Still a Great Picture Taker!
Written: Nov 26 '02 (Updated Nov 27 '02)
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Pros: Super Auto-Focus, Great Metering System, Well-Built and Hard to Fool...
Cons: Bulky & Heavy with Battery Pack/Grip, & Unable to Bracket w/o Optional Data Back.
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a real bargain on a highly capable SLR, now is the time to pick up an N90s!
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| colonialpara's Full Review: Nikon N90S 35mm Film Camera |
Nikon introduced the N90 in 1992 and the N90s two years later in 1994. To this day, there is debate whether this camera was a high end amateur camera or a low-end professional tool. To me, the argument is moot. For me, my N90s has allowed me to progress quickly and effortlessly along my journey of discovery in AF photography.
As master reviewer Howard Creech wrote about this camera in his review here at epinions, he noted that the N90s, the F100 and F5 are all cousins under the skin because they possess a unique computer interface that allows photographers more options than other similar cameras from competing manufacturers. What an apt analogy and one that is as accurate as it is true.
Given the fact that this camera was only recently discontinued by Nikon, those still available new in stores offer a serious shooter a highly capable and less expensive alternative than the F100 and F5 for fans of the Nikon line and its famous F mount.
I moved into AF photography about a year ago after years of using manual Minolta (corrected 11/27/02) bodies going all the way back to the SRT 101, 202, XGM, X-370, X-570 and X-700. I liked those cameras and knew that transitioning to another brand or even the Minolta AF offerings would prove to be an expense I wasn't ready for.
Then, in November 2001, my Dad offered me his brand new N80 with less than 1 roll through the camera. He had become ill and didn't think he'd ever be able to use it. He got better and ultimately bought another camera, but his decision to sell the N80 made my entrance into AF usage that much less painful.
Less than 3 months later, the head of my ANG unit's combat camera section offered me an 18 month old N90s at a basement price and I literally jumped at the chance to acquire another Nikon body so cheaply. In the year since buying the N80, I have added to my lens collection and the fact that both bodies are Nikons has made this effort both interesting and rewarding.
I have tended to use the N90s body most frequently because it is the older of the two and also because it has a much higher framing rate when firing at continuous AF. The N80 will frame at 2.5 fps, while the N90s with the optional battery pack/vertical grip will shoot at 4.5 fps if using Nickel metal hydride batteries. With this accessory attached, the N90s becomes a more bulky and heavier camera, but these are not always disadvantages for they add much more stability when hand-holding the camera during operation.
LENS COMPATIBILITY/AF SYSTEM
The N90s can effectively use Nikon AI lens, but where it excels is with the newer Nikon AF-D series of lenses. In addition to Nikon manufactured lenses, there are literally hundreds of after-market, 3rd party lenses that also make use of the D (for flash distance measurement technology) features provided by the camera's computer and metering systems.
The body can also accept and make good use of Nikon's newest AF-S lenses that incorporate Nikon's Silent Wave Motor technology for ultra-quiet and precise AF lock-ons.
The auto-focus on this camera is very, very good and users will be pleasantly surprised at just how quick it is, even in low light situations. Tribute for the speed and accuracy of the AF is rightly placed with the CCD sensor, another Nikon engineering marvel.
MAJOR FEATURES:
What makes this camera so effective in 2002, despite the fact that other manufacturers have introduced newer technology are the features that Nikon knew were necessary from the beginning. These include a superb metering system that incorporates 3D matrix, center-weighted and spot metering capabilities. The AF screen itself can be used in wide area and spot AF modes.
The N90s is an automatic, autofocus camera with several modes that allow fully programmed operation as well as full-manual override of the system by the user. In between, the photographer can use shutter priority or aperture priority operations. Additionally, the camera has several variable applications, which are a variation on the Program mode. These special capabilities are divided into Portrait, Portrait w/red eye reduction, HyperFocal, Landscape, Sports, Close-Up and Silhouette. In each of the vari-programs, the camera is in Program mode but then goes a little bit further as 'it' selects the most appropriate shutter-speed/aperture combination for the type of program represented by the user selected vari-program.
While this camera is fairly bulky (and becomes more so with the addition of the optional battery pack/vertical grip), the body is easy to hold and remains comfortable even after long usage. This is in large part to the rubberized armor that coats the outer surface of the camera's body. This body, despite the age of its design is manufactured to strict Nikon standards and will stand the test of time and years of use.
Perhaps the single most important feature of this camera is its relative ease of use. Despite the lack of manual control functions like those found on older manual SLRs, this Nikon still allows manual over-ride of programmed functions by the user. The use of a single master control wheel allows the user to learn the camera quickly. In fact, this camera offers its users an exercise in intuitive learning. What is especially enjoyable is that this camera's flexibility offers its users the creative control of older cameras and the speed and effectiveness of all automatically programmed functions. In cases where the Program functions take priority, the user would be hard pressed to "lose" a shot because the camera is not in focus or because the wrong shutter speed or aperture had been selected.
FLASH COMPATIBILITY/CAPABILITY:
The Nikon N90s is fully capable of using older and newer Nikon Speedlite flash attachments. Again, as pointed out by Howard Creech, if the user employs a Nikon SB-27 or the newer SB-28, SB-28DX or the SB-80DX, TTL metering will be provided for the camera. Even the older Nikon Speedlites such as the SB-16 and the SB-25 will still provide years of yeomanlike service for this body.
The body of the camera can use either AA alkaline or C123 lithium batteries. This also applies to the optional battery pack. The flash units mentioned above all utilize AA alkaline batteries as their power source. This unique dual capability offers the N90s user a choice and convenience should the Lithium batteries not be readily available.
CONCLUSION:
Despite the age of the original design technology, the Nikon N90s is still a VERY CAPABLE photographic tool. Because of the introduction of the less expensive top-level amateur N80 AF SLR and the higher end professional level F100, as well as Nikon's discontinuance of this model, prices have fallen fairly consistently over the last two years. Larger retailers, such as B&H Photo and Video in NYC still have a large stock of these on hand, but as inventories are depleted, prices will continue to drop.
At this writing, new in the box N90s bodies can be had (with warranty from NIKON) for about $700 in the NY metro area. Rest assured, these prices will continue to fall as merchants seek to sell off their remaining stock.
Should you opt for this camera over the more expensive Pro bodies, you will not regret your decision. This has been and always will be an excellent camera. As prices continue to fall, it will become even more so due to its overall cost effectiveness.
When I purchased my F100 a couple of weeks ago, I thought that I would sell off the N90s to help pay for the newer body. But I just couldn't do it. I think back on the steal of a deal I got on it and the amount of service life it still has before it and I realized I had to keep this body as the primary back-up for my F100. Transitioning back and forth between the two is not difficult and I'll know that I'll always have an excellent performer waiting in the wings should I ever need it.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Too Little
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colonialpara
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