Nikon FE2 Top Removal

[@Nickporter17]

You are a generous and beautiful person! 😅 thanks so much for the tutorial.

[@bartwaggoner2000]

Fantastic. Love the polishing compound trick for the battery cover. Thanks for sharing these tips!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Interesting video! I was watching to see if removing the top gave access to the inside of the aperture viewing window, but it doesn't look like it. I just got an FE2 in great shape except for the fact that the aperture window/lens that reads the aperture setting off of the lens and displays it in the viewfinder is completely occluded and white instead of clear. I can't figure out how this could have occurred or how it might be fixed. cleaning the outside of the window has no effect. Is this something that could be sent in and repaired, or would the cost/hassle make it not worth it?

[@tagwagley1864]

Hi, thank you for these videos! They have helped me a lot in my repair of a Nikon FE (a lot seems to translate) I was curious where you purchased your tools, or if you made them yourself? Your screwdriver with the cross handle is amazing!

[@ictcamera560]

Many of my tools were purchased back in the 80's and 90's and many are no longer available. Keep an eye out on eBay, I have seen camera repair hand tools being sold if someone retires. When I buy, I always look for quality items made in Germany, Sweden and England. They usually are made from quality steel and will last a lifetime of hard work. There are some custom tools that I have made from cheap tools for taking off specific screws, all that is needed is a flat screwdriver and a Dremel.

[@Alliwantedwasapepsi]

They do look fragile inside with all that hand soldered wiring. I dropped my FE2 and the light meter ceased function. Is that a common or simple repair?

[@ictcamera560]

That is not an easy question to answer. I have 40 years of repair and shouldn't find repairing it to difficult but since it has been impacted, it is anyone's guess as to what is wrong.

[@khaledbouya]

I have an FE with a broken battery compartment. What does it take to repair it? How to reach the part inside the camera? Thanks!

[@ictcamera560]

You will need to remove the front to replace it, not an easy job. Also, do not confuse the FE with the FE2, they are very different cameras internally and very little on this video is similar to the FE.

[@khaledbouya]

@@ictcamera560 Is it necessary to unsolder the cables to remove the front? If it's just to access what's behind the front, isn't it easier to leave all cables soldered? Thank you!

[@ictcamera560]

@@khaledbouya I find it is necessary to unsolder the wires, I don't think there is enough room to get in there and remove the battery compartment with wires attached. Plus I feel with the wires still attached you will run a greater risk of pulling a wire of the main board, possibly tearing a flex or straining a wire so it breaks inside the plastic insulation and probably pinching a wire upon reassembly.

[@khaledbouya]

@@ictcamera560 the problem is that I don’t have soldering skills at all, I also live in a country where I don’t think I can find a camera repair shop… Thank you for taking the time to answer my question, sir.

[@cristo_9542]

My frame counter is not working. On my FE. Will a spare part be needed? Or can it be fixed?

[@ictcamera560]

Usually a good cleaning will take care of a sticky frame counter. Sometimes parts are needed

[@cristo_9542]

@@ictcamera560 You have a video for this?

[@panicflaneur]

My situation is the index arm of the light doesn't move but the automatic exposure is correct. Can I replace the index arm and how? Thanks for your advice in advance.

[@ictcamera560]

I believe you are referring to the F-stop ring. You will need to remove the top, then mount and front cover. At that point the ring will come out. I do not know your abilities, so I do not know if you can do it.

[@panicflaneur]

@@ictcamera560 Thanks so much for your reply. I will try.

[@nextpicture]

Enough information to open my FE with some timing issues. i you have some ideas where i can search... the promlem ist that 1/60 have 2 seconds. 1/2 have 4 seconds. .... i am not new in cam repair, i have changed curtais of some leica III, thank from Berlin, Germany

[@ictcamera560]

Despite what the internet states the FE and FE2 are very different cameras except the transport system. On your FE try pulling the bottom cover and clean the shutter magnet and armature. You can just get to it from the bottom. Might help.

[@nextpicture]

@@ictcamera560 I know that FE and FE are inside much diffrent, but your vid helped to open the top cover. Yes i lift the shutter wheel ..blowed out dust and flushed the mechanic and shutter magnet with lighter fluid without bottom plate. now the FE work like she should.. with and without batteries. before cleaning, without batteries the gets up and down at every time. i must now check the shutter timing with my arduino tester..i hope i can adjust all. many thanks 🤩

[@nextpicture]

@@ictcamera560 ...after cleaning the fast times dont work. i measured and adjusted all times from 8s. to 1/125... they are exact. with RV1 but 250, 500 and 1000 to fast, they dont open the shutter... any idea? sorry... and thanks

[@ictcamera560]

In my 35 years of camera repair, I have never used lighter fluid. It's not something I recommend.

[@ictcamera560]

My best guess at the moment is that the lighter fluid has contaminated the magnet or timing switch. I would have to evaluate the camera to see what's actually going on.