Film cameras
Nikon FE2 User manual
User manual for Nikon FE2. 64 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
64 pagesEnglish5.9 MB PDF
Loading your manual…Open PDF directly
Document details
- Brand
- Nikon
- Model / document
- Nikon FE2
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 64
- File size
- 5.9 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
Search available document text
Find a term, then jump to its page in the original PDF. Image-only pages may not be searchable; check the PDF for exact wording and diagrams.
Page 6 · Read text
www.butkus.us FOREWORD Congratulations! You now own the fastest SLR camera on the market today. With a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 sec., you can halt the most fleeting action literally in its tracks. Complemented by a flash synchronization speed of 1/250 sec., the fastest in 35mm SLR photography, the FE2 makes it easy to fill in the shadows in strong daylight. These speeds are made possible by Nikon's advanced camera technology, employing lightweight honeycomb-etched, vertical-traveling, titanium shutter curtains. In addition to aperture-priority automatic exposure from 1/4000 sec. to 8 sec., the FE2 offers full manual exposure control with accuracy ensured by digital quartz timing. The camera also has a battery power-saving feature: a light touch of the lockable shutter release button activates the meter, which then automatically switches off 16 seconds later. Other exciting features include three bright interchangeable focusing screens, automatic TTL flash photography with a Nikon dedicated flash unit, plus rapid film advance up to 3.2 frames per second with a motor drive. To obtain the best results, keep this instruction manual handy until you've become thoroughly familiar with the FE2's oper- ation. A few minutes wisely invested now will pay off later in many years of rewarding photographic experiences.View original page 6
Page 8 · Read text
www.butkus.us
,i Mount the lens. 11 Open the camera back @.Tt P,ace rne rens on rne camera, rnrng To remove: While pushing the lens re- vr While pushing the camera back lock
up the aperture/distance index on the lease button @, turn the lens mounting lever @ counterclockwise with your f inger,
lens @ with the lens mounting index on ring @ clockwise untilthe lens comes off . pull up the film rewind knob @. Then lift
the camera body @. Then twist the lens up further until the camera back pops
mounting ring counterclockwise until the oDen.
lens clicks into olace. Confirm that the
aperture/distance index is right on top.
Notes.'
1) When changing /enses with film loaded in the camera, be careful not to expose the mirrorbox
to direct sunlight.
2) This camerais designed exclusively for use with Al /enses. Non-Al /enses cannot be used,
with a few exceptions; please refer to page 19 for more details.View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
BASIG OPERATIOI -eontinued
v' perforationsEngage the film'swith theAvr lnstallPosition thethe filmfilmcartridgecartridge.in the 2rt theInserttakeupthe filmspoolleaderir . in e
film cartridge chamber @ with the film Pull the leader across the camera and in- sprocket teeth @.
leader pointing towards the takeup spool, sert it into any one of the slots in the Turn the takeup spool slightly with your
and oush the rewind knob back down to takeup spool. finger, so that the first or second perfo-
secure the cartridge in place. ration at the bottom edge of the film is
lVotes.' DigitallyDN: cn=mikesignedbutkus,by mike butkus engaged with the small tooth at the bot-1) You can use any 35mm film cartridge avail- mike o=orphancameras, ou=29, tom of the slot in the takeup spool and the
able on the market. email=mike@butkus.org, c=US top and bottom perforations mesh se-
Date: 2019.08.10 19:11:48 curely with the film sprockets.D Avoid loading film in direct sunlight. lf there butkus -04'00'
ls no shade available, turn your back to the
sun and use your own shadow to shield the
camera.View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
www.butkus.us O Advance the film withvr the film adYance leyer,s-,. Pull out and wind the film advance lever, making sure the perforations on both film edges are securely engaged with the sprocket teeth and the film is advanced properly. Also confirm that the film is located properly between both film guide rails @ and there is no film slack.View original page 10
Page 12 · Read text
www.butkus.us
.il Make blank exposures the untilfr te r t| 1 f rame counter @ reaches ." frame alrr^^ releasePress thebuttonshutter
The film advance lever doubles as a shutter release button lock: lightly to switch the
to unlock the shutter release button @, pull out the film advance exposure meter on.
lever to the standoff position as shown in the photo. To dispose The shutter release button activates the
of the first few frames exposed during film loading, continue to exposure meter when lightly pressed.
alternately advance the film and depress the shutter release The meter stays on for approx. 16 sec.
button until the frame counter reaches frame "1." Check that after you have taken your finger off the
the rewind knob is rotating, indicating the film has been loaded button.
correctly and is being advanced. lf the knob does not rotate,
reload the film.
Notes.'
1) Set the shutter speedlmode selector dial @ to A or a fast shutter speed
while making blank exposures.
2) llp to f rame " 1 ," the meter needte in the viewf inder does not move and
this indicates that the meter is not functioning; therefore do not take
pictures prior to the first frame.
11View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
BASIC OPERATIO J{ -continued
@
Gheck battery power. {f Set the shutter speed dial to '34"{ ;1 rrvr While looking through the viewfinder @ after switching rYr (for automatic operation).
the exposure meter on, if the black meter needle swings into the Rotate the shutter speed dial until the "A" is opposite the shutter
shutter speed scale range, this indicates that the exposure speed/mode index @. The built-in locking mechanism ensures
meter is working properly. that the dial cannot be accidentally shifted from the "A" (auto
IVoles; position) during shooting.
1) Wnen the shutter speed dial is set at B Gutd or M250 (1/250 sec), the Note: The Nikon FE2 camera has one more shooting mode besldes
black meter needle doesn't move; therefore you cannot check the aperture-priority auto exposure: manual operation. For details about
batteries. Be sure fo set the dial to another position. lf the black meter shooting in this mode, refer to pages 25-26.
needle still doesn't move, either the battery is improperly installed
0n which case you should install it properlfl or battery power is not
sufficient0n which case you should change the batterfl.
2) You cannot check the battery power untit the frame counter reaches
" 1 ."
12View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Hold the camera steady. {f117I I I TurnSet thethelenslensapertureaperture.ring @ until the desired f -number rtvr Many blurred by unsteady holding of shots are caused
is opposite the aperture/distance index on the lens. The selected the camera. Basic holding posture: Use your left hand to cradle
f-number appears in the viewfinder through the ADR (aperture the camera, with your fingers wrapped around the lens and
direct readout) window for convenient reference. Intermediate elbow propped against your body for support, as you look
settings on the lens aperture ring can be used. through the viewfinder. Use you right hand's index finger to
Use the following suggestions as.a guide in setting the f/stop on depress the shutter release button and your thumb to wind the
the lens (when a 50mm f/1.4 is used with ASA/ISO 100 film film advance lever. Wrap the other fingers of your right hand
speed): around the camera body. You can adapt this basic posture to
Outdoors (cloudy): I | 2.8*t | 5.6 both horizontal- and vertical-format shooting. To hold the camera
Outdoors (clear): I | 5.6,-I t 11 steady, it is advisable to lean on or against something strong
Outdoors (clear at the beach or in the mountains): It11,wI t16 and stable (e.9., a wall). Also, you can look through the view-
Note: The depth of field as well as the shutter speed can be controlled by finder with the right or left eye, with the other eye open or closed.
your selection of the shooting aperture. For more information, refer to
pages 38-39.
'13View original page 14Page 17 · Read text
BASIC OPERATIOJ{-sontinued
the AdYance film. Take 6a the photograph.Otl | taYt lever as far as it will go to advance Wind the film the viewfinder and depress the shutter 3 Look through
release button halfwiy. The shutter speed, in accordance with transport the film to the next frame and ready the camera for
the subject brightness, is then indicated inside the viewfinder by the next shot. Do not apply excessive pressure in winding the
the black meter needle. lf the shutter speed needle points lever.
above 1/30 sec., depress the shutter release button all the way. Note: Don't press the film rewind button@, or certain frames may be
lf the shutter speed is 1/30 sec. or below, turn the aperture ring double exoosed
on the lens to make the speed at least above 1/30 sec. lf you
cannot obtain such a speed, refer to page24.
Notes;
1) A blurred photo may result if you take the shot at a shutter speed
between 1/30 sec. and I sec.
D n tne black meter needle is on either of the red exposure warning
marks, the shutter speed ls out of the metering range. ln thls case,
you cannot obtain the correct exposure. See page 24 for more details.
16View original page 17Page 18 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Push Press the film rewind button. the film advance leYer back O.i,Dq, aYt To rewind place. the exposed film back into the film cartridge, into--'After the last exposure has been made, the film advance lever turn the camera upside down and press the film rewind button.
won't move. Then push the film advance lever flush against the You don't have to depress the button all the way,
camera body. By so doing the shutter release button is locked
and keeps the exposure meter switched off. This action pre-
vents inadvertent shutter release.
Note: Even if the black meter needle remains inside the shutter soeed
scale after the meter switch is off, it will automatically be switched off
in approx. 16 sec., and the exposure measuring circuit will simultaneously
be cut off.
17View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
BASIC OPERATIOJ{ -sontinued
D4_r' RewindFold out thethefilmfilm.rewind crank DE cartridge.Remove the film- -vrand turn it gently in the direction of thei Open the camera back by pulling up the
arrow until you feel an increase in tension. rewind knob and take out the film car-
Give it a few more turns until the tension tridge. Avoid unloading in direct sunlight.
is gone and the crank turns freely, indi- lf there is no shade available, turn your
cating the film leader is rewound com- back to the sun and use vour own shadow
pletely back into the cartridge. to shield the camera.
Note: Do not open the camera back before film
rewinding is completed.
1BView original page 19Page 20 · Read text
www.butkus.usIMPORTANT!
The Nikon FE2 is an Al-type (Automatic Maximum Aperture Indexing) camera
which performs fuli-aperture metering with Altype lenses such as Al-Nikkor and
Nikon Series E lenses. The aperture rings of these lenses are fitted with meter
coupling ridges @ (see illustration 1). Almost all lenses now manufactured by Nikon
are the Al-type. However, please confirm whether or not your lens is Al before using
it with the FE2. Al-Nikkor lenses are identified by the two holes in the meter'coupling
shoe @ (see illustration 2).
Although almost all Nikkor lenses that have the Nikon bayonet mount, as well as
Nikon Series E lenses, can be mounted on the FE2, the camera cannot be used
with Nikkor lenses that have not yet been modified to offer the Al facility nor with
a few special-purpose lenses, because the FE2's meter coupling lever is fixed and
the FE2 does not have a mirror lock-up mechanism. For particulars, refer to the
table below.
Fisheve-Nikkor 6mm f/5.6 Not usable
Fisheye-Nikkor 10mm f/5.6 OP Not usable
PC-Nikkor 28mmt14 Hits camera'sl meter coupling lever Serial No. 180901 and high usable
Serial No. 906201 and higherlusable
PC-Nikkor 35 mm f /2.8 Hits camera's meter coupling lever Serial No. 851000 and lowerlusable
Reflex-Nikkor 1000mm f/1 1 Hits camera's meter coupling lever Serial No. 143002 and higher usable
Rellex-Nikkor 2000mm f/1 1 Hits camera's meter coupling lever Serial No. 20031 1 and higherlusable
Zoom-Nikkor 200-600mm t/9.5 Hits camera's meter coupling lever Serial No. 300491 and higherrusable
Zoom-Nikkor ED 180-600mm f/B Hits camera's meter coupling lever Serial No. 174167 and higher usable
Zoom-Nikkor ED 360-1200mm f/11 Hils camera's meter coupling lever Serial No. 174088 and higherlusable
Focusing Unit AU-l Hits camera's meter coupling lever Not usable
Other Nikkor lenses that have not Hits camera's meler coupling lever Requires Al modification been modified to offer the Al facilitv
Note: The modification at reasonable cost of most non-Allenses having a meter coupling
prong is available for the convenience of Nikkor /ens users. For further information concerning
Al lens modification, please contact your local authorized Nikon dealer. Al-Nikkor Lens
19View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
CONTROLS IN DETAIL
j iij,.I
A (Autol:Shutter SpeedlMode Selector Dial @ Used for aperture-priority automatic mode shooting. YouThe Nikon FE2 offers aperture-priority automatic mode oper-
ation and manual control of all shutter speeds f rom 8 to 1/4000 manually set the f/stop first; then the camera automatically
sec., including the M250 (mechanically controlled-1/250 sec.) selects the matching electronically controlled shutter speed
and B (OutO) settings. To set the desired shooting mode or steplessly between B and 1/4000 sec., depending on the scene
shutter speed, rotate the shutter speed/mode selector dial brightness and the film speed in use.until the desired setting click-stops opposite the shutter speed/ l |4OOO-8 sec. (Manuall:
mode index. At the A setting, a locking mechanism is provided Used for full manual control of both f/stop and shutter speed.
to prevent accidental shifting of the setting. To rotate the dial All sixteen speeds indicated on the dial are available with timing
from the A setting, depress the lock button O provided. Note accuracy assured by a quartz oscillator. Yellow numbers on the
that shutter speeds between engraved numbers (i.e., inter- dial indicate actual shutter speeds, while white ones are reci-
mediate speeds)cannot be used. Since you can see the shutter procals, i.e.,2 means 1/2 sec., and 4000 means 1/4000 sec. The
speed in use inside the viewfinder, it's not necessary to look at 250 is indicated with red which means the fastest sync speed
the shutter speed dial as you turn it. The dial has the following for an electronic flash unit. A one-stop change will either halve
or double the exposure; e.9., a shutter speed of 11125 sec. letssettings: in twice as much light as a setting of 11250 sec. and half as
much light as 1/60 sec.
20View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
www.butkus.us
A(Auto)
(Bulb)
t25O (Mechanical- 1r25O sec.l: Exposure metering system
At this setting, the shutter operates mechanically at 1/250 sec.; The Nikon FE2 employs a through-the-lens (TTL) center-this is used when the battery is exhausted and other shutter weighted full aperture exposure metering system which meas-speed modes are not operable. ures the light passing through the lens at maximum aperture,B (Bulblr thus assuring a bright finder image during shooting. Exposure
At this mechanical setting, the shutter curtains @ remain open measurement emphasis is placed especially on the brightness
as long as you depress the shutter release button. B is es- in the 12 mm dia. central area, although the meter reads the light
pecially useful for making long time exposures with a cable over the entire focusing screen. Correct exposure is assured
release and a triood when the main subject is placed in this centralarea.
21View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
CONTROLS lN DETAll-continued
OOutside-exposure-range warning marks
@A(Auto)
@Shutter speed scale
OShutter speed/mode indication needle
@Meter needle
@M250
mI E @ B(Bulb)
2 @f-number in use
2I
1
Erposure indicatlons Shutter speedrmode indicator needle
The exposure indications appearing on the shutter speed/mode This green needle moves accordingly as you turn the shutter
scale at the left-hand side of the viewfinder indicate the neces- speed/mode selector dial. For example, turn the shutter speed/
sary information for the correct exposure. Also the f/stop in use mode selector dial to A and the indication moves to the A posi-
appears through the ADR window @ above the viewf inder f rame. tion to indicate automatic ooeration.
Meter needle Outside-exposure- range warning marks
As soon as the shutter release button is depressed halfway to Both the upper and lower portions of the shutter speed scale
switch on the meter, the black needle automatically swings up are in red to indicate an exposure that is outside the meter's
to show the correct shutter speed, according to the subject range. lf the black meter needle is located in either of these
brightness and the f/stop set on the lens. Please note that the red areas after metering, adjust the f/stop on the lens until the
needle doesn't move before the frame counter reaches frame needle moves out of these areas.
" 1" or when the shutter soeed/mode selector dial is set at M250 For more information refer to page24.
or B.
22View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Automatic exposure photog raphy- Shooting on auto
aperture priority shooting 1) Set the shutter speed/mode selector dial at A. 2) Set the desired f /stoo on the lens.
With the FE2 set at A, you select the f /stop and the electronically 3) Look through the viewfinder and place the main subject in thecontrolled metering circuit matches it with the correct stepless center of the frame.shutter speed. The A mode is especially useful, because it +)putl out the film advance lever and depress the shutter re-allows you to control depth of field while using the camera on lease button halfway. perfectautomatic assure exposure. Deeper field to depth of 5) Confirm the position of the meter needle. lf the shutter speed(or a greater zone of sharp focus in front of and behind the main is above 1/30 sec., but not over 1/4000 sec., depress the
subject) is achieved as you stop down the lens to smaller aper- shutter release button all the way. The correct exposure will
tures (indicated by numerically larger f-numbers). Shallower be obtained.
depth of field (where the focus is restricted to the main subiect)
results when larger apertures are used. (Refer to page 38 for
more information.)
23View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
,-CONTROLS lN DETAll;continued
Possible o**xposure u"o"-xposure Set the
picture blur desired
speed by
the |, r l,ffif turning
lens aperture
lisll ring (e.9., l'';!l set to 1/125
sec.). lTllfl
o When the meter needleHbLis between 1/30 and 8 sec. the pic- Automatic erposure photography-
ture will probably come out blurred if you attempt to take the Shutter priority shooting shot while hand holding the camera. In this case, turn the For shooting moving subjects, the FE2 also enables you to aperture ring to obtain a larger aperture. lf after opening up
the lens all the way, the shutter speed does not go above select the shutter speed on Auto either to freeze the action and produce sharp outlines with a faster shutter speed, or to cause 1/30 sec., use a tripod to steady the camera. As alternatives,
an intentional blur by choosing a slower shutter speed. To oper- use electronic flash or change to a higher speed film.
o lf the meter needle is in the upper warning area, use a smaller ate the FE2 in this way, depress the shutter release button
halfway;then match the meter needle with the speed you desire aperture. lf , after you have stopped the lens down all the way
and the needle still remains in this area, use a neutral density by turning the lens aperture ring.
filter or change to a slower speed film.
o lf the meter needle is in the lower warning area, use a larger
aperture. lf , after you have opened the lens up all the way and
the needle still remains in this area, use electronic flash or
.switch to the B setting to make a time exposure.
24View original page 25Page 26 · Read text
www.butkus.us
illanual exposure photography How to select the flstop and shutter speed
Manual operation allows you to shoot at your choice of any Exposure is determined by the combination of shutter speed
combination of f/stop and sixteen speeds on the camera's dial. and aperture. As the numbers on either the aperture ring or
By varying these combinations, you can achieve not only cor- shutter speed dial indrease by one increment, the amount of
rect exposure but also such special effects as under- or over- light striking the film is reduced by approximatety one half. For
exposure, blurred action, etc. Manual is also valuable in devel- example, the amount of light at 11125 sec. is one half that at
oping your photographic skills, and is additionally recommended 1/60 sec., and the amount of light at f/16 is one hatf that at f/'11.
when an electronic flash other than the SB-15, SB-168 or SB-E Brighter scenes require either faster speeds or smaller aper-
is used. B and M25O settings also offer manual exposure tures or a combination of both which will give the same amount
photography. of exposure; darker scenes require the reverse. For example,
1/1000 sec. at f/5.6 is the same as either 1/4000 sec. at f l2.B or
1/125 sec. at f/16,
Shutter speedraperture combinations that glye
the same exposure
25View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
@ffi +ml
F|
BHShooting on manual
1)Turn the shutter speed/mode selector dial to any of sixteen Notes.'
numbered settings or set the f /stop you desire. Faster shutter 1) Because the aperture ring can be set in between the engraved f-numbers, stight adiustment to obtain the correct exposure should be speeds will freeze moving subjects while slower ones cause made by turning the aperture ring of the lens.
the action to blur. (lrlote that you cannot use the shutter 2) At the mechanical settlngs of M250 and B', the meter does not function
speed/mode selector dial in between the indicated settings.) and the meter needle will not move.
2)While looking through the viewfinder, place the subject in the 3) tf vou wish to create intentional under' or overexposure, set either
center of the frame; then pull out the film advance lever, the aperture ring or shutter speed/mode selector dial so that both
depress the shutter release button halfway, and check both needles in the viewfinder are not aligned.
the black meter needle and green shutter speed/mode
indicator needle.
3) lf both are apart, to get the correct exposure, rotate the
aperture ring and/or the shutter speed dial so that they are
aligned.
4) Depress the shutter release button all the way to take the
picture.
26View original page 27Page 29 · Read text
I
Stop-Down Exposure Measurement
Stop-down exposure measurement must be made whenever lens wide open while exposure measurement and shooting must
the aperture ring of the lens doesn't couple with the meter be done with the lens stopped down.
coupling lever of the camera. After focusing and switching on On auto:
the meter, follow these procedures: Take a shot with the lens stopped down.
With a PC-Nikkor, the correct exposure must be determined
For lenses with automatic diaphragms before shifting. To do so, f irst use the memory lock, then the lens
On auto: can be shifted to take the shot.
Depress the depth-of-field preview lever @ all the way and, On manual:
while holding it in, take the shot. Stop down the lens to determine the correct exposure, then
Or depress the depth-of-field preview lever to take a meter take the shot.
reading. Then, while holding it in, push the self-timer lever @
towards the camera body to lock in the exposure setting. With For lenses wlth fixed apertures
the exposure locked in, release the depth-of -field preview lever Since the aperture is fixed when using Reflex-Nikkor lenses, or
and take the shot. (Refer to page 37 tor more details about in photomicrography or telescopic photography, it is impossible
the memory lock.) to change the exposure by varying the aperture.
On manual: On auto:
While holding in the depth-of-field preview lever, determine the Take the shot by simply depressing the shutter release button.
correct exposure by turning the shutter speed/mode selector On manual:
dial or the aperture ring of'the lens. Then release the depth-of- Turn the shutter speed dial to set the correct exposure. lf a
field preview lever and take the shot. correct exposure can't be obtained, use either an ND filter if the
scene is too bright or supplementary illumination if too dark.
For lenses without automatic diaphragms lVotes.'
When the automatic diaphragm doesn't couple with the meter 1) Keep the depth-of -field preview lever firmly depressed when you re-
coupling lever of the camera, such as when a PC-Nikkor or lease the shutter.
bellows attachment is used, focusing should be done with the D tf you attempt to make a stop-down exposure measurement when
an Al lens is mounted directly on the FE2, incorrect exposure will result.
28View original page 29Page 30 · Read text
www.butkus.us
EV Range of the Gamera What is EV?
The camera's meter may be used only within the shutter speed Exposure value (EV) is a number representing the available
range covered by the exposure value (EV) range of the meter, combinations of shutter speed and aperture that give the same
which varies with the aperture and ASA/lSO setting. exposure effect when the scene brightness and ASA/ISO
The chart on page 31 shows the relationships between the f/stop, remain the same.
shutter speed and film speed, indicating the usable functioning At ASA/ISO 1OO, a shutter speed of one second at f/1.4 rs
shutter speed (for metering purposes) with any film speed/ def ined as EV 1. lf the aperture is stopped down by one full
aperture combination. f/stop or the shutter speed is one step faster, the EV increases
Careful attention to the following instructions will assure precise by one; if the aperture is opened up by one full f/stop or the
exposure, automatically, over the complete exposure control shutter speed is one step slower, EV decreases by one. Using
and meter range capabilities of your Nikon FE2. ASA/ISO 100 as an example, 1 sec. al tl2 is EV 2, 't sec. at
f/5.6 is EV 5, while 1/125 sec. at f/5.6 is EV 12. As the exposure
is the same, 1/30 sec. at f/'11 and 1/1000 sec. at f/2 are also
EV 12.
29View original page 30Related documents and language editions
From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.