There are a couple of things that
you have to note: The FE has three types of screens
available to suit your needs (1). Since there is a high possibility that you
may not be getting original screen for the FE as this model has been discontinued.
The FM2n's screen is interchangeable with your FE's screen. Shops might sell you
with screen that was supposedly designed for the FM2n.
 |
Those are brighter but need you to adjust or perform exposure compensation as the FE's metering are tuned to meter at its dedicated screen (The same applies when you use screen designed for the FE on your FA, FM2 or FM2n). This is especially important when you are using tight exposure latitude film like slides. |
Next is the Meter Coupling Lever (2). The FM and FE are the only two compact (Other than the bulkier Nikkormat) Nikon that has a adjustable meter coupling release button for you to work with non-AI Nikkor lenses. At all times, the lever MUST NOT be raised for proper metering if you are using AI-modified, AI, AIS, E Series or AF Nikkor Lenses (Other than those accessories that don't have a direct contact with the mount). Erroneous exposures may result if you attempt to perform an exposure. IF you have bought an FE that has not been used very frequently, the foam (Act as a absorber for the reflex mirror) (3) may melt over a span of time unattended. This is quite common in the tropical country where humidity level is high. So don't panic if you are a owner, just use your fingers press to check if that could be the cause of the mirror flip up delay action. Avoid any motor drive operations and send for general servicing (This should be a normal and cheap maintenance). If the FE has this problem, always insist that the foam around the lining at the film back to be replaced as well (For anti-light leakage). The MD-11 and MD-12 works fine with the FE (even with those current remote accessories). Only thing you have to pay some attention is on the MD-11. Since the drive doesn't has a auto turn off feature incorporated, always turn off the Motor Drive after you have finished your photo session. On the 'Single' mode, you have to release the finger before it will wind (The MD-12 patches that slight flaw). Since the MD-11 should be very much cheaper than the MD-12, you may take that into consideration (Bargain ! what else ?).
Other than the professional F series bodies and ALL the Nikkormat models, none of other Nikon has a mirror Lock up feature. If your preferences is on absolute vibration free photography, use the self timer instead. The mirror will flip up before the exposure and this mechanism designed was to eliminate vibration that was caused by mirror bounce and leaving only the shutter open and close operation. If you have some special lenses like the OP Nikkor etc. that required Mirror Lock Up and automatic exposure, the AI-Nikon EL2 is another alternative but some compromises are there, because you cannot use the 3.5 fps MD-11 or MD-12 (A hard to find 2 fps AW-1 Winder is available though), neither it has databack or multiple exposures operation is a real pain as compared. The Databack could be the possible problematic area. Due to the lack of data contacts on the back of the bodies, BOTH the FM and FE can ONLY take the MF-12 and it cannot used with the current cable-less MF-16 (you don't have to search around for such info as there are altogether two versions of film backs designed for the FM/FE series). Thus, if your photography involves with a lot of data recording, the FE may not be the right body for you. However, the FM/FM has one advantage over the newer bodies, as with the professional F series and the Nikkormat, the adjustable meter coupling lever can permit you to use virtually all popular Nikkor Lenses, including the non-AI optics in stopped down metering (Bodies after the FM/FE need minimum AI-modified Nikkor lens to work or mount onto).
When working with flash, other than the SB-10 or equivalent Nikon flash units, set the shutter speed to other setting instead of the auto position. This is especially true at the first few frames when you have inserted a fresh roll of film. The FE's metering cells might assume light level is low and set for extra long exposures. You may have to turn the shutter speed setting to M90 to release the shutter from the 'jam'. There are some reported problem (FE and FM) on the hot shoe during early days of its launch when working with non Nikon flash units of high terminal voltage which could damage the camera's circuit.
It has been reported that
a non-Nikon flash units of high terminal voltage may cause damage to the camera's
IC circuitry due to accidental touch of the X contact with the camera's ready-light
contact. In order to prevent this trouble, the ready-light contact has been countersunk
0.15mm or more from the surface of accessory shoe. While most Nikon FM and Nikon
FE owners are happy users, the early days of the production has a very small numbers
of quantity did have some reported minor problems. Most have been patched over the
time during those early stages and subsequent production proved it has never had
such repeated reports. Don't worry, even if it persists (I doubt if it is still
happens) this can be easily rectified by any qualified technician. Such as if your
camera exhibits a same
position/location per frame of
exposed light stretches on your negative under
a strong light source. Just ask
a technician to double check or put a light tight tape on the space gap as illustrated
at the diaphragm between Front cover and Aperture coupling ring of the FE.
 |
As this was presented by a external technician who came across such repair notes over the years he experienced with the FE. This info should be only used as a reference guide. |
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Others:- Nikon AF-TTL Speedlights | SB-20 (1986) | SB-22 (1987) | SB-23 | SB-24 (1988) | SB-25 (1991/2) | SB-26 (1994) | SB-27(1997) | SB-28 (1997) | Nikon SB-29(s) (2000) | Nikon SB-30 (2003) | Nikon SB-600 (2004) | Nikon SB-800 (2003) Nikon AF-TTL Speedlight DX-Series: Nikon SB-28DX (1999) | SB-50DX (2001) | SB-80DX (2002)
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Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main
Index Page
Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:- Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame |
Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm15mm18mm20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm28mm35mm | Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto
Lenses - 85mm105mm135mm180mm & 200mm | Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |
 Index Page |
Special
Application lenses: Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm |
MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm
Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E
Recommended links to understand more technical details
related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my
friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen,
Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html
W A R N I N G: The New G-SERIES Nikkor lenses have no aperture ring on the lens, they CANNOT ADJUST APERTURES with any of these manual focus Nikon FE series SLR camera models; please ignore some portion of the content contained herein this site where it relates.
Recommended Reading Reference on Nikon cameras and Nikkor lenses
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A contributing effort to Michael C Liu's Classic Nikon Site.
Credit: Chuck Hester for some of his beautiful images used in this site; Ted Wengelaar®, Holland for his continuous flow of input; Lars Holst Hansen, Danish 'Hawkeye' who shares the same passion; Mr Poon from Poon photo for their input; Ms Miss Rissa (Sales Manager) & members of the Technical Service dept. of Shriro Malaysia, local distributor of Nikon cameras in Malaysia & Singapore, in providing so many useful input to make this site possible. Special thanks to Mr MC Lau, who has helped with his images of the MF-12 databack. Michael Tan, Pertama Photo (603-2926505) for lending his original Titanium Shutter Display Unit. Dave Hoyt who has prepared the introductory page and offer some images of his FE2 in this site.. Hiura Shinsaku, Nikomat ML, Japan for his contribution on all the various images; A contributing site to a long lost friend on the Net. Note: Certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their own work to publish in this site based on educational merits. The creator of this site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from such possible dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Made witha PowerMac.