to the left to focus closer. The aperture ring is just something you have to get used to.
The fact that the lens mount also works in the opposite direction is actually a plus because the Nikon mount is more logical if you are right handed. The reason is that as you look down at the camera hanging from your neck the release button on the Nikon is on the left hand side and it's very quick to press the button with a finger on your left hand and turn and remove the lens with your right hand, which is far quicker than with the Leica which always seems awkward to me.
Anyway, just remember when you're using Nikon that your the owner of the best SLR on the planet and you'll manage to put up with any inconveniences!