Nikon FE
The Nikon FE produced from 1978 to 1983. The FE was the electronic sibling to the mechanical FM. Both were targeted at the advanced amateur market but could play into the professional segment, especially for the size/weight conscious user.
The FE and FM seem like an admission by Nikon that the small OM System introduced by Olympus at the beginning of the '70s had resinated with consumers. I wonder if the folks at Nikon and Canon watch the OM roll out and laugh from atop there F lines of professional cameras or did they see the threat and and get to work. Either way the FE was a good answer. Simple camera with a easy to read meter, great size and aperture priority.
My take:
This FE has been on my shelf for a very long time. Waiting for me to shoot it. Quietly sitting there as I was distracted by other more exotic, seemingly more interesting cameras. The FE is well ... plain. Not ugly, just not very flashy. It is a nice compact size SLR but does not have the precociousness of the Olympus OM. It is capable but lacks the knobs and switches of the Canon A-1. It is a Nikon but lacks the been to war veteran status of the F/F2/F3, not to mention lacking the size. And so, the FE sat on my shelf, waiting.
When I finally took the FE down and decided to shoot it, I realized what a good looking camera it was. Not is a show-off way but in a simple utilitarian way. The way that a Volvo 240 is pleasing because it is a car and not trying to be something else. The FE is a camera and a good one. A better camera than I had expected.
I shot mostly in Aperture Priority mode because that is the only trick the FE has and I wanted to test it out. What a joy. Simple, do what you need camera. I loved the size, easy to carry at a car show. Don't let the simple looks of the FE fool you this is a capable SLR. If you have the option, get one and and enjoy the simple life.
Lens: Nikon 35mm f2.0
Film: FujiColor 100