Topic: Nikon FE and alternatives

[Offertonhatter]

I would like some advice.
I was kindly given a Nikon FE with a range of delightful Ai lenses. Cosmetically all the gear is like new, and I was looking forward to putting a roll or two through the camera this weekend.
Today I took the camera over to Real Camera to have the seals replaced as they were poor, but before I handed over the camera, we put some new batteries in it to ensure it worked. Sadly the camera did not respond. It would seem that the electronics have had it.
To compound the problem, last night I took my F90x off the shelf to put some batteries in it, and guess what, the battery holder broke into small pieces (a common problem I hear). So No I don't have a single Nikon SLR to have fun using my superb Ai lenses.

Seem that this weekend I will be going out with my Pentax MZ pair instead.

In the meantime, I take it it will not be worth trying to get the FE fixed, as the cost will massively exceed the value of the camera, and can you easily get a new battery holder of the F90x?

As the FE is now a stylish door stop, I was thinking about getting another metal bodied Nikon SLR but what? I don't to spend that much.
Thoughts are the F301/F501, even though they are not metal, they are small and cheap (around £40), maybe an FM or FM2, FE2? Or if I can stretch my funds, possibly an F3. I did have a play with an F4 at Real, and very impressed but possibly too big for what I want.

[jharr]

May I recommend the Nikkormat FTn for an afordable option? I have had one for over 25 years and besides not having batteries available for the meter, it is rock solid. It remains one of my all time favorites and it is available with a good lens for a song on most auction sites.

[Offertonhatter]

I will look into the FTn. Thanks for that.
I have had a thought. The battery grip option that you can get. Can that bypass the lack of batteries in the camera body? If so and I get one, Will that resolve the issue of power? Then again, if the electronics are fried then nothing will work. On the other hand, if it is just the battery compartment that is goosed, then possibly, I may get some power.
A certain person of this parish who has an FE (Late Developer) may be able to advise me 

[Nigel]

I've only owned one Nikon SLR which is the F3HP, so my review isn't the most well informed, however I can say I absolutely LOVE it.

I've owned both Canon and Olympus SLRs, both of which I've liked, but there's something about the feel of the F3. Maybe it's the fact that it was designed for the professional market, but it just feels as though it could last for ever.

The only minor complaint I can find, and it is very minor, the little light that illuminates the LCD in the viewfinder is a bit crappy. I don't know if that's my camera or they're all like that. That genuinely is the only fault I can find with an otherwise amazing camera. Considering they apparently cost $440 new in 1980 and you can now pick one up for £140 or cheaper, I don't think you'll get much better bang for your buck.

http://ffordes.com/product/10120710264961

Ep 147 :: 35mm Photography and the Nikon F3

[Nigel]

Why can I never get the YouTube embed thing to work? 

Help someone.....

[charles binns]

Mt first SLR was a Nikon FE- it was a superb camera, so it's a real shame yours died. 

Go for a Nikon F3.  That was my second SLR and I loved it too (though not as much as the FE).

[Late Developer]

Iain, when I'm in the office in Manchester later this month give me the FE and I'll take it to let the repair guy at Aperture give it the once-over.  He's a whizz with anything "Nikon". If it is truly buggered, then do with it what you will.  However, if it's just a case of scrubbing up the contacts on a rig that's not been used for a lot of years, it'd be a shame to bin it.

If you're after an FE, they're not too expensive. An FM (manual / non-electric version) is worth considering.  If you're looking for something a bit more sophisticated, an F3HP would be ideal as you wear specs like me.

[Offertonhatter]

Cheers mate. That is worth doing, and it could save heaps on getting an F3 or FM etc :-)

[Francois]

Why can I never get the YouTube embed thing to work? 

Help someone.....

Just remove the S on Https:// and it'll work.

As for suggestions, The FE will always work at 1/90th of a second as it's the spare mechanical speed.
For bulletproof gear, there's always the FM which is in the affordable range.

But the FE is pretty tough in itself. Sometimes with age, the copper wires that go to the battery corrode and break off. A good repairman should be able to fix that easy.

If you want something cheap but strangely very good, get an old F-601. It might be plastic. It may have a weak door latch, but this can be repaired by Nikon (mine was). It might need lithium batteries. But it's very comfortable in hand, has very good exposure metering, has a threaded mechanical cable release, has a small built-in flash for when you need it. I've had mine for what...20 years and nothing major ever happened to it except that door incident.

[Nigel]

Why can I never get the YouTube embed thing to work? 

Help someone.....

Just remove the S on Https:// and it'll work.

Thanks François!

[Aksel]

FM2n all the way, then if you get one you start wanting the FM3a 
Why? the F3 needs batteries to work, not really a biggie but it tends to die when your rally don´t want it to.

[soeren]

Post deleted. Didnt read op poperly before posting

[Offertonhatter]

I was talking today with Late Developer, and there maybe an option to get the FE to work, which is a good thing. In the meantime I do need to sort my Nikon Film SLR fix sorted.
I went back to Real Camera, and to be honest, much as I would love it, the F3HP is out of my price range at the moment, as is the F4 and F100, much  as I would love them all. Same goes with the FM2 and FE2, they are asking too much. I have too much invested in my Pentax gear, so the Nikon gear is more for fun and play with the Ai lenses on film.
So, as a result there are a small number of Nikon bodies that would be interesting to buy and use.
The F301(N2000), the F501(N2020), both are working and clean and are £40 (might get them for less if I ask - £30 might be a better option) or an F601m. Manual only and nearly as big as the F90x and of course what I call a "Plastikon" due to the build. But I am sure a deal could be made.
I hear that the F301 and F501 are very underrated and handling them they seem rather nice.
What do you think?

[jharr]

I own an N2020 and can attest to the quality of the camera. I generally use it on AP when I have a roll of 36 I want to burn through quick. Recommended!

[Francois]

The F601M would probably leave you on your appetite. AFAIK it doesn't have matrix metering and a lot of the features of the full blown F601.

[Offertonhatter]

Well yesterday I bought a "new" Nikon body. It is the F-301. Price? I got it for a mere £29! Very underrated piece of kit. I rather like it. Currently I have got a roll of Ektar in it. 

[Francois]

Good choice. I didn't remember the 301 much but I think you're going to appreciate the speed barrel.

[gothamtomato]

I have two Nikon FMs and absolutely love them. My first was my first camera, bought in 1978 and I've been using it ever since with no problems. It's simple and reliable. I highly recommend it!