I Did What Ken Told Me...

Very nice catches Rick! It looks

like y you have the 50mm f1.8

long nose and the 50mm f2. The

f1.8 is a real gem, and a perfect

fit on the FE.

<p>I've got too little experience and too little comparison material (certainly compared to regulars of this forum) to add much to anything said, but: those are two really nice and clean looking FEs. Just a few months ago, I opted for a FM2 instead - the FE/FE2 cost less, but I like the idea of a full mechanical body, I only have Ai lenses so a slightly newer FM2 seemed a nicer buy. I never really listen to Ken, so its brother (or sister) is a F3, an equally nice and desirable piece (I think). I wouldn't want to choose between these two.</p>

<p>Lovely cameras. Just get a 105 f/2.5 with it, and enjoy. A lot.</p>

<p>I have my original chrome FE from 1983, and picked up a black one last year for $10.00. They are my #1 favorites. Everything else is a step-down compromise, even the F3HP which has a poorer viewfinder and more weight.</p>

<p>I collect everything else for the joy, and use them too. But when I go out with just one camera to get the best possible shots (in 35mm) I use the FE. It's my baby.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the comments and advice; I'm pleased my rising opinion of the FE is shared by so many of you. As I hinted, I decided to pursue the FE rather than the FE2 because of it's acceptance of the non-Ai lenses, and the improvements to the FE2 such as an increase in top shutter speed weren't that important. There's a rumor that the FE, in auto mode, will expose up to that speed with the needle off the top of the speed scale; I must experiment! I find the hierarchy and model designations of the Nikon lenses vastly more complex than their Canon equivalents, and have been assisted by this excellent site, which most of you Nikon experts have probably discovered:</p>

<p>http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html</p>

<p>One feature I really like in a camera is the ability to lock exposure with a half-pressure on the shutter release, but I don't know if any of the Nikon SLR's do this.</p>

<p><strong>Tony</strong>, the winder noise is about the same as most of the other-brand winders I have, definitely not the gadget for photography during a funeral. The <em>worst</em> is one created for the Pratica "B" series, which erupts into action with a sound like an old egg-beater in it's death throes. Ah well, now to start exploring the "F's"...</p>

<p>I've got three...Near-perfect size and ergonomics, bomb-proof, nice VF display and accurate meter. Interesting how the gorgeous little Fuji XT-1 is practically the same size and layout. Coincidence?</p>