If you are just starting out in film

kshapero

kshapero

South Florida Man
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May I present to you newbie's (you know who you are) just starting out in film. The venerable Nikon FE aperture preferred film camera from 1978-1982. Not a great fan of Ken Rockwell (vivid, vivid, vivid) but his review of the Nikon FE is spot on. Read it closely.
https://kenrockwell.com/nikon/fe.htm
Match it with a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 AiS lens and you have a hell of a sturdy a kit for under $150!! I bought one new in '80 (but lost it sometime in the late 90's). My current rig was pieced together around 2004. Photo includes the classic 105/2.5. I know folks say there are no parts for them, but I have never needed any! Still there are plenty of guys out there who will CLA them. Besides if they really break, then spend another $75 and get another one, Hello??
You will get great pleasure from shooting with this rig, as I know others will attest. And, hey, if someone pulls some Leica bigotry on you, remind them that the Nikon FE is an SLR act a like to a Leica M7, only 25 years ahead of Leica.

40932294741_3ebe27f007_c.jpg
 
Good topic to help folks.

I own a Nikkormat I bought in 1972, I was still in the military, never have had it worked on. The only item, (I replaced it!) is the bumper the mirror hits when gettin’ out of the way of the shutter!
 
Nikon FE/FE2, FM/FM2N was my camera for many years, and I took it with me on many a backpacking trip. It was a sturdy camera with a no-nonsense metering and some truly remarkable lenses, like 55/2.8 micro, or 180/2.8 ED. I rcommended it to both my son and
my dayughter when they startred to dabble in photoghraphy...
 
Nice thread topic!

My first camera was a Minolta X700 only because I could not afford a Nikon at the time. A year later, the FE and FM replaced the Minolta. I was in heaven and to this day, I will not be without them.

My FE2 and Fm2n are still my favorite film cameras and I use them as much as ever. They really are not just for beginners, they work just fine, even after decades of use. I wish I knew what stories mine could tell.:)

They really do talk you know, they call me frequently to just be taken out and exercised.;)... lol... My Leicas have come and gone and yet the compact Nikons remain. Makes me wonder... :)
 
I had a chrome FE2 for many years, and it was a great camera. I sold it in the early days of digital, but would like to find a good condition replacement at some point.

I don't see much in the way of comparison with an M6 or M7, I think you are likely to be draw more strongly to RFs or SLRs based on your own comfort zone. But I would say the FE/M series have a lot going for them when compared to SLR Leica bodies. For film newbies, it seems to make sense to go with the Nikon for sure.

I have a couple of Minolta X-700 kits - I really should replace them with a nice FE or FM kit.
 
gdi said:
I had a chrome FE2 for many years, and it was a great camera. I sold it in the early days of digital, but would like to find a good condition replacement at some point.

I don't see much in the way of comparison with an M6 or M7, I think you are likely to be draw more strongly to RFs or SLRs based on your own comfort zone. But I would say the FE/M series have a lot going for them when compared to SLR Leica bodies. For film newbies, it seems to make sense to go with the Nikon for sure.

I have a couple of Minolta X-700 kits - I really should replace them with a nice FE or FM kit.
Click to expand...

Lucky you... I would like a replacement of my first camera... the X700!:)
Maybe one day...
 
I currently regularly use a Nikon FA with 50/2 or 28/2.8 and 105/2.5.
I would love to get back into a Pentax kit just because I grew up with them. My first SLR was a Pentax ME Super that I used for close to ten years. Would love to find another one but I really would go all the way and get an LX.
Phil Forrest
 
I had an FM back in the early eighties that was such a good camera, I decided to get a used FE to go with it. Definitely a dynamic duo, as that pairing could handle just about anything I presented to them.

Only problem was the FE had a shutter problem that cropped up quite quickly after I bought it, so I took it back to the shop where I bought it. They supposedly fixed it, with it failing again midway through the next roll of film. I demanded my money back, and they told me I'd had it too long to be covered. So I took it to a repair shop, and they said it needed a new shutter, but it was unavailable.

So I went back to the store where I got the FM from, hoping they had an FE in stock, but walked out instead with a low mileage N90 someone had just traded in.

I find it hard to believe those shysters I bought the FE from are still in business today. I don't like to name names, but their initials are Columbus Camera Group.

I used the FM for many years, until it was sold at auction, but a couple years ago I replaced it and the FE, plus upgraded to the FM2N, and FE2. Darn fine cameras, Akiva, and still my favorites of the newer Nikons. You are quite correct that they are great for someone just getting into film. Nice and simple, with good ergonomics.

PF
 
I sold my FE recently. First Nikon I ever owned. I sold it to my local camera shop for $25. Great camera that I wasnt using very much so I passed it on. Fantastic camera KR wasnt joking. The F mount is the secret!

I still believe one of the best camera deals out there is a FM2T. Last time I checked a good block was $600 I think. Lot of cold hard camera for the money.
 
Contarama said:
I sold my FE recently. First Nikon I ever owned. I sold it to my local camera shop for $25. Great camera that I wasnt using very much so I passed it on. Fantastic camera KR wasnt joking. The F mount is the secret!

I still believe one of the best camera deals out there is a FM2T. Last time I checked a good block was $600 I think. Lot of cold hard camera for the money.
Click to expand...

Huh? Sold your FE for $25? Jeez, that's perhaps a few cappuccinos?

I have a black FE2 that I bought for stupid money in the late 1980s. I used that body more than any other of my Nikon bodies (F2, FM, FE, FM2, EM, ?). Just loved the combination of weight, size, features. With the MD-12 motor drive on that baby I was one loud, obviously PROFESSIONAL photographer, eh? Loud, but it was THE stereotypical pro photo sound and that helped with some jobs.
 
My first Nikon was the FE...I still have it along with many other Nikon bodies now...
The meter in the FE was fantastic...I shot a lot of Velvia with it and it never failed to deliver...
 
I'd rather have an OM2 and a couple of Zuikos personally but each to their own Akiva! :D
 
Yep .. I remember when an adventure into film often involved something Russian!

Those were the days. :p
 
I had an Fe2 for many years great camera,, the 105mm is a true legendary classic, my favorite bit of Nikon glass was the humble 50mm f2, still have a 50mm f2 but the NAI variety, it sits on my Nikon F ftn (and the finder still works too).
 
I'm like Keith and prefer OM's especially the 1n model. But the Nikon mount is definitely better supported with a range of heavy duty glass available used. Both Nikkors and third party lenses. Just glad I have the lenses I want already. Of all the Nikon bodies I'd look for a FM2n first if I wanted to get into the system.
 
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