Nikon F60 / N60
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| Pro | Produces well-exposed transparencies even with flash indoors despite being very cheap. Doesn't eat batteries. Sturdy. Now beginning to look quite retro. Actually works with SB-25 flash(thank God!) | ||
| Contra | No manual DX override - madness. Only meters in half-stops (still manages to get it right 99% of the time though!) No DoF preview. Doesn't appear to send zoom or aperature info to said SB-25 flashgun or much other info either it seems - but still does OK fill-flash. No flash compensation on SB-25 with Matrix TTL fill-flash. Anything else is just churlish at this price (GBP200 in 1999) | ||
| Thoughts | Definitely worth the pittance you'll pay for it nowadays (Jan 2006). I have put umpteen rolls of Velvia, Kodak T-max 3200 at 5000 ASA, Provia 400 at 320 and it's metered them all well and produced good quality slides. Even with what rudimentary flash capabilities it has, with a Nikon speedlight and diffusers and bouncing and what-not it can produce very acceptable indoor flash pictures. As someone else pointed out, all it does it decide how long the shutter should be open and how big the hole letting the light through should be, and it does it very well. In the end it's the image that counts. Even though I could probably buy an F80 for three-and-sixpence these days I'll stick with the F60 until Fuji stop making film or Nikon start making ultra-wide angle lenses for digital SLRs that cost less than houses. | ||
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| Pro | Fantastic camera - far and away has better features than the N60QD (which is great in its' own right) that it is supplementing. | ||
| Contra | Small - I have large hands and have just ordered the MB-16 battery attachment to give me better handling - assume it will work, based on others' description. Everything else seems to be where it should be. Time will tell. Though I ordered the body only, the 28 - 80 lens that came with the N60 is identical. Quite frankly, if you order these as a kit, you may be disappointed - my Tamron is heavier(metal), has a metal mount and is faster/better focusing. Eventually though, will probably go to a "pro" version of the Nikkor (2.8) | ||
| Thoughts | For just over $300 bucks, delivered, USA warranty, it will more than serve until I can fully master AF which is the real reason that I started with the N60 Pictures taken so far have proven OK, but am not faulting the camera - I'm still playing with the various features. After many years of manual/match needle cameras, (Nikon F-2) it is fun | ||
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| Pro | Solid Construction, large LCD display, powerful built-in flash, great looks! | ||
| Contra | A little heavy, no remote release capability, no manual ISO override, no grip option | ||
| Thoughts | This is a very nice camera. Contrary to what another reviewer has claimed (one who probably doesn't own the camera), you CAN use "G" lenses with the N60 in all modes. You just can't use AF-S lenses. There are a few things that you can't do with this camera that you can do with the N65, but I still like this one better. Definitely much better than the N55 - at least the N60 will do TTL flash! I've tried to justify replacing this camera many times in the past few years, but everytime I hold it in my hands I change my mind. Highly recommended. | ||
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| Pro | Ergonomics and Build Quality. Doesn't have the plasticy feel like similar Canon models or the newer F65. | ||
| Contra | No Spot metering or cable release | ||
| Thoughts | My first SLR camera that I purchased 2 years ago. Love the way the controls are laid out, and it feels like you are holding a quality product. Still feel like there is lots to learn and explore in terms of photography. I'd rather spend money on new lenses rather than upgrade from this body. | ||
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| Pro | Price! Affordable for almost any beginner photographer. A very rigid construction which feels very professional and very well built. Better flash sync than the newer F65 and F55 models. | ||
| Contra | Often sold in packages with cheap and lousy lenses (in order to offer a package which seems good for beginners). Lacks several functions you want to try after a few years of experience, such as rear-curtain sync, DOF-preview, spot-metering etc. Most important: Do not communicate aperture, shutter and zoom to Nikon Speedlights. This makes it inpossible to use all the features on your expensive flash unit. | ||
| Thoughts | For a beginner the F60 offers a lot of functionality and very good picture quality. I bought this camera with a pack of very lousy Sigma lenses, but I am now planning to buy new Nikkors instead. The F65 offers more functionality and newer technologies, but the flash sync is slower than on the F60. If I had the chance to buy a new camera I would probably go for the F80 instead, but there is a great difference in price which might be too much for a beginner. Consider the F60 as a superior camera for beginners, but beware... You might grow out of it sooner than you think... | ||
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| Pro | ~ Well-made (for the price) ~ Has Nikon's 3D Matrix metering and compatible with Nikon Speedlights ~ Metal-mount, unlike similar Canon (Rebel in US) ~ Inexpensive | ||
| Contra | ~ Very slow AF ~ No depth of field preview ~ Not compatible with AF-S or other lens with silent ring motor ~ Not fully compatible with VR lenses ~ No Aperture-priority or Manual mode with G-type AF Nikkors or others without aperture ring ~ No metering at all with AI/AI-S or other non-AF lenses ~ Uses nonpatterned white light for AF assist, irritating to animals or portrait subjects | ||
| Thoughts | This was, in its day, a pretty decent beginner camera. It is certainly cosmetically and mechanically a chip off the F5/F100 block, and is very easy to use. Unfortuately, the AF module harkens back from the days of the earliest AF Nikons, and is a non-cross type single sensor. This means that AF is slow, noisy, and "hunts" a lot. When AF assist is needed, a bright white nonpatterned light is used, which is effective but will blind subjects. Best bet is to use an external Speedlight with an infrared AF assist. Metering and flash compatibility is the usual Nikon, so you get 3D Matrix with D lenses and newer Speedlights. But, as above, there are LOTS of problems with numerous newer, or older, Nikkor lenses. The rest of the feature set is truly bare-bones, and is not on par with the cameras in this class that are still in production. Overall, the new N65 is far, far better. This is especially because it has compatibility with the newer G, AF-S, and VR Nikkors, and much faster and more advanced AF. This camera is quite poor as a backup to N90s/F90x, F100, or F5, the Nikon pro cameras. Similarly, most beginning amateurs will find that they will soon be desiring something with better technology. The N60 is basically late 1980s innards inside a new-generation case. This means it looks and feels good, but performance is well below par. So, I can't reccommend this camera at all. | ||
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| Pro | GREAT CAMERA! | ||
| Contra | NOTHING TO SAY AGAINST IT AT ALL....NOT YET ANYWAYS! | ||
| Thoughts | THE CAMERA N60 IS DA BOMB!!!!! I'VE BEEN INTO PHOTOGRAPHY FOR QUITE SOMETIME NOW BUT NEVER HAD MY OWN PERSON CAMERA TO USE.....I ONLY HAD PEOPLE TAKE PICTURES OF ME....UNTIL I DECIDED TO BUY ME THE NIKON N60 FOR MYSELF. THE RESULTS ARE AMAZING, I NEVER EVER STUDIED PHOTOGRAPHY MYSELF, BUT WHOEVER LOOKS AT MY PICTURES THINKS I AM A PROFESSIONAL, LOL. I'M SERIOUS! INFACT I STARTED TAKING PHOTOSHOOTS FOR PEOPLE AND I'M MAKING REALLY GOOD MONEY OUT OF IT TOO, AND I'M LOVIN IT SO MUCH THAT I'M EVEN GOING TO SCHOOL AND LEARN ALL ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY, NOT THAT I'M NOT GOOD AT IT ALREADY, LOL, BUT I WANT TO GET EVEN BETTER!!!!!! | ||
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| Pro | Okay camera | ||
| Contra | Silly reviewer | ||
| Thoughts | So I've just now figured out that my Japanese "u" is a US F65. That's why mine is better. Aha. Sorry. So, please be kind enough to read the following review in regards to an F65, not an F60. Ahem. | ||
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| Pro | Most of the features of a great camera Pretty solid center metering Crazy light weight | ||
| Contra | No Spot metering Wasted space on wussy auto "set" modes No ISO override | ||
| Thoughts | This is my first SLR, and has helped me into the world of photography. However, if I had been a little more patient, I think I would rather have saved my money and gone for an F80 or so. (My F60 is called a "u" here in Japan). Incidentally, this camera HAS remote shutter release capabilities with the remote control; it also HAS a depth of field preview button! A lot of reviews have complained in the contrary, but I'm wondering if these people have read their whole manual...) It has multi-exposure (as many as you like, in fact), DOF preview, bracketing, bulb, and decent metering (although I want spot metering enough to resent this camera). I really should just be happy with this camera, but I want it to print exposure info on my film like my friend's F80 does, and I want to override the ISO. | ||
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| Pro | Build Ergonomics Ease of Use Quality Price | ||
| Contra | No remote shutter release.. | ||
| Thoughts | An excellent camera, for the amatuer, semi-professional user, but no remote shutter release!! All in all though I am extremely happy with the photos I've taken with the camera and I'm still learning.. I have started to think about upgrading, but thought this a little over-ambitious. Although now I've found out that there's no remote shutter release I'm a little miffed - wanted to take some moody Autumn morning shots and Fireworks shots.. Will just have to try and see what the results are like... Might now be upgrading sooner than I thought tho... But will stick with Nikon - good service and good products. | ||
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| Pro | Construction, Access to Nikon Lenses, Controls an improvement over my old F50, Easy enough for a novice - even my 7yr son can take decent pictures with it. Matrix Metering | ||
| Contra | No metering with non-cpu lenses Slow autofocus (not that I use it much) No DX Override Won't load non DX coded films (Kodak IR) No bracketing No rear curtain sync No cable release No Spot metering | ||
| Thoughts | When my F50 was stolen and the insurance company sent me a F60 I was very impressed with the new control layout. I've been using it for about 18 months and only been in serious amateur photography for 2 years. It's been a great 'little' camera and if the pics arn't decent it's usually my fault not the camera. That said I feel it's now time to move on. I'm probably going to get a 2nd hand F90X or F4S. As things like being able to use non cpu lenses, rear curtain sync and overide the DX coding matter more to me now. I bought the F50 originally as I wanted an entry to a decent system that was reasonably robust and I'd get some decent cash back when I traded it in. I knew what I was and wasn't getting and have no regrets. | ||
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| Pro | SOLID.MADE IN JAPAN.SAME CLASS CANON- LIKE A PLASTIC. MODERATE WEIGHT. FLASH GN 15- QUIET INOUGH FOR A AMATUER. EASY...MEANS REALY EASY TO USE. | ||
| Contra | FLASH OVER POURING-REGARDLESS OF THE BACK GROUND AMBEINT LIGHTING. NO DOF PREVIEW BUTTON. NO REMOTE RELEASE. | ||
| Thoughts | A VERY GOOD ASET FOR ASERIOUS BEGGINER. TRY 1001"S EXPERIMENTS WITH THIS FREINDLY CAMERA BEFORE GOING TO F90X OR F100. | ||
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| Pro | user interface (absolutely superb!) accurate metering powerful built-in-flash viewfinder solid construction (for its class) | ||
| Contra | Doesn't have as many features as other cameras: no DX override no DOF preview no spot metering only one AF sensor doesn't meter with older lenses low fps does not auto-zoom flash | ||
| Thoughts | People seem to get hung-up on what functions this camera does not have. They should pay more attention to how well the camera performs the functions it does have. This camera has the most intuitive user interface I have ever used. It's metering accuracy is outstanding and it is very solidly built. These three items (interface, metering, reliability) are the most important items for any camera and the N60 scores very high on all three. If you need some of the features the N60 doesn't have then maybe you should look elsewhere. If the N60's feature set meets your needs then you will be very satisfied. | ||
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| Pro | Well Built. Easy to use. Fells more solid than the F65 and F80.(Both are made in Thailand, oppose to the F60 that are made in Japan. Dont know if it means anything.) | ||
| Contra | No dx overide. No DOF preview.The lense that ussually come with it are not very good. No cable release wire, but I use the selftrigger instead. Works fine for me. | ||
| Thoughts | If you take a look at photographyreview.com, most people who like to call themselves experts with 2-5 years of experience, like to bash this camera. But The ones who really like this camera, often are people with 10+ years of experience. Seems to me that the beginner blame the camera for taking bad pictures. This is not a pro camera. But for the beginner and even the more advanced, this is a good choise. Puchase a good lense instead of the ordinary zoom that comes with it, and you have a great tool that will urge you to take more picture. I personly use the nikkor af 50mm 1.8, which is about the same price as the 28-80mm, but much better in terms of sharpness and contrast.(Loooks better to) | ||
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| Pro | low price paid for 3000 norwegian kroner for f60 w/20-80 nikkor (approx. USD 333) | ||
| Contra | lack of features that I don't understand/need? | ||
| Thoughts | Not sure yet just got it for one month. For those who wonder about the manual: if you are in Europe logon to nikon.co.uk they offer a replacement with an English one. | ||
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| Pro | Well, it is the first EOS in Nikon outfit ... in other words: the user interface is basically copied from Canon but therefore also usable unlike the F50. | ||
| Contra | It has neither partial nor spot metering which doesn't really allow a serious usage especially regarding slides. | ||
| Thoughts | All in all a good beginner camera though there're better options on the market. | ||
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| Pro | - | ||
| Contra | - | ||
| Thoughts | This is a great first camera for someone who is just getting into photography, and of course it doesn't do everything that some of the more expensive models do. It all comes back to you get what you pay for. | ||
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| Thoughts | I am a very happy owner of f60 and reading these reviews just outta curiosity. Time after time I pop into complains that are written just because users of this camera have not red the manual correctly. For example: you CAN use center-weigted exposure mode by simply pressin the AE-L button down!Stop complaining and read the manual, PLEASE! | ||
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| Thoughts | I've had this camera for about a year and it's a love-hate relationship. I love the size, weight, and the way it feels in my hands. I also love the ergonomics. This camera is very easy to use. I find it even easier than the Canon cameras I've tried. I like the fact that this camera has gotten me into the Nikon lens system. I also think that the camera's matrix metering is very accurate - especially outdoors. Now the hate. I hate the fact that there is no spot meter, and that you can only access center-weighted in manual mode. I shoot mostly in program and aperture priority, so this is really inconvenient. I also hate that the camera has no remote release. But the biggest drawback to this camera is one that I didn't think would be that bad when I bought it. This camera doesn't support Nikon D flash technology. That is the one area where Nikon really blows Canon and Minolta away. I get slight exposure errors on flash shots (sometimes major errors if the lighting is challenging) that you don't get with an N70 or N80. Also, the camera does not do auto-balanced fill flash with the on-board flash. I had planned to buy an N80 anyway, as my primary slide film camera, and keep the N60 as a print film, snap-shot back-up. But, since most of my snap-shots and candids are taken indoors with flash, I'll probably eventually trade the N60 for either a second N80, or a used N70. In short, this is a great camera for an amature who wants a solid, well made, easy to use Nikon SLR at a low price, and who is not overly concerned with slight exposure errors with flash. Ironically, a pro could get much more from this camera than an amature, because he would be able to compensate for the flash system by instinct and experience. When I do that I'm wrong about 50% of the time. PS: The N65 has more features, but is made just like a Canon Rebel 2000 - small and very plastic feeling. It has the same AF and exposure system as the N60, and has the same flash limitations. If you want D flash, Canon is not the answer, either, as their flash system is even worse than the N60's. ionship. | ||
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I just got a nikon F60 over Christmas and today I took it back. Originally I was hoping for a solid entry to mid level camera like the F601 (which I had recently borrowed from a friend for a trip to Africa and loved it). I was disgusted that they took off some of the best features on the camera. Nikon turned it into a glorified point and shooter for people who can't compose their own pictures. Here are some of the disimprovements they made. -The 1 fps is a joke you can only use it in the "sport mode" while the older 601 gave you full access to the drive select and it shot 2 fps. -There is no spot metering, the center weighting is ackward to use. You must be in manual mode. - No rear curtain sync. - no remote release. With the 601 I didn't use a remote I could the self timer for 2 sec and not get the camera shake. They even got rid of that cool feathure it only counts ten sec. I am am taking landscape shot and want to be in the picture by running 50 m I can't do it. The 601 let me set 1 or 2 individual frame shots up to 30 sec appart. - No bracketing. Come on! I am sure the list can go on and on. So in short. If you are looking for a great point and shoot camera this is the one for you. If you like to be creative with your picture. Try and get your hand on the old 601 or shell out and pick up the F70 or F80. (if as in my the N90+ or out of range) And Tamarin...if I don't like it and don't do a lot of shooting I don't think many pros will be caught dead with and F60 or F50. Good luck with your Career. I hope to see some of your shots one day. | ||
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| Thoughts | After 1 year owning of F60 and 1 week using of EOS300 my opinion is: F60 easier operation F60 more stable during exposure EOS300 more features, some is needless EOS300 more faster AF EOS300 lighter weight F60 better inner display (with less info) summary: F60 is more simple, but easier to make good shots with it. I keep the F60 (in spite of the lack of the remote-release, multiplied shots on one, depth check and some other useful features what is arrived with the new F65.), simple but good camera - reasonable price. F60 is better than EOS300 I'm really dissatisfied with the 28-80 zoom, which was the standard accessory of the camera. | ||
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| Thoughts | I have the F60 for more than a year and I can only say that this is a is overall a nice camera. After 60 well exposed films (with the first set of batteries!) the only thing i realy miss is the remote-control release. I think its a good camera for the amateur, who wants a easy to use camera (easy aperture shift and other nice features). | ||
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| Thoughts | Nice little camera. It's so cheap you won't mind banging it around (try that with your F3HP or F5) and buy a new one every year or so. It's got TTL flash, matrix metering and a nice display. Even has a metal lens mount. As Ansel Adams puts it: people 'make' pictures, not camera's. If you can't do it right with this, you can't do it with an F5 either. I'd buy a couple if I didn't have my F4s. | ||
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| Thoughts | The N60 has been a great learning camera. I wanted a Nikon that would allow me to learn basic manual operation and photographic principles; something that I could build on if I decided to stick with classes, but I didn't want to spend a lot of cash in case I chose not to proceed. The N60 will certainly not be my last SLR, but it has been very reliable and perfect for what I need it for. | ||
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| Thoughts | I can't believe all the negative comments about the Nikon N60. I have been a semi-professional photographer for years and have used a lot of over-priced cameras that serve only to impress our peers. Granted..they take great pics..but the N60 does a fantastic job for the price. All cameras do the same thing..they expose film. With a good Nikon lens, no one will ever know whether the shots were taken on an F5 or N60..ONLY YOUR WALLET. It takes great pictures..and no one who ones one should be ashamed they can't afford an F5. | ||
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| Thoughts | I really liked the feeling with F60 in my hands.
But, the following fatal drawbacks pushed me to sell it: 1. no remote shutter release 2. disabled meter while mounting AIS type lense 3. mirror operation delay is too long | ||
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| Thoughts | i tried an n60 for two months but had to get rid of it. it consistantly locked up, underexposed, and rewound film whenever it felt like it. it is not useful as a backup; it cannot drive hsm, has no cable release, and will not even attempt to meter with manual lenses... don't bother with it. | ||
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| Thoughts | It is really a good camera although I can't regard it as a professional one. I have it for about one year and find it is superior than my EOS 300 despite the speed. In short, the user can take good pictures in a very convenient way. | ||
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| Thoughts | I've had the N60 (F60) for 1 year. I have liked it a lot but; am going to trade it for an N70. The main problem is that it lacks a remote shutter release capability, and using a non-AF lens on it knocks out the meter. Also the N70's AF is a lot faster and more accurate, although the N60's is not all that bad. | ||
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| Thoughts | I picked one up as a backup/second to my F100. I'm really impressed with this little camera - sort of like my F100 divided by 4 (lol). Everything's slower of course, and missing a few key features. It's got the typical weak built in flash, and right in between the flash and the display sits a little red eye reducer. I thought it would be my answer to my second camera, but it din't work out. The N60 will not drive HSM motor lenses (or any other lenses with motor built in). Since most my lenses have HSM, I had to take it back and pay an additional $150 for an N70. I spoke with Nikon about this, and they claim the camera is an entry level unit - and most likely the people using it would never have HSM lenses. It's a valid argument indeed, so that's that. Otherwise, it's a superior, well built, solid feeling little unit. | ||