Nikon F2, FE2 or FM2?

[GM Bennett]

Hi, Jim -

I don't think that's quite right - the F6 can matrix meter with AI/AIS manual lenses - but the F4 is the only affordable used Nikon that can do that. I have an F4s, and think it's terrific as a manual-focus, auto-exposure body; the AF is a bonus. An FM or FM2 makes a great, light, sturdy, non-battery dependent body if you don't need the speed of AF or autoexposure. My old FM is still going strong (after a CLA and new light seals a few years ago).

Graham

 

[PhotoJim]

I forgot about the F6.

 

[Squidward]

I've used my FE-2 with the SB-800, with excellent results.

Kiron Kid

I just read today that Nikon built both the SB-600 and SB-800 as the most versatile flashes possible. They are compatible with all Nikon cameras that have a hotshoe or a hotshoe adapter. The SB-400 does not share this quality.

Nikon flashes designed to work with digital cameras do now work with film cameras (with the exception of the F6 and the two flashes mentioned above). Nikon flashes designed to work with film cameras do not work with digital cameras, again, with the exception of the two flashes mentioned above.

 

[23mjm]

I have 2 F2s, 2 FM2s, 1FM and 1 FT2. All are great & solid cameras. I would not buy an FE or FE2, because of the electronics, these tend to go down first in any older camera and anyway I do not want automation in a camera. On the other hand, I am sure, in most cases a Nikon FE will be repairable. Why don't you consider this?

Jacques

Being a owner of a 24 year old FE-2 I have not heard of them "going down" I have shot with mine on freezing cold mornings and never lost the battery. They are very very reliable cameras. Mine did finally break but it was something in the film advance mechanism not the electronics. It meters spot on even now, I guess it is a light meter now, Nikon says they probably don't have parts to fix it. I just replaced it with a "mint" one off eBay. Hopefully I will get another 24 years and a 1000 or so rolls out of the next one. I did look at a F-3 because Nikon still fully supports that camera with all the small parts.

 

[Russ - SVP]

My older FE's and FE-2's, have been trouble free. And they've been used hard. I slap lithium batteries in them, and they are impervious to cold weather, and go for quite some time on one battery. Including some VERY long exposures.

Kiron Kid

 

[nolanr66]

Nikon FE2 is the best of them all (manual focus). Don't forget to purchase the appropriate dioper eyepiece for your vision (BHPhoto) and you can get a real nice FM3A focus screen if you do not care for the split image type that is the standard (also at BHPhoto). Well built camera and when combined with the sb600 flash becomes a powerful tool for indoor work. Family, birthday parties and even more serious work, etc. As the Kiron Kid mentioned the lithium battery is great but you can just stop in any market and buy 2-S76 batteries and you are set for about a year with normal usage. If you are interested in stepping into a auto focus camera then the F100 is fantastic and real nice ones can be had for only about $250.00 used. Couple that with the same sb600 flash and a 28-205 zoom and you can handle most things connected to general photography.

 

[Russ - SVP]

I love the FE-2. Also, Nikon did not design it to give you accurate TTL flash, above asa 400. However, I found that when I slapped my SB-600 or SB-800 on it, and set it as high as 3200, it' still delivers accuratre TTL flash results. Setting it above asa 400, will cause the little red light in the viewfinder to blink, warning you that you are above the TTL flash limit. When I contacted a Nikon rep and told him that I was getting accurate results above asa 400, he stated that very well may be, but that Nikon does not "guarantee" it to be accurate avove asa 400.

Kiron Kid

 

[André E.C.]

F2 with no hesitation, what are you waiting for?


Cheers



André

 

[Paul Goutiere]

F2 with no hesitation, what are you waiting for?:
André

Yes get a F2 with a DP-whatever finder. My old F2s have had a lot of experience. One was made in 1971 and the other in 1980.

One must use caution when purchasing a camera of this vintage, to be sure, but when you get a good one you have a very useable camera.

By today's standards it only appears to have limitations, when you get to know the camera it has few.

As you have likely found out the cameras have developed a certain following, particularly the black F2AS the cost of which could get you a pretty nice downpayment on a F6. But a good chrome F2 with a DP1 finder can be quite reasonable.

Yes the meters can have issues on these older model F2 but there is a fellow who will repair these meters quite reasonably. ( I have Dp-1 meters on both my F2s and no problems yet. )

My Black F2 w/DP-1 came to me via Ebay for about $220.00. It was mfg. about 1971 (according to the ser.#) It only had a problem with the frame counter which wouldn't reset but it was repaired very easily. There was no other issue. It actually looks quite unused.

My other F2 w/DP-1, (mfg. 1980) came to me about 1984. It has worked very well for me over the intervening years.

I use a F3hp as a backup camera or when I want autoexposure.

I have considered a F4 but I find the camera a little heavy.

Get a F2!

 

[mawz]

The newest flashes don't communicate with the oldest TTL cameras, from what I hear.

I'm keeping my FE2 and I'm thinking of making my buddy an offer for his F4S.

That's only true for the SB-400 budget flash, which only works with i-TTL bodies. All the other flashes are compatible with any Nikon TTL body (AS-17 required for hotshoe flashes on the F3, of course).

My vote for shooting candids is the FE2 or FM3a. Aperture priority is a big win, and the F3, nice as it is, has a horrid metering readout. I love my F2a, but it's slower to work with than my FE2.

 

[mawz]

Hi, Jim -

I don't think that's quite right - the F6 can matrix meter with AI/AIS manual lenses - but the F4 is the only affordable used Nikon that can do that.

Graham

The FA as well will matrix meter with any AI or later lens. The F6 is unique in that it can matrix meter with AI-converted lenses, which the F4 and FA cannot (as they need the max aperture indexing post to matrix meter, which is only on AI and later lenses).