Following on the heels of the FM introduction, about one year later during the Spring of 1978, Nikon introduced the Nikon FE, replacing the larger and about 1/2 pound heavier Nikon EL. Like the FM the FE lost the mirror lock up feature in favor of the superior mirror movement damping scheme. The FE brought a host of new features with it:

1. Flash Ready indicator light in the viewfinder.
2. The Six volt special battery was eliminated in favor of 2 more readily available MS76 type cells.
3. Exchangeable viewfinder screens, initially "K", "B" and "E" type.
4. Proprietary "HOT SHOE" sets shutter to 1/90 if over 1/125 and lights viewfinder light when the flash has recycled.
5. Meter ASA range extended to 12 to 4000
6. Battery voltage test lever/operation lock on dead batteries, required setting to M90/B to release the shutter.

7. Multiple exposure capability using lever concentric to film advance lever.



The viewfinder display is virtually identical to that of the Nikon EL that it replaced.