Nikon FE2 (1983)

The Nikon FE2 was manufactured between 1983 / 87, and as such is one of the newer SLR’s that I own. It’s contemporary to the FM2(n) which really has to be considered together alongside. To me it feels very much like a FM2, with a faster shutter! In fact the shutter speed on the FE2 is an impressive 4000th/sec but who needs that in the real world. The FM2 at 2000th, for me, is plenty! Both cameras were available at the same time- the FM2 only for 2 years from 1982-4, then it became the FM2n for the rest of it’s life until 2001, while the FE2 was “only” made up until 1987. I’m assuming that the “E” stands for electronic while the “M” stands for manual. The FE2 without batteries can keep going at 250th while the FM2 is manual and works at all speeds.

Both cameras are manual focus and take the same lenses – Nikon F fit. It always pleases me that in today’s world of built in redundancy, so many cameras can use the same optics. An FE2 purchased towards the end of it’s production could quite happily use F mount lens released in 1959! I don’t use my FE2 much, it’s one of those cameras that is in perfect condition, I have the box, and when I first put a film in it I had to remove the clip on protector from the pressure plate! I purchased it from the cancer specialist who looked after my mother during her illness. “Dr C” obviously looked after it well. It’s always fun to have the documents – this was purchased in Saudi Arabia, from Abdul Wahed in December 1985!! (Yes, I sometimes wear a bobble hat!). I won’t list the spec, it’s widely available on the internet – here at Wiki for example. By now, you know the routine here – I popped on the 35mm f2, and loaded in a roll of HP5.

I love the lens, it feels a comfortable field of view to me these days, and it has wonderful quality. Very sharp. The camera is also wonderful, I’d happily recommend one to anyone, but.. for me personally, I find the viewfinder small, and without a dioptre adjustment to hand, it’s a glasses on and off job for focussing. If that wasn’t bad enough, it’s one of those cameras that has to have the wind on level pulled out slightly away from the body to fire. Something I hate with a passion.

Somehow, I say as if it’s something that has just happened mysteriously, I find myself with over 20 film SLR’s! I like SLR’s, I use them, but I’m not really a collector and 20 is too many. Over the course of the coming year I intend to reduce the quantity a bit. This one will be a difficult decision on whether to keep or sell. It does have slightly sentimental connections, not greatly so, but slightly. It is “as new” I’ll never find a better one! That all said, I don’t find it the easiest to use – conundrum.