Nikon FE2 - doubtful??

Ragtime Clown · Sep 19, 2008

I have just purchased a superb black Nikon FE-2 camera with 50mm f1.2 lens. The seller has given me an option to try it out and a full refund is available if I'm unhappy with it.

When I unpacked it and fired the shutter I noticed that shutter speeds between 1 sec and B didn't respond, instead the shutter was sluggish. I fired all other speeds and they were fine. Later that evening I tried again and using a good quality watch I fired the shutter at 8sec/4sec/2sec/1sec and B and each time the shutter fired and closed to perfection. I tried the test three times and it worked every time.

I emailed the seller and he informed me that he was the original and only owner of the camera and it had not been used for some time. I really like the camera as it is in superb condition. At £100 is it worth keeping, I really do think its work it. It came with a Nikon dedicated flashgun.

loman · Sep 19, 2008

Keep it. If nothing else, for the lens. If it's a nikkor 50mm f1.2 it's worth quite a bit more than 100 pounds on it's own.
Maybe just exercise the shutter some more, and the problem will go away. That is often the case when cameras hasn't been used for a while.
You can always get another body to fit the lens, so I say that you got yourself a very good deal.
Best Regards
Mads

titrisol · Sep 19, 2008

put fresh batteries into it and see what happens
also check if the foam in the mirror is ot gummy, replacing it is easy and yu can get a jon goodman kit for less that $10

Nick Merritt · Sep 19, 2008

Definitely keep it. How often would you be using those shutter speeds anyway? But the fact the speeds worked fine later tells me you don't have much of a problem (if at all). Yes, fresh batteries and/or cleaning the battery contacts might be a good idea. A great camera.

Ragtime Clown · Sep 19, 2008

Yes, I thought so. I always thought the match needle metering system to be superior to LEDs. The camera feel so solid, it reminds of when I once had an FM2. I appreciate your comments. I have a Nikon D50 that I never use, this one will certainly be used! Oh my apologies, lens is F1,8.

nsouto · Sep 19, 2008

Fe2 and Fm2 go a bit "sticky" after a while on the low speeds if they are not heavily used.
I've taken my Fe2 for service a couple of times in the last 25 years because of that.
The FM2 was a bit sluggish as well, but that one needed some specific lubrication.

My advice would be to take it for a CLA and keep it: it's a great camera and a good find at that price!

cherryrig · Sep 19, 2008

Keep it!!

I've got a FM2n and it's such a nice camera, so glad I bought it but at £100 you've got yourself a steal right there so hold on to it

eddym · Sep 19, 2008

Ragtime Clown said:
Yes, I thought so. I always thought the match needle metering system to be superior to LEDs.

I agree, with one caveat: it's very difficult to see the needles in low light. Other than that, I love my FE2.

Poohblah · Sep 20, 2008

eddym said:
I agree, with one caveat: it's very difficult to see the needles in low light. Other than that, I love my FE2.

on the other hand, the meter in low light is often moot due to inaccuracy of the meter and/or reciprocity failure.

by the way, that is an amazing price for that kit. that lens has got to be worth 200 pounds on its own.

Ragtime Clown · Sep 20, 2008

Poohblah, if you read my second post you will see that I have apologised for misleading you - the lens is actually F1.8. I cannot think where I picked the f1.2 up from, maybe it was a typo.

The Nikon brings back very pleasant memories of many nights alone in my darkroom, processing and printing miles of film!

Nikon FE2 - doubtful??

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