Nikon launched the FE in 1978 as the automatic twin of the mechanical FM. The two share a tough duralumin chassis, and the FE is basically an FM with precision electronic controls grafted on. It adds aperture-priority auto exposure, an electronically timed shutter from 8 s to 1/1000 s, and a match-needle meter with a black and a green needle in the finder. If the battery dies, the M90 setting and B still fire mechanically. Collectors love one detail no other Nikon has. The meter coupling tab folds up, so old non-AI lenses from the 1960s mount and meter stopped down. The FE went up against the Canon AE-1 and Minolta XD11, came chrome-trimmed or all black, and gave way to the FE2 in 1983.
The variants
The FE is the automatic twin of the mechanical FM, built on the same chassis. The FE2 that replaced it in 1983 has a 1/4000 s shutter and 1/250 s flash sync, but it lost the FE's fold-up coupling tab, so it can't take non-AI lenses.
The shutter is electronic, so a body with failing electronics only fires at M90 and B. Some owners report the mirror hanging up after a shot, and the needles can be hard to read in dim light.
Buying guide
We'd buy an FE body titled tested or all works, and those ask $100 to $151 delivered. There are at least 210 listed, and most ask $130–270 delivered, with Japan dealers filling the page and 50mm f/1.4 kits running $240–320. The shutter is electronically timed, so it needs its two SR44 or LR44 cells for auto and every speed except M90 and B, which fire without them. Ask for a video firing in A at bright and dim scenes, and watch that the mirror drops back every time, since some owners report it hanging up. A body with no claims at all asks $79, so a tested one costs only about $20 more.
$99.84est. delivered
The lowest-priced FE titled tested and working, a silver body only at $100 delivered from a US seller. Ask for a video firing in A, and at M90 with the battery out.
Nikon FE Silver 35mm SLR Film Camera Body Only Tested and Working
![All Works[Near MINT] Nikon FE Black SLR 35mm Film Camera Body F Mount From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/biIAAeSwC5Rqy0b5/s-l500.jpg)
$119.99est. delivered
A black body titled all works and graded Near MINT by the Japan dealer, at $120 delivered, about half the $225 median. Add a lens, and ask for a video showing the mirror drops back after each shot.
All Works[Near MINT] Nikon FE Black SLR 35mm Film Camera Body F Mount From JAPAN
![🌸New Seal [NEAR MINT] Nikon FE 35mm Film Camera Ai Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 Lens Japan](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/HL4AAeSwvA9qWwdb/s-l500.jpg)
$269.99est. delivered
Titled new seal, with an Ai Nikkor 50mm f/1.8, so the usual first job is done and you have a standard lens. It's $270 delivered, the top of the band, and it isn't titled tested, so ask for a video firing in A.
🌸New Seal [NEAR MINT] Nikon FE 35mm Film Camera Ai Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 Lens Japan
![[MINT in BOX]Nikon FE Black SLR 35mm Film Camera w/ New Strap From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/mv0AAeSw61hqm98f/s-l500.jpg)
$299.39est. delivered
A black FE in its box with a new strap, graded MINT by the Japan dealer, at $299 delivered. That's about $30 over the band, and the box is what the extra buys.
[MINT in BOX]Nikon FE Black SLR 35mm Film Camera w/ New Strap From JAPAN
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$99.84est. delivered
$84.99 + $14.85 shipping
Buy It Now$84.99
Good buy
Silver body only, titled tested and working.
Seller: u2busaru
99.7% positive
Used$119.99est. delivered
$99.99 + $20.00 shipping
Buy It Now$99.99
Good buy
Black body, titled all works. Near MINT is the dealer's grade.
Seller: sakura_photograph_japan
100% positive
Used$269.99est. delivered
$199.99 + $70.00 shipping
Buy It Now$199.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled new seal, with an Ai Nikkor 50mm f/1.8.
Seller: sakura.camera.japan.37
99.6% positive
Used$299.39est. delivered
$204.39 + $95.00 shipping
Buy It Now$204.39
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Black body, boxed with a new strap. MINT is the dealer's grade.
Seller: ysj830
100% positive
Used$79.41est. delivered
$70.00 + $9.41 shipping
Buy It Now$70.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
No test or condition claims. Lowest price on the page.
Seller: anull88
100% positive
Used$234.85est. delivered
$220.00 + $14.85 shipping
Buy It Now$220.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Black body. No test claims, near the top of the band.
Seller: syracusecamera
99.9% positive
![[ Near MINT ] Nikon FE Silver 35mm Film Camera Ai 50mm f/1.4 MF Lens From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/S6IAAeSwnpRqu9uX/s-l500.jpg)
Used$239.99est. delivered
$199.99 + $40.00 shipping
Buy It Now$199.99
Our take
Silver, with an Ai 50mm f/1.4. Not titled tested.
Seller: zeta-camera
100% positive
![[ MINT ] Nikon FE Silver Body Ai 50mm f/1.4 Lens SLR 35mm Film Camera From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/s6YAAeSwHn1qeddV/s-l500.jpg)
Used$319.98est. delivered
$249.99 + $69.99 shipping
Buy It Now$249.99
Our take
Silver, with an Ai 50mm f/1.4. Not titled tested.
Seller: saycheese8
99.8% positive
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