Nikon FE Camera with 50mm f/1.4 Lens Silver – Used
Condition:
- Shows some signs of use
- Including Lens Cap, Strap, Tiffen SKY-1A Filter
- Stock # 21870021
Features:
- Classic Nikon 35mm film camera
- Compact well well-made metal body
- Nikon F-mount
- Manual-focus
- ISO 12-3200
- Electronically timed shutter
- Shutter speeds of 8 seconds to 1/1,000, bulb, M90
- Two mechanical shutter speeds of bulb and M90
- 1/125s Flash sync
- Hot shoe and PC flash sync terminals
- 93% finder coverage
- 0.86x finder magnification
- Center-weighted TTL meter
- Depth of field preview
- Self Timer
- Uses two 1.5V LR44, PX76, or MS76 style batteries
- Built-in battery check
The Nikon FE is a mid-range 35mm film SLR camera developed in the late 1970s to replace the Nikon EL-W and EL2 bodies. The body comes in both chrome and black.
The Nikon FE is a robust camera built with amateurs and enthusiasts in mind. It notably features the addition of an aperture-priority (AP) mode. The FE has a stainless steel Nikon F-mount that accepts just about every lens ever created by Nikon. Unlike most Nikon bodies made later on, the FE’s metering aperture follow tab can be flipped back out of the way so non-AI F-mount lenses can be mounted without causing damage.
The electronically timed focal plane shutter can fire from 8 to 1/1000 second and has two backup speeds of bulb and 1/90s (M90 on the dial) speeds. The flash is synced at 1/125s, and the body has a hot shoe and PC Sync terminals. Fully mechanical wheels and levers allow total control of the body. Exposure comp of +/- 2 stops is set with a top-mounted wheel on the left side of the body, and a small lever can be triggered for multi-exposures. AE lock is engaged with a well-placed button. ISO is selectable on the Nikon FE from 12 – 3200. Film advance and rewind are also fully mechanical, though Nikon’s motor drives can be used with this body. The metering is center-weighted TTL. A great feature is the use of a highly responsive analog needle for metering (up to a tenth of a stop accuracy).Â
Due to the level of quality construction and compact design, the FE is still much coveted to this day.
The NIKKOR-S 50mm f/1.4 is a classic manual focus prime lens from Nikon’s pre-autofocus era, produced from the 1960s through the early 1980s. It was designed for Nikon’s F-mount system and represents one of the company’s most respected standard lenses from that period.
**Key Characteristics:**
The lens features a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture, making it excellent for low-light photography and achieving shallow depth of field with smooth bokeh. Its 50mm focal length provides a natural field of view that closely matches human vision, making it versatile for portraits, street photography, and general use.
**Optical design:** The NIKKOR-S employed a multi-element design with Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating (SIC) to reduce flare and improve contrast. The build quality is exceptional, with an all-metal construction and smooth, precise manual focus ring that’s become legendary among photographers.
**Image quality:** This lens is renowned for its sharpness across the frame, even wide open, with excellent color rendition and contrast. It performs particularly well for portraiture, producing pleasing skin tones and natural-looking bokeh.
**Compatibility:** While designed for film cameras, the NIKKOR-S 50mm f/1.4 can be adapted to modern Nikon DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, though metering and autofocus won’t function. It’s become highly sought after by enthusiasts who appreciate its mechanical precision and distinctive rendering characteristics.
The lens remains popular today among collectors and photographers who value vintage glass for its unique optical character and robust construction.
