Nikon F70

Preview:This is a standard 35MM SLR from Nikon. It falls in the mid-range and is classified as 'amateur-body' by Nikon. In the US it is known as N70 and in Asia and the rest of the world it goes by F70. The only way to get this camera at the moment is from a second hand dealer or on Ebay, since Nikon has stopped manufacturing this model. I have tried using a lot of other cameras in the Minolta and Canon range, but for some reason, I found the Nikons more reliable and sturdy. I started my experiments in photography using a Yashica FX3, Vivitar 2000S and would strongly recommend the use of manual bodies for beginners. I have had my N70 for almost two years now, and while there have been moments of frustration especially in the beginning, overall I can say that this is a very good camera giving you good results more often than not.

Usage : The camera body like all Nikons, is comfortable to hold with a good grip for the right hand while the left hand can be involved in changing the settings on the lens and so on. The dial, however is confusing and for the novices, it takes time to understand all the controls. Especially in the night, it would have really helped if it was illuminated. It does have options to set most settings in one place. Some options that may be controlled at the display include Shutter speed, Quick Recall, Focus Area, Film Speed Settings, Focus Mode, Aperture Mode, Exposure metering, Flash sync mode, Exposure compensation, Exposure bracketing, self timer, battery power. It does have a function button which can be pressed and the wheel moved to access the desired function. Once, the function has been approached, it is easy to change to the desired setting. Other models like the N75, N65, N80 have simpler options but once you get used to the circular dial of the N70, it is easy to get around.

Specifications:

Focus :Automatic with manual option. It has a focus lock and can also work in Salvo mode for fast moving objects, where it keeps the moving object in focus. For instance, a fast moving car.

Metering :Spot, Center and Matrix. It has three extra built in exposure meteres with matrix , center-weighted and spot metering. The matrix metering can be performed with any AF lens which has a CPU, but to use the 3D-Matrix metering, you need to have a Nikkor-D type lens which are more expensive than the usual AF lenses. A layman's guide to this would be,where do you want maximum focus in the picture. Spot metering would help in capturing that eye of the Parrot on a tree, while for other general purposes, center-weighted would be more useful. 3D matrix is an advanced concept by Nikon where the focussing is performed by dividing the picture in a 3D matrix and coming up with the best setting.

Lenses : It can accommodate a total of 35 AF Nikkor lenses, ranging from 16mm f/2.8 fisheye to 700mm telephoto. D type lenses,which are known for 3D matrix metering capability, transmit subject distance to AE system. Manual Nikkor lenses can also be used, which include two shift lenses, with some restrictions on usage. In addition, lenses for N70 are also manufactured by Tamron, Sigma, etc. These are cheaper and work well. The G-Type lenses made by Nikon usually rely on the camera body to set the aperture, so these may not work on the N70 in Aperture-Priority mode. The N70 body does not have a facility to set the aperture and relies on the ring of the attached lens.

Depth of field Preview.Depth of field in a picture would translate to how much distance you need to be in focus in your picture. For portraits, where the background needs to be out of focus, a small depth is desired. Depth of Field preview helps in determining the depth in the final picture before taking a shot. The N70 does not have a depth of field preview option and it might need all your experience to calculate the depth needed in your pictures.

Multiple Exposures:The N70 lacks this feature, which is simply about exposing the same picture multiple times. eg- To take pictures of a solar eclipse on the same picture, expose the film multiple times with the sun in different positions.

Flash :The N70 does have a powerful Builtin flash and can accommodate other flashes from Nikon in more demanding conditions. The built in pop up flash prevents the red eye effect, which is the appearance of a red eye in your targets. Apparently caused by position of the flash at the same level of the lens or view finder, so that the retina of the subjects' eye reflects the flash light causing a reddish effect.

Batteries :It uses two CR 123A batteries, which are more expensive than the usual ones. I wish, Nikon had stuck to the normal rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries for economy.

Weight:It weighs around 580gms, which does not make it the lightest camera in the market, but prevents unwanted camera shake and gives it a sturdy look. Atleast for me, I prefer the heavier ones.

View Finder : 92% coverage, which means the only 92% of the image in the viewfinder translates onto the final picture. This is very good for a camera in this range.

Exposure Modes :Programmed Auto, Vari-Program, Shutter-Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual. In the Programmed-Auto, the camera controls all options and you just aim and shoot. In the Vari-Program, you can use some of the standard settings like portrait, sport, night etc. In Shutter-Priority, you can control the shutter speeds while the rest in controlled by the camera. It is the same with the Aperture-Priority mode where the aperture is controlled by you and the camera does the rest. My advice would be to use the aperture mode, when you get some experience and never use the vari-modes. Trust your judgement better than some algorithm created in Japan.

Conclusion:A great camera at the price offered. It is unfortunate that Nikon does not make it anymore. As a good second camera, it offers a sturdy backup to your main camera. It comes close to the N80, considering the main features at a much lesser price. The main drawbacks of this camera include the learning curve for the display, lack of 'Depth of Field' preview, multiple exposures. But even with all its drawbacks it is still a good buy. Log on to ebay, you may just find a great deal.

A Final Word:Well, as said and done an equipment is just as good as its user. The N70 does have impressive and helpful features which enable you to take great pictures, but a photographer is the one who makes the final decision before going for the final click. A creative eye and imagination is more important for photography than the equipment. You can get great pictures from that 10 yr old Vivitar if you put your mind and soul in it. So, don't get carried away from the fancy, super performing cameras. Trust your instincts and go for it. Happy clicking.

INTRODUCTION

It was way back in 1994 when Nikon announced this N70 (Widely known as F70 also) mid range SLR camera, on top of a budget N50 (Widely known as F50 also) , and a professional N90s (Widely known as F90x also).

I was still very new to photography at the time of release, about 2 years. I am using the Minolta 3xi together with Sigma 28-200mm lens at that time. I am dissatisfied with the Minolta for quite some time, and was planning to upgrade to a mid range SLR or maybe a better SLR like in the like of the N90.

I eventually did not do my upgrade due to financial reasons, and only do so 2 years later when my Minolta 3xi got damaged in a trip to Liverpool in 1996, but the Canon Elan IIe was my substitution instead of any of the Nikons.

I managed to get hold of one unit a few months back, when one of the new members in my photography club bought a used unit in the Internet for a good price of $250.

BUILD

The build of the N70 is average, sharing the same type of casing like the cheaper N50. It does look solid, but it is really plastic when you get hold of it.

The grip of the body is good, providing good and firm hold on the body at all types of shooting angle and condition.

Weighing about 585g, it does feel heavy and firm, the young girl who bought it was complaining mainly about the weight, especially when you have a lens attached on.

FOCUSING

Rather similar to the cheaper N50, the N70 offers both Auto focus and Manual focus.

The Manual focus mode comes with electronic rangefinder. I am not too sure how effective it is for focusing purposes. I focus based on my own vision in the viewfinder and it was effective.

In the Auto focus mode, it offers Single Servo AF and Continuous Servo AF. At Single Servo AF mode, objects are focus easily and accurately, with not much difficulty. As for the Continuous Servo AF, I am not sure if there are any differences between that in N50 and in N70. The N70 that I tested was effective in tracking moving objects, and maintaining in focus continuously. The only problem is with very fast moving objects where its autofocusing is not fast enough to maintain focus.

EXPOSURE

The N70 offers 3 types of metering systems, namely,

1) Matrix

2) Centre Weighted

3) Spot

Exposure done was accurate for a variety of situations with the Matrix Metering, when compared to a hand held Minolta meter. We have also done a few shots with the Centre-Weighted and Spot meterings. Effects are okay, but are often not satisfactory in tricky situation, like sunlight into a dark room and low sun situation. I believe all this settings will be useful for mature photographer who is used to such metering systems. I have been in photography for close to a decade now, and I must admit I am not too familiar with the correct trick to get correct and accurate exposure settings with the Centre-Weighted and Spot meterings.

It offers 8 build in vari programs modes for casual users, as in

1) Hyperfocal

2) Portraits

3) Landscape

4) Close-up

5) Sports

6) Silhouette

7) Night Scene

8) Motion Effects

As well as 4 Advance mode, as in

1) Program

2) Shutter Priority

3) Aperture Priority

4) Manual

FEATURES

The N50 also provides the following features

1) Build in TTL Flash

2) Timer

3) Quick Recall for Original or Favourite Settings

4) Exposure Compensation

5) Auto Exposure Bracketing

6) Build in Viewfinder Information

7) 3.7 fps

LENS

The N70 accept a wide range of high quality AF lenses from the Nikkor range as well as good quality third party lenses maker like the popular low cost Sigma, Tokina, Tamron... etc.

To achieve high picture quality and most important sharpness, none of this cheap lenses maker is comparable to the original Nikkor lenses. I always believe that that extra cost spent on the optics is worthy.

QUALITY TEST

Like the N50, the N70 is very easy to understand and use. From beginners to professional, you will not have any problem trying to figure out every buttons and controls found on the body. But you will need to spend some time going through the manual once to appreciate it better.

The N70 offers a range of shutter speed from 1/4000s to 30s, plus bulb. It is useful for a wide range of photography opportunities. All shutter speed is still accurate after so many years of services, as confirmed by the camera workshop.

The build in flash, with a ISO guide number of 14, is too weak for good uses. I would recommend an external unit like the cheap SB-22s. I have bought one off the used market for only $50. It offers bounced flash, which is very useful for indoor photography to eliminate the unwanted shadows caused by the flashes.

We tested the N70 with a roll of Kodak Supra 400, body mounted with a Nikon 28-70 AF-S F2.8 lens. The pictures came out sharp and good. Exposure done by the Matrix metering was accurate.

It's a pity that the N70 does not feature Multiple Exposure capability. It will provide more creativity to users who are interested in such photography. Canon, on the other hand, provides such function for it's mid-range SLR.

SUMMARY

I am not sure if you can still find this camera new in the market, as it is replaced by a better and more capable N80 (also know as F80 in other part of the world). There are plenty of used N70 in the market, and paying about $250 for this camera is a bargain.

Good for anyone who are interested to get a SLR camera, and does not want to spend a fortune on a new unit.