Where is the best place to send my Nikon FE for complete overhaul and repair?

68degrees · Apr 9, 2021

my fe looks mint but it has two problems. 1. you wind it and you can wind it again and again without firing it. and 2. the shutter stays open and mirror up on any speed over 2 seconds. this also means i dont get the metered super long exposure capability of the nikon FE.

have you ever heard of this before, what is causing this, can it be repaired to function as new and where is the best repairman to send it to?

thanks!

CMoore · Apr 9, 2021

Not sure if he is "The Best" for Nikon............... there well might be somebody "Better".............. but i have had great experience (and results) with Zacks with a few different brands of 35mm SLR.

https://zackscamerarepair.com/

BrianShaw · Apr 9, 2021

I’ve not had all of those exact problems with my FE but similar problem with winding. For me the wind mechanism under the bottom plate lost lubrication and wasn’t functioning properly. I think this also was the issue when mine locked mirro up. Any decent camera tech should be able to overhaul the camera. If they balk ( which some do as they seem to have more experience with digital cameras) then move on until you find a tech who expresses confidence with old Nikons.

digitalintrigue · Apr 9, 2021

procamera.us in charlottesville

wiltw · Apr 9, 2021

I have used this outfit to work on Olympus OM-1, and they do Canon and Nikon SLRs as well.

Garry's Camera Repair
Garry Airapetov
960 Thompson Blvd.
Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089

WEBSITE

www.garryscamera.com

68degrees · Apr 9, 2021

I mean is there someone who specializes in nikon slrs or specifically FE's? I know there is a guy who does F2's. I forget his cool name. Anywhooo. Please keep try and think.of someone. Thanks.

BrianShaw · Apr 9, 2021

To the best of my knowledge, all of the Nikon Authorized Service, who once were THE experts in Nikon repair, have either closed or won’t work on old film cameras. There really is little so different about the FE than other cameras of the day. Electronics failure will be a problem for anyone but that likely isn’t your problem. So you’ll do just fine with a good tech who still overhauls old film cameras.

BrianShaw · Apr 9, 2021

Steve’s Camera Repair in Culver City CA serviced mine... but that was quite some time ago. I believe they are still servicing film cameras. Google and dial.

MultiFormat Shooter · Apr 9, 2021

I had Abilene Camera Repair overhaul my Dad's Nikkormat FTn, as a present to him, and they did a great job. I would think they would do a good job on the FE, too.

I have no affiliation with Abilene Camera Repair, other than being a satisfied customer.

CMoore · Apr 9, 2021

68degrees said:
I mean is there someone who specializes in nikon slrs or specifically FE's? I know there is a guy who does F2's. I forget his cool name. Anywhooo. Please keep try and think.of someone. Thanks.

You are not going to find an equivalent of Sover Wong...............FE is just not that popular.
Any of the camera techs mentioned will be perfectly fine.
Shoot an email to a few of them and pick the one that hits you the hardest.
Good Luck

mawz · Apr 12, 2021

CMoore said:
You are not going to find an equivalent of Sover Wong...............FE is just not that popular.
Any of the camera techs mentioned will be perfectly fine.
Shoot an email to a few of them and pick the one that hits you the hardest.
Good Luck

It's not so much that the FE isn't popular, but that they're only worth the cost of a good CLA, so they're somewhat disposable if they need major service.

Now some, like myself, have an emotional attachment to their FE's and would pay any reasonable cost to get them serviced. But we're less common than the 'just buy another one' crowd

CMoore · Apr 12, 2021

mawz said:
It's not so much that the FE isn't popular, but that they're only worth the cost of a good CLA, so they're somewhat disposable if they need major service.

Now some, like myself, have an emotional attachment to their FE's and would pay any reasonable cost to get them serviced. But we're less common than the 'just buy another one' crowd

Yeah... Correct.
I see them mentioned frequently.

What i meant was, the same person that would spend 300-600 Dollars/Euros to have Sover Wong straighten out their F2 would not (most likely) spend the same amount on their FE.

removed account4 · Apr 12, 2021

CMoore said:
Not sure if he is "The Best" for Nikon............... there well might be somebody "Better".............. but i have had great experience (and results) with Zacks with a few different brands of 35mm SLR.

https://zackscamerarepair.com/

+1

mawz · Apr 12, 2021

CMoore said:
Yeah... Correct.
I see them mentioned frequently.

What i meant was, the same person that would spend 300-600 Dollars/Euros to have Sover Wong straighten out their F2 would not (most likely) spend the same amount on their FE.

I'll admit I would, but my FE is an heirloom and my F2 is not, so I'm very much an exception to the rule.

Huss · Apr 13, 2021

CMoore said:
Not sure if he is "The Best" for Nikon............... there well might be somebody "Better".............. but i have had great experience (and results) with Zacks with a few different brands of 35mm SLR.

https://zackscamerarepair.com/

Zacks is fantastic. Used him before.

Dean's Camera in Torrance, CA is a Nikon trained expert tech. Give him a call and talk to him.(310) 782-8619

removed account4 · Apr 13, 2021

You can also try Midstate Camera Repair in Warwick Ri. They do fantastic work too..

millardmt · Apr 13, 2021

68degrees said:
my fe looks mint but it has two problems. 1. you wind it and you can wind it again and again without firing it. and 2. the shutter stays open and mirror up on any speed over 2 seconds. this also means i dont get the metered super long exposure capability of the nikon FE.

have you ever heard of this before, what is causing this, can it be repaired to function as new and where is the best repairman to send it to?

thanks!

Nikoncamerarepair.com
Morton Grove, IL
847-966-4091

waynecrider · Apr 13, 2021

Whatever you do go close. Pro camera (who can make parts if need be) or Zacks if on the east coast are better options.

nalu1212 · Apr 13, 2021

https://kiwicameraservice.com - in Orlando, FL.

68degrees · Apr 14, 2021

Thanks everyone for contributing! I have made some calls and I will keep you all informed. Most of them didnt have any idea and never heard of that before.
If you think of any more places please post them. Thanks.

Mark Minard · Apr 23, 2021

MultiFormat Shooter said:
I had Abilene Camera Repair overhaul my Dad's Nikkormat FTn, as a present to him, and they did a great job. I would think they would do a good job on the FE, too.

I have no affiliation with Abilene Camera Repair, other than being a satisfied customer.

I can second ACR. He did a beautiful job on my Canon FT-b.

Rolfe Tessem · Apr 24, 2021

These guys recently serviced two Nikon F's and did a great job. Their website says they service the FM/FE series.

https://lezot.com/nikon/film

Rolfe

Pentode · Apr 24, 2021

I’ll add another recommendation for Zacks. He’s good.

You could also look at Nippon Photo Clinic in NYC. They’re pretty expensive but their work on Nikons is excellent.

MultiFormat Shooter · Jun 26, 2021

68degrees said:
Thanks everyone for contributing! I have made some calls and I will keep you all informed. Most of them didn't have any idea and never heard of that before.If you think of any more places please post them. Thanks.

Were you able to get your FE repaired? If so, who'd you use, and how do you like their work?

BobD · Jun 26, 2021

I would just buy another, working FE body.

Where is the best place to send my Nikon FE for complete overhaul and repair?

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