I just got this camera from a thrift store. After getting the batteries and film, I took it to get repaired because a knob broke. The guy there told me that everything else looks in good condition. Now, it's working. Now, I have no idea what all these settings are! I've tried to find a manual online that really explains all these things, but I can't. I would really appreciate any advice you all can give me. I normally take photos with a digital point-and-shoot camera, so I'm not familiar with all these numbers and settings. I've included some photos of the camera. Thank you!
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=57279...
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=57279...
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=57279...
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=57279...
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=57279...
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=57279...
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=57279... I found a manual for your Nikon FE. Here is the link:
http://www.lensinc.net/manuals/FEuser.pd...
I suggest that you read through that so you can understand each part of the camera. After you understand each part of the camera, then you can follow the instructions to take pictures.
The first thing you need for this camera is make sure it has a battery so you can use the needle in the camera to measure the amount of light that is going to your film(exposure). Then you set the film ASA to the film that you have, Asa 100, 200, 400, etc. The higher the ASA number, the less time it needs to get the proper exposure. Put the exposure compensation to 0 and then make sure that you load the film the way it is described in the manual. After that, you need to learn exposure, which is following the combination of aperture or f/stop you see on the lens, and then the shutter speed on the camera. Put the dial on the camera for aperture priority, which means that given the aperture you set in the lens, and making sure the needle for the exposure is in the middle, then you have the proper exposure to take the picture. Before you do that, make sure you manually focus the lens so that the image is clear, although the lens you have is auto focus, your camera is a manual focus camera, therefore you have to manually focus it. You are welcome. Glad to be of help. Report It
The FE is a aperture-priority SLR from the late 1970s. For a good overview, check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_FE
The settings that concern you are shutter speed and f-stop, which is the size of the lens opening. Together they regulate the light that strikes the film. If you set the dial on top of the camera to AUTO, the camera will set the shutter speed, leaving only the f-stop for you to control.
The camera has a built-in light meter to let you know when the exposure is correct. Turn it on by pulling out the film advance lever so that the red dot on top of the body is visible. Look at the Wikipedia article for details on the operation of the meter.
There's a lot more to it than that. If you visit a good camera shop, I'm sure you could get an explanation of the the basics of your camera's operation. It's a very good camera that Nikon produced in a series of models for many years. You made a good choice. So you got on your hand an old faithfull Nikon FE film based SLR camera. I've used the camera way back in 1971, and it's a good camera. For a definitive reading on the camera (all inclusive). please point to the site below.
mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/cl...
and you can read to your heart's content. Just be sure to clean the lens with a dust buster/blower first and then swipe with a lens cloth. Avoid going in a circular motion as a small scratch will be tolerated better than a light smear caused by consistent circular motion cleaning. Nice camera. I noticed an "AF" (auto-focus) lens. It will not auto-focus on the FE but should work with manual focus. It looks pretty clean, though.Using the link below, you can find basic trouble-shooting tips.
Look at the second link below: B&H Photo in New York sells a used Nikon FE for $129. That store also sells lots of accessories. Manual Nikon lenses for the FE should be plentiful on the used market (know who you buy it from). Typically, those lenses have excellent optical quality. Nikon did not make a bad lens. |
