I would try to increase the tension of the first curtain. I think the first curtain travel too slow compared to the speed of the second curtain. By the way for the speed of 1/1000 the magnet doesn't do anything.
I have a black FE that had the same problem - it is maybe lack of use by the previous owner. Hook it up to a motor drive MD11 or MD12. With no lens or cap, turn the speed dial to Auto. Turn the motor drive to C (continuos), face the camera to a dark area and start firing. Slowly move the camera around till it it faces up to the sky (not the sun). The needle will max out over A which is 1/4000th. After that the camera should fire okay with a lens on at all speeds. If not you could try some WD-40 DRY PTFE spray. This is a teflon spray that can give cheap old cameras a new lease on life (don't use it on valuable cameras). My black FE works perfectly now and can still fire at 1/4000th where as when first purchased did not work over 1/250th. Good luck with it.
I hope I am helpful Sam. Let me know how it works out and what's the status on your F2? The FE are fantastic cameras. Try some colour night time photography as the FE is better at it than a lot of digital cameras. Pick a clear moonless night out in the bush. Aim at the stars with some trees in the foreground. Tripod + Timer + cover eye piece - click and be patient as exposure can take many minutes. This photo with one of my FE's was on a pitch dark night, the streaks are star trails through the tree and the distant hills are kilometres away.Hey Robin, seems like you're always helping me out with finicky Nikons. I don't currently have a motor drive, but I just checked and KEH has one at bgn for $6 so that might be worth the pick-up. If you're right and I don't have to take apart the camera it would have certainly earned it's worth.
Well I stand corrected. The F3 at the highest shutter speed of 1/2000 the magnet for the second curtain doesn't work so at 1/2000 the F3 shutter speed is mechanical although it does need power to release the first curtain. I think on the FE all speeds are timed electronically (except M90). However I still think you have problem with the shutter curtain travel time. I look at the service manual but couldn't find where you can adjust the tension. On the F3 it's easy just need to open the base plate and turn a gear. The FE has vertical traveled shutter so I doubt that the location is the same. Exercising the shutter via the motor drive is a good idea because it just may need to loosen up to travel at the right speed. If you have problem with 1/500 speed may be set the camera at 1/125, open the back and fire a flash and see if you see if it's sync correctly. Sluggish curtains can cause partial exposure at top flash sync speed.That's really good information to know! How would I go about increasing the tension? But, how is that true about the magnet not doing anything at 1/1000 of a second? I believe you, just want to know. I thought that M90 and bulb were the only mechanical speeds. If the magnet didn't do anything at 1/1000, wouldn't you be able to fire the camera at this speed without a battery?
If the curtain travel time has changed, the shutter has lubrication issues, increasing the spring tension will not cure this and you will have lost the original setting.Well I stand corrected. The F3 at the highest shutter speed of 1/2000 the magnet for the second curtain doesn't work so at 1/2000 the F3 shutter speed is mechanical although it does need power to release the first curtain. I think on the FE all speeds are timed electronically (except M90). However I still think you have problem with the shutter curtain travel time. I look at the service manual but couldn't find where you can adjust the tension. On the F3 it's easy just need to open the base plate and turn a gear. The FE has vertical traveled shutter so I doubt that the location is the same. Exercising the shutter via the motor drive is a good idea because it just may need to loosen up to travel at the right speed. If you have problem with 1/500 speed may be set the camera at 1/125, open the back and fire a flash and see if you see if it's sync correctly. Sluggish curtains can cause partial exposure at top flash sync speed.
The F2 is working great! I have my first roll of slide film in it right now. Actually, it is mostly great; When I put the top plate back on I must have bumped something because now the frame counter isn't working. Oh well, when I finish this roll I will take it of and see what the problem is.I hope I am helpful Sam. Let me know how it works out and what's the status on your F2? The FE are fantastic cameras. Try some colour night time photography as the FE is better at it than a lot of digital cameras. Pick a clear moonless night out in the bush. Aim at the stars with some trees in the foreground. Tripod + Timer + cover eye piece - click and be patient as exposure can take many minutes. This photo with one of my FE's was on a pitch dark night, the streaks are star trails through the tree and the distant hills are kilometres away.
https://flic.kr/p/KU8XCK
Film camera GAS is infectious. Check out some Canon A1's. They often sell for a song but are great cameras and FD lenses are cheaper than Nikkors. I've thought of selling my duplicates but since I repaired most of them, just cannot do it. Anyway I found the cure to buying more - it's called an enlarger and a darkroom. Enjoy!The F2 is working great!............... The other day I had a realization that I have two of every Nikon I own. F2, FM, FE, EM. ................
That is awesome Sam. Well done mate. Mine did take a few months to be completely clear of jambs at maxed out 1/4000th but anything below that was fine and now it never jambs. It cost me $12 and now it is my best collector FE. They are a great tough little camera once you shake the cobwebs out of them.$6 MD-11 arrived today. Hooked it up to the FE and tried out your trick and it seems to have worked! Shutter is opening at all shutter speeds. Hopefully all it needed was some action. I'll check it again tomorrow and then a few days after that to make sure it doesn't go back to its old sticky ways. Thanks, Robin!
If the curtain travel time has changed, the shutter has lubrication issues, increasing the spring tension will not cure this and you will have lost the original setting.
The FE has a vertical travel metal blind shutter, no curtains and no tension adjustment.
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