Nikon FE

Nikon FE + AI-Nikkor 50/1.4 image by Carlos Santisteban (Image rights)

The Nikon FE is a 35mmm SLR manual focus camera introduced by Nikon in 1978, as a compliment to the Nikon FM launched the previous year. It was replaced with the Nikon FE2 in 1983.

Nikon introduced the FM and then the FE as compliments to the Nikkormat line as mid-tier advanced amateur photographic cameras. These cameras were more compact and lighter than the F/F2 and while the FM was fully manual the FE had an electronic shutter and Aperture Priority auto exposure. The FE offers a shutter speed of 8 sec to 1/1000 with a max speed in automatic mode of 1/125 with electronic flash. When batteries fail it has a fall-back speed of 1/90s marked M90. Also provided is an aperture priority automatic exposure mode which can expose up to 1min. AE lock is also provided but it is hidden on the self timer lever. Push toward the lens for AE lock function. Recommended batteries are 2x 1.55v SR44 silver oxide or 1x 3v 2L44, but can still function with basic LR44. A battery check feature is also available. Batteries must be removed when using the optional motor drives MD-11 and MD-12.

The FE has one of the largest ranges for lens compatibility. It can use just about every F-mount lens except a few old style fish eyes and G lens without the aperture ring. Works fine with VR lenses but VR is disabled. The replacement model FE2 cannot use the old style non-Ai lens but the original FE can with the use of stop down metering or manual exposure.

Back view image by Morinaka. (Image rights)

Black body + Nikon 50mm 1.8 AI image by Morinaka. (Image rights)

Top view image by Morinaka. (Image rights)

Viewfinder showing Needle matching lightmeter Split focusing screen image by Pablo Coronel (Image rights)

Specifications

• Type: SLR body
• Manufacturer: Nikon
• Films: 35mm, speeds ISO 12 to 4000 (manual selection)
• Lens mount: Nikon F bayonet AI-s (compatible with Non-AI lenses)
• Viewfinder: Fixed eye level pentaprism, 0.85x magnification, 92% frame coverage, needle match exposure meter displays shutter speed and small window displays lens aperture
• Metering: TTL center-weighted (60/40), meter activated by lightly pressing shutter release button, EV 1 - 18 at ISO 100, f 1.4
• Shutter: Electronic vertical metallic focal plane shutter, speeds: 1-1/2000 sec
• Exposure modes:
  • AUTO: aperture priority
  • M: manual by selecting the shutter speed and
  • B: Bulb
  • M90: Manual backup speed of 1/90s
  • Exposure memory lock in the self-timer lever
• Interchangeable focusing screens
• Dimensions: 142×89.5×57.5mm
• Weight: 590g
• Battery 1 3V Lithium (CR1/3N) or 2 Silver-oxide or Alkaline Batteries (Size 357 or SR/LR44)

Accessories

• • Motorized film transport with MD-11 or MD-12 motor drives
  • Data-back: MF-12 Multifunction Data-Back

Links

General links

• Nikon FE at Nikon's History & Technology site
• Modern Classics Camera series on the Nikon FE Excellent resource with information on the system
• Nikon FE by luis triguez
• Nikon FE video presentation by YouTuber Kay's Cameras

In Spanish:

• Nikon FE in the website of Hugo Rodriguez

Manuals and documentation

• Nikon FE and Nikon FE2 at The Camera Site by Reijo Lauro
• Nikon FE instruction manual - English at M.Butkus' orphancameras.com
• Repair manual at Learn Camera Repair