Step forward the Nikon FE 35mm camera with Nikkor 50mm lens.
I’ve had the camera you see here for a couple of years now, first the cost…The body and lens cost just under £200 and let me tell you, this camera is seriously well made. Solid with a reassuring weight, buttons and dials that operate with just the right resistance and the lens is a cracker! F1.8 – f22 gives plenty of scope for lovely bokeh and low light situations, to the brightest of days.
The camera will shoot from bulb up to 1/1000sec, has aperture priority and exposure compensation of plus and minus 2.
There’s a double exposure switch if you like that kind of thing, and a depth of field preview button.
The meter is displayed as a needle which floats on the left handmade of the viewfinder and it’s pretty bright and clear. Forget seeing it in low light though, I guess this is where a small led would do you better.
As with most 35mm slr cameras, there’s not much to say about operation. I find it’s more a question of feel…and this camera doesn’t disappoint. It feels like it wouldn’t be out of place in any pro photog’s bag, and as already said it’s not a rangefinder but that’s the thing… There is definitely a temptation, especially if you like to shoot street, that only a rangefinder will do. It is a different thing, but an slr doesn’t take different pictures…remember you make the picture, the camera is merely the tool.
So in summary…Do look at this beauty if you fancy having a crack with film, its cheap but so solid it’ll outlast you! Plus you won’t lose a dime if you decide to resell.
Thanks for reading, and the images below are all from the Nikon FE. Click them to see them in a larger format.