Nikon fe2 User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Courtesy of Sandro lerovante

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NOMENCLATURE

Shulter speed/mode selector locking button

Shutter speed/mode selector dial i9

2 Shutter release button

3, Shutter release fingerguard

4 Neckstrap eyelet

Depth-of-field preview lever

vC Self timer/memory lock lever

Aperture direct readout (ADR) window

Film rewind knob

Sync terminal (cover provided)

Lens mounting index 23

Lens release button

7 Lens mounting flange

f.8} Focusing screen holder release latch

7 n>

? Viewfinder ready-light

Exposure compensation dial lock

II ASA/ISO film speed ring

Meter coupling lever

Reflex mirror

Filnri advance lever 27

12 Viewfinder eyepiece

13 Rewind fork

14 Shutter curtains

15 Film cartridge chamber

Film guide pin

17 Film guide rails

J8 Data back contacts

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Depth-of-field indicators

# Aperture/distance scale index

® Infrared focusing index

# Meter coupling shoe

'W Meter coupling ridge

@ Monitor contact

; Hot*shoe contact

i!MI

Exposure compensation dial

ASA/ISO film speed index

1?' Film rewind crank

# Camera back lock lever

% Exposure compensation scale

Hi Exposure compensation index

H Motor drive coupling

E' Motor drive shutter coupling

Film rewind button

Camera back

@ Memo holder

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Distance scale (5ì;

Focusing ring #

Lens mounting ring ®

Aperture ring

Aperture scale

Aperture-direct-readout scale #

Shutter speed/mode index w

Multiple exposure lever

Frame counter ¡59)

Film plane indicator #

<41

Accessory shoe tP

TTL flash auto-stop signal contact (sj;!

Ready-light contact @

Motor drive electrical contacts tèi.

Battery chamber lid

Tripod socket #

Film pressure plate aj

NOMENCLATURE

FOREWORD...........................................................................5

BASIC OPERATION

IMPORTANT!........................................................................19

CONTROLS IN DETAIL

Shutter Speed/Mode Selector Dial..........................20—21

Exposure metering system.............................................21

Exposure indications.......................................................22

............................................................

.......................................................

...............................................

6—18

20 — 42

2 — 3

CLOSE-UP PHOTOGRAPHY............................................43 — 44

FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY..............................................45—49

Accessory Shoe..............................................................47

Viewfinder ready-light..............................................48—49

ACCESSORIES

Interchangeable Focusing Screens

Electronic Flash Units.....................................................52

Motor Drive MD-12

.................................................................

........................

.........................................................

50—51

50 — 58

Automatic exposure photography-

aperture priority shooting.......................................23—24

Automatic exposure photography—

shutter speed priority shooting......................................24

Manual exposure photography................................25—27

Stop-Down Exposure Measurement

EV Range of the Camera

Shutter Release Button...................................................32

.......................................

...............................

29—31

Data Back MF-16............................................................54

Anti-Cold Battery Pack DB-2...........................................55

Cable Release AR-3

Right-Angle Viewing Attachment DR-3...........................56

Eyepiece Magnifier DG-2

Rubber Eyecup...............................................................56

Eyepiece Correction Lenses...........................................56

Filters..............................................................................57

.......................................................

...............................................

55 56

Film Advance Lever........................................................33

Frame Counter................................................................33

ASA/ISO Film Speed Dial

Exposure Compensation

Exposure Compensation Dial..................................35—36

Memory Lock

Depth-of-Field Preview Lever..................................38—39

Multiple Exposure Lever

..................................................................

...............................................

................................................

.................................................

Lens Hoods.....................................................................57

Camera Cases................................................................58

Neckstraps......................................................................58

Compartment Cases.......................................................58

TIPS ON BATTERY USE TIPS ON CAMERA CARE SPECIFICATIONS

........................................................

.....................................................

.................................................

62—63

60 — 61

Self-Timer Lever.............................................................41

Memo Holder..................................................................41

Infrared Focusing Index

Film Plane Indicator........................................................42

..................................................

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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 35 mm 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.

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BASIC OPERATION

i| Remove the battery clip.

Turn the camera upside down and

use a coin to unscrew the battery clip lid

:65; in a counterclockwise direction.

o Install the battery.

Wipe battery terminals clean and insert the battery into the battery clip in accordance with the marks provided in

the clip, making sure the + sign is up.

Usable batteries are;

1) one 3V lithium battery; 2) two 1.55V

silver-oxide batteries (3.1V), or 3) two

O Put the battery clip

back into place.

Slip the battery clip back into the camera body baseplate and screw the lid clock

wise tightly into place.

Note: For more information on batteries, refer

to page 59.

1.5V alkaline-manganese batteries (3V).

Caution: Keep batteries away from infants and small children. In case a battery is accidentally swallowed, call a doctor immediately as the material inside the batteries can cause serious

problems.

Note: The small numbers In the circles indentify parts of the camera as listed in the NOMEN CLATURE section.

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^ Mount the lens.

K Open the camera back 49.

Place the lens on the camera, lining

up the aperture/distance index on the

lens with the lens mounting index on the camera body Then twist the lens mounting ring counterclockwise until the

lens clicks into place. Confirm that the aperture/distance index is right on top.

To remove: While pushing the lens re

lease button S, turn the lens mounting

ring H clockwise until the lens comes off.

While pushing the camera back lock

lever'^’counterclockwise with your finger,

pull up the film rewind knob ¡If. Then lift

up further until the camera back pops

open.

Caution: Never touch the shutter curtains.

Notes:

1) When changing lenses with film loaded in the camera, be careful not to expose the mirror box

to direct sunlight.

2) This camera is designed exclusively for use with Al lenses. Non-A! lenses cannot be used,

with a few exceptions: please refer to page 19 for more details.

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BASIC OPERATION —continued

g Install the film cartridger

Position the film cartridge in the

film cartridge chamber (153 with the film

leader pointing towards the takeup spool, and push the rewind knob back down to

secure the cartridge in place.

Notes:

1) You can use any 35mm film cartridge avail

Insert the film leader in

the takeup spool m.

Pull the leader across the camera and in sert it into any one of the slots in the takeup spool.

O Engage the film’s

perforations with the

sprocket teeth .

Turn the takeup spool slightly with your finger, so that the first or second perfo

ration at the bottom edge of the film is engaged with the small tooth at the bot tom of the slot in the takeup spool and the

able on the market.

2) Avoid loading film in direct sunlight. If there is no shade available, turn your back to the

sun and use your own shadow to shield the camera.

top and bottom perforations mesh se curely with the film sprockets.

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II ir'II

I B m

Q Advance the film with

the film advance lever

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 l7; and there is no film slack.

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BASIC OPERATION —continued

40 camera

back.

Snap the camera back shut.

4 ^ Take p film slack.

“ * “ Fold out the film rewind crank ®

and rotate it gently in the direction of the arrow on the film rewind knob until you

feel a slight resistance. Then fold the

crank back in.

' speed ring h .

Lift up rotate

dot ®

Make dial sential

Set the ASA/ISO film

the ASA/ISO film speed ring and

it in either direction until the index

is opposite the film speed in use.

sure the exposure compensation

is set at 0. These actions are es-

to activate the camera’s exposure meter in use.

Notes:

1) The film speed is printed on the film carton

and the cartridge itself.

2) If the exposure compensation dial is not at

0, refer to page 36 for details.

for correct exposure of the film

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•

4 o Make blank exposures until the frame

counter 59 reaches frame “1,”

The film advance lever doubles as a shutter release button lock: to unlock the shutter release button pull out the film advance

lever to the standoff position as shown in the photo. To dispose

■ li

14 Press the shutter

release button

lightly to switch the

exposure meter on.

The shutter release button activates the

of the first few frames exposed during film loading, continue to alternately advance the film and depress the shutter release button until the frame counter reaches frame “1.” Check that

the rewind knob is rotating, indicating the film has been loaded correctly and is being advanced. If the knob does not rotate,

reload the film.

Notes:

1) Set the shutter speed/mode selector dial (i9; to A or a fast shutter speed

exposure meter when lightly pressed. The meter stays on for approx. 16 sec.

after you have taken your finger off the button.

while making blank exposures.

2) Up to frame “1," the meter needle in the viewfinder does not move and this indicates that the meter is not functioning; therefore do not take

pictures prior to the first frame.

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BASIC OPERATION —continued

Le.

4 e Check battery power.

While looking through the viewfinder after switching the exposure meter on, if the black meter needle swings into the shutter speed scale range, this indicates that the exposure

□

rii A Set the shutter speed dial to ‘‘A”

(for automatic operation).

Rotate the shutter speed dial until the "A” is opposite the shutter speed/mode index The built-in locking mechanism ensures

meter is working properly.

Notes:

1) When the shutter speed dial is set at B (Bulb) or M250 (1/250 sec.), the black meter needle doesn’t move: therefore you cannot check the

batteries. Be sure to set the dial to another position. If the black meter needle still doesn’t move, either the battery is improperly installed

(in which case you should install it properly) or battery power is not

sufficient (in which case you should change the battery).

2) You cannot check the battery power until the frame counter reaches

that the dial cannot be accidentally shifted from the "A” (auto position) during shooting.

Note: The Nikon FE2 camera has one more shooting mode besides

aperture-priority auto exposure: manual operation. For details about

shooting in this mode, refer to pages 25—26.

••1."

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4 ^ Set the lens aperture.

40 Hold the camera steady.

* ■■ Turn the lens aperture ring @ until the desired f-number

is opposite the aperture/distance index on the lens. The selected f-number appears in the viewfinder through the ADR (aperture direct readout) window for convenient reference. Intermediate settings on the lens aperture ring can be used.

Use the following suggestions as.a guide in setting the f/stop on the lens (when a 50mm f/1.4 is used with ASA/ISO 100 film

speed);

Many blurred shots are caused by unsteady holding of

the camera. Basic holding posture; Use your left hand to cradle the camera, with your fingers wrapped around the lens and

elbow propped against your body for support, as you look through the viewfinder. Use you right hand's index finger to

depress the shutter release button and your thumb to wind the film advance lever. Wrap the other fingers of your right hand around the camera body. You can adapt this basic posture to

Outdoors (cloudy); f/2.8~f/5.6 Outdoors (clear); f/5.6~f/11

Outdoors (clear at the beach or in the mountains); f/11 ~f/16

Note: The depth of field as well as the shutter speed can be controlled by

your selection of the shooting aperture. For more information, refer to pages 38—39.

both horizontal- and vertical-format shooting. To hold the camera

steady, it is advisable to lean on or against something strong and stable (e.g., a wall). Also, you can look through the view finder with the right or left eye, with the other eye open or closed.

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BASIC OPERATION —continued

2000

1000

500

250

60 30

3 -

IQ Compose and focus on the subject.

The FE2 is provided with the Type K2 focusing screen

as standard for all-purpose photography. While looking through

the viewfinder, compose your photo with the main subject in the

center to assure correct exposure. Then turn the focusing ring

of the lens & until the subject looks clear. For precise pinpoint

focusing on subjects with distinct contours, use the central

split-image rangefinder; turn the focusing ring until the split

image becomes whole (A). For rapid focusing and for subjects

® Oulside-exposure-range

warning marks

(D A (Auto)

d) Shutter speed scale ® Shutter speed/mode indication needle (D Meter needle CD M250

(T) B(Bulb)

(D f-number in use CD Fine matte/Fresnel field

ifii 3mm dia. split-image spot

ID 1 mm-wide microprism collar

(g) 12 mm dia. area

with indistinct outlines, use the microprism collar; turn the focusing ring until the shimmering image becomes sharp (B). When taking close-ups or macrophotography or shooting with telephoto lenses of maximum apertures of approx, f/4.5 or

smaller, the split-image spot and microprism collar are likely to

darken. Therefore, use the matte portion of the screen; turn the

focusing ring until the image looks sharp (C).

Notes:

1) The shutter speed scale in the viewfinder is color coded: black numbers indicate reciprocal shutter speeds: i.e. 60 means 1/60 sec., while red shows actual shutter speeds.

2) The finder coverage of the FE2 is approx. 93 %. The actual image size

will be slightly larger than the image seen in the viewfinder.

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(A) Split-image

focusing

(B) Microprism

focusing

Out of focus

In focus

focusing

Out of focus

In focus

Out of focus

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In focus

BASIC OPERATION —continued

^0 n

2000

1000

500 250

60 30

AQ Take the photograph.

Look through the viewfinder and depress the shutter

release button halfway. The shutter speed, in accordance with

the subject brightness, is then indicated inside the viewfinder by

the black meter needle. If the shutter speed needle points

above 1/30 sec., depress the shutter release button all the way.

If the shutter speed is 1/30 sec. or below, turn the aperture ring

on the lens to make the speed at least above 1/30 sec. If you

Advance the film.

“ * ■ Wind the film advance lever as far as it will go to transport the film to the next frame and ready the camera for

the next shot. Do not apply excessive pressure in winding the lever.

Note: Don’t press the film rewind button

double exposed.

or certain frames may be

cannot obtain such a speed, refer to page 24.

Notes:

1) A blurred photo may result if you take the shot at a shutter speed

between 1/30 sec. and 8 sec.

2) If the black meter needle is on either of the red exposure warning marks, the shutter speed is out of the metering range. In this case, you cannot obtain the correct exposure. See page 24 for more details.

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O A Push the film advance lever back

A Q Press the film rewind button.

into place.

After the last exposure has been made, the film advance lever won’t move. Then push the film advance lever flush against the

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 speed

scale after the meter s\A/itch is off, it \nHI automatically be switched off

To rewind the exposed film back into the film cartridge,

turn the camera upside down and press the film rewind button.

You don’t have to depress the button all the way.

in approx. 16 sec., and the exposure measuring circuit will simultaneously be cut off.

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BASIC OPERATION —continued

OÆ Rewind the film.

Fold out the film rewind crank

and turn it gently in the direction of thé arrow until you feel an increase in tension. Give it a few more turns until the tension

is gone and the crank turns freely, indi cating the film leader is rewound com pletely back into the cartridge.

oe Remove the film

cartridge.

Open the camera back by pulling up the

rewind knob and take out the film car

tridge. Avoid unloading in direct sunlight.

If there is no shade available, turn your

back to the sun and use your own shadow

to shield the camera.

Note: Do not open the camera back before film

rewinding is completed.

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IMPORTANT!

The Nikon FE2 is an Al-type (Automatic Maximum Aperture Indexing) camera which performs full-aperture metering with Al-type lenses such as Al-Nikkor and

Nikon Series E lenses. The aperture rings of these lenses are fitted with meter

coupling ridges iP (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 M (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.

Lens

Reason

Remarks

Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm f/5.6 Fisheye-Nikkor 10 mm f/5.6 OP PC-Nikkor 28mm f/4

PC-Nikkor 35mm f/2.8

Reflex-Nikkor 1000mm f/11 Reflex-Nikkor 2000 mm f/11

Zoom-Nikkor 200-600mm f/9.5

Requires mirror up Not usable Requires mirror up

Hits camera's meter coupling lever Hits camera's meter coupling lever

Hits camera’s meter coupling lever

Not usable

Serial No. 180901 and higher usable Serial No. 906201 and higher usable

Serial No. 851000 and lower usable Serial No. lower than 142361

and higher than 143000 usable Serial No. 200311 and higher usable Serial No. 300491 and higher usable

Zoom-Nikkor ED 180-600mm f/8 Hits camera’s meter coupling lever Zoom-Nikkor ED 360-1200mm f/11 Hits camera's meter coupling lever

Focusing Unit AU-1 Hits camera's meter coupling lever

Other Nikkor lenses that have not

Hits camera's meter coupling lever

been modified to offer the Al facility

Serial No. 174167 and higher usable Serial No. 174088 and higher usable

Not usable

Requires Al modification

Note: The modification at reasonable cost of most non-Ai lenses having a meter coupling

prong is available for the convenience of Nikkor lens users. For further information concerning

Al lens modification, please contact your local authorized Nikon dealer.

Al-Nikkor Lens

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+ 46 hidden pages

Nikon fe2 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

o Install the battery.

^ Mount the lens.

K Open the camera back 49.

g Install the film cartridger

O Engage the film’s

40 camera

back.

4 ^ Take p film slack.

4 o Make blank exposures until the frame

counter 59 reaches frame “1,”

4 e Check battery power.

rii A Set the shutter speed dial to ‘‘A”

(for automatic operation).

4 ^ Set the lens aperture.

40 Hold the camera steady.

IQ Compose and focus on the subject.

AQ Take the photograph.

Advance the film.

O A Push the film advance lever back

A Q Press the film rewind button.

into place.

OÆ Rewind the film.

oe Remove the film

cartridge.

IMPORTANT!