On 9 Oct 1998 21:11:26 GMT, yu@dgac.fr () wrote:

>Wow! Do FM2n, FE2, and FE use the same K2, E2, and B2 screens?
>How can you tell the differences? I bought my FE new and have used it for over
>15 years, using Kodakchrome 65 most of the time. Bought an used FM2n and
>an FE2 recently. While doing some testing with these bodies, I discovered the
>following:
>Using the same Nikor 50/1.4 with aperture set at f2 and ISO set at 100 on all
>3 bodies aiming at the same light source, I found that while the FE meter
>showed 1/60, I had to adjust the ISO dial on the FE2 to 100+"2 notches" ie
>ISO 180 to bring the FE2 meter to indicate 1/60 (2/3 of a stop off). In order
>to bring the FM2n meter to indicate "o" at 1/60, I had to set the ISO dial to
>100+"one notch" (1/3 of a stop off). Any ideas? They all have the split prism
>screens. (E2?)

I've checked out a LOT of Nikon meters against two known light sources
(one bright, one dim) calibrated against good exposures with several
different slide films. What I find is that Nikon MF bodies swing about
50-50 right on, or requiring "-1/3" compensation (same as setting the
ASA one notch high...). I just set the compensation, and forget it
(making temporary compensations with the ASA setting...). For some
reason, most of the motor-included Nikon bodies check out right on
in metering. BTW, I would not use a light itself for meter checking,
unless it is broad, even, and not flourescent. All the screens are
interchangeable, with the "2" series having a small notch in the end of
the tab, and they are about 1/3rd stop more light transmission
(maybe the screens got switched around - which could account for the
2/3 stop difference, especially if the common 1/3 stop error is
factored in...).