Things to be careful about before buying a Nikon Fe (or any camera)?

allohse · Mar 2, 2022

So, I've been trying for the last few weeks to buy a camera. I've settled on this (very cheap) Nikon FE. It's very similar to the FM2 I also found for sale and way cheaper. Although I do have some misgivings about it not being totally mechanical, it seems like the best option between the two.

Problem is, I'm not buying it from a specialized shop. So I thought about coming here and asking you guys: what should I be looking out for? The guy who's selling it to me send me a video of the light meter working (ISO 100 - 1/125s, f8, on a sunny day, half shadow, half light being framed - according to him). But should I be careful about anything else? I've also asked for pictures of the mirror, and it seems OK, but I'm not sure I can actually tell.

There're also some small spots of rust, how should I go about getting rid of them? (or just making sure they don't get worse)

I’ll attach all relevant pictures bellow. (well, there're a lot of them, but please bear with me)

As always, thank you!

Huss · Mar 2, 2022

Looks like there is rust inside the mirror box. Which suggests there is corrosion elsewhere where you cannot see. What kills these electronic cameras is internal corrosion.
If it was me, I'd never buy an electronic camera that shows corrosion.

allohse · Mar 2, 2022

Hmm, is there any way I can be sure the corrosion isn't only on that outer part of the mirror box?
Anyway, I guess I can invest a little more money and get the FM2

Don_ih · Mar 2, 2022

allohse said:
is there any way I can be sure the corrosion isn't only on that outer part of the mirror box?

No.

allohse said:
Anyway, I guess I can invest a little more money and get the FM2

There's also no way you can be sure about the FM2. I have an FE and an FM2. The FE worked when I got it, the FM2 didn't, both looked more-or-less new.

If the camera is cheap enough and seems to work, get it and use it. The FM2 will take the same pictures that FE will.

flavio81 · Mar 2, 2022

allohse said:
So, I've been trying for the last few weeks to buy a camera. I've settled on this (very cheap) Nikon FE. It's very similar to the FM2 I also found for sale and way cheaper. Although I do have some misgivings about it not being totally mechanical, it seems like the best option between the two.

Problem is, I'm not buying it from a specialized shop. So I thought about coming here and asking you guys: what should I be looking out for?

Put new batteries on it. Test that it fires at all speeds. Remove the lens, open up the back, point the camera to the sky while looking at the curtain, fire at 1000 and check that the exposure is even.

Put it in AUTO mode, with a lens fitted in. Check that the speeds vary according to light.

Now for the ultimate test -- sometimes the FE fails in a subtle way: you take in AUTO mode many shots at a low speed, say, 1/8th, yet one or two of these fire at what looks like max speed (1/1000). Try doing this test... put it on AUTO, low light condition so the needle marks 1/8 or so. Fire it many times and check that the slow speed fires ok.

flavio81 · Mar 2, 2022

allohse said:
Hmm, is there any way I can be sure the corrosion isn't only on that outer part of the mirror box?
Anyway, I guess I can invest a little more money and get the FM2

To hell with the overrated damn FM2 that can't fit pre-AI lenses, has no AUTO mode, has no nice needle display, and isn't really more reliable than the FE or FE2. Nikon's most overrated camera.

AgX · Mar 2, 2022

There are not much steel parts visible at modern SLRs, aside of the back door. What you see at the mirrorbox may be corrosion caused by the deteriorating mirror foam, which though typically is not reddish. True rusty patches inside a camera should warn you more than such at a back door.

allohse · Mar 2, 2022

The rust doesn't appear to be coming from the foam, though. Still, all the functions of the camera are working alright. Suppose I get it anyway, can I send it to be cleaned, so the corrosion on the mirror box doesn't get worse? Or chances are the camera's all rusted inside and will stop working at any moment?

Paul Howell · Mar 2, 2022

Always a possibly, cameras with electronic shutters can die at any time without or with any corrosion, just the nature of the beast. Otherwise a good clean lube and adjust is always a good investment.

allohse · Mar 2, 2022

I did read somewhere that the 1/90s speed is completely mechanical. Would the camera then keep working even if the electronics stop? I'm guessing it can work without batteries from that speed. (not that I want to think about it happening!!)

BrianShaw · Mar 2, 2022

If the price really is right, I wouldn’t hesitate…

r-brian · Mar 2, 2022

Yes, the 1/90 is mechanical. The FE is pretty robust. You may need to replaced the mirror bumper foam; they get sticky, Easy job if you're careful.

Nitroplait · Mar 3, 2022

allohse said:
The rust doesn't appear to be coming from the foam, though. Still, all the functions of the camera are working alright. Suppose I get it anyway, can I send it to be cleaned, so the corrosion on the mirror box doesn't get worse? Or chances are the camera's all rusted inside and will stop working at any moment?

I see the reddish areas near the mirror bumper foam but it is unsharp so I cannot determine if it is rust. I can't see how it can be rust as that part of the camera is made from a cast aluminium alloy - corrosion would not be red/brown but white/grayish.
Some types of rubber cement dries up brownish and it may be a sloppy DIY job replacing the foam.
I would want to see a sharp photo of the area around the mirror bumper foam. I would also want to see a photo of the battery chamber to determine if there are signs of batteries that has leaked (I would never buy an otherwise functional electronic camera with signs of leaks in the battery compartment as the chemicals migrates and will in time do damage where you can't see it)

A competent disassembly and inner cleanup of such a camera is a time consuming thus costly task and then you don't have a cheap camera anymore.
Being a happy Nikon FE owner since 1982, I can see that the camera you have there has lived rough life, and if I were to spend money on a repair of any of my FEs, I would only consider it on a cosmetically nice one.
If it is really cheap and works then then I would probably just get it and use it as is. It is not a lesser camera just because it shows wear and tear - as long as it works. You can do a lot of surface cleaning yourself with a little alcohol and a few cotton buds as long as you know what NOT to clean.

jrhilton · Mar 3, 2022

The image of the shutter speed dial would raise concerns for me personally. There is rust pitting on the metal strip around the dial where it meets the camera body. Likewise on the film advance lever. Also around the viewfinder.

It makes me wonder where it has been stored in the past (for longer period of time) and what is the inside like. I would seek expert advice if possible from someone who has worked on the cameras to see if those observations matter at all or not.

Les Sarile · Mar 3, 2022

allohse said:
So, I've been trying for the last few weeks to buy a camera. I've settled on this (very cheap) Nikon FE. It's very similar to the FM2 I also found for sale and way cheaper. Although I do have some misgivings about it not being totally mechanical, it seems like the best option between the two.

Just to expand your options, the mechanical version equivalent of the FE - spec wise, is the FM and not the relatively more expensive FM2. Also spec wise, the relatively less pricey Nikkormat FT3 is the equivalent of the FM.

Nicholas Lindan · Mar 3, 2022

It has water damage - that's something that can't be repaired, especially in an electronic camera. Not worth anything unless you need some replacement screws for another camera.

Nikon F's were famous for shrugging off water; there is an apocryphal tale of a National Geographic photographer smuggling his cameras into Chinese occupied Tibet at the bottom of a water skin, just shook 'em dry and started taking pictures - but I don't think that applies to the FE.

Ian C · Mar 3, 2022

The screw-in eyepiece (originally supplied) is missing.

You can see it in photos in the owner's manual.

nikon_fe.pdf (cameramanuals.org)

Here’s the replacement eyepiece should you want to replace it:

Nikon Finder Eyepiece for FM, FE & FA Series 2925 B&H Photo Video (bhphotovideo.com)

allohse · Mar 3, 2022

OK, here are the new pictures the guy sent to me. He agrees that it looks like it's old glue from the foam. He also sent a picture of the battery compartment, how does it look?

About the eyepiece, can I live without it? Or buy a replacement?

allohse · Mar 3, 2022

Nicholas Lindan said:
It has water damage - that's something that can't be repaired, especially in an electronic camera. Not worth anything unless you need some replacement screws for another camera.

Nikon F's were famous for shrugging off water; there is an apocryphal tale of a National Geographic photographer smuggling his cameras into Chinese occupied Tibet at the bottom of a water skin, just shook 'em dry and started taking pictures - but I don't think that applies to the FE.

Can you expand on that? Why does it look like it has water damage?

BrianShaw · Mar 3, 2022

Eye piece is replaceable. About $20, I seem to recall. Nikon had 2 sizes… 19mm and 21mm. Measure to verify correct size before buying to avoid disappointment.

Nitroplait · Mar 3, 2022

allohse said:
OK, here are the new pictures the guy sent to me. He agrees that it looks like it's old glue from the foam. He also sent a picture of the battery compartment, how does it look?

About the eyepiece, can I live without it? Or buy a replacement?

Eyepiece: Most FE's and FM's has lost the rubber eyepiece. I wear glasses and wouldn't live without it. Some people don't even know it is missing and are perfectly happy. If you know it should be there you can use it to improve your bargaining position.

The battery compartment looks fine.

I don't think the brown goo is rust and the foam looks too "fresh" to be original from pre 1983 thus I think it is residual glue from replacement foam.

As someone else noted, there seem to be some corrosion thorough-out some of the metal surfaces. Are you OK with that?

Is it worth buying?
Well, it depends - how much does it cost?
2-3 years ago you could buy a nice FE often with a 50mm lens for below $150 and I personally wouldn't even consider to buying the camera you show here..
Since around 2 years ago prices started surging fast and you now need to pay $300 or more for a nice sample without a lens - for example at Kamerastore.com where you get a 14 return privilege but no guarantee. They sell them very quickly.

If the seller seems legit and honest (always buy the seller first) AND the camera is actually cheap AND operational AND you don't already now feel there is a need for repair service, then I think it is worth considering but you need to weigh your personal preferences and budget towards what else is available in your market at a similar price.

Huss · Mar 3, 2022

allohse said:
Can you expand on that? Why does it look like it has water damage?

Well, there is corrosion all over the camera. Not just in the mirror box. As you can see in the pics.

There are so many good cameras out there, why fixate on this one?

allohse · Mar 3, 2022

Nitroplait said:
Is it worth buying?
Well, it depends - how much does it cost?
2-3 years ago you could buy a nice FE often with a 50mm lens for below $150 and I personally wouldn't even consider to buying the camera you show here..
Since around 2 years ago prices started surging fast and you now need to pay $300 or more for a nice sample without a lens - for example at Kamerastore.com where you get a 14 return privilege but no guarantee. They sell them very quickly.

Well, converting to dollars it would be about $120, without lens. Cameras are generally more expensive here though. The (kind of battered) FM2 I was talking about would cost about $250 (again, without the lens), although its been revised by someone I know knows his stuff. An almost new FM2 for sale on a specialized shop goes for about $400.

Others cameras I found similar in price to the FE (some already with lenses) are all older mechanical ones, that use 1,3V mercury batteries on the light meter (minolta srt101, olympus om1, nikkormat, etc). I guess I could be patient and wait for a Pentax k1000 with lenses to appear (or some other nikon camera similar to the FE), but I already have two nikon lenses here (a nikkor 50mm and a cheap telephoto zoom lenses, which i've been told is decent at 70mm) so the lenses are not really a concern. Although I would like to get a 35mm nikkor lens someday (at least $200, I think).

The seller seems like a nice enough guy, and he already sells a lot photography equipment. And the camera seems to be working fine...

Anyway, If I do get the FE, any tips on not making the rusty surfaces any worse? I’m guessing it’s not something I can just get rid of.

Nitroplait · Mar 3, 2022

allohse said:
Can you expand on that? Why does it look like it has water damage?

There is no direct water damage but corrosion that may be caused by high humidity. However I have not seen signs of fungus.

BrianShaw · Mar 3, 2022

Quite the dilemma. I know what I would do.

Things to be careful about before buying a Nikon Fe (or any camera)?

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