Got a free Nikon FE today

ToddB · Apr 30, 2013

Hey guys,

i talked to lady at one of my shoots, and we got to talking about film cameras. She said she had Nikon that was not being used and was tempted to give it to Goodwill. I said, "I'll take it". So I met with her today and got it. It's a Nikon FE. I gave a look over and everything seems to work OK. No dings or scuffs at all and has the 50mm 1.4 lens. Pretty quick lens. Just looking for the MD-11 motor drive. I thought it would be a nice camera for my kids to shoot with. So if anyone has a MD-11 let me know.

ToddB

elekm · Apr 30, 2013

I think you want the MD-12, which replaced the MD-11. You should know that the drive and its eight AA batteries add a significant amount of weight, bulk and noise to shooting the FE. I think it's 3.5 frames per second, but you still have to rewind manually.

Great drive, but it is a large accessory. I think it takes away from what made the FE such a popular camera. I have the MD-12, but find that I no longer need to shoot at 3.5 frames per second. And I'm not too lazy to advance the film on my own. Sort of wish it had motorized rewind. Maybe I am lazy.

LJSLATER · Apr 30, 2013

I think an MD-12 will work too and it might be easier to find.

I'm happy for you! Nikon still makes brand new focusing screens and eyepieces for these cameras in case you need them.

Nikon Collector · Jun 14, 2013

The diff between the 11 and 12 is mostly the auto battery shut off on the 12

BrianShaw · Jun 14, 2013

Nikon Collector said:
The diff between the 11 and 12 is mostly the auto battery shut off on the 12

The other difference is when it winds the film. 11 winds when the user releases the shutter button and the 12 winds immediately after shutter release. Not much of a difference, really.

The auto batt shut-off is a good thing. I'd the 11 is left on it will drain batt in both the MD and the camera. I had that ugly surpeise once too often with the 11 that is on my "free" FE.

If I were to do it again I'd get a 12 instead of an 11.

Klainmeister · Jun 14, 2013

Hot damn! Lucky man. My all time favorite SLR. Get the MD12, it'll save you the heartache of dealing with dead batteries for when you forget to turn it off. Also, I got a new screen for mine for $12 from KEH and it installed in about 30 seconds. Fantastic ever since!

E. von Hoegh · Jun 14, 2013

ToddB said:
Hey guys,

i talked to lady at one of my shoots, and we got to talking about film cameras. She said she had Nikon that was not being used and was tempted to give it to Goodwill. I said, "I'll take it". So I met with her today and got it. It's a Nikon FE. I gave a look over and everything seems to work OK. No dings or scuffs at all and has the 50mm 1.4 lens. Pretty quick lens. Just looking for the MD-11 motor drive. I thought it would be a nice camera for my kids to shoot with. So if anyone has a MD-11 let me know.

ToddB

You're going to give a camera with motor drive to a kid?

BrianShaw · Jun 14, 2013

Why not? At about 10 a kid has enough strength to hold a FE with MD. A F3 with MD is a different story - much heavier. My experience with FE/MD and kid has been a good one.

E. von Hoegh · Jun 14, 2013

BrianShaw said:
Why not? At about 10 a kid has enough strength to hold a FE with MD. A F3 with MD is a different story - much heavier. My experience with FE/MD and kid has been a good one.

I'm thinking of how much film I at the age of 13 or so burned through without a motor drive.

Nikon Collector · Jun 15, 2013

I still do

fstop · Jun 15, 2013

click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee

College fund gone...

Nikon Collector · Jun 15, 2013

LOL

fstop said:
click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee

College fund gone...

Exactly

tessar · Jun 16, 2013

Some advice that might come in handy: on two FEs that otherwise work perfectly I found the mirror occasionally hangs up when shooting in auto-shutter mode. Just turn the shutter-speed dial to the mechanical M90 setting -- the mirror will flip down and there you go, ready for auto-shutter mode again.

Sirius Glass · Jun 16, 2013

ToddB said:
Hey guys,

i talked to lady at one of my shoots, and we got to talking about film cameras. She said she had Nikon that was not being used and was tempted to give it to Goodwill. I said, "I'll take it". So I met with her today and got it. It's a Nikon FE. I gave a look over and everything seems to work OK. No dings or scuffs at all and has the 50mm 1.4 lens. Pretty quick lens. Just looking for the MD-11 motor drive. I thought it would be a nice camera for my kids to shoot with. So if anyone has a MD-11 let me know.

ToddB

You have a tough life, but heck someone has to live it. So it might as well be you.

benjiboy · Jun 16, 2013

ToddB said:
Hey guys,

i talked to lady at one of my shoots, and we got to talking about film cameras. She said she had Nikon that was not being used and was tempted to give it to Goodwill. I said, "I'll take it". So I met with her today and got it. It's a Nikon FE. I gave a look over and everything seems to work OK. No dings or scuffs at all and has the 50mm 1.4 lens. Pretty quick lens. Just looking for the MD-11 motor drive. I thought it would be a nice camera for my kids to shoot with. So if anyone has a MD-11 let me know.

ToddB

As long as you don't expect that free as well

Nikon Collector · Jun 17, 2013

BrianShaw said:
The other difference is when it winds the film. 11 winds when the user releases the shutter button and the 12 winds immediately after shutter release. Not much of a difference, really.

The auto batt shut-off is a good thing. I'd the 11 is left on it will drain batt in both the MD and the camera. I had that ugly surpeise once too often with the 11 that is on my "free" FE.

If I were to do it again I'd get a 12 instead of an 11.

I have both aMD11 on my FE and MD12 on my FM2n, I never noticed tha they advaned at different times

John_Nikon_F · Jun 17, 2013

ROFL

fstop said:
click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee,click, eeee,click,eeee,click,eeee

College fund gone...

Thanks for the laugh! Yes, that's exactly what'll happen.

-J

LiamG · Jun 17, 2013

You folks all have the wrong idea, everyone should buy motor drives and shoot my favorite film, that's what will keep it around! I recommend the F3H, personally.

mweintraub · Jun 18, 2013

LiamG said:
You folks all have the wrong idea, everyone should buy motor drives and shoot my favorite film, that's what will keep it around! I recommend the F3H, personally.

I shot a entire 36 exp roll of slide film of my dog running at the dog park. I wanted a complete continuous roll of her running so I can back light it. BUT the friken lab cut and mounted it. *le sigh*

Got a free Nikon FE today

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