Kenneth Wajda Buying a Film SLR: NIKON FE Camera
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- Опубліковано 20 гру 2014
- Discussing the NIKON FE 35mm camera.
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Kenneth Wajda, a professional commercial photographer who still shoots film, walks you through the ins and outs of buying vintage film cameras, which ones to buy, which to avoid, how much to pay and other tricks for making sure you get a working camera and a good deal!
Tips on Leica, Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Minolta, Yashica, Fuji, Mamiya, Rolleiflex, Hasselblad, Praktica, Exakta, Zorki and more! - Навчання та стиль
Hi Kenneth, thank you for sharing this very important information. I am looking at buying one of these for my first film camera. I will be sure to reference this video again when I get my hands on one.
Michael Falkous Excellent. Post any questions. Glad to help!
Just "rescued" an FE I recently found at a flea market for $150. I cleaned it up and have mounted a Series E 50mm f/1.8 lens on it. Can't wait to get out and shoot a few rolls through it.
It's a great camera. Have fun with it!
Hi thanks for sharing I need to know the features of this camera I have a presentation today
Hi Kenneth, great video. I just started collecting older film cameras. There seems to be a ton of different models and versions and manufactures. This weekend i passed on a FE body as they went on ebay and saw some going for 100 dollars, which is out of my budget.. What is typically a good price to pay for an older camera? Just like you i have been picking them up for around 20 dollars. This was my first Nikon i came across and I am curious what is a fair price for both. Do you know of a good guide or resources for the top cameras of the years or decades and what lenses are interchangle with who's mounts? I picked up a Mamiya the other day and it seems like really good reviews.
I really liked my FE cameras I had two. But both broke in exactly the same way. The shutter was stuck. So I bought a F3hp and it has been a work horse and I am still shooting with it.
Great viewfinder in the F3 as well!
These are beautifully just to hold. I would take me f2 along just to capture memories of adventure and share them with my dad. Now I wish I took more pictures of him. Anyway. Cameras are great. We should use them to capture things that may not be around in the future. Lyel glacier sounds like a good destination. That's a bit of a hike that's why you won't see too many pics of it. I walked there in 1972. It's in the Sierras and Yosemite is the gateway.
It's easy to overlook the things we see everyday, and those are precisely what we need to photograph, because everything changes, things that are one way change. Yes, get out there!
Hi Kenneth,
Thanks very much for taking the time to post and create these videos and reviews. Looks like you just started posting on youtube a few months ago also so I haven't missed much, I already subscribed. I'm a beginner when it comes to 35mm film cameras and I have an old Konica Autoreflex TC that was my dad's and is now passed down to me. However, I was looking into getting a Nikon film camera also based on the larger range of lenses that you can get with the Nikons. I saw your review on the Nikon FE which is on my list of possible cameras to buy, but I was wondering if you have any experience or access to the Nikon FA? I have been comparing the FA with the FE and if you were looking into the next video review to do and you have access to an FA that would be great. Thanks again! - Jay
Jay S. I'll get an FA review up soon. Both are great cameras. FE is older. FE2 would be a closer competitor. If I had to choose between them, I'd go FE2. FM2, also!
Hi Ken
Thanks for this review which I have just come across due to thinking about going back to film. Just a thought ..... I have two of these that I used to use and I know that the small lever on the back left of the camera is used to indicate battery condition. If you press it down, you should get a little red light in the window right next to the lever to indicate the battery is OK. I'm sure you know but just missed mentioning it. Thanks for the review, maybe suggest some good Nikon lenses for users. All the best from the UK.
I don't think I knew about that. Thanks!
Where does the SE stands in order with the FM2N and FM 3A, F3?
For the Auto mode, you need to set your aperture to the smallest settings I believe. Hopefully your camera fully functional. I just picked up one with a 50mm 1.4 for $75
It doesn't have a Program mode, which would need the aperture set to 22 to make it so it can choose from all of them. This camera only has Aperture mode, which means you set the aperture, it sets the shutter speed. Nice buy! Good luck.
With Nikon the aperture is sprung closed and forced open, the opposite of some other brands such as the old Pentax M42 screw. This has the advantage that if the lens is used on something that does not support auto aperture, such as a bellows, it will work correctly without needing a auto/manual switch on the lens. However, if the aperture is getting sticky it means that it is likely to be the stopping down rather than the opening up which will be slow. This will affect the exposure, and the lens will need to be serviced.
Do you mean the FE? It came out with the FM, and it had a lower max
shutter speed, but had Aperture priority, and was battery dependent
except for 1/90 sec.
Nice pickup Ken! Enjoy the content, thanks for making it. Having owned my FE since new in 1980 or so, I had a tip for your viewers. The eyepiece and accessory eyecup yours has is not the most correct part for this camera. The camera came with an eyepiece with a thin rubber ring to protect glasses from scratches. If you search for ‘Nikon FE rubber eyepiece’, you’ll find the genuine Nikon part for $12-$15. The Nikon packaging says it fits FM3a, FE2, FM2 and no real part number is printed on the Nikon box. This also fits the FE, FM and FA. The proper eyecup is the DK-3 which is designed to work in conjunction with the original eyepiece, and is installed by removing the eyepiece placing the DK-3 and reinstalling the eyepiece. The unique feature of the DK-3 cup, is that it’s mounting flange only goes about 2/3 of the way around the circumference of its mounting hole. Care must be taken when installing the cup, so the missing flange section is aligned with the top edge of the swinging camera back. This design and proper installation allow the bottom of the eyecup to be folded up when installing/removing film. It doesn’t have to be removed to get the back open.
Right, I've had that standard eyepiece, and diopters, too. Appreciate the tip.
Hello Kenneth, thank you for posting this video I found it very informative. Earlier this year I purchased an FE and have yet to use it because I'm nervous to use. silly I know. I have a sony alpha nex5t which I purchased ober a year ago and have been practicing on it. However, the light meter is broken on my FE. Would you recommend getting a light meter app or actual meter or should I just shoot and see what works best in manual mode dependent on the film speed?
+Chantal Tillman Congrats on a great find. Use Sunny 16 rule outside, and with ASA/ISO 400 speed film, I can shoot in most interiors with 1/60 shutter speed and wide open f2 aperture. Film is forgiving in latitude.
ukfilmlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/UK-Film-Lab-Exposure-and-Film-Stock-tests_0001.jpg shows how much you can overexpose by, and it's a lot. Just don't underexpose too much.
www.fix.com/assets/content/15589/sunny-16-rule.png shows the Sunny 16 rule. Basically if you use 100 speed film, set your camera at 1/125 for a shutter speed and judge the light for the aperture. See the diagram. If you're using 400 film, use 1/500 shutter speed (whichever one is closest to your film speed.)
An app would work too, but it's cool to be able to do it yourself in your head!
Thank you so much Kenneth, I appreciate the help and speedy response. Believe it or not, I currently have 400 speed film in there as we speak, so I am well on my way!
Chantal Tillman
Excellent. Please post some photos here when you get some!
Excellent review as usual. 20USD, GODDAM
... I was wondering if you could make a review of the FE2, I'd be intrigued in hearing the differences of both cameras (apart from the 1/1000th Vs. 1/4000th, that is.)
Ok I must come clear, I've got an FE2 and love it lol
Don't think I have one at the moment.
Well you should, shouldn't ya... Lol I am kidding
Wow man you have reviewed so many cameras how do you even decide which one to shoot on a given day? Do you have any links to work shot on film with these?
David Rothschild It's a treat to pick one to shoot--whichever one feels right at the time. kennethwajda.com/coloradofaces/gallery/index.html Digital and film in there.
Hi Kenneth, first of all I really like this video it was very helpful. I have this exact same camera, but the handle seams not to work and I think it got stock or something, also when you look through the view finder it looks kinda dark, (no it does not have the cap on). does this mean that my camera does not work at all? Is there a solution for this problem that I can fix my self?
Christian Vingecasso If the advance won't work, it could be because the shutter hasn't fired. I'd change the battery. That could cause the shutter to not work. And if the mirror is in the up position, you'd get a black frame in the viewfinder. Try new batteries.
kenneth wajda Thank you for answering so quickly. I did everything you suggested. I ended up opening the bottom part of the camera, and found out that it was jammed. Problem fixed! ;-) I took some pictures with a 35mm 24 exposures 400 ISO, and as expected because I do not have much experience with this camera. Only 4 came out perfectly focused on my subject, the rest for some reason are all out of focus. Even though I try to match the the image with the little circle in the view finder I did not have success. Am I doing something wrong here? Is there a way that you can help me figure it out? I really love the way some of the pictures came out, and I would like to keep using it in the future. Thank you so much for your help, and keep posting those videos, they are very entertaining and full of very usable information.
I'd say get a roll of expired film, and shoot test shots. Focused on a tripod for critical focus. Your misfocus might be camera movement, not lens focus problems. Shoot a lot of different distances and process it and see what it's doing.
hi Kenneth, thanks for making this intresting video, I really liked it. I got a nikon fe from my uncle a few days ago and put new batteries in, but the battery light wont turn on and i can only shoot at M90. If theres anything wrong with the electronics, is it possible to fix it?
+Ludwig P Are the batteries in right? Are they good? Can you try new ones? I'm sure it's repairable but it may be cheaper to find a working body. Try the batteries, check them. Is the battery compartment clean? Give the camera a gentle tap, and see if it comes to life.
+kenneth wajda thank you for answering so quickly. i will try new batteries but im pretty shure my ones are good. thanks for your suggestions im going to try it.
+Ludwig P Keep us posted! Good luck.
Kenneth, do you need to keep pressing down while you shoot in auto like you did? Sorry I want to get into the film but there is a learning curve ;)
Vincent Gerard You can shoot fast with an MD12 motor drive. You can do it!
$25 😮 Never owned the FE...but the number of times my FM2n saved me shooting winter sports because of not needing a battery...Still...$25 AND a Nikon filter! Score!
:-)
Hi, I have a Nikon FE but I can not open the back up to put a film in? What can I do?
I got one this week and in doing a shakedown cruise I had to wiggle the take-up reel a bit whilst simultaneously holding that black release button on the dial to the rear of the camera.
Hi there,
Can you recommend any reliable sites to purchase vintage cameras? I'm all the way in South Africa and really skeptical about many I've checked out. 😩
KEH.com is good. Their ratings on condition tend to be worse than they really are, so customers are normally pleased.
Hi Kenneth, I have an FE, and I was wondering if I could share some of my issues here for some feedback. I recently developed a roll with the FE, and the entire roll was underexposed. I didn't expect it to, but it was an issue with the light meter as the meter was overly optimistic about the exposure (gave me 250+ for low light settings). However, it's weird because the meter still reacts to light. So I was wondering that it may be an issue with how I mounted the lens. The meter also does not respond to change in aperture either (gives same shutter speed on auto setting for different apertures in the same light setting). I guess my question is, once you mount the lens (and I have the same lens but f 1.4), should the meter coupling lever be pressed down and attached to the lens or is it supposed to be unattached?
Thank you in advance.
That little ridge that sticks out on the back of the lens should push the aperture coupling over, to let the camera know what lens you're on. Learn Sunny 16 and inside with 400 speed film is 30 of 60 at f2, generally. If you know what about the exposure should be, you can learn whether to trust the meter. Sounds like it's not working with that lens. Can you mount a different lens and see if it reacts to light at different apertures?
auto lens maybe needed.....and most auto modes you set f22/f16 i.e. smallest aperture
You’re taking about shutter priority mode where you select the shutter speed, set the aperture ring to the minimum and the camera automatically picks the right aperture. I don’t think FE features that. I think the gentleman refers to aperture priority.
Ou,wau!
The f2 50mm is not the very best. But it's OK. The price is good though. I like the delayed action and the exposure lock on the same lever
Thanks.
wow i just bought the body only for 120 dollars 😭 can't believe the stuff you can find at garage sales for pennies on the dollar
I find the pricy stuff too, but don't buy it, so don't mention it. ;-)
Well, buying at a garage sale for $20 you take a chance if you don't know what to look for....and have about a 50% chance the camera is working correctly and doesn't need any service. The one here obviously the Automatic did not work, which is the main reason I think anyone would buy an FE. Maybe a service would fix it, maybe not.
This camera would raise red flags with me, simply because the Auto didn't work, there is purple foam in it, and a hair in the lens. I have never seen a hair in a Nikon lens from the factory, so seems like it has been opened by an amateur. Likewise I have never seen a professional shop use purple foam.
I hope with a $120 camera it would be serviced and guaranteed. Just because someone found an FE at a garage sale for $20 does not mean the same model is not worth $120 in perfect working condition.
Farawayfound that's what he tells his wife.
So now its an FM....
Correction: If you try to fire the shutter without a battery, the mirror will lock up. Turning the shutter speed dial to M90 or B releases the mirror.
So if you find one with mirror locked up, check if it releases in M90.
I do this all the time. Thanks!
Hi kenneth, im from malaysia. your video is from 2014, and bought it for 50usd. and now 2018, is it worth to buy this camera for 50usd?
Sure, that's a great price!
Kenneth Wajda thank you!
50 bucks?! What a deal!
Yep!!!
$20?!
I thought I was lucky because I found one for $60
You were!! :-)
No way you can buy for $20!
With the right seller you can. The ones that are $200 I don't buy and you don't see a video about them.