Nikon FE lock up

Hi All,

 

Recently I got an used Nikon FE body. I found a problem with the camera -

the camera will lock up if the light is so bright that the meter goes over

1/1000. I don't think this is normal. When it does lock up (mirror in up

position), I can unlock it by turn the speed dial to M90 to reset and continue

shooting.

 

It does have a new set of batteries in it. Everything else works fine.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

 

Kevin

This is typically a battery issue. I would try yet another set of new batteries first. It is best if you buy new ones from a large store.

Agree with Shun. I also still have a Nikon FE in my drawer,and when that happens it was always the battery.Make sure you have the batteries in right and that there is no old corrosion

Thanks everyone. I'll try another new set of batteries. The camera works great as long as the shutter speed does not go over 1/1000. As soon as it goes over 1/1000, the mirror gets stuck.

Not to be a smart ass, but if the black meter needle indicates over 1/1000 (the maximum speed available on an FE) in AUTO mode, shouldn't you select a smaller aperture on the lens so that the meter comes back within range before you fire the camera? Not much point in taking an overexposed shot.

I agree, it's no point to take an overexposed shot. I was playing with the camera and found out about the "feature". I don't think this "feature" is normal.

 

Just wondering if anyone had the similar issue and what was the resolution...

Well ... just for fun I pulled one of the FE's that I have here off the shelf, loaded some new batteries, and tried to replicate your "feature". In AUTO mode, with the meter needle pegged past "1000", the shutter fired as it usually does, with no mirror lockup. So what you describe is definitely not normal.

 

I hope fresh batteries will fix it (get silver oxide S76 or SR44 if you can, skip the alkaline LR44) but in my limited experience with the FE, when a mirror/shutter lockup occurs solely because of weak batteries, it usually happens at all speeds, not just the high ones. There might be something more nefarious going on here. :-(

 

What happens in manual mode with the shutter speed dial set to "1000"?

<p>Hi All,</p>

<p>I know this is quite an old conversation, but since I have the exact same problem, I thought I post it here: I got a used Nikon FE as well and in the beginning it worked just fine. After some shooting, it started to lock up the screen more and more, regardless of shutter speed. I could always unlock it by dialing to M90 and then it would just happen again. After I changed the batteries and cleaned out the battery compartment, the camera worked fine again except when the needle goes past "1000". In that case, the mirror locks up and can only be released again by M90.<br>

<br>

Kevin, did you find any solution to this problem?<br>

<br>

I'd be really thankful for every further hint!<br>

Thanks,<br>

Simon</p>

<p>I am having a similar problem to this thread. My Nikon FE works at all shutter speed but 1/1000, at which point the mirror gets locked up. I have tried new batteries, all to no avail. All other shutter speeds work fine.<br>

Has anyone ever resolved this problem? </p>

<p>Regards,<br>

Le</p>