Nikon F100 versus FM2/FE2

Also consider the N90s or F90x as it is known outside the US. I have just bought one for peanuts in good condition. It has all the whistles and bells, a great viewfinder and may just fit the bill. Build is superb and it has speeds up to 1/8000 and spot metering as well. Just my suggestion ?
 
I have an FE2 and F100. The 100 does feel significantly larger, but there's no real difference when carrying them. Neither is going to fit in a pocket, so, the size issue is negated. And, the 100 has the grip and rubberized surfaces, so, in a way, it's sometimes easier to carry.

That said, if you're using manual focus lenses, the FE2 is the more enjoyable camera to use. The "mechanical feel," as you mention, is there. It really feels like a 'real camera.' The viewfinder is wonderful, and is much better for manual focus than the F100's.

I do like the F100 for the built-in motor, though. I once bought a motor for the FE2, but it was crazy loud, so i returned it....

I'd suggest maybe you get an FE2 AND an F80.... The F80 has an absolutely delicious shutter+drive/wind sound....
 
Like I said, don't discount the simplicity and purity of an F or F2. These bodies will handle all manual focus lenses and there's just something about the rawness of a 100% manual.
 
doolittle said:
Have a look at the Nikon FA if you can find one for a reasonable price. 1/4000 shutter speed, PASM with matrix metering for AI and AI-S lenses. Great little camera, tempted to get one myself!
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I completely agree.
My FA is my space-aged camera for when I want Aperture-Priority auto exposure and Matrix metering.
And when I'm more inclined to go bare-bones, I use an F, or F2 or FM or S3 or SP rangefinders.
 
No one can answer this question. Which one we like is going to differ from what you like. I have owned the FM2n,FE2, F100, an F3HP and an n8008. I liked all, but didn't love any one of them enough to keep. Instead of dicking around with equipment, I should've just kept my first Nikon FM2n and lenses.

However, I am fickle and bought and sold every camera I have ever purchased. I now have a Bronica RF645 and I would sell it for the right price.

But I would much rather take pictures than waste time on GAS, which I have done so well for so long. The GAS time wasting, not the taking good pictures.

Fwiw, an f100 would be an awesome, long term camera for anyone. Buy them all is really the best opinion/ advice:) one at a time of course:)


rohankent said:
I've been shooting with an FE and an FM, which I love. I enjoy the process of using them, how small they are and the mechanical feel of them. Occasionally I toy with the idea of getting an FM2 or FE2, for the faster shutter speeds, and the apparently brighter viewfinder.

I like the look of black and white film (HP5) pushed to 800 or 1600, and faster shutter speeds would allow me to get smaller DOF on occasion. An FM2 or FE2 has 1/4000 compared to the 1/1000 on my cameras, but for similar money I could buy an F100, which has 1/8000. I only intend on using my manual focus AIS lenses, so perhaps it's overkill?

On the negative side, the F100 would feel huge by comparison I imagine, and would use up batteries far more frequently. However, I'm not looking to replace my cameras, so maybe a different photographic experience would be a good thing?

I'm wanting to know from those who have used these cameras, if the F100 was enjoyable to use... Do you like the viewfinder? Is the metering going to be any better with AIS lenses compared to and FM2?
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It's true that no one can decide for me. What I was after was some opinion on what these cameras are like to use. From there I can make slightly more informed decisions.

Its good to know that focussing with manual lenses would be more difficult with the F100. And having investigated all of this, it's got me thinking about matrix metering, and if that would be beneficial for me.

It's all a learning curve for me, and investigating the gear is leading me to wrestle with technical things that will hopefully make me a better photographer.
 
doolittle said:
Have you considered an F4? It maintains full matrix metering with AIS lenses.
However if you are shooting black and white and not slide, it probably isn't such a big deal.

Or maybe invest in some ND filters to allow you to use larger apertures.
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Why is matrix metering less beneficial for back and white compared to slide film?
 
After selling off a huge DSLR outfit, and shooting rangefinders and medium format cameras for a number of years, I just picked up a Nikon FE, a 50mm 1.4, and a 28mm 2.8 AIS lens. I also like the camera for its small size and simple controls. I kind of wonder what happened to make DSLRs so big and complicated.

I haven't gotten used to the shutter sound, which kind of sounds like a pistol crack to me, but otherwise, I'm happy. Perhaps you should look into buying some more lenses instead of a different body. Just a thought.

By the way, is there some way to increase the brightness of the viewfinder on the FE and then compensate by dialing in 1/2 stop of exposure compensation? I thought I read that somewhere.

Larry
 
Heh...the correct answer of course is to buy them all since they are so inexpensive these days. AF and MF are entirely different systems and the experience of using all of these cameras is well worth the low price of buying them!

I still want an F100...even when I had the F5, I wanted one but alas, still cannot buy one. Maybe one day because that and the F6 are two cameras I still haven't owned for myself. Time is getting short.:rolleyes:
 
Larry Kellogg said:
After selling off a huge DSLR outfit, and shooting rangefinders and medium format cameras for a number of years, I just picked up a Nikon FE, a 50mm 1.4, and a 28mm 2.8 AIS lens. I also like the camera for its small size and simple controls. I kind of wonder what happened to make DSLRs so big and complicated.

I haven't gotten used to the shutter sound, which kind of sounds like a pistol crack to me, but otherwise, I'm happy. Perhaps you should look into buying some more lenses instead of a different body. Just a thought.

By the way, is there some way to increase the brightness of the viewfinder on the FE and then compensate by dialing in 1/2 stop of exposure compensation? I thought I read that somewhere.

Larry
Click to expand...

You may replace the viewfinder of the FE with one from either the FE2 or FM3A. I do not recall the exact compensation value, but it is easily done.
 
rohankent said:
Why is matrix metering less beneficial for back and white compared to slide film?
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I believe he was implying that 1) matrix metering is intrinsically more accurate then center weighted, and that 2) most b&w print film has a much wider exposure latitude (room for error) than slide film which requires more precise exposure.
 
Buzz40 said:
You may replace the viewfinder of the FE with one from either the FE2 or FM3A. I do not recall the exact compensation value, but it is easily done.
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I think you meant to write focus screen. The FM3A focus screen (three types were made) makes for a noticeably brighter viewfinder when installed in the earlier model cameras of the FE/FM series. From memory, exposure compensation is half a stop.
 
I still don't understand-- if the goal of getting a new camera is to shoot HP5+ @1600 in brighter light with shallow DOF... why don't you do as I suggested previously and just cook your film at a higher temp with ISO 400 to replicate the look of pushed film? There you go! No need for higher shutter speeds to reach those shallow DOF attaining f-stops... Keep the camera you enjoy using

If you still are looking for reasons to buy a new camera, then that's all you are doing-- looking for excuses to buy a new camera. I do this all the time. If you are actually looking to solve this problem, then there (above) is your answer.
 
filmfan said:
I still don't understand-- if the goal of getting a new camera is to shoot HP5+ @1600 in brighter light with shallow DOF... why don't you do as I suggested previously and just cook your film at a higher temp with ISO 400 to replicate the look of pushed film? There you go! No need for higher shutter speeds to reach those shallow DOF attaining f-stops... Keep the camera you enjoy using

If you still are looking for reasons to buy a new camera, then that's all you are doing-- looking for excuses to buy a new camera. I do this all the time. If you are actually looking to solve this problem, then there (above) is your answer.
Click to expand...

I accept this. The ND filter was another suggestion.
 
jonmanjiro said:
I think you meant to write focus screen. The FM3A focus screen (three types were made) makes for a noticeably brighter viewfinder when installed in the earlier model cameras of the FE/FM series. From memory, exposure compensation is half a stop.
Click to expand...

Yes. Yes, I did mean focus screen. I was typing while listening to my wife talk. So much for multi tasking! ;-)
 
What a great combination, F100 and FM2n. That was my favorite with film. The F100 was great for sports and airshows and in my opinion the best film camera ever but the FM2n was nice and light to carry around and was quiet when I needed that. The best thing about the F100 is that it takes standard AA batteries and from what I remember did have quite a good battery life.
Pete
 
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