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Post by doubs43 on Jun 12, 2006 0:07:58 GMT -5
Having recently gotten a Nikon EM body in perfect shape and then finding through Brian Sweeney that non-AI lenses could damage it, I began looking for a body that could be used with AI or non-AI lenses. A chrome model FM body came up on ebay and was described as in essentially mint condition. I was the only bidder so I got it at the minimum price. Now that it's here, I can confirm that the seller wasn't stretching the truth. It really is almost mint except for a minor bit of dust that cleaned right off. I took two batteries from my OM-2 and the meter seems dead accurate. I think this will become one of my favorite cameras.
Walker
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Post by kiev4a on Jun 12, 2006 9:03:00 GMT -5
I have an FM in similar condition (although I did replace the light seals and mirror cushion). The FM is a great camera and more compact and lighter than the professional series Nikons. They are going now for peanuts. One of the best buys around, IMO. The FE isn't bad either although they tend to get more electrically quirky as they get older, probably because of the more complicated auto exposure mode.
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Post by doubs43 on Jun 12, 2006 10:46:56 GMT -5
Brian, thanks for the tip on the cases. I'll keep my eyes open for an F3 leather model or FM2 case. I checked the meter against the Nikon EM and they both measured the same light source identically.
Wayne, I saw an FE in a camera shop last Saturday. It looks for all the world like an FM until you see the "AUTO" setting on the speed dial or check the serial number. I asked the price but the store owner "just don't know" and I left it at that.
While I have yet to run film through the FM, I'm very impressed by it. The one feature I find to be "quirky" and maybe the answer to a non-existent problem is the rotating lock that prevents pulling up the rewind knob to open the back. It just seems overkill to me but it does show attention to detail.
Walker
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Post by nikonbob on Jun 21, 2006 6:51:47 GMT -5
I am sure it will become one of your favourite cameras. The FM/FE series of cameras are my favourite users.
Bob Hammond
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Post by kiev4a on Jun 21, 2006 8:51:50 GMT -5
One rerason I have an FM, F3 and F4 is they all have the swing away auto index pin so you can use non ai lenses in stop down metering mode.
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Post by doubs43 on Jun 21, 2006 13:29:19 GMT -5
One rerason I have an FM, F3 and F4 is they all have the swing away auto index pin so you can use non ai lenses in stop down metering mode. When I learned that the EM couldn't use non-AI lenses, I looked for an alternative. The all-mechanical FM seemed to fit the bill best and I think I found a good buy on a very nice example. I then bought an FE but it just doesn't have the same appeal as the FM, in spite of being very similar in many ways. The FTn and the Nikkormat, of course, don't need an AI lens. Walker |
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Post by paulatukcamera on Jun 21, 2006 18:20:04 GMT -5
Rushing in to defend the FE (which, on balance I think I prefer to the FE2, but's too late now as I sold my FE!) over the FM.
The FE has one trick up its sleeve that I think beats the manual FM - speed of metering accurately.
Now before you say, I don't trust auto metering, manual is best. There is a litle known (& used) feature of the FE that makes it faster in action and gives precise manual metering.
FM - You start with setting aperture first, then twiddle the speed dial round until the LEDs tell you its OK. Fine, better in dim light I grant you, but the FE's needle tells you the facts in more detail. However, I digress!
FE - Set to Auto, adjust aperture then press button. shutter automatically set. Wonderful. Fast, but quite possibly (as you will all agree) wrong. A case of meter knows best!
So is switching to manual and operating it like an FM the answer?
I always like to meter on what tone I think should be metered as experience has taught me that in many cases my own selection is more accurate than the camera's estimate.
With the FE and my FE2s I simply use the the timer switch (push towards lens) to lock in the reading I want the camera to use.
So it is a case of aim, lock, then re-frame. Much faster than fiddling around in manual mode with the shutter speed dial.
FE2 v FE
Pros:
Higher top speed
TTL flash
Indication in viewfinder that exposure compensation is switched on.
Cons:
Fixed 1/250 on inserting new film for first two or three frames with meter completely inoperative. (times I've thought flat battery!)
Meter "switch on" is a two stage process - Wind-on lever out, partially depress shutter
Auto switch off after about 20 seconds.
Frankly I find the latter two points a real pain. I am forever having to switch the meter on whereas with the FE I just pulled the lever out once.
In contrast, I don't use the 1/4000 much and have yet to try the TTL flash, though I have now got the correct SB16 flashgun that is controlled by it.
Paul
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Post by doubs43 on Jun 22, 2006 0:01:10 GMT -5
Walker, you've been busy! The FM has a certain appeal with those "Light-Emitting-Diodes". They light-up! They are Pretty! The FE uses the galvenometer and green line to match up on it. Just not as pretty as those RED LED's! Now, the F2S uses RED Arrows, and the F2Sb and F2AS use Red +0- . But only the FM unleashes the raw power of the LED's. It's a Nikon thing. I'll be slowing down some as soon as I add a 35mm f/2 AI lens. Indeed, the LEDs are very nice and easy to see in any light. I also like the fact that the FM is still fully operational in the event of the batteries dying unexpectedly. Only the meter would be lost..... not the full range of shutter speeds. Paul, you have every right to passionately defend the FE and I won't disagree that it's a fine camera. There are times when setting the aperture and letting the meter set the shutter speed will be very handy, I'm certain. I plan on using both the FM and FE. I like their heft and feel and their meters agree too. Both also use the same batteries which makes it convenient. However, I hate to depend entirely on battery power and that's the shortcoming of the FE IMO. The FM gives me a little more comfort that way. Walker |
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Post by kamera on Jun 22, 2006 0:04:47 GMT -5
Although having Nikon cameras, I do not like the FM's that I have handled and the one FM2n that I owned.
Nice, but...I do not like the 3 LED exposure indicator and prefer one that gives you more of an idea how much + or- you are dialing in. The other thing that really bothered me was the off- throw of the film advance lever which protrudes so much it would hit me in the glasses or forehead.
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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