The Nikon N70, the Ultimate Amateur Camera
Written: Apr 07 '00 (Updated Jan 15 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Feature filled, creative options, user friendly
Cons: Nikon's "orphan" the fan shaped, color coded, LCD control panel
The Bottom Line: Nikon's N70 is getting a little long in the tooth, but it's still a capable performer
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| Howard_Creech's Full Review: Nikon N70 Film Camera |
The Nikon N70 is a user friendly, feature filled, tough, well designed camera. In 1994, while my wife and I were living in Okinawa, Japan I had the opportunity to work as a consultant on photographic equipment and products for AAFES, the folks who run the PX. Because of Okinawa's strategic location a lot of military flights stop at Kadena Air Force Base. The PX wanted to expand their selection of cameras, lenses, and film....to tap the cash filled pockets of the visiting air crews. I recommended that they carry the Nikon N70 (I also suggested they carry the Nikon N50 and the Yashica T4) after some negotiation Nikon/Japan provided a kit (Nikon N70, Nikkor 35-80 4.0-5.6D, SB23 Speedlight, a Nikon camera bag, and a strap for the N70) at a very attractive price.
AAFES asked me if I would "play" with the camera for a week and then write a review. Okinawa is a sub tropical island (the climate is something like a mix of Florida and Hawaii) so finding subjects to shoot with the Nikon N70 was not a problem. I spent one evening shooting the Zanpa Cape lighthouse at sunset. I spent an afternoon shooting the brightly handpainted, life size (30 feet long), ceramic dragon that operated as the shop sign for one of Okinawa's best known potters. I shot some macro orchid shots, and took a handful of fishing boat pictures at Okinawa's busiest fishing port. The N70 behaved flawlessly through every situation encountered.
The N70 isn't for everyone. The color coded, fan shaped, LCD control panel makes long time Nikon fans see red. The N70 is the only Nikon ever with an operational system like this. Many love the way the N70 operates, but the camera is not "intuitive" like most Nikons, a lot of quality time spent with the instruction manual is required. However, once you learn how everything works, the N70 is a Nikon all the way. The camera is well built, using quality materials. The seals against dust and moisture are excellent, and the camera is tough enough for rugged outdoor use. The Autofocus system is quite similar to the one used in the N90S, quick, accurate, and not easily "fooled" by rapid light shifts.
The N70 comes with an incredible "pop-up" flash that mimics the SB26 in almost everything, except range. I like "pop-up" flashes, I think they are a fantastic feature, Nikon however feels that "pop-up" flashes are a strictly amateur feature and would somehow tarnish the image of their top of the line cameras. The flash is controlled by a 5 segment 3D multi sensor, hiding behind the mirror, that reads a pre flash (at the film plane, also during exposure), balanced or variable fill flash, and flash bracketing. A full complement of user shiftable exposure modes (Nikon calls the 8 options "Vari-Programs"), autofocusing sensitivity can manipulated by choosing the 3mm "spot" cross field auto focus sensor for specific subjects, and the 7 mm "wide" AF sensor for rapid action. Metering is handled by an eight segment silicon photodiode. The 3D matrix metering system, offers centerwighted, spot, exposure compensation, and flash bracketing options.
I really enjoyed using the N70, it is lightweight, fast, and tough. Everything works well and the camera offers a lot of features that make getting that "killer" image easier. You really can't ask for a great deal more than this from a camera. I was able to "freeze" the rotor blade of a helicopter in flight by using the top shutter speed of 1/4,000th of a second. Overall the Nikon N70 is a tremendous camera, and at today's prices a bargain to boot.
If you would like to read more about 35mm cameras, please see my reviews:
Nikon SLR’s
Manual Focus
Nikon FM2n
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-3CFA-1D553EB-37BC4CFF-bd2
Nikon FM10
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-6C07-23519DF-393087EA-prod2
Nikon FM3A
http://www.epinions.com/content_32634801796
Auto Focus
Nikon F5 (35mm) SLR
http:http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-3A32-DBB0138-37FBC7B7-bd3
Nikon F100 (35mm) SLR
http:http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-540D-DBAA8E5-37FBC6D5-bd3
Nikon F4S
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-1BF0-4DCCD57-389DB017-prod2
Nikon N70
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-6991-EA50BF1-38EE1854-prod4
Nikon N80
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-5CF1-20F9233-3915B0F2-prod6
Nikon N65
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-46B3-76FC62B-3A00116B-prod1
Nikon N90S
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-2BE1-1D4C2DF-37BC4B8C-bd2
Contax SLR’s
Contax N1
http://www.epinions.com/content_21301202564
Contax 645 (Medium Format) AF SLR
http:http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-31B5-B8D40D6-38AECFC4-prod2
Olympus SLR’s
Olympus OM4ti
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-5ABD-F3D6954-38B42C34-bd3
Rollei 35mm
Rollei QZ35W & QZ35T
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-6991-EA50BF1-38EE1854-prod4
Voightlander 35mm Rangefinder Cameras
Bessa L & Bessa R
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-5D5-BC745AC-38AF6B20-prod6
Choosing a 35mm Camera
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-658D-D159BD0-38EA19CC-prod4
Choosing 35mm Lenses
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-283E-10641A05-393D299A-prod1
Just “cut’n’paste” the URL into your browser’s address window
Recommended:
Yes
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Howard_Creech
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Member: Howard Creech
Location: Louisville, KY
Reviews written: 334
Trusted by: 1275 members
About Me:
Photographer/Writer fascinated by Movies, Music, Books, American Diner Food, History, "Popular Culture", and Travel.
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