Nikon FE vs Nikon FE2 - Which to Choose?

A comparison between the Nikon FE & FE2 35mm film cameras.
The mechanically operated shutter speed is also different. The FE's is 1/90th and the FE2's 1/250th of a second.
Another difference is that the FE2's meter can't be activated until the frame counter is advanced to 1. During this time the shutter will fire at 1/250th of a second.
Something else worth mentioning is the way the exposure lock function works. On the FE, when you hold in the lever the exposure locks but the needle still moves in the viewfinder, whereas on the FE2 the needle locks as well.

[@ghw7192]

No brainer--the FE is happy with all of my Nikon lenses and the FE2 isn't. And for some reason, I get better exposures with the FE than the 2. Both of my FE's will give me beautifully exposed slides and neither of the FE2's I owned would--both leaned towards overexposure. I also like the battery check on the FE. Both are good, but the FE fits the way I shoot better. Very good vid!

[@pericodelospalotes5738]

Slides? Do you still use a slides proyector?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

Perico De Lospalotes No, I've never used slides.

[@filmic1]

I had an FE2 and an FM2n. Loved both of them.

[@bob-sb2zu]

One difference not mentioned is the memory lock, pushing the self timer lever towards the lens locks the shutter speed when on automatic ,but only on the FE2 does the needle lock in the viewfinder ,on the FE if you recompose the shot the needle will move to a different value even though it is locked on a different speed .rather confusing .

[@urwholefamilydied]

whoa... that's actually really huge. I had no idea you could lock exposure on this camera. I was pretty annoyed that there's a button to access the exposure comp dial... it's just a hassle to use. But being able to lock exposure sort of gets rid of that problem, as I can just aim towards highlights or shadows and lock it down.. recompose... shoot. Wow, thanks for the tip.

[@Seele2015au]

I have both cameras, also in black finish, and often equipped with MD-12. Having used them for a fair while I found the FE to be superior in practical operation. The FE2 has incorporated a fair few features, ostensibly to simply operation for the novices, but ended up getting ion the way, such as the coupling between meter and frame counter, and the actual design of the exposure compensator dial, etc.

[@1111undici1111]

About the mirror lockup - the FE2 introduced a unique rotating flywheel plus inertial mass damping system to minimize mirror shock vibration effects and render a mirror lock-up feature unnecessary.

[@richardsimms251]

Nice video. Thank you. RS. Canada

[@ghw7192]

I have had both since each came out and the FM2n is my fave, but all are excellent cameras.

[@robertmacmoneagle6917]

Why do you prefer the FM2n ghw7192?

[@ghw7192]

Not battery dependent

[@mikerossscuba]

Very well done and informative video.

[@Cotictimmy]

I've worked out why I preferred the FE over FE2. It's not the pre-Ai thing: its the cosmetic look - subtle. If they make one of these with an FX sensor in, and left the rest unchanged, I'd have one even if it was twice the size & weight. LOL

[@Samsung9alaxy]

Cotictimmy The Df is the nearest you're going to get!

[@Cotictimmy]

Eeeew...I know. One can dream though. LOL. :-)

[@mariosolibeni7255]

Ken Rockwell writes that inspite of the fact that the highest speed you can choose on the FE is 1000, in automatic mood the camera can shoot up to 4000 if necessary....

[@strongjrs]

Holy shit. You just blew my mind. That was the one thing I was trying to decide on since I like shooting wide open on fast lenses with fast film.

[@ProSimex84]

how about a fe/fe2 vs fm/fm2

[@MatteoPreziosoPH]

Very nice review, well done. I've got myself an FE2 and love it.

[@wullieg7269]

Beautiful cameras,bigger seller than F3 cloth shutter,the meter lock I used constant in ap,every patch of grass was my grey card,it was film and I needed best from CW meter.

[@neilpiper9889]

I like the FE because it can take all my pre Ai lenses and it doesn't have the model nimber on the front also the battery check is better.

[@alexblaze8878]

The earlier FE cameras didn’t have the model number on the front but later ones did indeed have it. Check eBay and you’ll see both versions.

[@neilpiper9889]

@@alexblaze8878 I didn't know that. Thanks.

[@ScreamingEagleFTW]

would the top covers interchange? I would like an FE2 to have the top of an FE to disguise it.

[@Samsung9alaxy]

I don't know.

[@trajtemberg]

I want an FE with a digital back. That would be my dream camera.

[@alexblaze8878]

Nikon has one...the Nikon Df.

[@trajtemberg]

​@@alexblaze8878 Had it. It's not even close.

[@alexblaze8878]

@@trajtemberg hmmm. I thought the Df was designed based on the FE body. My mistake.

[@Nearest_Neighbor]

You also want to see the world burn, aren't you? 😁

[@TinyLittleSilver]

I can't open mine (FE2). :( Done everything as I should and it still won't open (there's no film inside it). What do I do to open it?

[@Anthonyinkz]

Hit it with hammer

[@Nearest_Neighbor]

@@Anthonyinkz I was hoping for this reply.

[@kahckahc]

Very Interesting - thanks

[@sbarronmd]

nice job.

[@dangerpowers123]

My Nikon FE (black) arrived today it looks in great condition and iv checked everything I can but one thing I'd love your help on is how do I test the shutter speeds. It sounds the same speed to me from 1000 down to about 150, Really I can only tell it's slower by listening at the below 60, Should 1000 sound much faster as the mirror moves etc...then say 150?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

You'll only really notice differences in shutter speeds from 1/30th second and below. What you are experiencing sounds normal to me. The mirror can only move so fast, so even at really fast speeds the mirror slap will sound the same!

[@dangerpowers123]

Thank you that's what I had been wondering, that's put my mind at rest. Right time to give it a new lease of life, and take some photos, something so well build and engineered should never collect dust eh! Thank you for all the great videos, I look forward to watching more in the future, Kind regards Steve

[@dangerpowers123]

+Samsung9alaxy it's been a while since I posted the original comment...now have an F3 and an FE2....hooked on Nikon film cameras!!

[@GigiDAmico]

is it true that the fe2 viewfinder is brighter?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

No, they are the same. The FM3a is brighter because of the focusing screen.

[@MrRichz5]

I purchased a new Nikon fe. Then I proceeded to find 2 more on the used market and in like new condition. The fe2 is a dog. Nikon upped the sync speed on fe2 with a new shutter this creating a problem, a defective shutter.

[@Nearest_Neighbor]

can*

[@SamsungGalaxyJ8.]

I have one Nikon Fe.

[@chimochimo]

I used FE-2 to take a train photo.

[@JoshuaLindsey92]

Do you want to sell the FE?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

No thanks.

[@markpunnatorn7503]

Can FE use non-ai lens?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

Yes!

[@markpunnatorn7503]

Samsung9alaxy If i use non ai lens with Nikon FE,During i see through will finder will it show small aperture value or not?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

@@markpunnatorn7503 The aperture value will not show in the viewfinder.

[@MrJohnr47]

You have to stop down your aperture

[@satyayaya6716]

give me some advice please.. should i choose nikon fe or the nikon fm2?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

Satya Yaya The FE offers aperture priority with an electronic shutter and the option to use pre-AI lenses. The FM2 is manual exposure with a mechanical shutter. I prefer the FE, mainly for the needle metering rather than the LED's of the FM2.

[@satyayaya6716]

but the shutter speed is faster on the fm2 right?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

Satya Yaya Yes, if that's important to you!

[@satyayaya6716]

does it mean pre Ai lenses is non Ai lenses?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

Satya Yaya Yes. Nikkor lenses made before 1977 can be used on the FE, but you have to stop down the lens with the depth of field preview lever to get the correct exposure reading.

[@rfggibson]

I have both from new 40 - 45 years. In practical reality they are both superb and absolutely identical. Sorry to say but this video is just causing hesitation and confusion. Just buy the one with best condition / price. The rest is BS. Sorry! They are both the same.

[@barrymace3153]

Photographictreasures1 Great instagram, based in South Africa

[@PaulMoorhousehankooks]

The difference is Fe 2 is 4000 shutter speed and is lighter

[@powbobs]

The FE shoots at 1/4000 in aperture priority mode.

[@stardarkroomequipment9495]

Gave up after a minute so boringly slow

[@powbobs]

Buy an attention span.

[@CarlyWaarly]

zzzzzzz!

[@tonyhomsi2245]

Some people should not make video

[@MrMark3673]

Is that why you don't make videos

[@pauka13]

Some people should not type comments

[@urwholefamilydied]

5:47 sorry, have to give that point to the FE2... I'm not always going to remember to put the film advance back in. I'd rather it waste power for 16 seconds, which is almost nothing. My Olympus OM-2 I was notorious for forgetting to turn the camera off. I'm less forgetful with pushing the film advance back in... but it's bound to happen here and there. I'd rather it just shut off after 16 seconds.