Nikon FA or FE2??

DNG

DNG

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Debating on a Nikon Film body...

Short list

Nikon FA P/A/S/M
Nikon FE2 A/M

I want "A" mode, so FM2 is OUT
FG is TOO consumer for what I want.
F3 is too large
I want at least Ai compatible

Is the FA built to the FE2 standard? or is it more consumer build?
 
I really like my FE2. I considered the FA.... Although the FE2 is fantastic, there are two matters that consistently irk me.
• You have to have the wind-on lever pulled away from the body to use the camera. Essentially, it's the on/off switch. I'm just not used to that, and it always catches me out.
• The AE lock is a lever on the front of the camera. I'm used to locking exposure with a half-press of the shutter button. The lever is very awkward to use. I would even prefer the FM3a's AE lock button on the back of the camera at thumb-level....

I agree the FG is a bit plastic-y. I don't know about the FA's build.
 
The few FAs that I have handled seem to be as well built as the FE2.

Bob
 
Years ago I was looking into the FA...I was impressed with what it could do (from what I read)...It also has the first type version of Matrix Metering...
Never got one, but instead went with the F4...somewhat the same but with AF...

Check this site...
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I should add that I do own several FE's/FM's and love how they shoot/meter/feel...I'm guessing that the FE2/FM2 are the same...but with a bit more...
 
FA has a considerably worse, lower magnification finder and a bigger prism hump. Bigger enough that it really feels like a bigger camera. I sold mine. Vastly prefer the FE/FM series.

Edit: irq506 says if you're gonna get an FA, why not just get an F3 or F4? I agree. Or an M6 ;-).
 
I'd agree w/semilog - get an F4. It's far better & it's a battleship! I've had one for 20+ years, works beautifully, & has never wanted a service. M6 - well, there is the matte of a $2K difference in price...
 
My main use will be with a Nikkor AiS 24mm f/2.8, and maybe a Micro Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 Ai'd, as an SLR street camera... that is why I am not too keen on the F series.. but the smaller bodies.
 
The F3 gives you a 100% viewfinder, the FE 93%. And the F3 isn't really that much bigger than the FE. And the F3 has one of the sweetest, smoothest film advanced ever made.
 
My advice to DNG - forget girly cameras like FA and FE2.
If you want 'A' mode and you intend street-shooting, mainly with 24 and 50 lenses, the F3HP is your only sensible option.
It's not overly large, the viewfinder is worldclass, it's unbreakable, nearly 1 million were made in 20 years so it will always be repairable, and it's very cheap nowadays for what it offers.
I use mine for street-shooting, alongside a Leica MDa with 'Leinik' adaptor and Nikon wideangles for when quietness is a requirement.
Some people think I'm eccentric.
Can't imagine why...(!)
 
DNG said:
Debating on a Nikon Film body...

Short list

Nikon FA P/A/S/M
Nikon FE2 A/M

I want "A" mode, so FM2 is OUT
FG is TOO consumer for what I want.
F3 is too large
I want at least Ai compatible

Is the FA built to the FE2 standard? or is it more consumer build?
Click to expand...

Hmmm...well, when comparing the FA (which I used for six months as a loaner a few years ago) and the FE2 that I am about to put in my bag....I would say they are pretty close in "perceived quality of build". However, my memory and gut tell me that the FE2 is a bit more robust, at least, as robust as an electronic camera can get. The FM2 more so. And, yes, my M3 even more than that.

Having said that, I really enjoyed the little FA and was able to obtain some very nice results in Kodachrome last year. I would not hesitate to pick one up as they are very inexpensive. As is the FE2. In fact, whichever you choose, just go ahead and get two...yes, TWO! One for black and white film and the other for color. They are small enough to fit in a shoulder bag and you will really enjoy a brace of them more.🙂
 
dave lackey said:
Hmmm...well, when comparing the FA (which I used for six months as a loaner a few years ago) and the FE2 that I am about to put in my bag....I would say they are pretty close in "perceived quality of build". However, my memory and gut tell me that the FE2 is a bit more robust, at least, as robust as an electronic camera can get. The FM2 more so. And, yes, my M3 even more than that.

Having said that, I really enjoyed the little FA and was able to obtain some very nice results in Kodachrome last year. I would not hesitate to pick one up as they are very inexpensive. As is the FE2. In fact, whichever you choose, just go ahead and get two...yes, TWO! One for black and white film and the other for color. They are small enough to fit in a shoulder bag and you will really enjoy a brace of them more.🙂
Click to expand...

LOL... I only shoot B&W with film and home develop in Rodinal... Color is for Digital....
 
I have both FE2 and FA, for BW film i would go the FA the matrix meter gives you good exposure without any user input. The build is the same in my opinion, true the prism housing is a little larger, the rest is the same. Just go and shoot, get in focus the matrix meter is doing the rest.
Regards
 
FrankS said:
Joerg, I think you mean matrix metering.
Click to expand...

Frank,

I actually meant spot metering. The FA has matrix and a relative large spot meter but no integral metering. Since I only use spotmetering this is little dream come true camera.
the Fa is my metered amount camera for the go. Love the Fas but they are to big to lug around.

Ciao

Joerg
 
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