nikon FE or FA?

P

paul in AZ

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I have a Nikon FE that I like and want to add another body.
I've never seen an FA but it looks interesting on paper. Other than fully manual the only feature I'd use much is aperture priority.
An FE2 is another possibility.
Reliability always a consideration but I'd guess none of these are fragile.

Anyone with experience with these have thoughts on which direction to go?
 
The FA is a great camera from what I've read...I almost bought one but at the last minute changed my mind and went with the F4s...mainly for the auto focus...the F4s will allow you to use non-Ai lenses, and can be used in Manual, Aperture, Shutter and Program...it has Matrix Metering like the FA...
I've never used the FE2 but if its anything like the FE it should be a decent camera...

Edit add: I have two FEs, the FE being my first Nikon...it showed me how great it could meter...shot lots of Velvia through it...rarely disappointed...
 
The F3 is a little bit larger than your FE, but not a lot. It's got a nice viewfinder and is very well made, but doesn't really do anything more than the FE. I don't think you would go wrong with either of the cameras you mention. Or another FE for that matter.
 
I like the FA best of these - the matrix metering, additional high shutter speed, lcd viewfinder display and slightly different ergonomics with the added grip suit me. Cheap and plentiful too. The F3 is tremendous, particularly the viewfinder, but is larger and heavier. Good for the 85/1.4 and other bigger heavier lenses, but not for the smaller, lighter Nikkors. The FE2 is also great, and has the higher shutter speed of the FA but not the matrix metering, grip or lcd vf display.

Edit: the FG (not FG20) is also good, and more compact.

But basically, you can’t lose, especially if you are near a Nikon repair person who works on these 40 year old cameras.

Edit: I own them all. Sad case.

Edit: the main thing that breaks in these is the functional resistance element (fre), a thin ring that turns the dial inputs into data the camera can understand. Nikon no longer provides them, so you might need parts cameras or access to a good repair person if one breaks.

Marty
 
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I vote for the FE2, since I own one. I don’t know the FA. The FE2 is similar to the FM2. The primary difference is the addition of a light meter to the FE2. Both of these are solid and built like a tank. I also own an FM2.



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Yeah, the subject line should read FE2, not FE.

If it REALLY was between the FE or FA, I'd choose the FA for being newer and the faster highest shutter speed and higher flash sync speed.

Between an FE2 and FA, all things including condition being equal, I'd take the FE2. If one body looked in nicer condition, we're really splitting hairs here.... I'd go with the better condition body.
 
I have owned , used and then sold, all of your choices, all great cameras, and nikkor glass is very good including the e series, (100.2.8 E is a cool bit of glass). The FA really comes into its own when using AIS lenses, (for the multi zone metering), however, the FE2 is a real star, great camera, (especially with its titanium shutter). none of these cameras will disappoint.
 
I've used and owned both. I've kept my pair of FE2 since buying them new back around 1987 or so. I send them in every once in a while for a tuneup. I've had an FA, but just didn't bond with it. I don't like the method of displaying the exposure. I'm very much of an analog needle guy. Exposure is an analog phenomenon, after all.
 
I loved the F4 so long ago and when I got my FA, I fell in love with that. It's an incredible camera.

Phil Forrest
 
Big fan of FE2. I added a K3 screen to mine (same as in the FM3a.) Amazing how the split image doesn't black out with this screen even at small apertures...
 
I have owned everyone of the smaller Nikon F cameras as well as the F, F2, F3HP, and F4. hands down the FE is as good as any of them and cheap, too. I own 2 of them. But honestly you can not go wrong with any of them, even the EM.
 
My preference is for the match needle metering in the FE and FE2 viewfinder, which was carried over from the older EL.

The FA utilizes a liquid crystal display in the viewfinder that is back lit by the ambient light. The LCD is a bit small and underlit for my liking.

While the FA does offer Nikon's first version of matrix metering, it is set up for the landscape orientation. You can still opt for 60/40 center weight metering.

Both the FA and FE2 have a separate metering cell and an extra contact in the flash shoe for a dedicated proprietary flash . Although, the FA may have a slight advantage.

Last but not least, the FA offers a shutter priority and a P mode.
 
splitimageview said:
Big fan of FE2. I added a K3 screen to mine (same as in the FM3a.) Amazing how the split image doesn't black out with this screen even at small apertures...
Click to expand...

Whichever camera you buy, choose one that can use a K3 screen, and get one for it. Hugely improved view and focus snap.

Marty
 
The FA carries with it a reputation of being unreliable. No personal experiences in that regard, but you may want to research a bit. What turns me off the FA though, it the chromed plastic top plate - it won't affect your photos of course.
The FE2's is made of brass and the tactile qualities are just nicer IMO.
 
I looked at FA and FE2. FA is just a camera, with kind of ugly shutter dual, IMO. While FE2 is very elegant.
IMO, the whole matrix metering is blown out of proportion thing. I don't think my EM has it, it just 12mm center, but I never seen bad exposures with this camera. Nor with S16 on my F2 :).
 
FE2 is more reliable, FA has the matrix metering and is less expensive.

I have an FA and use aperture priority a lot. I wish I had gone for the FE2, the needle shutter speed is easier to see quickly.
 
I would go for an F3. It's a great aperture priority camera, and it's build quality is well, professional.

I was never really happy with the feel of the FM/FE series cameras - somehow they just didn't feel quite right to me. My long term favourite was the F2Sb - a fully manual camera compatible with every Nikkor of the day.
 
Nitroplait said:
The FA carries with it a reputation of being unreliable. No personal experiences in that regard, but you may want to research a bit. What turns me off the FA though, it the chromed plastic top plate - it won't affect your photos of course.
The FE2's is made of brass and the tactile qualities are just nicer IMO.
Click to expand...

Ko.Fe. said:
I looked at FA and FE2. FA is just a camera, with kind of ugly shutter dual, IMO. While FE2 is very elegant.
IMO, the whole matrix metering is blown out of proportion thing. I don't think my EM has it, it just 12mm center, but I never seen bad exposures with this camera. Nor with S16 on my F2 :).
Click to expand...

I agree with both of these. To the extent that looks and handling feel count, I prefer my FE2; and I'd rather use my judgement with the FE2 center weighted metering than to wonder what the matrix meter is doing to me.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
I looked at FA and FE2. FA is just a camera, with kind of ugly shutter dual, IMO. While FE2 is very elegant.
Click to expand...


They have the same shutter speed dial. Like most full-featured cameras, the FA adds some additional controls (in this case, a ring to select P, S, A or M).

A few things to consider: FA has no exposure lock button, or lever. FA has LCD meter display, FE2 has needle (in case you have a preference). FA has plastic top cover (in case that matters). Same MD11 or MD12 used on the FM and FE series works on the FA but the unique MD15 of the FA won't work on the FM/FE. The FA's MD15 will also power the camera's meter in case the camera's battery has died.
 
And just to add to the excitement: My FA and its new-old-stock MD15 motordrive.


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