Which is better Canon AE1 or Nikon FE?

ToddB · May 7, 2014

Hey guys,

I was wondering which one was better.. The Canon AE1 or Nikon FE. I know both are great cameras. But does one have slightly better advantage?

Todd

ntenny · May 7, 2014

They both keep the dark in, you can get terrific lenses for both of them. AFAIK, the only practical difference is if you expect to use the autoexposure: the Canon is shutter-priority, the Nikon aperture-priority.

I don't remember---does the FE require the Nikon lens-registration dance?

-NT

Kyle M. · May 7, 2014

ntenny said:
I don't remember---does the FE require the Nikon lens-registration dance?

-NT

Not on the FE, just the F, F2, and some of the Nikkormat models, unless you have the plain prism on your F, or F2 that is.

gone · May 7, 2014

Get the FE (assuming you have Nikon lenses). If you have Canon lenses, get the AE-1 Program, which has exposure lock and a brighter focus screen. It will also be a little newer than the AE-1. But for my money the FE is a lot better camera. Here's a review from everyone's favorite photographer :] You can also use Leica R lenses on the Nikon w/ a cheap adapter, which is always a good thing.

Keep in mind that the Canon lenses mount and focus backwards.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/fe.htm

RalphLambrecht · May 7, 2014

everyone is born a Canon person;only the great can overcome it.

zanxion72 · May 7, 2014

I would opt for the FE. She is an awesome little camera with automation that does not get in your way. You can have aperture priority auto and at any time get to all manual having always available a second thought by the light meters reading.
Also, in contrast to the FD lenses, F mount lenses can be used to almost any modern Nikon without any adaptations. There are some lenses that need to be modified prior to getting them on a D Nikon, but most and almost all best AI/AI-S lenses fit just like that.
It also goes the other way around, put a D lens on the FE and still have everything.

dehk · May 7, 2014

FE, also the FE2. Dislike the sound of the shutter on the AE1, and generally like Aperture priority over Shutter priority. Plus the FE batteries are cheaper.

Ian Grant · May 7, 2014

The major advantage of the FE is any lenses can be used on modern Nikons but Canon changed their mount completely. Personally if I were to go down the Nikon route I'd get an FM or FM2.

Ian

Ian Grant · May 7, 2014

RalphLambrecht said:
everyone is born a Canon person;only the great can overcome it.

I'd love a proper Canon like a IV or P

Ian

snapguy · May 7, 2014

difference

It doesn't make any difference. The difference will be in the individual camera you buy -- has it been abused, or is it in fine condition?
In the year 2000, I bought a Toyota thinking it would be more reliable than a comparable Chevrolet. A relative bought a Chevrolet. Both have 135,000 miles on them now and both have been very reliable.
Avoid people who tell you the Whatzzit camera is the only one in the world to buy because -- well, because THEY own one.

BrianShaw · May 7, 2014

Own both. Buy both.

AgX · May 7, 2014

Where is benjiboy when he is needed?

vlasta · May 7, 2014

Again repearing one of his A series Canons.

Mainecoonmaniac · May 7, 2014

Yes and....

RalphLambrecht said:
everyone is born a Canon person;only the great can overcome it.

Nikon focuses backwards

Alan Gales · May 7, 2014

I like the FE better because it's aperture preferred. I'm not a fan of shutter priority. Of course you can shoot manual on both cameras so pick whichever you prefer.

fstop · May 7, 2014

RalphLambrecht said:
everyone is born a Canon person;only the great can overcome it.

Wow.A slam and a compliment at same time!

Chan Tran · May 7, 2014

Sorry but the Canon AE1 is not a great camera. It was a great success for Canon as they can sell a lot of them but not a great camera for the user.

jerrybro · May 7, 2014

Nikon. Next question?

ntenny · May 7, 2014

Chan Tran said:
Sorry but the Canon AE1 is not a great camera. It was a great success for Canon as they can sell a lot of them but not a great camera for the user.

Matter of opinion, by definition. I find its handling to be intuitive (whereas Nikon has the aperture ring backwards) and its functionality to be just at the right level, except for the mildly unfortunate shutter priority and those darn miniature negatives.

I don't know who first said "Nikon makes the best lenses, Minolta makes the best bodies, and Canon makes the best compromises", but I think they had a point.

-NT

jerrybro · May 7, 2014

ntenny said:
...I don't know who first said "Nikon makes the best lenses, Minolta makes the best bodies, and Canon makes the best compromises", but I think they had a point.

-NT

The only 2 camera bodies I've had die and turn into bookends were Minoltas, and one was an SRT. Suppose I could use it as a hammer when I rebuild the shed.

snapguy · May 7, 2014

backwareds

When Canon started making cameras they had no way of making lenses so they put Nikon lenses on their cameras (you can look this up). Then when Nikon started making cameras they made sure the lenses focused in the correct direction.

trythis · May 7, 2014

I have both. I would suggest that if you are on a budget go canon FD. Nikon lenses, because they are still very useful on some current cameras if AI or newer, are more expensive.
If you have lots of cash and like aperture priority get an FE.

sent from phone. excuse my typing.

KennyMark · May 7, 2014

The EL, EL2, FE, and FE2 have a very nice full information match needle system that I believe offers the most intuitive in-camera manual metering ever available.
In addition to the difference in glass, the A series bodies have cloth shutters and the Nikons mentioned have metal shutters if one cares about the faster flash sync speeds the Nikons have.

fotch · May 7, 2014

It seemed to me that the Nikon's outlived the Canon's by a large margin, however, I don't know of any statistics in this regard. The lens mounting system makes the Nikon the best value for many. I confess to only having Nikon for 35mm SLR's.

Someonenameddavid · May 7, 2014

Never been much of a Canon user myself. Nikon feel better, especially the older lenses. The AE-1 waz a milestone but it's mostly plastic. The AE-1 Program is the same body as the A-1 which was Canon's top producer for 1982. The FE2 was technically more advanced in x-synch at 1/250 . Buy both have fun

Which is better Canon AE1 or Nikon FE?

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