Help picking BEST Nikon SLR..

<p>Hi Bogdan.<br /> <em>. . . "Nikon FE ( ken Rokwell says its as good as F3 in a smaller, lighter package, but when I look at the quality of images shot on it on Flickr it doesnt seem to be as good)"</em><br /> <strong><em>The camera has nothing to do with the quality of an image, it is the photographer whom creating the image. A good photographer can create a stunning image with any camera, including the cheapest, like Gallen Rowels stunning photograph, "The Dalai Lamas Pagoda", with was created with a Nikon Series "E" 75-150mm lens, witch you can bay today, for 50 dollar.</em></strong></p>

Actually that E lens is a very nice lens. It gets no respect because of the plastic but the optics are quality. Same with

the 100mm E. Also, agree with the above - $90 for an FE2 and a 50/1.4D (which is also a desirable lens for digital) is

too good to be true. Unless it's an auction, in which case I'd expect it to go over $300 if the condition is good, though

the seller could have got more by selling them separately.

<p>I haven't had much experience with the F100, but I have owned the F3, F4, F5, D2, and D3. My favourite of the lot is the F4. Great camera, matrix metering, solid build, can be stripped down in size, and no crappy thumb scroll wheels like the F5 and beyond. You won't be able to use the cheaper Nikon "G" lenses that don't have an aperture ring - unless you shoot in "S" mode.</p>

<p>FM3-A would be my number 1 choice with 2nd being FE2 if you want aperture priority. Both smaller yet sturdy cameras. You can pick up an AIS 50 1.8 for very little or some some of the other great manual focus Nikon 50 lenses, or even some of the new manual focus Zeiss or Voigtlander. Do some research on 50's. The F3's are great cameras too but are bigger. A good general read-up on manual focus film Nikon SLRs is to be had on Cameraquest.com. He's opinionated and I think he's a lot more knowledgeable about classic cameras than Ken Rockwell IMHO. :) Also, all these cameras work great. It will really be up to you to get quality pictures out of them.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>any particular reason for FM3-A over FE2? And why not F3HP?</p>

<p>The FM3a is newer, and has some unique features. In auto exposure it's an electronic shutter, but you can switch it to manual and it becomes a mechanical shutter. It's particularly well made, and being newer and so many of them having been bought be amateurs with high expectations you're likely to find one in top condition.</p>

<p>WRT F3HP, I think a lot of us say F3 and include the HP version in that. The difference is the finder, it's easy to use with glasses. Mine is an HP and I appreciate that fact.</p>

<p>The F3 is the best! The FE and FM series are not as well made! They will outlast most photographers but if indexing gets sluggish or needs attention, its a repair will not be worth it! The F3 is small! Only a tad larger than my Leica M3 with meter. If you did NOT want auto, a F or F2 would do fine. The F works in spite of any kind of condition, either the camera or the environment.<br>

I paid $200 for my F3 two years ago. My meters almost all gone in Photomics. So it was like getting a meter.<br>

I use my digital point and shoot as meter for the others..<br>

Good luck!</p>

<p>I think in the end im gonna go for FE2. It has fast shutter speeds, and its light/small, which is what I prefer....F3 seems nice but I really dont think its gonna contribute anything more to my shootings. <br>

P.S. Canon A-1 does also lure me with its sexy body...</p>

<p>now if I can only find De3 somewhere cheap..</p>

<p>You can buy mine on ebay :)</p>

<p>FE2 is a great camera, it's older so make sure that the one you get has a properly working light meter. It uses the old, and I think highly desirable analog needle, very nice to use IMO. If it's working, it's a great camera. The titanium electronic shutter is awesome. Try not to touch the actual shutter itself ever. The FM3A has as said above by Andy, the benefit of being a much newer camera and the big advantage of being able to use all speeds in mechanical mode should your battery run out and you not have a replacement. (should always carry one but it's a great back-up just in case). On the FE2, if battery goes, you have 1 shooting speed available only. You may also want to send the FE2 in for a CLA and have them check the foam etc. They need to be replaced every once in a long while.</p>

<p>Lots of experience and opinions...</p>

<p>Here's mine: The small body manual focus Nikons are great. </p>

<p>Sounds like MF will be OK for you and you want Aperture-Prefered autoexposure. For me, this means the FE, FE2, or FG. The FG is wonderfully small. All are great to use and cheap today. </p>

<p> The FM2n is my favorite. It's totally mechanical, you have to set everything, only needs battery for the meter. Meter lights up in the viewfinder with either a +, _, or a o for proper exposure. It does not have matrix metering, just average. It is small and fairly light and will take all AI, AIS, AF, and AF-D lenses. It will not take the dreaded G lenses though. You have to have an aperture ring. If you want to use a G lens on a film camera you have to get the F 100, F6, or one of the other high F cameras.</p>

<p>DaveO</p>

G lenses are easy - all the newer film cameras take them. N90, N80, N65, N75, etc.

<p>Let me say first that only you can determine which is best for you. So if you post a question, I would assume that you want to know what is best for me or by my opinion.<br>

Among your contenders, it's easy! The F3 is a definitely best of the bunch. I would put the FM3a second if price is no consideration. Otherwise it's the FM2N and then the FE and then the FM3a. The FA is absolute worst of the bunch.<br>

That's my opinion.</p>

<p>My photography seems to flow best with the F3. I have the EM (which I thought would be a light travel camera) but the focus screen was not perfectly aligned which gave off-focus shots and the vibration spoiled hand-held photos. The FE is a really nice camera but issues are common - sluggish Ai follower (repairs don't last long) and shutter faults are two.</p>

<p>My vote - the F3 all the way. The viewfinder, easy controls, accurate metering and low vibration are all you need to make great photos. Make sure you get a clean one though as one I had was heavily used and the mirror jammed in the up position.</p>

<p>Hands down the FM2/N. It's the camera I keep coming back to no matter what. Everything is right where it needs to be, and the Flash sync of 1/200 or 1/250 is far more useful than the over-rated F3's. And for runner up I'd pick a surprise; The Nikkormat FTn. It's solid, dependable and has a rugged beauty. Again, every button is right where it needs to be.<br>

For best digital SLR, well that remains to be seen. The sensors become obsolete so quickly. However the D200 seems to have amazingly simple and well placed controls for a DSLR. It has the Solid Nikon feel the D70/80/90 series seem to lack.</p>