Nikon FE-2 with dead swing needle but working shutter? Repair?

[jimgalli]

Last evening I received a clean FE-2 in the mail. I had received a box lot of recently expired film that included some HIE infrared and thought it would be fun to run some through a Nikon one last time. Thus I won the FE-2. I've had several over the years but all were gone to kids etc.

The meter is working and the camera is choosing correct shutter speeds for the different situations on the A setting, only the swing needle no longer works. So while I could just 'trust' the camera, I can't see what it's doing. The shutter also works correctly in all the manual modes. ie. 1/4 second set gives a correct 1/4 second shutter speed. The needle is present and bounces if the camera is lightly tapped, but it's dead.

Is there something I should try to perhaps remedy this? Ideas welcome. Especially from folks who have repaired these.

I posted this also at Pnet hoping there's an easy fix / solution.

 

[Soeren]

Allow me a stupid question.
How many times did you fire the shutter after opening and closing the back ?
The needle won't move untill the framecounter reaches #1
Cheers, Søren

 

[jimgalli]

You're allowed, but I've fired all the way to 36+. Jim

 

[BradS]

Didn't the FE-2's have a PC board problem in the earlier serial numbers? I'm no expert but, I think that there were some issues....some well known common repairs.

 

[Mongo]

If you have to move on to repairing this one, keep your eyes open on eBay for one on which someone's poked a finger through the shutter. They show up occasionally and generally go for peanuts, as the shutters are expensive to have repaired (if you can find the parts).

Best of luck Jim...there is something special about an FE2.

Be well.
Dave

 

[John Koehrer]

jim,
Frequently the problem was dirty resistor bands, bad ground etc.Sometimes the meter was shot but more frequently just dirt on contacts. Much like Ferrari's carbon on the valves.

 

[jimgalli]

Thanks for the encouragement. Yes, I do believe the FE-2's were the best of the best before the black blobs took over the world!

My repair skills on a scale from 1 - 10 are about a 4. If I take it apart I FEAR it will never go back together correctly again and instead of having a useable camera sans visible meter, I'll have a pile of parts. Maybe I'll just use it and trust what it decides to do. That's not really very satisfactory though.

 

[MattCarey]

Is there something I should try to perhaps remedy this? Ideas welcome. Especially from folks who have repaired these.

Jim,

why not use the same meter you use with the rest of your cameras? Perhaps you could front-mount a packard to the lens!


Matt (the unhelpful)

 

[Chan Tran]

Since all functions work, I can think of only 2 possible causes. The needle is binding or the wires to the meter loose. I don't know how to take a camera apart either so I can't recommend a fix except may be tapping or shaking the camera??

 

[jimgalli]

Since all functions work, I can think of only 2 possible causes. The needle is binding or the wires to the meter loose. I don't know how to take a camera apart either so I can't recommend a fix except may be tapping or shaking the camera??

Must be the wires to the meter because it isn't binding. If I shake the camera it 'bounces' freely.

why not use the same meter you use with the rest of your cameras? Perhaps you could front-mount a packard to the lens!

I've always drawn the line for hand meters at 35mm Matt. For me the whole point of a 35 is the freedom to point the camera and let it do the rest.

 

[Jim Jones]

I've always drawn the line for hand meters at 35mm Matt. For me the whole point of a 35 is the freedom to point the camera and let it do the rest.

Then you're in luck. Just put the FE on A and point it at the subject. Just don't trust it to focus perfectly.

 

[MattCarey]

I've always drawn the line for hand meters at 35mm Matt. For me the whole point of a 35 is the freedom to point the camera and let it do the rest.

I totally agree. It is nice to be able to do something like P&S once in a while.

However, my mental image of Jim Galli doesn't include a 35mm camera!


Matt

 

[Mike Kennedy]

If you haven't repaired an FE2 before don't start with this one. You may end up with a "bucket of bolts" and spend the rest of the week trying to figure a way to kick yourself in the backside.

Been there/done that/wish I hadn't.

Mike