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
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