Nikon FE2 - Mirror alignment fixes?

[yessammassey]

Hello, I have a Nikon FE2 that is in otherwise great condition, but I was inspecting it closely today after having to take the bottom plate off so I could get it out of a sudden, stubborn mirror/shutter lockup. It was then that I noticed that... let me put it like this: The bottom edge of the mirror (the edge at the lowest & most outward-projecting part of the resting mirror) is not square with the bottom of the mirror box. If you looked into the mirror box while holding the camera, the bottom of the mirror would not appear to be parallel to the bottom of the box. I've attached an image that should make it clear (I left the camera in my office today..).

I noticed that there are two support tabs on the right and left edges of the mirror. One towards the bottom/front, the other on the opposite side near the top/rear. They don't look bent or damaged. Maybe the swinging arms that hold the mirror itself could be a little bent? Can the mirror assembly be taken out without having to tear off any leatherette or completely disassemble the camera? Has anyone had a similar problem with a 35mm SLR that they were able to fix? I'd hate to loose this otherwise very nice condition FE2 body, but my horizons are definitely not straight, and focusing is not exact.

 

[HiHoSilver]

Focus would be my concern also. I'm not smart about working them, but when I saw some of the orig. foam start to degrade, I did spend the funds to have it replaced. It looks like there is either foam or rubber gasket material on the bottom side of the mirror - likely to dampen the return to the viewing condition. I can see contact marks on the new material. If the material is unevenly worn, it would enable the mirror to give left/right distortion. If even, but worn deep, it would allow mirror to rest at a lower angle, throwing focus off. Because I'm the orig. purchaser, I wanted to have the foam replaced, though it cost about the price of another body. 'Works quite well now & I'm bumbling along w/ the same old friend. 'Hope your situation resolved to your liking.