Nikon F3 or FE2 -- which would you choose?

[Russ - SVP]

You guys are talking me out of the F3. Perhaps I should just stay with my FE & FE-2 rigs, which I’m quite happy with?

 

[Theo Sulphate]

You guys are talking me out of the F3. Perhaps I should just stay with my FE & FE-2 rigs, which I’m quite happy with?

The advantages the F3 has are its built-for-professionals quality, the nice HP finder, viewing screens, an off-center flash mount, and, if you want it, the nice MD-4 motor drive.

Still, I enjoy my FE2 more. In 1988 I owned no Nikons and I bought an F3/T solely upon reading an article by Jason Schneider where he gave his list of "future collectibles". He listed the "champagne" F3/T (*). Since a deal for me buying a car just fell through, I walked over to Camera World of Oregon and bought an F3/T HP. I was a bit disappointed that new ones were now black, but I came to like the camera. Eventually, around 2005, I bought a champagne one with an MD-4 off ebay. The black F3/T got me interested in Nikons and I started buying F2's and things snowballed from there. I think the FM3a is the best of all worlds, but if all-manual operation is not worth the extra cost to you, the FE and/or FE2 is a great buy.

(*) neither Jason nor anyone else could have guessed that production of the F3 would last until 2001.

 

[chip j]

NO mention of the N2000?? I've used them for years, wore one out to the point where it wouldn't work wAAAs anymore, but would w/AAs. Has the best finder readout I know of & auto advance, plus enough heft for me. I have a F3, a FE, a Nikkormat FT2, 2Nikkormat FTNs, a FM and a MINT F, but the N2000 usually gets the nod.

 

[narsuitus]

NO mention of the N2000??

I was totally unaware of the Nikon N2000 until a friend gave me one that he had inherited.

I was surprised how closely it resembled the Nikon F3 I once owned.

I liked it so much that I bought a second body.



Nikon N2000 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[Russ - SVP]

Love my FE’s and FE-2’s. However, my F3 arrives tomorrow. I’ll weigh in further on this topic after I have takenit out for a spin or two.

 

[cooltouch]

So now that I answered my question as to which I should get, an F3 or an FE2, by buying both, I've gotten intrigued by all the talk here about the FM3a. I wasn't really familiar with the camera, so I went online and read up on it. And I've concluded that, except for a few somewhat minor additions, basically the FM3a is an FM2 with an FE2's electronics. Or to look at it another way, it's an FE2 with an FM2n's mechanical shutter. Enough to pique mild interest, but that's about it.

So, I went on eBay and checked "Sold" price listings and found that prices are all over the map for this camera. Sure, most of them are $600 and up, but there were quite a few in the rather wide $300-450 price range. Honestly, even at $300, I think it's overpriced. I mean, I can buy an F5 for $300, a camera I'd much rather own that a juiced up FE2. But who says sanity rules on eBay? So as long as the prices for the FM3a remain overinflated, I won't have any interest in buying one. I wonder if that's gonna happen, though. Because there are some indications that prices are on the rise for this camera. Just like they are for other quality manual/mechanical cameras from the 70s and 80s.

Oh well. Given what I've learned, I think I can be perfectly happy using my FE2 and I won't miss the FM3a a bit.

I wonder if its focusing screen can be used in the FE2 . . . .

 

[Russ - SVP]

So now that I answered my question as to which I should get, an F3 or an FE2, by buying both, I've gotten intrigued by all the talk here about the FM3a. I wasn't really familiar with the camera, so I went online and read up on it. And I've concluded that, except for a few somewhat minor additions, basically the FM3a is an FM2 with an FE2's electronics. Or to look at it another way, it's an FE2 with an FM2n's mechanical shutter. Enough to pique mild interest, but that's about it.

So, I went on eBay and checked "Sold" price listings and found that prices are all over the map for this camera. Sure, most of them are $600 and up, but there were quite a few in the rather wide $300-450 price range. Honestly, even at $300, I think it's overpriced. I mean, I can buy an F5 for $300, a camera I'd much rather own that a juiced up FE2. But who says sanity rules on eBay? So as long as the prices for the FM3a remain overinflated, I won't have any interest in buying one. I wonder if that's gonna happen, though. Because there are some indications that prices are on the rise for this camera. Just like they are for other quality manual/mechanical cameras from the 70s and 80s.

Oh well. Given what I've learned, I think I can be perfectly happy using my FE2 and I won't miss the FM3a a bit.

I wonder if its focusing screen can be used in the FE2 . . . .

I have been using the FE-2 for years. I love it. Very good and reliable. I would never part with it. I just picked up an F3 in “mint” condition. Looking forward to burning its first roll of film in it.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

FE2 by far. Used it (w/ 24mm and 28mm) after the F3 and loved it. Something about it that made exposures of slide film (Kodachrome back then) much more reliable than the F3 coming before it.

 

[Russ - SVP]

FE2 by far. Used it (w/ 24mm and 28mm) after the F3 and loved it. Something about it that made exposures of slide film (Kodachrome back then) much more reliable than the F3 coming before it.

Interesting. I’m not doubting you, but how did you find the exposures on slide film, more accurate and reliable with the FE-2 than the F3? I grew up burning Kodachrome 25, 64 and Velvia. My FM and FE always delivered superb results.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Interesting. I’m not doubting you, but how did you find the exposures on slide film, more accurate and reliable with the FE-2 than the F3? I grew up burning Kodachrome 25, 64 and Velvia. My FM and FE always delivered superb results.

In reality I did not own the F3 kit long enough to be really sure over the long term (nor did I have the skills for precise exposure way back then!), but it seemed exposures were a little on the under side compared to the FE2, which excelled even in backlit conditions. Unsure at this point, but isn't there a difference in the metering pattern of the two cameras?
I have thought for a while the FE2 might be similar to the Pentax 67's meter pattern. In any case, there are more Ektachrome [100] and Kodachrome [200] slides from the FE2 and following cameras than there are of the F3 -- probably just three rolls of that, and unremarkable, uninspiring to boot!

 

[Joel_L]

Seems this thread came back to life.

I have an F3HP and FE2. I prefer using the FE2, though I do like the F3HP.

 

[Russ - SVP]

Seems this thread came back to life.

I have an F3HP and FE2. I prefer using the FE2, though I do like the F3HP.

Can you please expound upon that?

Thanks

 

[Toyo]

So, I went on eBay and checked "Sold" price listings and found that prices are all over the map for this camera. Sure, most of them are $600 and up, but there were quite a few in the rather wide $300-450 price range. Honestly, even at $300, I think it's overpriced. I mean, I can buy an F5 for $300, a camera I'd much rather own that a juiced up FE2. But who says sanity rules on eBay? .

Or you can buy an F4 for about half of that again.
Outstanding value at the present moment
T

 

[Russ - SVP]

Or you can buy an F4 for about half of that again.
Outstanding value at the present moment
T

Yes, but kinda big and heavy, isn’t it?

 

[Toyo]

Yes, but kinda big and heavy, isn’t it?

No, the F4 is regular sized. The F4s is larger and the F4E larger again.
F4 and F4s are smaller than the F5
And they run on AA batteries
T

 

[Russ - SVP]

I had no intention of slapping a motor drive on the new F3. But without it, the camera is to awkward and unwieldy with my older, heavier zooms. So I went out and snagged an MD-4 today. Just like the FE-2 coupled with the MD-12, it sure does feel nice with bigger glass. I put lithium batteries in it to help reduce weight. In my MD-12’s, I only installed four batteries in them to reduce the weight. I never turn them on. Just for gripping ability.

 

[cooltouch]

In reality I did not own the F3 kit long enough to be really sure over the long term (nor did I have the skills for precise exposure way back then!), but it seemed exposures were a little on the under side compared to the FE2, which excelled even in backlit conditions. Unsure at this point, but isn't there a difference in the metering pattern of the two cameras?
I have thought for a while the FE2 might be similar to the Pentax 67's meter pattern. In any case, there are more Ektachrome [100] and Kodachrome [200] slides from the FE2 and following cameras than there are of the F3 -- probably just three rolls of that, and unremarkable, uninspiring to boot!

The FE2 uses Nikon's old tried-and-true 60/40 metering pattern, where 60% of the metering weight occurs within the large circle seen in the viewfinder. The F3 uses a tighter pattern -- an 80/20 pattern. I found that, when shooting slides exclusively with the F3, that this tighter pattern allowed me to shoot using the Aperture Priority mode with almost no improperly exposed images. I think that's why Nikon decided to go with the tighter pattern on the F3 -- so pros would come to rely on the Aperture preferred mode. It sure made a believer out of me.

 

[cooltouch]

No, the F4 is regular sized. The F4s is larger and the F4E larger again.
F4 and F4s are smaller than the F5
And they run on AA batteries
T

I agree with Toyo that the F4 is bargain priced. I bought mine a few years ago -- an F4S -- for about $190. It was in almost mint condition. Very lightly used.

As for the F4's weight, I don't mind it so much, but that's because I've always been used to lugging around heavy camera/motordrive combinations, like Canon F-1s and Nikon F2s with motors attached. The F4S is so ergonomic, though, that I'm just not aware of the weight. I have largish hands and it fits mine very comfortably. I can see how a person with smaller hands might find it a bit difficult to hold and hang on to. I've always preferred heavier gear because of what I shot most often, which was motorsports and air shows. I found that the weight reduced camera jitters, stabilizing my shots.

Now that the price of the F5 has dropped so much, I'll probably be adding it to my arsenal in the not too distant future. When I reviewed the F5 for my book I was amazed at its autofocusing capabilities and was deeply impressed by its metering abilities. So this is a camera I've actually been lusting over for a couple of decades.

 

[Russ - SVP]

I agree with Toyo that the F4 is bargain priced. I bought mine a few years ago -- an F4S -- for about $190. It was in almost mint condition. Very lightly used.

As for the F4's weight, I don't mind it so much, but that's because I've always been used to lugging around heavy camera/motordrive combinations, like Canon F-1s and Nikon F2s with motors attached. The F4S is so ergonomic, though, that I'm just not aware of the weight. I have largish hands and it fits mine very comfortably. I can see how a person with smaller hands might find it a bit difficult to hold and hang on to. I've always preferred heavier gear because of what I shot most often, which was motorsports and air shows. I found that the weight reduced camera jitters, stabilizing my shots.

Now that the price of the F5 has dropped so much, I'll probably be adding it to my arsenal in the not too distant future. When I reviewed the F5 for my book I was amazed at its autofocusing capabilities and was deeply impressed by its metering abilities. So this is a camera I've actually been lusting over for a couple of decades.

Cooltouch

I agre with all that you have stated above. I too have always shot with heavier cameras and motor drives. I never engage the motor drives. I use them for the added grip alone. I still do not mind the weight, but as of late, I really find that shooting with a short prime or a rangefinder to be quite liberating. So when shooting with a prime, I will detach the MD-4. And re-attach it when shooting with one of my older and heavier zooms.

I prefer the F100 over the F5. The F100 can be downsized if wanted or needed, and I find the red focusing points in the F100 to be much nicer and user friendly than the black versions in the F5.They are much easier to see in all lighting conditions. That’s just my opinion. The F5 is a very good camera.

Russ

 

[Joel_L]

I like the match needle system of the FE2 vs the LCD of the F3HP. The F3HP has other features, but I don't miss them on the FE2. The FE2 is just a nice camera to handle, it is the match needle though that makes it a favorite.

On the other tangent, I also have an F4S even without the battery pack, it is heavier than an FE2. Though I will say, I also like the F4, probably more than the F3HP.

Can you please expound upon that?

Thanks

 

[Russ - SVP]

I like the match needle system of the FE2 vs the LCD of the F3HP. The F3HP has other features, but I don't miss them on the FE2. The FE2 is just a nice camera to handle, it is the match needle though that makes it a favorite.

On the other tangent, I also have an F4S even without the battery pack, it is heavier than an FE2. Though I will say, I also like the F4, probably more than the F3HP.

Indeed. I have always liked the match needle in the FE, FE-2. Always enjoyable to shoot with. And the FE delivers very accurate, very long exposures in “A” mode.

 

[cooltouch]

Indeed. I have always liked the match needle in the FE, FE-2. Always enjoyable to shoot with.

A big, repeated +1!

 

[Mike Bates]

The FE-2 is the only camera I regretted selling so much that I later bought another one.

 

[Russ - SVP]

I would never part with my FE-2.

 

[Dennis-B]

Don't have an interest in this one, but a local dealer has this one on eBay. This one's a bit rare, and includes the MD4:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-F3HP...561398?hash=item44292c8bf6:g:w-UAAOSwgYdbrkk8