The Iconic Nikon FE2: Was this Nikon's Best Manual Focus SLR?

Nikon FE2 Overview Maker Nippon Kogaku K. K. Type 35mm film SLR Lens Lens mount Nikon F lens mount Compatible lenses Nikon F-mount lenses supporting automatic indexing (AI) with some exceptions Sensor/Medium ASA/ISO range ISO 12 – 4000 Film advance manual Focusing Focus modes manual Exposure/Metering Exposure modes Aperture priority, Manual Exposure metering TTL metering, EV 1 to EV 18 at ASA/ISO 100 and with 50mm f/1.4 lens Metering modes center-weighted Flash Flash ISO standard Hot shoe Flash synchronization 1/250 s Shutter Shutter electronically controlled with mechanical backup Shutter speed range 8s – 1/4000s; M250 (mechanical 1/250s); Bulb (B) Viewfinder Viewfinder fixed eye-level pentaprism Viewfinder magnification 0.86x with 50 mm lens at infinity Frame coverage 93% General Optional motor drives MD-11, MD-12 Dimensions 142.5 × 57.5 × 90 mm Weight 550 g (19 oz) Made in Japan Released 1983 FE2 from above Chromed FE2 with 50 mm F/1.4 lens FE2 underside The Nikon FE2 is an advanced semi-professional level, interchangeable-lens, 35 mm film, single lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K. K. (Nikon Corporation since 1988) in Japan from 1983 to 1987 (available new from dealer stock until circa 1989). The FE2 used a Nikon-designed vertical-travel focal-plane shutter with a speed range of 8 to 1/4000th second, plus Bulb and flash X-sync of 1/250th second. It has dimensions of 90 millimetres (3.5 in) height, 142.5 mm (5.61 in) width, 57.5 mm (2.26 in) depth and 550 grams (19 oz) weight, and was available in two colors: black with chrome trim and all black. The introductory US list price for the chrome body only (no lens) was $446. Note that SLRs usually sold for 30 to 40 percent below list price. The FE2 is a member of the classic Nikon compact F-series 35 mm SLRs and was built upon a compact but rugged copper-aluminum alloy chassis similar (but not identical) to the ones used by the earlier Nikon FM (introduced in 1977), FE (1978), and FM2 (1982) cameras. The FM2/FE2 twins were improved successors to the successful Nikon FM/FE cameras with enhanced features, but minor external controls and cosmetic differences. The Nikon FA of 1983 also used this basic body design and the limited-production Nikon FM3A of 2001 continued to use it until 2006.