Nikon FE - Is my camera dying?

[rachelle_m.]

I've had my FE for over 5 years now, and have been using it fairly regularly.

 

Actually, I should first preface this with the fact that I had accidentally

dropped the camera just before I noticed these problems. However, the drop was

short (about 2 feet) and relatively soft (on the forest floor), so it didn't

worry me at the time. And until just now I didn't even think to connect this

event with what followed. However, I noticed that (slowly, over two days) two

things happening that have never happened before.

 

First, when I tried to do a double exposure, I ended up with a triple or

quadruple exposure due to the film not advancing after the second exposure. I

tried it three different times and the same thing happened all three times. I

also noticed that if I had the shutter cocked for any length of time (say, more

than 10 seconds), the resulting shutter speed would be noticeably slower than

what I had wanted. However, subsequent exposures would be fine, and the shutter

speeds seemed normal. I have yet to see the effect of this in terms of the film

since I have about a week turnaround for development of slide film.

 

Has anyone had this happen to them? I don't know if it's because of the drop, or

if it's time for a CLA, in which case I just may buy another camera instead -

maybe an FE2 this time? ;-) I'd really hate to give up this little camera -- it

was my first SLR and has been with me everywhere -- and it's certainly had it's

fair share of knocks and drops over the years. If there's a way of fixing the

problem (other than no more double exposures) I'd like to know it.

 

Cheers.

[errol young]

Probably. Not worth fixing with film used camera prices. Sturdy little camera. I used one for 4-5 years. Wish it had a better battery.

 

Errol

[pge]

Hi Rachelle

 

I am also from Toronto, I have two fe's that I will likely never use again, they were great cameras but when a D200 came into my life I forgot about the fe's.

 

I can not explain your shutter issue, but your double exposure issue is something that has happened to me. I have found that the little black lever that you use for double exposure can be dislodged easily and has to be firmly put into place. Is there any chance that you are not being firm enough with the lever once you have used it, making sure that it is well back into its original spot. This has happened to me half a dozen times. Just a thought, i hope it helps.

 

Phil

[rachelle_m.]

Hi Phil,

 

Thanks -- I'll take a better look at the lever and see if that is the problem there.

 

Cheers.

[alvin_wong]

<p>I had a weird problem with my FE in which the shutter curtain would hang after I fired the shutter. If I used my finger to manually pull the shutter curtain down, this would reset the camera and I would be able to fire the shutter again. Of course, you should never poke the shutter curtain with your fingernail...</p><p>After trying different batteries and moving the shutter dial back and forth from M90, I suspected something else was wrong with the camera. When I went to the repair shop, I was told that the electronics were bad.</p><P>The FE is a nice compact camera, but repairs aren't very cheap nowadays. It's up to you whether it's worth repairing or not. I decided to put my money into repairing my Nikon F3, a much nicer camera IMO, although less compact and bulkier than the FE.</p>

[gary_watson]

If it's broke, just get another. Sentimentality aside, repair cost almost always exceeds replacement cost in the post-analog era. Henry's is gradually clearing out the Everest of film cameras they've piled up and bargains abound. Check out their eBay auctions. Lots to choose from but be patient. FE prices are down, as are those of most non-pro Nikon film bodies. FGs are practically free--got a mint one with a 50/1.8E this summer for $50.