In this Nikon FE review, we take a deep dive into the camera and learn why you would want to pick one up. Just don’t make the same mistake I did and get one that had light leaks. Make sure you use a highly reviewed refurbisher on eBay using the link below.
See quality-checked Nikon FE bodies on KEH here.
Verdict: 4.5/5 — An absolute bargain: simple, friendly, and dependable. It does everything you need and nothing you don’t. Best for: first-time film shooters who want room to grow.
During the 70s, a majority of professional photographers opted to use Nikon camera systems. This led Nikon to the pinnacle of its success and opened up newer business opportunities. Following the footsteps of the pros, many advanced amateur photographers started looking for Nikon camera options that would fit them. To tap this market segment, Nikon came out with the Nikon FE in 1978 as a successor to the Nikon EL2.
The FE features a metal-bladed, vertical-travel focal-plane shutter that has a shutter range of 8s to 1/1000s, and the Bulb mode. Most of the circuitry is mechanical, however, certain aspects of the camera are dependent on some electronics. Other features of this camera include a flash sync speed of 1/125s, exposure compensation of +/- 2 stops, self-timer, aperture-priority mode, double exposure, and depth of field preview.
Who is the Nikon FE for?
Unlike the build of higher-end professional cameras (like the Nikon F4), the Nikon FE is quite compact and light. This makes it the perfect camera for someone who likes to walk around with their camera. The compact nature of the body also means that the camera will not take up much space when you’re traveling.
And if you’re someone who has a good collection of Nikon lenses, you’ll be happy to know that the Nikon FE is compatible with all Nikon lenses. Of course, you’ll have to sacrifice the autofocus feature in the case of autofocus lenses; same with the VR functionality as well.
With the features that Nikon managed to present in the FE, it is fair to say that the FE is a camera that can be equally handy for professionals and enthusiasts. Even beginner photographers who want to start with film photography will feel right at home with the Nikon FE. No matter what level of photography you’re into, it’s pretty difficult to go wrong with this camera.
If you’re looking for a wider selection of Nikon cameras, see our reviews of the best 35mm film cameras here or these specific Nikon reviews:
Blend of Mechanical and Electronic Operation
Compact and Durable Design
Compatibility with a Wide Range of Lenses
Nikon FE features
| Model | Nikon FE |
| Release date | 1978 |
| Lens mount | Nikon F-mount |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 142 x 89.5 x 57.5 mm (5.6 x 3.52 x 2.26 in.) |
| Weight (body only) | 590 g (21 oz) |
| Shutter speed | 8 – 1/1000s, Bulb mode 1/90s in M90 mode (mechanical, without battery) |
| ISO range | 12 – 4000 |
| Battery | 2x S76, A76, LR44, SR44, or 1x 1/3N |
| Viewfinder | Fixed, non-removable eye-level pentaprism type with built-in through-the-lens (TTL) exposure meter with 0.86x magnification, and 93% coverage |
| Flash sync speed | 1/125s |
Design
The appearance of the Nikon FE is conservative at best. It looks pretty similar to the Nikon FM. The overall build quality is top-notch. Like the FM, the FE has a chassis made of a copper-aluminum alloy that emphasizes the build quality of the camera.
Holding the camera feels very comfortable. Despite being a 35mm film camera, the size of the Nikon FE is comparable to that of modern-day APS-C mirrorless cameras. All the knobs, buttons, and dials are ergonomically placed and feel like the extension of our hand. They are very responsive too. Also, the virtually non-existent and minimal shutter sound together makes the camera a joy to shoot with.
And yeah, one interesting thing I noticed in this camera is that, unlike other film cameras, this one can be turned off. If you tuck the lever all the way in, it turns the camera off. You cannot depress the shutter button while the advance lever is in this position. There’s a red dot beside the film advance lever to let you know if the lever is tucked all the way in or not. I found this useful as it prevents me from accidentally wasting a frame.
Metering
The Nikon FE features center-weighted metering which assures accurate exposures in almost every lighting condition. You need an absolute extreme lighting condition to fool the meter. The center-weighted metering concentrates 60% of the sensitivity into the 12mm diameter circle in the center of the frame.
With the center-weighted metering in the Nikon FE, the subject at the center is emphasized while the rest of the scene still gets a respectable 40% sensitivity. In case you want to compose your shot with the subject not in the center, you have a lever at the front of the camera for locking the exposure.
Exposure lock
This feature comes in handy when you do not want the subject to be in the center of your frame. Simply meter the scene with the 12mm circle over your subject, and push the lever whic