I will use my only lens, a Nikon AF-D 28mm f/1.4 which has so far been permanently attached to a D70, so this is another reason for choosing only manual cameras not from an earlier period of production. If the Nikon F6 were as lean on power consumption and didn't cost 2000 Euros, then I would happily use and probably even cherish the sophistication. My interest is largely to be able to minimize battery use whilst travelling in South East Asia. I am investigating the FE2 not in order to shy entirely away from electronic intervention, indeed, the restriction I find with the FM2 is that it is without Aperture Exposure automation and therefore a slower to work with (I can already hear those echoes of experience sounding against my rash naiivety). I feel already somewhat humbled these echoes of experience, especially regarding my suggestion that the ability to personally gauge the levels of available light and estimate the shutter speed, is not realistic. The FM3a has a smoother film advance and is a bit quieter. I am pretty sure that there have been other internal changes made. I like the added features of the FM3a (fill flash button, DX encoding and no film back interlock). The optics for the ADR are different with the result that the aperture setting numerals seen in the viewfinder is smaller in the FM3a. The manually select shutter speeds on the FM3a go down to 1 sec., rather than 8 an the FE2. The FM3a uses a chrome plated brass lens mount instead of the stainless steel used on the earlier cameras. I would consider this a design improvement over the titanium shutter blades. They were developed for the 8008 camera which has a top shutter speed of 1/8000 of a sec. The FM3a uses the same aluminum alloy shutter blades as the FM2s that were made after 1990. There are a number of differences between the three cameras besides the manual aspect. Many of them were lightly used by amateurs and need nothing more than the mirror and film door foam seals replaced. First off, the FE2 went out of production in 1989, so there are a number of them out there less than 20 years old. as long as I have good batteries with me. #NIKON FE SERIAL NUMBER YEAR CODE FULL#But having full functioning FE2s instead does not limit me in anyway. If I didn't have any camera, I'd get an FM3a. If I lost them tomorrow, or they died, I'd get a new FM3a. They remain my camera today for 75% of my shooting. I want to support Nikon for being brave enough to bring out a camera that is not in the top rung of popularity these days, but when it came time to pull out the wallet, I could not help to notice that my 20 year old FE2s are still perfectly operational. that mechanically operating shutter feature is transparent if you have good batteries. In most ways, operationally, it was an FE2 with a mechanically operationl shutter (when needed). Since 1985, I had been using two FE2 cmaeras, and when I saw the specs on the FM3a, I felt it should have been called the FE3m. As a long time Nikon user, and a person that prefers manual cameras and lenses, it was welcome news in a plastic and digital auto-focus heavy industry. Spending as much for an FM3a, as would effectively buy me a mintĬondition FE2 and an excellent lense in addition.Ī couple of years ago, when the FM3a was introduced, I was jumping for joy. Yes, my motivation is to read enough to convince me to save myself Materials are more dependable on the newer system, or is there aĬertain cost-cutting involved in these modern times? Not least, the current availability of Nikon spare part replacementsįor example, does anyone know if the internal mechanism and outer body #NIKON FE SERIAL NUMBER YEAR CODE ISO#Guage the available light and required exposure settings), DX codingĪnd the window at the back to read the film ISO currently installed,ĪE-lock button in a very convenient position, and last but certainly Without a battery is there anyone who can honestly claim to be able to The FE2, vis a vis, full manual functionality (despite the fact that I realise that the Nikon FM3a has some nice touches as compared with Given that a mint condition FE2 costs half the price of a new FM3a, IĪm interested in what people think regarding the worth of the FM3a
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