Nikon FE2 Fever...what?

[dave lackey]

😱

This past weekend, I did a brake job on the SUV wearing my old jeans with paint smears. The next day, I worked out in the yard wearing my favorite Levi jeans (505) and the zipper developed a break, so I set them aside. But I keep coming back to that pair of jeans, so familiar and comfortable. Reckon I will take them to the seamstress and have another zipper put in, just can't get rid of 'em even though I have a couple of pairs of un-worn Izods and wornout Calvin Kleins.

And now it is Spring. Gonna shoot color!..But, the M3 sits in a bag without a lens and my workhorse R4 is my constant companion....until I open my small Nikon bag and the FE2 looks back at me. I pick it up and I get the FEVER all over again. Tri-X and the 50mm 1.8 lens (Series E) with an Op-tech thumb cuff...dang it! I still haven't gotten my 'holy grail', the FM2n/FM3a but the FE2 is so familiar and comfortable...

Looks like I will be shooting B/W today whilst the R4, loaded with Portra 160, will stay in the bag.

What is it about these Nikons?🙄

 

[lynnb]

After I sold my original OM-1 I bought an FM, and when it broke I bought an FE. I had the FM repaired and those two bodies were my mainstay for 20 years. Great cameras both, but the FE was my favourite for quick AE priority shooting, with 35, 50 and 105mm Nikkors. I have smaller hands and the FM/FE bodies are perfect.

Enjoy!

 

[Paulbe]

Hey Dave--I have an FE2 and a 28/2.8--great combo!
It just feels right--can't say why.
Fun to shoot and the meter is very accurate.
The EL2 is in the same category, but a "little" heavier!
Glad you are doing well. How is Linda?
Paul

 

[dave lackey]

Hey Dave--I have an FE2 and a 28/2.8--great combo!
It just feels right--can't say why.
Fun to shoot and the meter is very accurate.
The EL2 is in the same category, but a "little" heavier!
Glad you are doing well. How is Linda?
Paul

Hi, Paul...she is doing pretty well given her limited amount of energy. Improvement each day makes it a bit easier each week for me as she finds a bit more independence.

Hey, ready for a visit to The General next week?😀

 

[dave lackey]

And today...I have the FE2 in the rugged wear 5XB with only a few frames of TriX (Arista) to finish off after 5 months...

But, Jon reminded me to carry along a couple of rolls of Legacy Pro 400 and they are going in the bag along with a red filter. I think I have found the "one camera/one lens/one film" combo that just feels right for the next month!

Might fit in a walkabout in olde town Newnan after lunch, depending on how tough rehab is this morning.😱

 

[rbsinto]

FE and FE-2 were my first two Nikons.
They had all the features necessary for a serious photographer, and I loved everything about them except the lack of illumination for the finder information, which finally compelled me to trade them for an F2 with a DP-12 LED illuminated finder and an FA with LCDs.

 

[Paulbe]

Dave--Mom gets out of rehab tomorrow, so next week might be just the ticket for the General! I'm anxious to take up some more Tri-X...
Paul

 

[dave lackey]

Dave--Mom gets out of rehab tomorrow, so next week might be just the ticket for the General! I'm anxious to take up some more Tri-X...
Paul

Congrats to your Mom! That is always a blessed event! Glad she is coming along!

We can tentatively think about Thursday morning if that works out for you...what is that, the 19th?:angel:

 

[dave lackey]

FE and FE-2 were my first two Nikons.
They had all the features necessary for a serious photographer, and
I loved everything about them except the lack of illumination for the finder information, which finally compelled me to trade them for an F2 with a DP-12 LED illuminated finder and an FA with LCDs.

Hi, Rob! How are things going up your way?🙂

That F2 finder you are talking about with the LEDs...that might just be perfect for my F2! The meter is a little squirrelly and low light shooting is tough for me with the F2.:angel:

 

[awaw]

Fe2

Fe2

Black FE2 and Nikkor 1,2/50mm and 1,8/105mm is my combo, mostly with Tri-X.😉

 

[Vics]

I bought an FM recently to have a smaller, lighter and mor reliable body for all my Nikkors, both ai and non-ai. Now all the NAI lenses are off to John White for conversion, and I am once again, hooked on Nikon! This after a ten-year RF hiatus.

 

[Armoured]

All of the FM/FE series I love. My main camera for more than a decade was just a simple FM.

Still can't believe I picked up an FE2 w/ 50-1.8 last year for less than a hundred bucks. It just felt like ... stealing.

 

[rbsinto]

Hi, Rob! How are things going up your way?🙂

That F2 finder you are talking about with the LEDs...that might just be perfect for my F2! The meter is a little squirrelly and low light shooting is tough for me with the F2.:angel:

Hey Dave,
I'm well, thanks.
I hope you are too, and that life is being good to you.
The DP-12 finder (which makes an F2 an F2AS) was the last of the F2 metered finders and was designed to accept AI lenses.
It also had the longest range of shutter speeds (up to 10 seconds), when activated in conjunction with the self timer.
It also has a built in eyepiece blind, and + o - LED exposure readout. Nikon also made a non-AI version of the same prism (DP-3) for those using non-AI lenses.
The DP-12 is the most expensive of the F2 metering prisms, although their price has come down considerably in the last few years.
The only problem with them is a ring resistor in the meter that can cease functioning and was, up to now impossible to replace as all original stocks were gone.
Luckily Sover Wong in England had some made and now he offers a replacement service.
He was kind enough to sell me two and I've squirrelled them away against the day mine gives up the ghost. I bought my DP-12 (used) in 1988, and so far it just keeps on working.
You should check with KEH if you're interested in a DP-12, as they're in your neck of the woods.
Hope this information is helpful.

 

[dave lackey]

Thanks, Rob...

Sounds expensive so that will be down the road...what is the best focusing screen for the F2?

I plan on getting the K3 screen for the FE2.:angel:

 

[rkm]

After I sold my original OM-1 I bought an FM, and when it broke I bought an FE. I had the FM repaired and those two bodies were my mainstay for 20 years. Great cameras both, but the FE was my favourite for quick AE priority shooting, with 35, 50 and 105mm Nikkors. I have smaller hands and the FM/FE bodies are perfect.

Enjoy!

That's my exact kit... FE, FM, 50, 105, 35
My constant companions since September last year.

 

[dave lackey]

Red Dot K2 screen for the F3 transplanted into a F/F2 frame?

Screens for the F & F2 will fit the F3, but to put a F3 screen in an older body requires a transplant.

My personal fav by far is the "F" screen which was discontinued about 1968. Think "J" screen but with a microprism center the size of the center weighted circle.

Ok, so the K3 screen will fit the FE2...correct?

But, I am confused...which is the best screen available for the F2?:angel:

 

[Rob-F]

FE and FE-2 were my first two Nikons.
They had all the features necessary for a serious photographer, and I loved everything about them except the lack of illumination for the finder information, which finally compelled me to trade them for an F2 with a DP-12 LED illuminated finder and an FA with LCDs.

My FE2s depend on the light coming through the lens to light up the exposure needle, which is fine in good light. In low light, one of course can't see the needle well enough. But you mentioned the FA as a model that does light the finder? Mine does not, I see no button that might light up the LCD +/- display. Am I missing something?

Same problem with my F3.

Paradoxically, I can see the lighted display in my F100 just fine in low light; but I can't make it out in bright daylight.

One Nikon I don't have is the FM2, which I understand has red LEDs for exposure info. Maybe I need one of those, too . . .

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

That's my baby, too. FE2 + 50/1.8 Series E. I wish it had an integral winder like a Contax Aria, but other than that, it's more satisfying to use than the F100 or my EOS3, or the G2, M7, Ikon, et al that i used to own.

 

[Greyscale]

FE, FE2, FM, FM2, FM2N, you really can't go wrong. I have a film loaded in my FM now, with the Series E 50 and 35mm lenses I am ready to roll. My FE2 needs a little TLC (light seals), but with the crappy weather we are getting here, I may do that tomorrow. Spring will pop eventually, got to have my best girl ready for the dance.

 

[Paulbe]

Hey Dave!
Thursday the 18th? 19th/ Whatever--sound REALLY good to me!
LMK...
Took some pix of the grandkids today with the FE@--fun!
Soooooo easy to use!
Paul