Film cameras
Nikon FE User manual
User manual for Nikon FE. 49 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Nikon
- Model / document
- Nikon FE
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 49
- File size
- 7.4 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 5 · Read text
butkus.usCONTENTS
Foreword. . . .5 Exposuremeasurement.. ....24
Preparationforuse .....6 Automatic shutter speed selection . . . .24
lnstallingthebatteries .....6 Manual shutter speed selection . . .26
Checkingbattery power ....6 Exposurecontrol ....27
Loadingfilm.. ......7 Meteringrange ;... .....28
Priortoshooting .....8 High-contrastlightingsituations. . . . . .28
Settingthefilmspeed. .....9 Stop-down exposure measurement . .30
Memoholder ...9 Exposurecompensation adjustments . . . . .32
Operationof cameracontrols. .....10 EV range of the camera . . . . .33
Setting the shutter speed. . . 10 Multipleexposures .....36
Film-advancelever ...12 Flash synchronizatlon . .37
Framecounter .....12 Ready-light . . .38
Self-timer .....'13 Tips on camera care. . . .39
Memorylock. .....14 Mountingandremovinglenses .....40
Unloadingfilm. ..15 Changingfocusingscreens ....41
Holdingthecamera... .....16 Focusing screen selector guide . . .42
Shutterreleaseoperation ....17 Lens/screencompatibilitychart . . . . . .43
Operation with cable release . . . .17 Accessories. . .44
Focusing ...18 Features/specifications. . . .46
lnfraredphotography... ..20
Film-planeindicator. .....20
Depth of field . . . .21
Depth-of-fieldpreviewlever. ....21
Depth-of-fieldindicators.. .....22
4View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
FOREWORD
The Nikon FE is a compact 35mm single-lens-reflex
camera with a host of outstanding features. lt offers
aperture-priority automatic exposure control with shut-
ter speeds from 1/1000 second down to 8 seconds, has
interchangeable focusing scregns, and accepts the option-
al MD-1i for motor-driven exposures up to 3.5 frames
per second. ln addition, the FE incorporates automatic
flash speed setting when used in conjunction with the
accessory Speedlight Unit SB-10. When the SB-10 is
mounted on the camera's hot shoe and turned on, the
shutter speed is automatically set to the proper synchro-
nization speed of 1190 second when the camera is set to
"automatic." The FE will also accept virtually every
accessory in the Nikon System-the most comprehensive
ever created for photography. To get the most out of
this camera, study the instructions in this manual care-
fully, and practice using the controls before loading the
camera with film. Keep the manual on hand for ready
reference until you have mastered operation. The few
minutes you spend familiarizing yourself with the
camera will guarantee you the best results and increase
your pleasure in taking pictures many times over.
)View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
butkus.usPREPARATION FOR USE
lnstalling the Batteries Checking Battery Power
The Nikon FE's built-in exposure meter and the electro- To check battery power, simply turn the power check
nic shutter control circuits are powered by two button- lever downward and watch the power check lamp. lf the
'1.5Vcell type silver-oxide batteries. These are mounted lamp fails to glow, check the battery seating and make
in the battery clip, which forms a single unit with the any necessary adjustments. Should the lamp still fail to
battery chamber's coin-slotted lid, in the camera's base- light up, install new batteries.
plate. To install the batteries, first unscrew the lid by lmportant: When the camera is not in use, make sure that the
advance lever is positioned flush with the camera body. Asturning it counterclockwise, with a coin or something film the lever doubles as the meter on/off switch, leaving it in thesimilar, until it can be freely removed by hand. Then, stand-off position will result in the camera's battery being com-
seat the two batteries in.the battery clip, one on top of pletely drained in just a few days.
the other, making sure that their respective plus (+) and
minus (-) indications correspond with similar marks
provided in the clip. After seating the batteries correctly,
replace the lid, and secure the connection by turning it
clockwise with the coin as far as it will go. lt is advisable
to remove the batteries, when the camera is not to be
used for a long period, to prevent battery leakage within
the camera; for additional information on this, refer to
"Tips on Camera Care" on page 39.View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
Loading Film side (dull side) facing out. Make sure that the perfo- First, open the camera back by sliding its safety lock to rations along the edges of the film mesh with the the rear and lifting the film rewind knob as far as it will sprockets. lf necessary, release the shutter by cocking go. Position the film cartridge or cassette in the film the shutter release button, and stroke the film-advance chamber, which is located on the left-hand side, with the lever slowly to make sure that the leader winds smoothly film leader aligned along the film guide rails; then, push on the spool and that the film edge perforations engage the rewind knob to hold the cartridge in place. Pull the the film sprocket roller. When you are certain that the film leader out sufficiently for feeding into the film film is being fed properly onto the spool and traveling take-up spool, and insert its end into any of the spool's correctly along the film guide rails, close the camera slots. Rotate the take-up spool as shown in the illustration back by pressing it until it snaps into place. so that the film passes under the spool with its emulsionView original page 8
Page 9 · Read text
butkus.usPREPARATION FOR UsE-continued
Prior to Shooting After advancing the film two frames, check that the
Fold out the film rewind crank, and turn it gently in the frame counter is at "0"; then, advance the film one more
direction of the engraved arrow until you feel a slight frame to prepare the camera for taking the first picture.
resistance; this will indicate that any slack in the film Note: Setting the shutter-speed dial to one of the fixed-speed
cartridge has been taken up. Then, fold the rewind crank positions (rather than to "AUTO") prior to making blank expo-
into place. sures will provide for the most rapid loading as this action will prevent the camera from selecting a slow speed, as might be the
Advance the film (refer to page 12for film advance oper- case should loading be performed with the lens cap in place.
ation), and make two blank exposures; this will dispose However, be sure to reset the dial to "AUTO" if automatic oper-
of the initial portion of the film exposed during loading. ation is to be performed.
As you advance the film, confirm that the rewind crank
turns in the direction opposite the arrow. This indicates When load-
that the film has been loaded properly and is being ing film
advanced.
I st blank
ex posu re
2nd blank
ex posu re 6@ffi for I st ex-
posu re @
KOn t\View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
Setting the Film Speed Memo Holder
As film response sensitivity during exposure to light A special holder is provided on the camera back for con-
(called "film speed") varies with film type, adjustment venient storage of any relevant information. You can use
of the camera's metering circuit is essential to ensure it, for instance, to hold the end flap of a film carton to
uniform exposures under all operational conditions. remind you of the type of film loaded in the camera, the
Thus, a film-speed dial (ASA graduations) is provided ASA film speed and the total number of exposures
for this purpose, with a safety lock mechanism built in available.
to prevent accidental shifting of the dial during shooting.
To set the film speed, depress the film-speed dial lock
and, while holding the lock depressed, turn the ASA
film-speed dial until the red index mark is aligned with
the ASA value for the film in use. After setting the dial,
release the lock and test the dial to ensure that it is set
firmly at the desired ASA value. The meter is sensitive
'12across the full range of from ASA to ASA 4000. ,r''The film-speed dial has two graduations between each
pair of numbers for intermediate settings such as 64,
80, 125, etc. The figure below indicates the values for
all intermediate settings.View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
butkus.usOPERATION OF CAMERA CONTROLS
Setting the Shutter Speed
The Nikon FE is set for automatic or manual shutter
speed selection via the shutter-speed dial positioned to
the right of the finder, with setting operation possible
at any time either before or after the shutter is wound.
The dial is provided with positions for autom.atic (AUTO),
speeds of from 8 seconds to 111000 second. To set the
dial for automatic shutter speed selection, simply rotate
the dial clockwise until the green AUTO (automatic) set-
ting clicks and locks into place aligned with the shutter-
speed scale index at the base of the dial; the built-in
locking mechanism ensures that the dial cannot be acci-
dently shifted from the automatic position during
shooting.
To set the dial for manual shutter speed selection used
during "match-needle" exposure measurement, simply
depress the shutter-speed dial lock and, while holding
the lock depressed, rotate the dial counterclockwise off
of the "AUTO" position;when the dial is aligned with
white settings of from 2 to 1000, the actual shutter speed
is a fractional value of from 112 second to 1/1000 sec-
ond, while the remaining setting indicates the actual
,uJ Tt*o{
l0View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
values of from 8 seconds to 1 second. The "M90" setting indicates a mechanical shutter speed of 1/90 second; al- though the shutter operates at this speed when the batteries are exhausted regardless of the dial position, set the dial to this position when you need a definite me- chanical shutter speed. At the "8" setting, the shutter remains open as long as the shutter-release button is depressed. "B" is also a mechanical shutter speed, so there is no battery drain when shooting time exposures. Note that the 125 setting is engraved in red; this indi- cates 11125 second, the fastest shutter speed available for synchronization with electronic flash units. (Refer to page 37 for additional information on flash photo- graphy.)View original page 12
Page 13 · Read text
butkus.us OPERATION OF CAMERA CONTROLS-continued Film-Advance Lever Frame Counter The film-advance lever simultaneously advances the film, Each time the film is advanced one frame by a full cocks the shutter and operates the frame counter. lt also stroke of the film-advance lever, the frame counter doubles as the Nikon FE's meter onloff switch. operates to show how many frames have been exposed. To advance the film, stroke the lever with your right It is automatically reset to S (start), two frames before thumb as far as it will go. This will free the locking 0, when the camera back is opened to remove an ex- device built into the shutter, causing the shutter to be posed film cartridge andlor load a new roll of film. The released and the film to be advanced a full frame. The frame counter dial has indications for up to a maximum lever automatically returns to its 30" stand-off position of 36 frames, with all odd numbers calibrated in dots when released upon the completion of film advance. and all even numbers in figures. The figures are in white, The film-advance lever switches the meter on when except for 12,20 and 36 which appear in red to indicate moved to its stand-off position; it switches the meter off the maximum number of exposures available, respective- when moved back flush with the camera body. With the ly, with standard film cartridges. lever set flush against the camera body, it serves also as a lock to prevent accidental tripping when the shutter is cocked. In this position (when the meter is off), the meter needle in the viewfinder rests below "8" on the shutter-speed scale.View original page 13
Page 14 · Read text
Self-Timer simply turn it back upwards and push it towards the lens
used to trip the shutter mount. Then you can resume normal shutter tripping. The built-in self-timer can be
after a delay of approximately 8-14 seconds. To take operation. The self-timer works at all shutter speed set-
a picture using the self-timer, first set the aperture and tings, except "B." For critical close-up photography, the
shutter speed controls, advance the film, and cock the self-timer, in combination with a tripod, is particularly
self-timer by turning the self-timer lever downwards. useful in preventing vibration.
Then, depress the shutter release button and the timer Note: When using the self-timer with the camera on automatic,
will start (note that the mirror will rise as the shutter cover the eyepiece with a piece of black paper or something simi-
button is depressed and return at the end of the cycle). lar; this will prevent light from entering into the eyepiece, and adversely affecting exposure measurement. Switchover to manu- A unique feature of the FE's self-timer lever is that its al operation is recommended for foolproof self-timer operation. setting is "cancellable." In other words, should you
decide not to use the self-timer after setting it, you
l3View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
butkus.us OpEnnmON OF CAMERA CONTROLS-continued Memory Lock The convenient location of the self-timer lever, making for ready finger access, proves advantageous when using the built-in memory lock function. Memory lock enables the photographer to retain an exposure measurement taken close-up to the subject, or via selective composi- tion through the viewfinder, by "locking in" the reading taken prior to operating the lock. To operate the memory lock, view through the finder and meter on the selected area; then, simply push the lever toward the lens to hold the reading until the completion of the exposure. The reading will be retained as long as the control is held in this position. Thus, several frames can be exposed using the same locked reading. Also, the aperture can be adjusted without affecting the shutter speed locked in. (See "High-Contrast Lighting Situations" on page 28 for details on the use of the memory lock function.)View original page 15
Page 16 · Read text
UNLOADING FILM As soon as the frame counter indicates that the last ex- pulling up the rewind knob as far as it will go; then, re- posure has been made, or when the film-advance lever move the film cartridge. Note that when the film-advance can no longer be stroked, the roll of film has been fully lever is stroked for the next exposure (with the next. roll exposed and can now be removed. of film), the rewind button will be released to engage the To unload the roll of film, firsr press the rewind button film-advance mechanism once again. on the camera's baseplate; then, unfold the film rewind You should not push the rewind button during film crank and turn it in the direction of the engraved arrow advance operation; otherwise, film advance will tem- with smooth, even pressure. Rewind tension will cease to porarily stop and frame-overlap may result. Note, too, indicate that the film leader has left the take-up spool. that the camera back can be removed from the body by Now, open the camera back by sliding its safety lock and depressing the locking catch on the hinge.View original page 16
Page 17 · Read text
butkus.us HOLDING THE CAMERA Camera shake is one of the most common causes of blur' red, unsharp pictures, especially at slow shutter speeds. To prevent this, study how to hold the camera correctly and practice steady shutter squeezing. Wrap the fingers of the right hand around the camera body so that the index finger of your right hand rests comfortably on the shutter release button and the thumb fits between the camera body and the film- advance lever. Position the camera in such a way that the eye looks through the center of the viewfinder. Cradle the camera with your left hand for additional support, using the thumb and middle finger to grasp the focusing ring. This way, the camera is properly supported and can easily be switched from horizontal to vertical shooting.View original page 17
Page 18 · Read text
SHIJT' ER REF FASE OPERATION
Correct shutter release operation is just as important to
obtaining sharp pictures as holding the camera properly. The shutter release button can also be tripped with the
To release the shutter correctly, hold the camera steady use of a cable release (or some similar accessory). To
and depress the shutter release button with smooth, even attach the cable release to the camera, screw the thread-
pressure. Relax even when you're in a hurry-a quick jab ed cable connector onto the mount provided with the
of the index finger at the shutter release button will button. The shutter is then tripped by depressing the
cause camera shake and result in an unintentionally blur- cable release plunger. Cable release operation is especial-
red photograph. ly recommended for critical shooting situations, such as
photomicrography or time exposure, where vibration-
free shutter release is of prime importance.
lmportant: lf you mount the Nikon FE
on a tripod with a large head, contact
between the lens body and the head
may make it impossible to turn the lens
aperture ring. lf this happens, use the
special tripod adapter (supplied with the
camera) between tlre tripod head and
camera body.
N ikon
!i NikonView original page 18Page 19 · Read text
butkus.usFOCUSING
When the FE is used with a Nikkor lens fitted with an To focus, using the split-image rangefinder spot, turn the
automatic diaphragm, focusing is done at full aperture. focusing ring of the lens until the two halves of the range-
This makes for the brightest possible images on the finder spot perfectly coincide, forming a single, crisp
focusing screen, enabling easy focusing and composing. image. To focus with the microprism grid, turn the focus-
Three types of focusing screens are available exclusively ing ring until the image seen through the microprism pat-
for the Nikon FE. (For details about changing focusing tern appears sharp and crisp. With the matte outfield,
screens, see page 41.) The type K focusing screen comes turn the ring until the image viewed in the field appears
with the camera as standard equipment. lt gives you a sharp.
choice of three focusing aids: a central split-image range- The split-image rangefinder spot is considered the most
finder spot, an annular microprism grid and a fine matte suitable for precise, pinpoint focusing, and the micro-
outfield. prism grid for rapid focusing in sports or action-type
photography. The fine matte outfield, on the other hand,
is ideal for use with telephoto lenses or in close-up and
macrophotography.
You can also prefocus the lens with the use of the dis-
tance scale engraved in both meters and feet on the lens
barrel. Simply turn the focusing ring until the measured
or estimated camera-to-subject distance is lined up with
the distance scale index on the lens barrel. This tech-
nique is useful for picture-taking situations where either
the subject is elusive or time does not permit through-
the-lens focusing.View original page 19Page 21 · Read text
butkus.usFOCUSING-continued Infrared Photoeraohv Film-Plane Indicator lhe plane of sharpest focus for infrared light is slightly To ensure the best results in critical picture-taking further away than its counterpart for visible light as seen situations, such as close-up or copy photography, it is through the camera's viewfinder.To compensate for this, necessary to determine the exact subject-to-film-plane first focus the image sharply through the viewfinder. distance. The Nikon FE is thus provided with a film Then, turn the focusing ring counterclockwise until the plane indicator (e ); this is positioned exactly in the point focused is aligned with the red dot (or line) pro- film plane, which is 46.5mm from the front surface of vided on the lens barrel. For example, in the picture the lens mounting flange. below, the lens has been focused for infinity (-) infrared shooting. Note that when lenses with a focal length of 50mm or less are used stopped-down to f 18 or below, compensation is not necessary due to the large depth of field available. There are some Nikkor lenses that do not require refocus- ing for infrared photography; refer to their instruction manuals for details. (bayonet mount front surface)View original page 21
Page 22 · Read text
DEPTH OF FIELD
When you focus on your subject, you will find that not To examine the depth of field before taking a picture, it
only is the subject itself in focus but that objects both in is necessary to stop down the lens manually. You can do
front of and behind it appear to be in focus. This "zone" this by exerting slight finger pressure on the FE's con-
of focus is called "depth of field." veniently situated depth-of-field preview lever. Assuming
Depth of field is not a fixed quantity. lt varies by lens, that the lens is set to an aperture other than its maxi-
depending on both the su bject's distance from the mum, gentle pressure on the lever will stop down the
camera and the specific lens aperture in use. A third lens to that aperture. You will then be able to see the
factor, the focal length of the lens, also influences the elements in front of and behind the main subject that
apparent depth of field, i.e., the longer the lens, the will appear in sharp focus in the actual photograph-
shallower the depth of field appears to be, and vice versa. although some of them may have appeared not to be in
In the same manner, the wider the taking aperture (i.e., focus prior to pressing the lever. A side effect of this
the lower the f/stop number), the shallower the depth of picture-taking process is the "darkening" of the image in
field, and vice versa. Also, the closer you approach your the viewfinder (the higher the f/number, the "darker"
subject, the shallower the depth of field becomes, and the image appears); this is normal and should be no
vice versa. In all cases, you will find that the depth of cause for concern. Note that the correct "automatic"
field behind the subfect is larger than that in front; this exposure cannot be obtained if the lever is depressed
enables selective blurring of the background elements of when the shutter is released. After taking a stopped-
the picture, a technique most often used by the creative down meter reading, you can release the shutter with the
photographer. depth-of-field lever depressed, but it must be depressed
all the way. Otherwise, the shutter may not open.
Depth-of-Field Preview Lever
Most of the Nikkor lenses you will find yourself using
with the Nikon FE are "automatic." This means that
the aperture diaphragm of the lens is kept open at its
widest setting while you are viewing, focusing and meter-
rl ing. When you press the shutter release button, the
camera's mechanism automatically "stops down" (i.e.,
closes the lens aperture) the lens to the aperture at
!I which it is set.
l.rView original page 22Page 23 · Read text
butkus.usDEPTH OF F|ElD-continued Depth-of-Field Indicators The Nikkor lens' depth-of-field indicators come in the form of the three scales fitted on the lens barrel. The first is the lens aperture scale, with the f/numbers color- coded. The second consists of two sets of colored lines, the colors corresponding to the colors of the f/numbers. The third is the focusing scale which is calibrated in meters and feet. To determine depth of field, note the color of the fl number in use. The depth of field at the taking aperture is indicated by the numbers on the focusing scale which are adjacent to the colored lines that correspond to the color of the f/number set. Example: Taking aperture: fl16 Color: Blue Focusing distonce: 5m Lens set at f l4: Shallow depth of field centered on In the example above, the farthest point of sharp focus the main subiect. behind the subject is infinity (-); this is the figure on the focusing scale which is adjacent to the blue line on the second scale, which in turn corresponds to the blue color of the f/l6 setting. The closest point of sharp focus is 2.7m, although this number does not appear in the focusing scale. Note that for exact' depth-of-field determination, you should refer to the depth-of-field tables in the instruc- tion manual for the Nikkor lens in use. 22View original page 23
Page 25 · Read text
butkus.us
EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT
The exposure meter of the Nikon FE utilizes Nikon's Automatic Shutter Speed Selection
through-the-lens center-weighted exposure measure- When set to the "AUTO" shutter-speed dial setting, the
ment at full aperture. The meter reads the light over FE is capable of fully automatic selection of the shut-
the entire focusing screen but favors the central 12mm- ter speed appropriate for the aperture setting of the lens
diameter area, while taking the entire area into con- and the existing lighting conditions. The exposure meter
sideration. This allows you to make precise readings display, visible within the viewfield of the finder, enables
of the selected subject area, and results in more bal- the photographer to maintain continuous control over
anced overall exposures. the exposure while viewing and focusing, and without
the need of removing the eye from the viewfinder. And
as lighting conditions (or the aperture setting) change,
the shutter speed control circuit continues to maintain
continuous and automatic control, for perfect exposure
every time.
To take a picture using automatic shutter speed selec-
tion, first set the shutter-speed dial to "AUTO" (the
green needle in the finder will move to the upper "A"
position and remain) and select an appropriate aperture
setting. As you compose and focus, the black needle will
continuously indicate the shutter speed being selected
for correct exposure. Prior to exposing the film, verify
that the needle is indicating a shutter speed appropriate
for the subject; if the indicated speed is too fast or too
slow, simply adjust the aperture ring on the lens until
the desired shutter speed is indicated. Then, press the
shutter release button to expose the film. Note that as
long as the needle remains within the scale, provided the
EV range of the metering system is not exceeded, the
camera provides the correct exposure automatically.View original page 25Page 27 · Read text
butkus.us
TXPOSURE MEASUREMENT-continued
Manual Shutter Speed Selection
When the shutter-speed dial is set to other than the
"AUTO" setting, manual shutter speed selection is
provided, with exposure determination via the "match-
needle" method. To determine the correct exposure
using manual speed selection, perform the following:
Switch on the meter in the usual way and adfust the
shutter-speed dial until the green needle in the exposure
meter display aligns with the desired speed; then, simply
adjust the aperture setting of the lens until the black
needle moves to overlap the green needle. lf deliberate
under- or overexposure is desired, adjust the controls so
that the green needle is overlapping the next higher
number (one-stop underexposure) or the next lower
number (one-stop overexposure). Example under- and
overexposure indications are shown to the right.
Deliberate ... and one-stop
one-stop overexPosure.
underexposureView original page 27Related documents and language editions
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