Nikon's EL was their first shot at an electronic, auto-exposure camera. With its electronically timed shutter and aperture priority auto-exposure, it was their response to competition from Konica and others. That was almost 40 years ago, and it holds up surprisingly well today. Lacking features like program mode and matrix metering, it also won't work well with later lenses that don't have the pre-AI meter coupling prong (like AF and Series E) but works fine with AI and AIS as well as earlier pre-AI Nikkors. The center-weighted metering is fine for most use, and it does have exposure compensation if you need it for backlighting or other difficult situations. It's not as convenient as the Matrix metering introduced in the later FA and on many AF Nikon cameras, but they don't always get it right without some help from the photographer, either. The metering works well in manual mode, too. Even on an old camera like this, electronic timing means the shutter is bang on, and that great Nikkor manual focus glass is going cheap these days. For long-term reliability, you might be better off with an FE or FE2, but then you'd loose the meter coupling with older lenses (but gain the use of AF lenses -- without AF, of course) or you could skip up to an F90 for about the same money and get AF, too, and pretty good lens compatibility. But the classic lines and solid feel of the EL may please you in other ways that the newer Nikons won't. If owning a piece of history counts, this may be your camera.Read full review
This is a film camera that at one time was a top camera used by amateurs as well as professionals. If you're into film, this is a great camera.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
My dad gave me his, and I had it for 20 years. It was lost moving, and I am so happy to be getting the very same camera. It takes great pictures, and allows me to have as much manual control as I want for more serious photography, and on auto I can use it more like a point and shoot. This has been my favorite camera for more than 40 years.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This a camera of days gone by. If you like film and want apiture priorty automatic exposer. With wonderful Nikon lenses. This is a camera for you. It also has matched needle metering for when you want manual control. It can be used fully manual as well. I hqve one of these since it was new back in the seventies plus this used one and the updated EL2. They are amongst my favorate camera's to use. Modest size and weight for there time and very reliable.
Can't get a better built camera than is for the money. Does everything I need except maximum shutter speed. I use it when I carry my Fm3a.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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