The advantage of complete control.

None for a person who has learned the basics of photography.

The fun of photography for me is in knowing how everything works. You can't get that from the modern automatic cameras. Working with manual cameras is fun and rewarding. Try it and you will like it. The Nikon FE is an old camera that can produce modern results if you will take the time to learn the basics.

Customer Service

None needed as of this date.

Similar Products Used:

Many brands and models.

Built Tough
Match needle in manual mode.
If you want to learn photography this is body to do it with.

Viewfinder if you wear glasses

I have had my FE over 20 years. I finally had to send it in when the frame counter broke. This is minor after 20 years of use.
This is one of the best Nikon bodies every produced.
Buy one, and learn how to use it. You will be a better photographer!

Customer Service

Excellent

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FM2 FM2N F2AS SRT101 Richo

a lot of funtionable control, fully manual control, solid body.

that's only a manual shutter when the batt is out. The highest shutter is only 1/1000s

This's the first camera in my life, is the gift by my father.

Customer Service

The customer service in Malaysia good.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon- Fm2, F401x, Fg20, F90x. Canon- F1, Eos50E, Eos500, Eos3

The FE can take the older non-AI lenses and the AI lenses, making it the ONLY nikon capable of accepting virtually any F-mount Nikon lense, manual or AF!! Also, you can see the aperature in the viewfinder which is a luxury in older bodies. It is also very quiet, when you press the shutter there is very little noise and vibration. I also like the multiple exposure lever, and the longer manual shutter speeds (how many cameras go as long as 8 seconds) meaning you can do without a shutter cable. It has a very punchy flash sinc at 1/125, faster than some new Nikons sold in stores.

With the MD-11 or MD-12, this camera weighs a tonne. Get a nice cushy neoprene neck strap or expect strain. Without the motor drive it is light and manageable. If your wish list includes a motor drive try an after-market one, they're lighter and cheaper. On the bright side, you can take steadier shots at slower speeds with a heavier camera.

The FE is a great versatile camera, probably underrated. It is significanly cheaper than the FE-2 (which doesn't accept non-AI lenses).

Customer Service

No experience. Many simple tasks can be done yourself, such as CAREFULLY cleaning the focus screen, or refoaming.
FE's also have a characteristic flaw with mirror lock up. When the batteries run down the mirror locks up. When the brushes under the ASA dial get dirty, the mirror will lock up as well. Many people will interpret this as a broken shutter, but simply cleaning the brushes will fix the problem. Sometimes people will think the camera is broken because the batteries are dead. You can accidentally get quite a deal in this way.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FG, FM, EM.

Durability, accuracy, friendliness, simplicity.

None, and I've searched hard

Today, in the period of autofocus digital photography, talking about an old manual focus film SLR may seem something for the collectors. This is not the case here. The FE is the camera I use regularly for over 15 years (inherited from my dad). It has survived dust storms, sand, sun, mud, rain and general beating throughout its life and hasn't showed any sign of giving up. Many other cameras have long ceased to function properly in the same conditions (see list). The FE is the definite choice for the person looking for an automatic manual focus SLR using Nikkor lenses, its greatest advantage being its reliability. I love it.

Customer Service

Never had any troubles so I don't know

Similar Products Used:

Nikon FG, Nikon EM, Nikon N2000, Nikomat EL, Nikon N4040

great control

fragile

This is a pretty good body, but I have had several ones which were not reliable. The shutter is not like the old F2 or even Nikkormat- not as durable for sure. Since the FE is heavily electronic, there are several ways FEs can fail. If it is not the FRE, then it is the shutter timer, or then the metering- I have experienced all of these. Even my EM is not as unrealiable. Sure metal bodies are tough, but reliable? I have seen dented metal bodies all over- it is so easy to dent these bodies- any impact will either cause cosmetic damage or some real damage. I don't know why everyone claims that manual bodies are more durable. I know my AF bodies and even the EM with plastic/polycarbonate shell is infinitely more durable to minor dings and dents than any metal clad body. I love my Nikon bodies, but I know that the metal bodies get bent out of shape all the time. Good, yes. Durable, no.

Similar Products Used:

None

I've been using (abusing) FE bodies for well over 20 years and have yet to have a major failure apart from having to replace the shutter after it died from over work.

The major strengths are in lens compatability, it can use all but a few of Nikons extensive lens lineup with the exception of some of the more esoteric lenses such as the Nikkor 21mm and a couple of the fisheyes and other specialised lenses.

Ergonomics. It's one easy camera body to hold and use, it's small physical size and low weight are ideal for fast use on location and in the studio.

Aperture Priority and metering accuracy are both very good.

Mechanical 1/90th and B settings are a real bonus if you find your batteries are dead and there's no supply nearby as the camera is still useable.

Lack of Display illumination makes the FE a b***h to use in the dark, however by creative use of a torch and bracketing this problem can be overcome.

Non centered tripod mount when using the optional MD-11 or 12 motordrive unless you fit an AH-2 or AH-3 plate to the rear of the drive to re-center the tripod mount.

Dim viewfinder by modern standards. Was good for it's day and is good once your used to it.

1/125th flash synch. This is on par with most modern consumer bodies and isn't a real problem.

1/1000th max shutter speed. A bit slow compared to the F4/F5 etc but with careful film selection it's more than adequate for 99.9% of situations.

The body is lightweight, handles extremely well and has the benefit of being built before Nikon started to cut corners in their build quality. As a backup camera it is fantastic as I can swing almost any NIkkor lens on the body and not have to worry about compatability issues.

The FE is suitable for all types of 135 format work. I've shot sports, wildlife, landscape, weddings macro and portraiture with it. It really shines as an astrophotography platform when fitted with an E type focusing screen.

This is an ideal body for any photographer who wants quality at a good price.

Customer Service

Have had the shutter replaced once, but that was due to it dying from over use.

Parts are hard to find these days, but a yearly CLA keeps the body performing like new.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon models: F, F2, F2T, F2AS, FM, F3, F3T, F3HP, FM, FE/2, F301, F801, F801s, F90x, FM2, FM2n, F100, F4s, F5.

Robust, inexpensive, reliable.

dim viewfinder, battery dependant

This camera was given to me by a special woman back in 1981 as a gift. At the time I didn't know anything about a camera and I accepted it. Now that special woman is no longer around but I still have the camera. I retired this camera in 1990 when I got into medium format. It was only a month ago that I decide to bring the camera back out of retirement to do some journalistic work at a wedding. I sold most of the lenses that I purchased for this camera and only have the 50 series E, 135mm Nikkor and 24mm Nikkor. Overall the camera has been great, no sign of aging and no failure. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a used camera that is reliable and robust.

Customer Service

N/A

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EM, FG, EOS, REBEL

Excelent camera fro beginners. I have started my photo hobby whith camera back in 1982. Although it has warned out from extensive usage (almost 20 years), it still works great. I dropped on a cement floor once landing on lense first, but nothing broken except for the lens filter. From my experience it has never faild me not once.

none

if you are biginer and want to explore photography, it's a great camera to start. it may not have all the features that modern cameras but, it's simple and ease to use especially in auto mode.

Customer Service

never needed

Similar Products Used:

FM2, F100, and nikon Lenses 24mm (2.8), 35-70mm 2.8, 80-200 AFS.

great workhorse.

Top shutter.
Some what out of date.

Great camera over twenty jares old.
My second KB camera and still going, with no problem and with a MD11 motor drive attached.
It is a great couple.
Soot many roll of film and is now my second camera.

Customer Service

N.V.T.

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Pentax spot F
Nikon F4