Nikon FE2 Intermittent Exposure Issues

Brenden_B · Apr 23, 2023

Hello, currently having an issue with my Nikon FE2, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I've shot six rolls of film through this recently purchased FE2, oddly some negatives are properly exposed and some are not, some rolls have all 36 frames perfectly exposed and some rolls have mixed exposures with some frames being extremely under exposed being almost completely black (none over exposed).

Battery chamber is fine with no visible cracks or corrosion.

I've been shooting in "A" mode which is likely the problem ( I suspect this issue may not happen in manual mode) . The exposure reading is spot on when compared to my other FE cameras, the shutter fires at all speeds, aperture lever on my lens bayonet is fine and aperture blades are fine.

I suspect this may be an electrical short or dirty/dysfunctional resistor. I'm hoping that I can figure this issue out so that the camera is fully functional "A" mode and manual mode.

Has anyone else had this issue?

Thanks so much in advance!

Hasslebad · Apr 23, 2023

I read the FE2 service manual once out of curiosity of how the shutter timing works. If I recall correctly there are several “banks” that control groupings of shutter speeds. If you can, manually adjust the shutter speed and check that your shutter speeds are working correctly. Do this for all the shutter speeds.

If those are working correctly, then you can move to the “A” setting by checking the expected shutter timing at that exposure.

There are some camera shutter speed apps for mobile phones that you can use.

Brenden_B · Apr 23, 2023

Thanks so much Hasslebad I'll definitely give the shutter speed app a try and compare the results to my other FE's.

BrianShaw · Apr 23, 2023

What film are you using? Can you post a picture of the negs that are “black”? Even a cell phone pic will work. Include the rebate.

BrianShaw · Apr 23, 2023

… and welcome to Photrio. Which Ontario… Canada or California?

Huss · Apr 23, 2023

I had an FE2 which failed like that. While the exposure readout in the vf was correct, often the actual speed would be very different.
Got rid of that camera.
This is why the FM/FM2 is a better bet once they get this old. Manual/mechanical shutter.

Autonerd · Apr 23, 2023

Which lenses? More specifically -- are you shooting with any pre-AI lenses? If so, they won't properly communicate selected aperture to the camera and the exposure won't be correct. I learned this lesson the hard way with my FE.

Aaron

Nitroplait · Apr 24, 2023

The FE2 shutter is the same as the FM2.
They are both mechanical, the FE2 is just electronically controlled.
If one wants a camera with automation, an FM2 is not really the way to go.

However, if the FE2 speeds and meter checks out, the FE2 interface is much nicer as a manually operated camera.

Huss · Apr 24, 2023

Nitroplait said:
The FE2 shutter is the same as the FM2.
They are both mechanical, the FE2 is just electronically controlled.
If one wants a camera with automation, an FM2 is not really the way to go.

However, if the FE2 speeds and meter checks out, the FE2 interface is much nicer as a manually operated camera.

The Fm2 shutter is not prone to electronic failure like the FE2 is. Because it is not electronically controlled.

Brenden_B · Apr 24, 2023

BrianShaw said:
… and welcome to Photrio. Which Ontario… Canada or California?

Thanks Brian! I'm in Ontario, Canada... I wish I was in California! I've attached some test shots of a partial roll with this message.

Chan Tran · Apr 24, 2023

Some malfunction FE2 would release the shutter at 1/4000 from time to time regardless whether it's in auto or manual or what the exposure meter indicates. If it lost power to the second curtain magnet then the shutter speed is 1/4000.

Brenden_B · Apr 24, 2023

Huss said:
I had an FE2 which failed like that. While the exposure readout in the vf was correct, often the actual speed would be very different.
Got rid of that camera.
This is why the FM/FM2 is a better bet once they get this old. Manual/mechanical shutter.

Thanks Huss, sadly that seems to be the case with this camera as well. I think it's a faulty/dirty resistor.

Brenden_B · Apr 24, 2023

Chan Tran said:
Some malfunction FE2 would release the shutter at 1/4000 from time to time regardless whether it's in auto or manual or what the exposure meter indicates. If it lost power to the second curtain magnet then the shutter speed is 1/4000.

Thanks Chan! Sounds like it's definitely time for me to take it in for service.

Brenden_B · Apr 24, 2023

Autonerd said:
Which lenses? More specifically -- are you shooting with any pre-AI lenses? If so, they won't properly communicate selected aperture to the camera and the exposure won't be correct. I learned this lesson the hard way with my FE.

Aaron

Thanks Aaron, for sure! I was shooting with two AIS lenses.

Chan Tran · Apr 24, 2023

Brenden_B said:
Thanks Chan! Sounds like it's definitely time for me to take it in for service.

I had an FA that behaved like that. I sold it. I can't fix it myself and if I send it to someone to fix it the cost would be more than the camera is worth.

Autonerd · Apr 24, 2023

Huss said:
The Fm2 shutter is not prone to electronic failure like the FE2 is. Because it is not electronically controlled.

No, it is more prone to gummed-up lube than an electronic shutter. Forgive me if I'm being argumentative; I think electronic shutters get a bad rap. If they're working, they generally work properly (though obviously in not all cases).

My experience is that the FE is not the most robust camera in the universe -- I wonder if that extends to the FE2. Is this the time where I recommend a $15 Sears KS Auto, and someone else recommends a Minolta Maxxum 5?

Aaron

Huss · Apr 24, 2023

Autonerd said:
…if they're working, they generally work properly (though obviously in not all cases).

..

Aaron

Well, no. Because my FE2 was ‘working’. Same for the OP’s. But neither worked properly hence this thread.

Nikon FE2 Intermittent Exposure Issues

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