Nikon FR User manual

NOMENCLATURE
Sh Irr.er-';np",n dial lock
Lens re direct readout window
Shutter release button
Meter coupling lever
Shutter release fi
Meter co lever release
N
et
Depth-of-field preview lever
Lens mounting in
Self-timer/memory lock
Reflex mirror
Focusing screen holder rei
Lens mounti
Motor drive shutter coupling
Motor drive coupli
Film rewind button Memo holde
•
2

Distance scale Aperture/distance scale index
Focusing ring
Meter coupli shoe
Aperture ri
Depth-of-field ind icators
Meter coupling ridge
Aperture-direct-readout sca le
Exposure compensation index
Exposure compensation scale
Hot-shoe contact
Film rewind crank
Shutter-speed ind ex
Film rewind knob
Shutter-speed scale
Safety lock
Frame counter
Film-speed scale inde x
Multi-exposure lever
ASA
film-speed scale/dial
Fil m-advance lever
Exposure compensation ring
Meter ON index
Power check lever/lamp Film-plane indic ator
ASA film-speed dial lock
Viewfinder eyepiece (w /ready-I ig ht)
Accessory shoe
Ready-light contact

CONTENTS
Foreword .... .. ............... ..... .. 5
Exposure measurement . ................. 24
Preparation for use ..................... 6
Automatic shutter speed selection ........ 24
Installing the batteries ................. 6 Manual shutter speed selection ........... 26
Checking battery power ................ 6
Exposure control .................... 27
Loading film ........................ 7 Metering range
................ ..... 28
Prior to shooting .......... ... .... .. .. 8 High-contrast lighting situations ...... ... . 28
Setting thefilm speed .... ...... ..... ... 9
Stop - down exposure measurement .... .. .... 30
Memo holder .................... . .. 9
Exposure compensation adjustments ......... 32
Operation of camera controls ... . ...... .. . . 10
EV range of the camera .. . . ............. 33
Setting the shutter speed ............... 10
Multiple exposures ..................... 36
Film-advance lever
................... 12
Flash synchronization .................. 37
Frame cou nter ..................... 12
Ready-light ....................... 38
Self-timer ......................... 13
Tips on camera care .................... 39
Memory lock ........... ... ........ 14
Mounting and removing lenses ............. 40
Unloading film ....................... 15
Changing focusing screens .... .. . .. ... .. .. 41
Holding the camera .................... 16
Focusing screen selector guide .......... .42
Shutter release operation ... . ...... ...... 17
Lens/screen compatibility chart ....... .. .43
Operation with cable release ............ 17
Accessories ......................... .44
Focusing ............. .... .. ...... . . 18
Features/specifications ........... .... .. .46
I nfrared photography ................. 20
Film-plane indicator .. ......... ...... . 20
Depth of field ........................ 21
Depth-of-field preview lever ... . ......... 21
Depth-of-field indicators ............... 22
4

FOREWORD
The Nikon FE is a compact 35mm single-lens reflex
camera with a
host of outstanding features. It offers
aperture-priority
automatic exposure control with shut-
ter speeds from
1/1000 second down to 8 seconds, has
interchangeable focusing screens, and accepts
the option-
al MD-12 for motor-driven exposures up to 3.5 frames
per second. In addition,
the FE incorporates automatic
flash speed setting when used in conjunction with the
accessory Speedlight Unit S8-1O. When the S8 - 1O is
mounted on the camera's hot shoe and turned on, the
shutter speed is automatically set to the proper synchro-
nization speed
of 1/90 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.
5

PREPARATION FOR USE
Installing the Batteries
The Nikon FE's built-in exposure meter and the elec-
tronic shutter control circuits are powered by two
button-cell type 1.55V silver-oxide batteries or one 3V
lithium battery. These are mounted in the battery clip,
which
forms a single unit with the battery chamber's
coin-slotted lid, in the camera's baseplate. To install the
battery or batteries, first unscrew the lid by turning it
counterclockwise, with a coin or something similar, until
it
can be freely removed by hand. Then, seat the battery,
or the two batteries one on top of the other, in the bat-
tery clip, making sure that the respective plus (+) and
minus (- ) signs correspond with similar marks provided
in the clip. After seating the batteries correctly, replace
the lid, and secure the connection by turning it clock-
wise with
the coin as far as it will go. It 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, refer to "Tips on
Camera Care" on page 39.
6
Checking Battery Power
To check battery power, simply turn the power check
lever
downward and watch the power check lamp. If the
lamp fails to glow, check the battery seating and make
any necessary adjustments. Should the lamp still fail to
light up, install new batteries .
Caution :
1) When
the camera is not in use, make sure that the film-ad-
vance lever is positioned flush with the camera body. As the
lever doubles as the meter on-off switch, leaving it in the
stand-off position will result in the camera's battery being
completely drained in just a few days.
2) When
the camera is attached to the MD-12 motor drive, make
sure the motor drive is switched off when it is not in use to
prevent drain of both the camera and the motor drive's
batteries.
3) When the batteries are dead or there are none installed in the
camera, the only two settings which can be used are "M90 "
and
"B ." If you trip the shutter with the camera set to any
other speed, the shutter won 't open or the reflex mirror may
remain in the "up" position. If the mirror locks
up, simply turn the shutter speed dial to "M90"
and the mirror will return to its normal viewing
position . Then you can
install new
batteries.
To avoid wasting
a frame, stro ke
the winding lever
while holding in
the multiple -
exposure lever.

Loading Film
First, open the camera back by sl iding its safety lock to .
the rear and lifting the film rewind knob
as far as it will
go. Position the film cartridge or cassette in the film
chamber, which
is located on the left-hand side, with the
film leader aligned along the film guide rails; then, push
the rewind knob down to hold the cartridge
in place. Pull
the film leader out sufficiently for feeding into the film
take-up spool, and insert its end into any
of the spool's
slots. Rotate the take-up spool as shown in the illustration
so that the film passes under the spool with its emulsion
side (dull side) facing out. Make sure
that the perfo-
rations along the edges
of the film mesh with the
sprockets. If necessary, release the shutter by pushing
the shutter release button, and stroke the film-advance
lever slowly to make sure
that the leader winds smoothly
on the spool and
that the film edge perforations engage
the film sprocket roller.
When you are certain that the
film
is being fed properly onto the spool and traveling
correctly along the film guide rails, close the camera
back by pressing it until it snaps into place.
.,

PREPARATION FOR USE-continued
Prior to Shooting
Fold out the film rewind crank, and turn it gently in the
direction of the engraved arrow until you feel a sl ight
resistance; this will
indicate that any slack in the film
cartridge has been
taken up. Then, fold the rewind crank
into place.
Advance the film (refer to page 12 for fil m advance oper-
ation), and make two blank exposures; this will dispose
of the initial portion of the film exposed during loading.
As
you advance the film, confirm that the rewind crank
turns in the direction opposite the arrow. This indicates
that the film has been loaded properly and is being
advanced.
After advancing the film two frames, check that the
frame counter is at "0"; then, advance the film one more
frame to prepare the camera for taking the first picture.
Note: Setting the shutter-speed dial to a manual position (rather
than "AUTO") will speed up film loading by preventing the
camera from selecting a slow speed, as might be the case when
the lens cap is in place. However, be sure to reset the dial to
"AUTO" if automatic operation is desired.
~s Wh en l oad·
~in gf ilm
~ 1st bl ank
~ exposure
~ 2nd bl ank
~ ex po sure
~
3 rd bla nk expo-
•'2. o. sure ; now ready
for 1st sho t

Setting the Film Speed
As film sensitivity to light (called "film speed") varies '
with film
type, adjustment of the camera's metering
circuit
is essential to ensure uniform exposures under all
conditions . Thus, a film-speed dial is provided for th is
purpose, with a safety lock mechanism built in to
prevent accidental shifting of the dial during shooting.
To set the film speed, hold in the film-speed dial lock
and
turn the ASA film-speed dial until the ASA number
is aligned with the red index. 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
from ASA
12 to ASA 4000. The film-speed dial has two
graduations between each pair of numbers for inter-
mediate settings such as
64, 80, 125, etc. The illustration
below indicates all
intermediate settings.
Memo Holder
A special holder is provided on the camera back for con-
venient storage of any relevant information. You can use
it,
for instance, to hold the end flap of a film carton to
remind you of the type of film loaded in the camera, the
ASA film speed and the total number of exposures
available.
CJ

OPERATION 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 automatic (AUTO),
and manual speeds from 8 seconds
to 1/1000 second. To
set the dial for automatic shutter speed selection, simply
rotate the dial clockwise until the green AUTO (auto-
matic) setting 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 accidently shifted from the automatic position during
shooting.
To set the dial for manual shutter speed selection used
during "match-needle" exposure measurement, simply
hold
in the shutter-speed dial lock and rotate the dial
counterclockwise
off the "AUTO" position; when the
dial is aligned with white settings from 2 to 1000, the
actual shutter speed is a fractional value from 1/2 second
to 1/1000 second, while the remaining settings indicate
the actual valuesfrom 8 seconds to 1 second. The "M90"
setting indicates a mechanical shutter speed of 1 /90 sec-
ond which operates independently of battery power . This
is the only setting (except "B") which can be used when
10

the batteries are exhausted or none are loaded in the
camera. The "M90" setting also serves as a known·
shutter speed when shooting with electronic flash. At
the "8" setting, the shutter remains open as long as the
shutter release button is depressed. "8" is also a me-
chanical
shutter speed, so there is no battery drain when
shooting time exposures.
To conserve battery power
when making really long time exposures, use a cable
release and then push
the film-advance lever back in
flush with the camera body after opening the shutter .
Note
that the 125 setting is engraved in red; this indi-
cates 1/125 second, the fastest shutter speed available
for synchronization with electronic flash units. (Refer
to
page 37 for additional information on flash photogra -
phy.)

OPERATION OF CAMERA CONTROLS-continued
Film-Advance Lever
The film-advance lever simultaneously advances the film,
cocks
the shutter and operates the frame counter . It also
doubles as the Nikon FE's meter on/off switch and
shutter button lock.
To advance the film, stroke the lever with your right
thumb as far as it will go. The film will be advanced a
full frame.
The lever automatically returns to its 30 °
stand - off position when released upon the completion of
film advance.
The film-advance lever switches the meter on when
moved
to its stand-off position; it switches the meter off
when moved back flush with the camera body. With the
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 "B" on the
shutter-speed scale.
1')
Frame Counter
Each time the film I,s advanced one frame by a full
stroke of the film-advance lever, the frame counter
operates to show how many frames have been exposed.
It
is automatically reset to 5 (start), two frames before
0, when the camera back is opened to remove an ex-
posed film cartridge
and/or to load a new roll of film.
The fram'e counter has indications for up to a maximum
of 36 frames, with all odd numbers calibrated in dots
and all even
numbers in figures. The figures are in white,
except for 12, 20 and 36 which appear in red to indicate
the maximum number of exposures available, respective-
ly, with
standard film cartridges.

Self-Timer
The built-in self-timer can be used to trip the shutter '
after a delay of approximately 8- 14 seconds . To take
a picture using the self-timer, first set the aperture and
shutter speed controls, advance the film, and cock the
self-timer by turning the self-timer lever downwards .
Then, depress the shutter release button and the timer
will start (note t-hat the mirror will rise as the shutter
button is depressed and return at the end of the cycle).
A unique feature of the FE's self-timer lever is that its
setting
is "cancellable." In other words, should you
decide not to use the self-timer after setting it, you
simply turn it back upwards and push it towards the lens
mount. Then you can resume normal shutter tripping
operation. The self-timer works at all shutter speed set-
tings,
except "B." For critical close-up photography, the
self-timer, in combination with a tripod, is particularly
useful in preventing vibration.
Note: When using the self-timer with the camera on automatic,
cover the eyepiece with your hand only at the instant you
release the shutter; this will prevent light from entering into the
eyepiece and adversely affecting expos ,ure measurement.

OPERATION 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. Memory lock enables the .
photographer to "lock in" a close-up reading of the
subject. 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. Even
though the meter needle continues to move while the
memory lock is activated, the shutter speed is still
"locked in" electronically. Thus, several frames can be
exposed using the same locked read ing. Also, the aper-
ture can be adjusted without affecting the locked-in
shutter speed. (See "High-Contrast Lighting Situations"
on page 28 for details on the use of the memory lock.)
14

UNLOADING FILM
As soon as the frame counter indicates that the last ex-
posure has been made,
or when the film-advance lever
can no longer be
stroked, the roll of film has been fully
exposed and
now must be rewound prior to unloading.
First press
the rewind button on the camera's baseplate;
then, unfold the film rewind crank and turn it in the
direction of the engraved arrow with smooth, even pres-
sure. You can tell when the film leader has left the take-
up spool, because
the rewind crank becomes much easier
to
turn. Now, open the camera back by sliding its safety
lock and pulling up the rewind knob as far as it will go;
then, remove the film cartridge. Note that when the film-
advance lever
is stroked for the next exposure (with the
next roll of film), the rewind button will be released to
engage the film-advance mechanism once again.
You should not push the rewind button during film
advance
operation; otherwise, film advance will tem-
porarily
stop and frame-overlap may resul t. Note , too,
that the camera back can be removed from the body by
depressing
the locking catch on the 'hinge.

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, learn 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 so you can look
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. In
this way, the camera is properly supported and can
easily be switched from horizontal
to vertical format
shooting.
111

SHUTTER RELEASE OPERATION
Correct shutter release operation is just as important to
obtaining sharp pictures as holding the camera properly. .
To release the shutter correctly, move the advance lever
to its stand-off position, hold the camera steady and
depress
the shutter release button with smooth, even
pressure. Relax even when
you're in a hurry- a quick jab
at the shutter release button will cause camera shake and
result
in an unintentionally blurred photograph:
Operation with Cable Release
The shutter release button can also be tripped with a
cable release.
To attach a cable release to the camera,
screw
the threaded cable connector into the button. The
shutter is then tripped by depressing the cable release
plunger. Cable release operation
is especially recom-
mended for critical shooting situations, such as photo-
micrography
or time exposures, where vibration-free
shutter release is of prime importance.
Important : If you mount the Nikon FE
on a tripod having a large head, contact
between the lens body and the head
may make it impossible to turn the lens
aperture ring. If this happens, use the
special tripod adapter (supplied with the
camera) between the tripod head and
camera body.
17

FOCUSING
When the FE is used with a Nikkor lens fitted with an
automatic diaphragm, focusing is done at full aperture.
This makes for the brightest possible image on the
focusing screen, enabling easy focusing and composing.
Three types of focusing screens are available exclusively
for the Nikon FE. (For details about changing focusing
screens, see page
41.) The type K focusing screen comes
with the camera as standard equipment . It gives you a
choice of three focusing aids: a central split-image range-
finder spot , a microprism collar and a fine matte outer
field.
18
To focus, using the split-image rangefinder spot, turn the
focusing ring of the lens until the two halves of the range-
finder spot perfectly coincide, forming a single, crisp
image.
To focus with the microprism collar, turn the
focusing ring until the image seen through the micr o-
prism pattern appears sharp and crisp. With the matt e
outer field, turn the ring until the image viewed in the
field
appears sharp.
The split-image rangefinder spot is the most suitable for
precise,
pinpoint focusing, while the microprism collar is
perfect for rapid focusing in sports or action-type pho-
tography . The fine matte outer field, on the other hand,
is id e al for use with telephoto lenses or in closeup and
macrophotography.
You can also prefocus the lens by using the distance
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.
Note: When using lenses with maximum apertures of f/3.5 or
smaller, one-half of the split-image rangefinder may black out .
In
this case, use the matte outer field instead.

Out of focus In focus

FOCUSING-continued
Infrared Photography
The plane of sharpest focus for infrared Iight is sl ightly
further away than its counterpart for visible light as seen
through the camera's viewfinder. To cOmpensate for this,
first focus the image sharply through the viewfinder.
Then, turn the focusing ring counterclockwise until the
point focused is aligned with the red dot (or line) pro-
vided
on the lens barrel. For example, in the picture
below, the lens has been focused for infinity (oo) infrared
shooting. Note that when lenses with a focal length of
50mm or less are used stopped-down to f/8 or below,
compensation is not necessary due to the large depth of
field available.
There are some N ikkor lenses that do not require refocus-
ing
for infrared photography; refer to their instruction
manuals for details.
?O
Film-Plane Indicator
To ensure the best results in critical picture-taking
situations, such as closeup or copy photography, it might
be necessary
to determine the exact subject-to -film-
plane distance. The Nikon FE is thus provided with a
film plane
indicator (-e-); this is positioned exactly on
the film plane, which is 46.5mm from the front surface
of the lens mounting flange.
(bayonet mount front
E
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