I broke my FE2

A kind friend just lent me his F3T with HP finder. I'm going to play with it this weekend and see how I like it. Mostly the handling and the size.

If I dig it, I'll probably pick one up.
 
F3 without a doubt. Leave it in A mode and shoot away. Smaller and faster than my F and F2's. So many of them that finding cheap ones is easy. In UK and Europe there are plenty of unbrassed ones for €100-€130
 
F2/F3 are MUCH larger and heavier than an FE2 so it really is a different shooting experience. My favorite MF Nikon bodies, in order:

1. FE (small, cheap and nice match needle meter)
2. F2 (either AS or with eye-level prism; I never liked the F2A meter)
3. F3 (any version)
4. FM3a (superb but expensive - try an FM2 instead)

You might already know all about F2s and F3s, but if you've never held one it is worth doing before you buy one over the internet. They really have a different feel than the light bodies.

Cheers,
Gary
 
Ok... put a roll of film in it and shot it walking around a bit. First impressions of the F3/T...

1. Controls feel *so* much nicer and smoother than my FE2, which was admittedly a beater.
2. Love the HP finder (i wear glasses). Don't mind the LCD stuff one bit, although i kinda miss the match needle ever so slightly.
3. Size seems totally fine and manageable. Doesn't bother me, even though it *is* bigger than the FE2.
4. Weight also not a factor... but is that because this is the "T" model? How much heavier is the regular one?

Also, how much bulkier is an F2A/AS compared to this? I guess I have to find one to fondle.
 
difference in weight=not enough that you would notice without a scale.
size, slightly more compact, the meter is in the body, not the prism. F3 is more comfy to hold though
 
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Landshark said:
difference in weight=not enough that you would notice without a scale.
size, slightly more compact, the meter is in the body, not the prism. F3 is more comfy to hold though
Click to expand...

Everything above plus the advantage of point and shoot A mode. All F2's I've bought apart from 1 needed a full service to function as new. Unless you can get hold of a serviced F2 factor it in to the price. F3's seem to be better apart from needing light seals. Get one with low brassing and the internals should be like new.
If you go the F2 route stick to F2A or AS as they are more compatible lens wise. As long as the lens has a fork or has the AI cut outs on the aperture ring it will work.
Sover Wong in the UK serviced all my F series cameras and his work is brilliant. He specialises in F2 only.
 
I use to have a FE2, and it was stolen now. Great camera, dropped a few times, once cracked the prism, once dinted the corner on the top plate. Because its shutter is electronically controlled, it got a real quiet and stable shutter even at slow speed when compare to a FM2. In my options, it handles way better that the FM2, but of course, it needs battteries.
 
I think I'm pretty set on getting myself an F3.
Looks like EP Levine has a couple in stock... maybe i'll take a ride over there one of these days and check out what they have. Not sure if they have any F2's, but if they do, i'll play with one too.
BUT, I think for my req's, the F3 is probably going to be better.

As far as FE2, they can be had cheaply, so maybe I'll get another one of those at some point, too!

thanks for all the advice, guys!
 
I find the FE/FM series mirror slap to prevent really low speed shots. I am curious on playing with an FA for it. Truth be told I pretty much do not believe in non-RF slow shots though... unless you lock the mirror up on an SLR and use a finder... focus?
 
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argh no relief!

i have shot a few rolls with my friend's F3/T and it was lovely. Size not an issue.

But now i have a line on a beat-up but working F2AS for $275. Should I do that, or buy an F3HP for < $200.

I'm also thinking.... ah screw it, just get another FE2. boring.

But, the F2AS is kind of a dream camera, isn't it? Even a beat-up one.

I could always resurrect my EM if i need a small Nikon, but isn't that what my M6 is for?

Considering it's all just folly, doesn't matter if the F2 is ridiculous... it'll do. 🙂

what would you do?
 
I have a FE and two F2's (one with an eyelevel finder and the other a photomic). I like all three cameras. The FE is my rugged beater take anywhere throw it in the seat of my car rig. I basically treat the photomic F2 this way also the DE1 was pretty pricey so I take a little better care of it. I find all three of them to basically shoot the same photograph with any given Nikkor. The biggest difference for me, and I wear glasses like you do, is that the F2 has a better viewfinder. The F2 also seems to balance in the hand better if that makes sense. The FE is quite a bit lighter than the F2. The F2 is not really that much bigger either IMO.

I would say unless you use the auto mode a lot I would buy a F2...I promise you won't be dissappointed.

Maybe this will help you decide... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Lgb6uP_cQ&NR=1
 
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The F3 is the one that has eluded me...I have the FE, FM, F2, F2a, F4s, F4e, F5 and a N2020...
The F3 with the MD-4 attached is one sexy machine...+100% viewfinder...and it will take the Non-Ai'd lenses and it has interchangeable prisms...
 
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