Nikon's N65 - A Beginner's Gateway to Excellence
Written: Dec 15 '00 (Updated Feb 12 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A Worthy Introduction to Nikon's 35mm SLR System
Cons: Takes away any excuses for not going Nikon
The Bottom Line: The Nikon N65 should be high on the list of choices for those considering the move to SLR photography.
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| sweeper's Full Review: Nikon N65 35mm Film Camera |
What a wonderful time to be an aspiring photographer. A novitiate image-maker today has never had a greater choice in cameras or seen better value and number of features for the money. Even as high tech digital imaging becomes increasingly popular with shutterbugs, conventional SLR cameras are becoming more innovative, feature-rich, and affordable. Nikon's latest offering, the N65, should be considered a top choice for those finally "getting serious" by choosing an SLR.
This camera is priced and positioned in the lucrative beginner photographer's market against Canon's Rebel series of cameras; Minolta's HT, XT, and low-end Maxxum bodies; as well as Pentax's ZX 5 and 7 SLRs and others. With a street price of less than $290, adding Nikon's new mid-range 28 - 80mm zoom will equip a new SLR user with a more than competent package for well under $400. Nikon realizes the importance of this portion of the market. Firstly, these cameras are often the only SLR buyers will ever purchase. If they don't choose a particular maker's brand, that maker doesn't have a second chance. Next, it is from the low-end starter cameras that budding shutterbugs build their "system" which usually means continuing to buy from the same maker.
The design of the N65 is a significant break in Nikon's SLR design philosophy. Not since it produced its first auto-focusing SLR has Nikon made as many significant changes as it has with the N65. Nikon makes no excuses and none are needed as it markets this camera to the beginner, and only to the beginner photographer. Accordingly, the designers realized that hallmarks that were considered "necessary" in a Nikon SLR could be redone to suit the user without driving up costs. Contrary to reports in the media, however, the N65 continues to use a glass pentaprism rather than "penta-mirror" (as reported in "Outdoor Photographer" magazine) in the camera, according to Graig, a representative at Nikon's technical services department.
Despite being closely named to the camera it replaces, the N60, the N65 is an entirely different machine. Similarly priced, it is smaller and significantly lighter in weight. It also has more features than its predecessor including faster focusing, "3D" auto focusing (trickled down from pro-level Nikons), depth-of-field preview capability, much faster film advance rate (2.5 fps vs. 1 fps.), multiple exposure capability, auto exposure bracketing, and remote control (optional). These features make a compelling reason for the beginner to choose this model without sacrificing features they may want to use as they advance.
In my month-long test of the N65, I tried as best as I could to keep an open mind and approach my experience as if a beginner user. Even so, I was startled in just how light this camera was. Weighing less than 14 ounces, its heft was on par with some point-and-shoots with which I was familiar. The ergonomically shaped body was easy to hold. I would have preferred a more "rubbery" gripping surface but that would certainly increase manufacturing costs. Still, the pebbly surface felt secure in my hand. Those with large hands may find this body a bit too svelte. Again, rarely has Nikon's cameras been described as too small. Attaching Nikon's latest 28 - 80 zoom provided a package that was easily balanced and handled when cradled properly by two hands.
No fiddling was needed on the viewfinder diopter adjustment slide. This thoughtful control allows users with less than sharp eyesight to use the camera without wearing glasses. The viewfinder itself reveals the five sensor focus areas as well as mode selected and all necessary camera setting information so that the user does not have to look away from the image. The format of the display is familiar to long time Nikon users and is honed through generations of Nikon display design. For beginners, the information is displayed in an easy-to-read and intuitive manner. The viewfinder shows 89% of the actual recorded image. This is about normal for a camera in this price range. The LCD display on the top deck repeats the viewfinder information as well as flash settings, frame counter and other information.
One of the virtues of this feature packed camera is the simplicity of controls. A single dial on the left side of the top deck allows the user to select from five "Vari-Program" modes; a fully "auto" mode; aperture priority; shutter priority; a shiftable program mode; and manual.
The Vari-Program allows the user to select an exposure setting appropriate to the type of photograph desired. For instance in the sports mode, the camera will automatically shoot at the fastest possible shutter speed given the film speed and available light. In the portrait mode, the camera will automatically shoot with as wide an aperture possible to decrease the depth-of-field emphasizing focus on the subject and pleasingly blur objects in the foreground and background. The user can also select "auto" which puts the camera into a simple point-and-shoot mode.
Opening the camera back revealed the vertical travel shutter. Glaringly obvious are the plastic film pressure plate, film guides and rails - another shift from Nikon's usual design habit. Consider, however, that the typical user of this camera will use in a year the number of rolls a pro will shoot in a day or two. Wear on these items will be minimal. Nikon, like other camera makers, has made good use of modern plastics. In this case polycarbonate, the same polymer used to make bullet proof "glass" is a cheaper and more than acceptable substitute for the precision milled stainless steel parts used in more expensive cameras.
Specifications of the N65 include shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 1/2000th of a second plus time (push shutter to begin the exposure and push again to end exposure), auto sensing of DX coded film from ISO 25 - 5000, and a ten second self timer. Of significant note is the depth of field preview capability which is rare for cameras in this price range.
Where tradition is unchanged on the N65, thankfully, is Nikon's tenacious fixation on its venerable steel F lens mount. Users have access to all Nikon's auto-focusing lenses. While most Nikon lenses can be mounted, the N65 is not capable of through the lens exposure with non AF lenses. The camera is supplied with a body cap and eyepiece shield.
In the field, using this camera was a joy. Being used to much heavier cameras and an accompanying hefty camera bag, I enjoyed carrying just the camera and its attached lightweight zoom. With a few rolls of slide film in my pocket, I headed to the park to shoot my buddies playing volleyball. Initially I missed the heft of my regular Nikons. I'm a firm believer that a camera's mass helps stabilize it during exposure and minimizes camera shake when hand held. Therefore, I was conscious to hold the camera as still as possible.
I was able to follow action easily through the viewfinder. I employed the sports mode which automatically selected a fast shutter speed. Although I did find the focus speed quicker than my second generation N6006, it was not as speedy as the N80. I reverted to my long-time practice of manually focusing on a selected area and pressing the shutter during the "defining moment."
The most complicated feature I found was the "Dynamic AF" which includes five focus areas that can be individually selected. During a shoot at a junior league football game, I was able to give this feature a workout. At times when I had accidentally enabled the "closest-focus" capability, I would lose focus on the ball carrier when a sideline official was between the runner and me. However, using the "focus tracking lock on" the camera remained focused on the runner even if I would momentarily lose sight of the runner in a similar situation. This is a super feature for amateur sport photographers.
The exposure system uses Nikon's proprietary six-segment matrix 3D metering that considers subject distance when used with Nikon's D or the new G designated lenses. In manual mode, it reverts to simple center-weighted metering. There is no spot metering capability.
A welcome feature is the built-in full-featured flash. In the Vari Mode modes, when appropriate, the flash pops up and is ready to fire. Its guide number (39 feet with ISO 100 film) and features match those of the flash on the more expensive N80. Besides normal through-the-lens, TTL, matrix metered flash, it includes rear curtain synching, slow synch, and red eye reduction. The user can also prevent the flash from firing in low-light conditions as well. Advancing photogs will learn to love the flash effects these capabilities provide. For instance, where a normal flash photograph of a person standing in a room filled with, say, Christmas lights will only show the person with a dark background, a camera's flash set to slow synch will also reveal the Christmas lights as well. These flash effects will reward the experimenting photographer with amazing images. Nikon, more than any other camera maker, has brought these formerly pro-level manual flash capabilities to an automatic level for amateurs.
My test slides and prints revealed perfectly exposed frames shot after shot, roll after roll. Contrasty and difficult images showed flawless exposure. It was only shots of light colored rockscapes in bright light that fooled the meter into under exposing. However, I've become accustomed to manually compensating in such conditions and was able to get my shot anyway.
I'm impressed that Nikon was flexible enough to break from tradition in many of the design aspects of the N65. Given the habits of the intended user, I believe Nikon has made no compromises to the quality and value that the buyer receives in this camera. Indeed, Nikon has never offered a more capable beginner level SLR and a better introduction to its entire system into which the beginner can expand.
Recommended:
Yes
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