Nikon FE broken :( Repair or replace?

Ben D Bus

My FE seems to stick with the mirror locked up after taking just a couple of shots. Changing the shutter speed (usually to M90) generally resolves the issue but it's getting very annoying.

I'm guessing I should just get on ebay to find a new one but wondering if it might be something simple to repair.

Any Nikon film camera experts can advise?

magicbastarder

I'm not a Nikon expert, but there are a couple of repair people in Dublin. Might be something reasonably simple like a stretched spring.

Irishphotodesk

Seems to be a very common problem ...and possible easy-ish fix.

https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/nikon-fe-shutter-stuck-mirror-wont-come-down.205872/

Ben D Bus

Irishphotodesk wrote: »

Seems to be a very common problem ...and possible easy-ish fix.

https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/nikon-fe-shutter-stuck-mirror-wont-come-down.205872/

How did I manage to not find that!

Thanks. I'll have a read through the link and see how it works out.

DaireQuinlan

Well worth trying to fix if it's otherwise working OK, the FE is a nice shooter. This is probably one of a couple of things. The very first thing I would do is to check the batteries, and check the contacts. Even if you think you put fresh batteries in recently, open another 2 and try them. That might just resolve your issue. If not then potentially sticky memory foam, then a couple of mechanical things that might be the problem which you can try yourself as you've found above.


Funny story, I have two FE-2's because my first one went on the blink after replacing batteries, wouldn't fire, meter shot, so I bought a new one. Took the batteries from the old one, 2nd one behaved the same way. :mad::mad::mad: Before penning an angry screed to the seller, I took two new NEW batteries and tried them, and both bodies were just fine. Tested the other two batteries, and one of them was dead as a dodo, straight from the packet.

OTOH I did end up with this:


So, y'know, swings and roundabouts

Ben D Bus

Hi again. My camera was locked away in my (closed since Christmas ) studio until tonight.

Recovered the camera and checked recommendations above. No success. Mirror now stuck up even at M90 setting. Film lever also stuck now. Totally seized up.

I've read some recommendations about removing the bottom plate and fiddling with some cogs but tbh I'd rather have someone who knows what they're doing look at it.

Any recommendations for someone who can repair a Nikon FE? Post here or PM.

Thanks.

magicbastarder

I've used a chap called Clive McDonald before, though about ten years ago, based out Artane direction. I still have his number in my phone, but he could have retired for all I know. Can pm it to you if you want to ping him?

Ben D Bus

magicbastarder wrote: »

I've used a chap called Clive McDonald before, though about ten years ago, based out Artane direction. I still have his number in my phone, but he could have retired for all I know. Can pm it to you if you want to ping him?

That would be great. Thanks.

versager

Perhaps not exactly related to Nikon FE camera model, but there's a crowd based in Cork who are into Nikon camera bodies repairs:

https://www.ielectron.ie/model/camera/nikon-camera/all