Hello all:

I am inquiring of any first hand experiences with these 2 cameras. I am looking for a cheap non-battery dependent camera for backup. FM2N is out of the question. The FM-10/ FE-10 seem like a good light weight mechanical body. I know it's OEMed by Cosina. But for about $200 you get a lens and case with it and I can mount my Nikkors on it. Just wondering what your opinions are.

-- picshooter (picshooter@juno.com), March 04, 1999

Answers

I'd be tempted to hunt around for a low-rollage, clean FM, FE or FG. The FE 10 and FM 10 aren't mechanical cameras; they likely shoot at only one speed(1/90)without a battery. Only the FM and its descendants are truly battery-independent(i.e., fully "mechanical")at all shutter speeds).The FE 10--FM 10 seem orphaned on the N. American market by Nikon, who really intended them for East Asian buyers. They seem like a solution looking for a problem. I found them very plasticky, more so than the low-end Nikon AF models.

-- Gary Watson (cg.watson@sympatico.ca), March 04, 1999.

Find a used FM. It won't lose it's value. Or for a little more you can get an FE or an FG. They (the FE and FG) aren't truly battery independant, but seeing how I haven't changed the battery in my F3 since Aug. 1997 (I'm afraid my spare will be past its expiration date before I need it) they should last a while.

-- Geoffrey S. Kane (grendel@pgh.nauticom.net), March 04, 1999.

I got my Nikon F Photomic Tn with working meter, 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor, and a lens hood for $175 at a local camera show;-). This thig still works! Also, this is a true full mechanical camera. I think this would worth much more than FM-10/FE-10 and hold its value.

-- Hiroshi Shigematsu (pooh02@earthlink.net), March 05, 1999.

The above are postings are solid advice, you would do much better to find a used FM2N as opposed to either the FM10/FE10 new.

-- Jeff Thomsen (jesper@mozart.inet.co.th), March 05, 1999.