newspaperguy
Well-known
FWIW - got a Nikon F801 on the bay that he lady described as 'nice'.
Turned out to be like brand new. Sometimes you do 'win' on the site.
Re: the downer from Chris... remember, he is in the desolate wastelands
of Indiana (I know - I was born there),
not the high-rent DC area. (been there, too.)
Smile and enjoy it. But know you know why they say, "don't ask - don't tell" Oh, dumb me, that wasn't about photography, was it?
Turned out to be like brand new. Sometimes you do 'win' on the site.
Re: the downer from Chris... remember, he is in the desolate wastelands
of Indiana (I know - I was born there),
not the high-rent DC area. (been there, too.)
Smile and enjoy it. But know you know why they say, "don't ask - don't tell" Oh, dumb me, that wasn't about photography, was it?
scorpius73
Well-known
Smile and enjoy it. But know you know why they say, "don't ask - don't tell" Oh, dumb me, that wasn't about photography, was it?
We will see if my wife buys that when she sees a box with my name on it. ha ha!
FrankS
Registered User
enjoy your new camera! a black fe2 is very nice. what lens(es) are you planning to use with it?
$202 is a fair price for a near-mint Black FE2. Condition commands a premium.
Several years ago, I paid $250 for a New-Old-Stock Black Nikon FM. I need to use it more. I wanted it because it was the only Nikon to ever use Gallium Arsenide Photo-cells. The others used Blue Silicon Photo Diodes. GaAS has the advantage over Silicon of not being sensitive to Infrared, and does not require a cutoff filter.
I suspect other people do not buy cameras for the same reasons that I do.
Several years ago, I paid $250 for a New-Old-Stock Black Nikon FM. I need to use it more. I wanted it because it was the only Nikon to ever use Gallium Arsenide Photo-cells. The others used Blue Silicon Photo Diodes. GaAS has the advantage over Silicon of not being sensitive to Infrared, and does not require a cutoff filter.
I suspect other people do not buy cameras for the same reasons that I do.
scorpius73
Well-known
enjoy your new camera! a black fe2 is very nice. what lens(es) are you planning to use with it?
Thanks. I have all AIS Nikon primes. 24mm f2, 35mm f2, 50mm f1.2, 50mm f1.8 and the 105mm f2.5.
I have always been envious when I saw someone with a black Nikon film body versus my chrome. Just figured I would finally cave in.
sanmich
Veteran
I doubt you'll get $100 for an FE2 and honestly you paid WAY more than the one you just bought is worth. $50 is more realistic. The only old Nikons that are really worth much are the pro level ones like the F2 and F3 and for $200 you could have gotten an F3 which is a much nicer camera.
50$ for an FE2??
I would have one in a heartbeat...
Good samples, even off ebay, seem to be looking at the 100$ mark from above.
I like my chrome body and black body cameras equally.
But there is something about a black F2 with an eye-level prism.
After all, the Black Body cameras cost a FULL $20 More than Chrome!

But there is something about a black F2 with an eye-level prism.


After all, the Black Body cameras cost a FULL $20 More than Chrome!
scorpius73
Well-known
I like my chrome body and black body cameras equally.
![]()
But there is something about a black F2 with an eye-level prism.
![]()
I want that Nikon RF!
And yes, I do suffer frequent bouts of GAS.
Interesting fact- the Nikon FE2 and the Nikon RF's are about the same size. I think Nikon did that on purpose when the Nikon FM came out, made it about the same size as the Nikon SP.
FrankS
Registered User
at the photo flea market i was at today, a seller had 2 nikkormat ftn chrome bodies with nikkor 50mm f1.4 lenses. the cost of one was $50 and the cost of the other was $150. the reason for the cost difference is condition. there is a premium, as brian said, for near new condition. minty ones cost more.
KenRothman
Takes really bad pictures
FWIW, I picked up a "user" black FE2 at the spring Photographica show this year. Decent condition, some brassing... far from mint. Paid $100 for it and thought I got a pretty good deal.
Makes up for the fact that I sold the one my dad had bought new back in '84. But that one was chrome.
Makes up for the fact that I sold the one my dad had bought new back in '84. But that one was chrome.

I doubt you'll get $100 for an FE2 and honestly you paid WAY more than the one you just bought is worth. $50 is more realistic. The only old Nikons that are really worth much are the pro level ones like the F2 and F3 and for $200 you could have gotten an F3 which is a much nicer camera.
The most valuable "old Nikon" of all is in fact the oldest - the Nikon One. Got a spare $10,000 - $30,000?
For $50 I will happily buy all the (truly) mint black FE2s I am offered, and will then promptly flip them on the Yahoo Japan auctions for $250 - $300.
kipkeston
Well-known
Hmm. I think my FM2n cost me close to $200. Guess I was ripped off.
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kxl
Social Documentary
The FE2 was my first Nikon - still have fond memories of that one. Since then, I've owned a few others, including additional FE2's, but have given up manual focus SLR's. I just no longer enjoy manually focusing an SLR, versus manually focusing an RF, which I thoroughly enjoy.
I did buy a film SLR recently, and ended up buying an F80 for $50 (for use with my AF lenses, as well as AIS lenses (no metering, so it gives me a chance to use my Gossen Luna Pro S). I'm really enjoying this F80.
I did buy a film SLR recently, and ended up buying an F80 for $50 (for use with my AF lenses, as well as AIS lenses (no metering, so it gives me a chance to use my Gossen Luna Pro S). I'm really enjoying this F80.
smiling gecko
pure dumb luck, my friend
enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!
enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!
hey scorpious73,
congratulations and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!
if you are happy - that is what counts.
breathe, relax and enjoy.
happy trails,
kenneth
enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!
hey scorpious73,
congratulations and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!
if you are happy - that is what counts.
breathe, relax and enjoy.
happy trails,
kenneth
BillBingham2
Registered User
Everything is worth less than it was a year or two ago, everything.
Years ago I got a Grestch Electromatic and wanted to trade it for a good Les Paul. My father went with me to HOG (House of Guitars). While mine was in great shape, it only brought in a value of a beater Les Paul. My father said no and we left. I asked my father why and he said that he thought it was worth a lot more than they offered. He pointed out though that things only have value when someone is willing to pay what you want for it.
NOS, really Mint condition, what ever you call it will command a premium. That day at that time on Evil Bay, that camera was worth $202 USD. Yes, for good and bad, the value of film cameras have dropped, but they seem to have stabilized over the past few months.
B2 (;->
Years ago I got a Grestch Electromatic and wanted to trade it for a good Les Paul. My father went with me to HOG (House of Guitars). While mine was in great shape, it only brought in a value of a beater Les Paul. My father said no and we left. I asked my father why and he said that he thought it was worth a lot more than they offered. He pointed out though that things only have value when someone is willing to pay what you want for it.
NOS, really Mint condition, what ever you call it will command a premium. That day at that time on Evil Bay, that camera was worth $202 USD. Yes, for good and bad, the value of film cameras have dropped, but they seem to have stabilized over the past few months.
B2 (;->
BillBingham2
Registered User
Scorpious73, almost forgot. Great camera, a fine price. When you look at the fact that mint Nikon F2 go for $400, I think you got a great deal.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
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