On 16 Sep 1998 23:21:34 GMT, "Bruce Brown" wrote:

>I am back in photo after a 10-15 year hiatus and this new equipment is
>driving me nuts! I need some advice. I have a bag full of Nikon AI and
>AI-S lenses with one AF tele. My most modern body is a FE-2. Should I be
>looking at the N90s, F4? I feel that I now need a motor. Is the AF really
>worth it? What about the new metering systems--matrix, etc? I refuse to
>junk my old lenses, but could see some advantages in sports photos with AF.

Personally, I do not like to use AF (a good, sharp viewfinder [not
like those in most new cameras...], pleasant-to-focus MF lenses,
and good eyeglass correction for the VF distance of about 3.5'
suffices to put virtually all AF to shame...;-). I would keep and
enjoy using what you have, and maybe add a used Nikon 8008 or
6006, if you feel the need for motor drive, good TTL flash with TTL
exposure compensation possible (though you can trick your FE-2
into doing this with film speeds under 200 or so...;-), and a bit
of AF ability... The new stuff is less "pleasant" to use than the
old, and most of the new features are of surprisingly limited
usefulness, given the hype surrounding them. The FE-2 has the
best metering interface of all (and the most useful metering
pattern...), allowing good in-viewfinder control over exposure
and compensation; the viewfinder is very sharp and contrasty in
the center; it is light and compact (and feels well-made, unlike
the "plastic" wonders...;-). Why bother with the new stuff??? ;-)