In praise of the lowly Nikon FE

[AFenvy]

I have had two FE cameras. The build quality is impeccable, they are VERY solid. Many of the features included on them are pure genius, the MLU self-timer, the ability to time out impossibly long exposures, the multiple exposure lever, I could go on... But they have some faults. The film advance lever always poked me in the eye or hit me in the face, and you have to pull it out to fire the shutter. And the viewfinder is just too damn small. I can't tolerate the 92% viewing area. I now have a Nikon F with a full 100% coverage, and I never miss the FE. I also could never use the FE with my larger Nikkors, because the camera was just too unbalanced with them and it became a nightmare to shoot with.

However, if all I had was a tiny 50/1.8, I would definitely choose the FE as a walk-around camera.

 

[dynachrome]

The only thing lowly about the FE is its current price. I have two of them. They are sturdy and capable cameras. The only thing that bugs me about them is the exposure lock. It works but seeing the needle still moving around is distracting. I like using the FEs with an E screen for macro shooting and with slower lenses. If you remember to turn off the leter by pushing in the advance lever then batteries can last a long time.

 

[darinwc]

i have a FE2 and it is an elegant and refined machine. I do agree that the viewfinder could be a little better.
The one thing that bugs me is the release button for the exposure compensation dial is in a really bad spot. But it is the same on just about every nikon and canon body.
That is really a minor gripe. Otherwise it is probably the the pinnacle of small chrome SLR's.

 

[kivis]

I have had two FE cameras. The build quality is impeccable, they are VERY solid. Many of the features included on them are pure genius, the MLU self-timer, the ability to time out impossibly long exposures, the multiple exposure lever, I could go on... But they have some faults. The film advance lever always poked me in the eye or hit me in the face, and you have to pull it out to fire the shutter. And the viewfinder is just too damn small. I can't tolerate the 92% viewing area. I now have a Nikon F with a full 100% coverage, and I never miss the FE. I also could never use the FE with my larger Nikkors, because the camera was just too unbalanced with them and it became a nightmare to shoot with.

However, if all I had was a tiny 50/1.8, I would definitely choose the FE as a walk-around camera.

Funny I alternate between my F and my FE. Perfect combo, indeed.

 

[BrianShaw]

Funny I alternate between my F3 and my FE. An equally perfect combo, indeed.

 

[CGW]

Still think for features/price/ergonomics/build quality, the FE/FM variants were among the best film cameras Nikon made. The "F" bodies always cost way more as "system" cameras with piles of accessories most couldn't afford and didn't really need. Always curious about Nikon's historical sales figures on it film bodies in terms of production volume and production lifetime.

From a purely design standpoint, I'm not seeing much if any contemporary digital models(no flames, please) that come close. An exception seems to be the offbeat but very sweet Fuji X-10 and x-100.

Can't help think that the FE hit that elusive sweet spot few products attain.

 

[aroth87]

My wife bought me one as a wedding gift, it was my first film camera and I love it. She liked it a lot too so when I found one in a thrift store I bought her one of her own. Mine's chrome and her's is black so there's no confusion .

Adam