Just keep coming back to the Nikon FE

[kshapero]

Simplicity, rugged mated to a Nikon 28/2, 50/1.8 and a 105/2.5. What a kit. See Ken Rockwell for his FE review. His best review IMHO.

 

[Dirk]

I agree. I have mine equipped with a K3 screen from the FM3A, which is bright and easy to focus. I use it with the 24/2.8 AI, the 50/2 AI'd, and the 105/1.8. That really all I need (mind you, I didn't say all I want...)

 

[David_Manning]

My own FE2, and Nikkor 28/2.8 and 50/1.4 going to San Antonio Thursday. Tri-X too.

Taking a digital breather.

 

[dave lackey]

Glad to see this thread! I have two FE2 bodies, and I really miss my FM3a. But I use the FE2 bodies regularly! Love those little cameras :angel:

I should get an FE just because!

 

[flavio81]

I loved the FE despite its lowish build quality (compared to other Nikons), until i found about the Nikkormat EL, which basically does everything the FE can, plus it has higher build quality, plus it works with my rabbit-ear lens, so I sold the FE and got the Nikkormat.

The FE2 is a superb camera, one of the best Nikons.

 

[nikon_sam]

My first Nikon was the FE...a fellow worker gave it to me...he didn't know how to use it and thought it was dead anyway...
I shot a load of Velvia with that camera...learned to love the meter...great camera...

 

[farlymac]

I had one FE many, many years ago. Bought it used at a camera store in Columbus, OH that was in an old church. Turned out it had a bad shutter, and they just hacked it back to life right before they sold it to me. I took it back after it failed in the middle of the first roll I ran through it. Got it back a week later, and it failed again, but they wouldn't refund my money because I bought it over thirty days prior. I totally swore off ever stepping inside that place again.

The main reason I never got another one was I purchased an N90s next, and never saw the need for another AE camera body. Still kept shooting the FM though. That was my favorite for a long time.

PF

 

[ChrisPlatt]

My brother liked my Nikon FM but wanted AE so I got him a brand new FE.
After that I wished I had opted for the FE, mainly for the analog display.

When my FM got stolen I bought a new FM2n, which I didn't like and sold.
I tried an FE2 but it just didn't seem as well-made as my brother's old FE.

Chris

 

[farlymac]

Just realized I have an FE2 coming in the mail. It was part of an auction I won where I was more interested in the lenses than the camera. Will see how it works out.

PF

 

[rbsinto]

FE was my first "real" camera.
Loved everything about it except the non-illuminated viewfinder display, which was difficult or impossible to read in low light.
If Marty Forscher had been able to illuminate the finder, I'd likely still be using it.
Eventually switched to film SLR Nikons with LED/LCD displays (F2AS/FA/FM-2/FG/ F3P) which I prefer.
Robert

 

[mcfingon]

My first Nikon was a second-hand FE in 1983. I thought that was so good I bought a brand-new FE2 also in 1983. I've had many other cameras since, but I've come back to an FE2 and three lenses just in the last couple of months.

 

[farlymac]

My first Nikon was a second-hand FE in 1983. I thought that was so good I bought a brand-new FE2 also in 1983. I've had many other cameras since, but I've come back to an FE2 and three lenses just in the last couple of months.

That's a nice combo to have.

PF

 

[lynnb]

My first Nikon was an FM, loved it, bought an FE when I needed a fast replacement while the FM was being serviced.. great camera! Its first outing was 60 rolls of Kodachrome 25 on a holiday, every exposure was spot on. More recently I added an FE2 as well (AP exposure not working on FE).

 

[steveyork]

Never much of a Nikon fan, and I've owned and used an F and F3, and fiddled extensively with F2s and FEs, but I know the feeling of always coming back to a certain camera. That camera, for me, is a Leicaflex SL. I believe creative people get bored easily, and that's one reason we all cycle through gear, looking for new experiences. So if you've found that one camera system you really dig -- keep it. You may not always use it, at times it may bore you, you'll probably have other cameras too, but like you said, 'you'll always come back.'

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I couldn't resist - I just bought a Nikon FE - and I am holding you all responsible! 🙄

Chris

 

[kshapero]

My first Nikon was an FM, loved it, bought an FE when I needed a fast replacement while the FM was being serviced.. great camera! Its first outing was 60 rolls of Kodachrome 25 on a holiday, every exposure was spot on. More recently I added an FE2 as well (AP exposure not working on FE).

FE....once they are gone, they are gone.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

FE....once they are gone, they are gone.

Is this not also true for the FM, FM2 and FE2?
Does Nikon service or stock parts for any of their manual focus bodies?
I assume they still support the FM3a.

I almost invariably opt for the all-mechanical model, largely for long-term repairability.
In this case I make an exception; the analog meter display of the FE is vastly superior.

Chris