Nikon F90x / N90s
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| Pro | Very fast focus
Good to hold, great ergonomics excellent or FANTASTIC metering well built AA battery usage Ease of use, different AE hold and AF hold buttons in easy grasp cheap (now) | ||
| Contra | no built in flash (but everyone has their own)
few extras missing (but not everyone will use them - you need the mf26 back for the extras) | ||
| Thoughts | WOW.
I have to wonder what Nikon thought when producing the F80 or even the F75 because the focussing is slower and the ergonomics aren't as user friendly as the F90X. The difference in focussing is shockingly bizarre. How Nikon produced the F80 and F75 with slower focussing than the F90X and even the F70 is odd. Then again if the f80 did have that AF speed and the advancement in film transfer I am sure it would be closing in on similarities with F100 more so, but that doesn't stop Canon putting a faster focus on their 30/33v range - although these cameras diminish in terms of features compared to the f80 and f75. This camera (f90x) is amazing though, I love using it and I am never far away from any of the massive array of easy to use features it has. Of course the extra features on the back would have been useful but who cares. I can get this used now for between 150 to 200 UK pounds - it's very close to the f100 in terms of features and technology and I'd buy one before they all disappear. | ||
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| Pro | Well built for pro. Accurate metering. Easy transition between modes | ||
| Contra | Needs some more things to be complete such as MF 26 for auto bracketing and multiple exposure and remote cable for exposure longer than 30 sec. Those things are not cheap. | ||
| Thoughts | This is really a camera with professional features and capabilities. It will stay with you for a long time. | ||
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| Pro | Battery life was good. | ||
| Contra | This was a guinea pig tool to road test new tech for the replacement of the banjaxed F4.
dont buy one of these, they are terrible rubbish. | ||
| Thoughts | ...uuuggh... *sigh*. This camera was a last ditch attempt by Nikon to try and win back some of their lost custom. The F4 was their flagship nuts+bolts bucket, and the F90 was a secondary body for the pros to road test their new ideas, the x version came out and its legacy was to enhance the F90 but in truth it merely compounded Nikons inability to admit its mistake in not going the route Canon took.
For the most part it was a shutter priority camera trying to grip the future but its was held back by Nikons foolish belief in their legacy lenses. I lost more shots with this camera then with any other camera. | ||
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| Pro | Gran camara, con algunas perfecciones respecto a la F90, buena medicion, programas, y con el respaldo MF-26, perfecta. | ||
| Contra | A mi me daba Error, y se bloqueaba, tenia que volver a efectuar un disparo, para que funcinara, con lo que perdia una foto, cada vez que pasaba eso. | ||
| Thoughts | En general muy bien, sin pensar en esa mala suerte que tuve yo con mi camara de darme error de vez en cuando. | ||
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| Pro | - With MB-10 handling is great when handhelding the camera (see contra field also!)
- in general quite fast (shutter lag, AF etc.) - easy to use - not expensive if you think about the features and quality of functionality - in general you can trust the matrix metering (with some exceptions, of course...) and the flash functionality seems to be great | ||
| Contra | - When used with tripod the plastic bottom of the camera makes the system sometimes unstable (tripod attached to the camera bottom => unstable, not tight). Even with only 105 mm lens this is a real problem for me (of course much bigger lenses have their own tripod collars, so this is not problem with them).
- With MB-10 attached the system can not be even attached to the tripod via MB-10 bottom - it is so unstable. With my 180 mm lens (no tripod collar...) the system is horrible. The reason for this is that the connection between MB-10 and the body is very flexible/not tight. Light plastic, plastic... From ONLY this point of view, this MB-10 + F90X sytem is a piece of junk. My solution is that I take the MB-10 away when I use the camera with tripod. Again of course, with big lenses with own tripod collars this is not a problem. - only one AF sensor => there are quite few situations where you can actually use AF even if the AF mode is set to wide mode - with flash the average of the AF sensor is even smaller - wide mode cannot be used (why Nikon, why...) - if you have some snow on the ground (here in Finland we often have) don't use matrix metering without manual compensation (same issue of course applies to the most of the cameras around here) - you have to remember to switch fill flash mode off via flash (or compensate + 0.3...+0.7) if the flash is the main source of ligh - plastical feel may be a problem if you have used something like FM2, FE2, F3, F4 or F5 | ||
| Thoughts | - Quality/price ratio is high. If you want something better you must almost double the price (F100, F5). Well, F4s is cheaper but still more expensive (and not better in every respect).
- Before purchasing think carefully if you would like Nikon F4s more. - The best Nikon around there if you have a limited budget. | ||
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| Pro | -Reasonably Fast AF, only the F100 & F5 are faster Nikons
-Rugged, despite polycarbonate shell over metal body -Intuitive feature layout (if you've used many cameras in past) -Very accurate metering system. -Legendary Nikon Flash performance. -Excellent value if you can find a nice used one..... | ||
| Contra | -Requires MF-26 for Multiple Exposures and Auto-Bracketing
-Non-compatible with VR lens (not that I have one, but bummer anyway) -Matrix metering not possible with MF lenses!!!! (The F-4 can) -NO MIRROR LOCKUP - A ridiculous omission for a Nikon in this class. | ||
| Thoughts | I just recently got a great deal on an N90s with MB-10. After three rolls with the camera so far, the pics are amazingly exposed and the AF system, despite its age, is very respectable. Even when using non-D lenses like the 35-70mm f2.8 and 70-210mm f4. However, I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I'm going to stick with this camera as I'm going to have to spend more money on it to get features that I feel should have come standard, such as auto-bracketing and multi-exposure. The lack of mirror lockup is also an issue, especially for using long lenses in low light (which I do quite often). Its also somewhat of a bummer that I can use a Russian-made (DVD Technik)adapter to make my collection of Nikon manual focus lenses compabible with Canon EOS bodies and I can utilize Canon's evaluative metering in stopped-down mode! Using MF lenses on the N90s I only have center-weighted and spot metering (not that big of a deal as the results are still damn good if you know what you are doing).... but still, to have these limitations for such a high-end Nikon and then still not be able to use VR technology. HMMMMMMM... Decisions, decisions...!! I think I'll use this N90s for a few more months, then sell it and my AF lenses, keep my beloved MF Nikkors and an FA-body as a backup.... and consider trying out some of that Canon EOS and IS technology.... I don't want to lug a tripod with me everywhere anymore! Ultimately, it will boil down to a comparison of Flash photo results...., which means I'll probably sell the N90s and buy an F100. Or should I get all "D" lenses first, and then decide???? AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHH! Isn't there a perfect sub-$1000 camera out there?? | ||
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| Pro | Seems fairly rugged, some people comment on the single AF sensor, but focus speed seems adequate, although a little less versatile than the F5.
Excellent metering, never had a bad shot. | ||
| Contra | Fairly heavy, polycarbonate on metal frame body. Manual film rewind (like on the F5) would have been nice together with a standard cable release socket.
Pre-set program functions are fairly pointless, virtually anyone that buys an F90X will never use them. No double exposure facility. The single/continuous/manual focus select button is fairly easily knocked with a clumsy finger. Fairly noisy, but it doesn't bother me - if you want a super silent camera, then get a Leica.. | ||
| Thoughts | I bought the F90X as a replacement for an Olympus OM4Ti, so the first thing I noticed was the additional weight. If the OM4Ti is the Rolls Royce of manual SLR's then the F90X must be the Mercedes of the AF counterpart. If you want to get into a camera system, the F90X is an excellent introduction to Nikon. If you get an F90X, then you'll soon want an F5 or an F100. I later bought an F5 and an F50, but I'd never sell my F90X. | ||
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| Pro | Lightweight but still rugged
accurate metering from, spot to matrix Handling is great with MB10. | ||
| Contra | Single AF focus spot
AF slow compared to the new breed of SLR's On the back of camera the rubber peels off far to easily. Can't use Nikon's lovely VR lenses!!! | ||
| Thoughts | I've had my F90x for six years and still love it. I originally went to buy an F5 but coudn't justify spending that much money.
If you're using pro lenses like, 35-70 2.8D or 80-200 you need the grip to help balance things out. With the grip the 90x fits my hand perfectly (without it the 90x just doesn't handle well) the Ael and AF buttons seem nicely in reach for me but it seem to me i'm in the minority. I've never had a bad roll from this camera, very reliable, it's never let me down! Nikon gave us F100's to try at work, had TTL flash and shutter probelms after some extensive use. My F90's still going strong while the F100's kept on going back to Nikon, but this was the very early days of the F100 I'm sure they have ironed out those kinks. Don't care about none compatibility with G lenses simply because thier optical quality isn't that great. | ||
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| Pro | ~ Excellent build ~ Excellent user interface ~ Smaller and lighter than some competitors ~ Fast and accurate AF ~ Excellent Matrix metering ~ Outstanding flash performance with SB-28 ~ Inexpensive for a pro camera | ||
| Contra | ~ Not fully compatible with VR lenses ~ No aperture-priority or manual with G lenses or others lacking aperture ring ~ F100 is now less expensive, making N90s/F90x less attractive ~ Multiple exposure and some other features only with MF-26 ~ Its main competitor when new, Canon EOS 5/A2(e), is now selling for lots less than N90s/F90x | ||
| Thoughts | This camera is one generation old now, the direct predecessor of the current F100. Both F100 and N90s/F90x were designed as dual purpose cameras, for professionals not wanting to lug around the gigantic top-of-the-range models, as well as for advanced amateurs who could use pro-type features. This camera is not for true technology geeks. You will find that there are no customizable functions, and there is only one cross-type AF sensor, unlike the three cross-type and two linear on F100. Despite the single sensor, AF is fast and accurate. The metering system is first-rate, and flash performance with the dedicated SB-28 Speedlight is unbeatable. The camera, though a hybrid of polycarbonate shell on a metal frame, is partially weather-sealed, though not up to F100/F4/F5 standards. The body is of average size and weight, and is relatively ambigous looking in pro black. The user interface is simple enough, though perhaps rather dated. This camera's basic body, though updated with new inside technology four times, originated way back in 1988 as the N8008/F-801, so it doesn't have the latest fads in interface. But it's basically pretty timeless, and doesn't look especially dated amongst newer competitors. There are, of course, a few drawbacks. VR and G lenses, conceived of after this camera was introduced, aren't fully compatible. And for a few extra features, you will need to buy the pricey MF-26 multifuncion back. Aside from that, while the sparkle of glamourous new features has faded from this camera, it is still used by many advanced amateurs and professionals worldwide with outstanding results, and remains an excellent and well-rounded choice. It is an especially good deal considering its original price was about twice of what it sells for now. However, if you want a brand new N90s/F90x, run fast, because they are now offically discontinued, and so once those around now are sold, used cameras will be the only option. | ||
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| Pro | Nice solid camera which had state-of-the-art electronics about a decade ago (don't forget it was derived from the N90). Reliable metering and accurate, reasonably fast autofocus. | ||
| Contra | Only one focus point, ergonomics (camera settings) were never intuitive to me, and my camera developed the dreaded cracks around the prism even though I baby'ed the camera. | ||
| Thoughts | This camera was great at the time, but it is now of course hopelessly outdated; Nikon is abandoning it by making this camera essentially incompatible with VR and "G" lens-technology. There are now much better autofocus cameras out there; even if it costs "only" $600 or so, spend a little more and get an F100 which is completely modern, or an N80 (even though this is clearly not the replacement for the N90S), or switch brands completely (which is what I did, for Contax N1with the best 24-85 zoom on the planet). | ||
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| Pro | AF speed,3d Matrix with D-Nikkor lenses | ||
| Contra | Hard to say...no mirror lock up (like most of Nikonīs bodies). | ||
| Thoughts | Well for the price of 500$ (used) definitely the best Nikon to get (far better than the nwe F80 IMHO).This camera wonīt dissapoint U.Itīs fast enough,matrix works really great.Too heavy??? Cīmon guys itīs not THAT heavy,have U ever tried some Hassi or Kiev?Incomaptible with the VR??? How many of the VR lenses can U get ha?Bulky and slow 80-400?For that price one can get something better.Just enjoy that great camera,itīs really perfect choice. | ||
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| Pro | Quite some camera. | ||
| Contra | I wish it had mirror lockup. | ||
| Thoughts | For the guy who said " This camera sucks ! ". I think you should learn about exposure compensation what it is and how it works on a camera. Check your exposure comensation, or if you dont know, go get the popular book for children " The first photgraphy book" published by Guiness. it made me throw up to read that review | ||
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| Pro | 1. Excellent viewfinder. 2. Exceptionally reliable metering (center-weighted and spot). Matrix metering should be used only in certain light scenarios. 3. Fast and accurate AF. 4. Substantial build quality. 5. Excellent flash system. 6. Fast film advance. 7. Takes AA batteries. | ||
| Contra | 1. Plastic outer shell tends to develop tiny cracks around screws. Good thing - they won't spread unless camera is hit against something hard. 2. Rubber coating on camera's back easily rubbed out 3. Somewhat weird ergonomics and user interface. 4. Lacks some useful, but not vital features | ||
| Thoughts | Very practical and capable shooter. With recent introduction of F100 prices on N90s took a nose dive making them quite affordable. Camera is noisy, but film advance and shutter/mirror operation produce low vibration - nice for handheld shooting. In contrary to middle-level cameras, N90s provides reliable low light AF. Summarizing - this camera is a formidable picture taker that works pefectly for a variety of applications. | ||
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| Pro | Well-built, accurate metering and AF, price, large and bright viewfinder (brighter and larger than the N80). | ||
| Contra | Requiring the data back for brackting, which adds cost and weight for a highly desirable feature; most of the programming modes are a waste of features; incombatible with the VR tech. | ||
| Thoughts | I agree with many on this panel that N90s should be revised soon. The N80, which is designed for regular consumers, has many outstanding features that the N90s lacks. The N80 is fully compatible with the VR, which is most likely to become more and more popular in the Nikon lineup, and the program modes of N80 are simple and straightforwad. I did not buy the N80 at the end because of its lack of compatibility with the manual lenses. I really hope that Nikon can come out with a new camera that fits between the N80 and F100. The N90s is not going to do it for long. | ||
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| Pro | Well-built. | ||
| Contra | lack of compatibility with the VR technology. | ||
| Thoughts | A great overall camera but it has started to show its age with the new N80 on the market. How can an up-level camera like the N90S incompatible with the wonderful VR technology? Nikon, please fix it! | ||
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| Pro | Excellent metering Superb build | ||
| Contra | No multi-cam autofocus | ||
| Thoughts | Superb camera , faster autofocus wider EV range. Metering is as good as F-5 & F-100 | ||
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| Pro | Pretty sturdy. Reliable and fast AF even in low light situations. Bright viewfinder. | ||
| Contra | Not VR compatible. Handling could be a bit better in relation to comparable SLRs. MF-26 needed for full functionality. | ||
| Thoughts | A nice workhorse camera which I prefer to the F80. Nonetheless it is annoying that the 80-400VR isn't fully functional - its only major drawback. | ||
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| Pro | But the metering is so perfect that you can't miss anything & the Nikon body is much stronger than Canon.Nikkor Lenses is so strong for all weather i just love my nikon camerea | ||
| Contra | the autofocus system maybe not as fast as canon | ||
| Thoughts | I owm Nikon F100 w/ MB15 for about 6 Month & Nikon F90x, w/MB10, w/MF26 for 4 year & Cannon EOS 5 for about 4 year too, Both Nikon & Canon system is Perfect.The price for Nikon maybe high,but you were get what u are paying for. | ||
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| Pro | excellent build quality, good grip, quick transport (4 fps). | ||
| Contra | I just had some trouble finding all the buttons, especially the button for the LCD backlight is badly placed. I heard some people complein about the postion of the AF-L button, but for me it's perfect. | ||
| Thoughts | Got my F90X two month ago, and so far I'm very satisfied | ||
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| Pro | - | ||
| Contra | The program modes are just gimmicks. It would be far more useful to have a shiftable program that stayed shifted instead of zeroing after each photo.I only use aperture priority for that reason. Nikon needs to look at how Pentax do it! Also too many basic features require the MF backs. | ||
| Thoughts | Like the camera but some of the fetaures leave a bit to be desired. | ||
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| Thoughts | Wanted an F5 or F100 but a little out of my price range. Wanted Auto focus so the older F3 and FM2 were out as well. After a week with the camera, it has surprised me. After using manual focus Minolta's for years, I was a little intimidated with all the buttons and controls. After running about 5 rolls of film through the camera, everything really falls into place. Any setting change simply involves holding down the appropriate button while you rotate the rear dial. Can't get much simpler than that. I would probably re-locate the Af-lock and AE-lock to allow mu left forefinger to activate, but that's about it. I mainly wanted to get into Nikon's for their reputation and their legendary lenses. Purchasing a Nikkor 28-105AF, the photos I have taken are crisp and sharp beyond my imagination. A little thing I noticed is the extra leaf in the aperture that allows for an almost perfect circle when stoped down. A little thing that removes those weird little octagon highlights alwasy present on shiny objects with my Minolta's. The camera feels heavy, but rugged. More a testament to close attention to detail. My only regret is that I bought it thinking that the "entire" housing was aluminum alloy, but have come to find out that the outside covers are plastic, yet the internal skeleton is metal. So far, very impressed. Wished I had gotten into Nikon's years ago, so I could probably have an F3 or F2 as a manual backup. | ||
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| Thoughts | Just bought one. Am amazed at the results using the matrix metering system. The camera is heavy but well balanced. Has a high quality, rugged feel to it. Definitely a step up from my Minolta equipment. | ||
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| Thoughts | I've had the N90s for several years now so it's interesting to hear other people's views. I basically love the camera. It's never failed to give me great slide images in hot and cold and rain and snow on more than a few continents, including substantial macro work. The only trouble I've had with it resulted from dropping it on the floor at home (how ironic!) with a 80-200 f2.0 mounted on it - it had to go to Nikon to have its lens plate replaced.
I was also disappointed that a camera like this wouldn't come with autobracketing; I ended up buying the MF-26. I don't think that the -26 is particularly easy to use (I have to get the manual out too many times) but does what I want it to. I also immediately bought the MB-10 - the camera sits in my hand much better with the -10.
But, if you want to talk about weight, go pick up as F4 or a new F5. The N90s, with accessories, is much lighter and very close in functionality, at many ounces less in weight. | ||
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| Thoughts | Nikon fabulous work. I already love this camera. Fiability, endurance, perfect exposure 99%... I would like to do more work with it. And the last thing: to those who bought it without knowing what are they buying: first read about and them buy. This camera is as well as it cost. Less is more. | ||
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| Thoughts | I'm not using my f90-x a lot, since i don't have much time, but it feels very solid and, apart from backlighted objects, its metering performs very well. MB-10 is very useful for vertical shots, and with a sigma 70/210 f/2,8 hsm, action shots or sport shots are wonderful. The SB-28 also works greatly. Nikon N90s is very good camera. But you may need MB-10 and MF-26. The cost are very high for MB-10 and MF-26. about half of the price of N90s. That is not acceptable. But if you have not MB-10 and MF-26. I think we can not play well of N90s. | ||
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| Thoughts | If only Nikon made it with external metal cover instead of polycarbonate. (Sigh)... But afterall it's an excellent performer already. Just dont press it to work too hard. | ||
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| Thoughts | The N90s is a typical love/hate camera. Feature freaks will hate this camera, because they have to pay money to get all the features (i.e. buy the MF-26). Lots of other people, like me, love this camera. With the introduction of the better (but also pricier) F100, the N90s lost popularity. At the new price point, I think that the N90s is still a super buy, it's maybe 'old' technology, but it can still compete with the best of them. Only feature I really miss (without MF-26) is auto-bracketing. With a price label of about $200 above the new N80, the step of getting a pro-caliber camera is overcomeable for a lot of people. Compared to its direct competitors, the EOS 5/A2 and Dynax/Maxxum 800si, it has less features, but it has the pro-caliber built with weather protection (not as good as the F5 or F100, but it holds its own). All the real important features are present and easily accessible. On feature I love in the pro-line Nikons is the possibility to store exposure information in the camera and download it into a computer or even a Palm (in case of the N90s). Furthermore you can also control custom functions of the N90s with the computer/Palm connection. In short, IMO this is a superb camera and Nikon has a superb system, go ahead and buy it to the current lower prices. And don't forget the MB-10, if you can afford it. | ||
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| Thoughts | 3 words!!!!! This camera sucks!!! This is the worst camera I've used. The pictures always come out under exposed..Nikon company robs you for accesories. Don't purchase this camera!!! | ||
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| Thoughts | I've had my N90s since early 1996 and it is a terrific camera. It is well-made and handles sweetly. I have used this camera in all sorts of situations, produces beautiful images and has never failed me. When used with the SB-26/28 and D-compatible lenses, flash pictures become almost a no-brainer. I've recently acquired an F5 (love it also) but I still continue to use the N90s extensively. For travel and hiking, I always take my N90s over the F5 for obvious reasons. For other situations, I will start to use the F5 more and more for its superior metering and autofocus systems. I know that the F100 is better in many ways to the N90s but it also costs about $500-600 dollars more. For the money, the N90s is an excellent choice. | ||
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| Thoughts | Marvelous! I like it! You can drop it to floor, be in hard rain or sandstorm and still it works like 60's Buick! My best-buy for long time! [email protected] | ||
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| Thoughts | This is a great camera!!!!!! To the guy who wrote about putting sponge into the spring area of the back pressure plate of the F90X back. Could you please contact me at [email protected] as I am very interested and need to discuss it in more detail please...please. | ||