Nikon F65 / N65
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| Pro | Compact, easy to adopt the general features. Focusing system works better than I expected, in general. Many good features in nice working package. Good value for your money. | ||
| Contra | A little toyish feeling compared to my old Nikkormat FT2! Not possible to use older nikkor-lenses. Focusing light makes you visible at the darker hours. Under snowy conditions the focusing system fails to focus correctly. Mediocre flashlight. | ||
| Thoughts | I bought mine second hand,it was virtually unused. It cost me 200 euros (With 28-80mm g-type lens) it was a bargain! F65 is very useful and modern tool for my aging eyes. You can find better slr-bodies, but you must pay much more for the extra features. | ||
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| Pro | A great entry level camera from a good manufacturer. This is a Nikon, and you can use all the fabulous pro-quality Nikon AF lenses and other gadgets.
If you're getting into photography, the F65 (or N65 in the US) is the way to go. It has plenty of modern features at a good price. | ||
| Contra | The flash is very mediocre - I'd recommend upgrading it as soon as you can.
The 28-80 standard lens is alse very mediocre, but you can also upgrade it. For beginners, the other draw-backs are nominal. You cannot manually change the ISO film rating, for instance (however, this is a more advanced feature - even many pro's wouldn't use it!) Another draw-back is that you can't use the built-in light meter with old manual-focus lenses - but how many beginners have old manual lenses lying around? The wirelsess infra-red remote will set you back about US$20. | ||
| Thoughts | Overall, this is a great camera: for beginners, in particular, I doubt that you'll find better. A can build a good kit around this camera using the best Nikon lenses and Speedlights, all of which can be used on the pro equipment when you update.
For the beginner, get this camera and: - a tripod (about $US$50) - the infra-red remote (about US$20), and - a better lens (from US$120 to US12,000). | ||
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| Pro | well-designed, lightweight camera.
easy to handle. metal lens mount. accurate matrix-metering for well-exposed slides. Compatible with all Nikon-Flashlights with normal TTL-Matrix-Metering | ||
| Contra | no 3D-Matrix-Flash-metering.
no exposure compensation in manual (center-weighted) mode, only with matrix metering, which doesnt make too much sense... AF-Illuminator cannot be turned off permanently. only average lowlight-AF-performance. No AE-Lock (This missing feature ist far more important than the missing spot metering, which is only a "nice to have" feature) No manual selection between "One-shot-AF" and "continuos-AF". Only 1/90 X-Sync. | ||
| Thoughts | A good camera for beginners.
Especially bundled with the 28-80 3.3-5.6 G Nikkor this camera is a really good deal! advanced amateurs might miss some features. And maybe the F65 is a little bit too small... | ||
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| Pro | Cheap, cheap cheap!
Light weight and small Very good ergonomics Very very easy to use Accurate metering Included popup flash Complete manual override if needed | ||
| Contra | no ISO selection
no Gridlines to help with horizontal/vertical alignment no mechanical cable release (it supports a relatively expensive Nikon propritory IR remote) I think the ready functions (landscape, sports, night, portrait etc) are a waste of money and space (they are more of a marketing gimmick). Any sensible person will be able to figure out how to take the same picture with those functions. | ||
| Thoughts | While an excellent beginners camera, this camera is very easy to out grow. If you are absolutely sure it's not going to be used beyond a "beginner" workflow, then it's a good bang for your buck.
However, I seriously think there are better camera's - Nikon N80 for one. It has all the advanced level features that I would need for the first few year (I'm sure I will out grow that too). Specially now since a brand new N80 could be had for $250 in the US, I think it's a really good bang for your buck. | ||
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| Pro | Light weight.
Good metering. Plastic construction but durable to me. | ||
| Contra | ONLY Simply TTL...one area..not 3 area..
No 3D-TTL Low AF, even miserable when low light. HUGE lag time...time between half press shuttle and AF No vertical shuttle...same as F80, but not with F70 1/90s flash syn only. No metering in MF lens. The internal flash is too short...would block my new lens. No spot metering Center weight only appear in M Martix metering in all other Functions that can't be adjust. Continous focus only in sport mode. THe switch of AF/MF is too hard. Eat up battery when using Ni-HM No custom function, Can't disable the AF-assistance light, need to press that tiny little button when AF. The focus screen is too dark..way too dark for MF. The five point AF is useless since need to press that tiny button in order to change focus point. Only the center focus point is useful No AE/AF lock. | ||
| Thoughts | Miserable....
I should buy F80 or even F90X instead of this chessey one. I bought a flash that support 3D-TTL but my camera won't Well...too cheap to be ameture camera. | ||
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| Pro | For such features, F65/N65 is a good quality unit indeed. For such features and design, amateur and advance pro will like this unit. | ||
| Contra | As you came to the point that you need a specific feature like a pro, cable realese button, backlight for the display (more specially), and double exposure will be a losing point. | ||
| Thoughts | Though most great features found in Top-of-the-line unit like F100 and F5, for a given price F65/N65 is a 9/10 rating. | ||
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| Pro | Full manual, apture priority and shutter priority modes
Center weighted exposure (in manual mode) Depth of field preview Works with newer Nikon lens (I have a D100) Ultra light! Great results with good film like Fuji Velvia and Provia 100F Autofocus as good as my $2000 D100 Great compatabilty with new flashes like the SB80 (perfect exposures everytime in DTTL mode) | ||
| Contra | Can only use 2.5fps in sports mode (it should work in shutter priority mode also!)
No spot meter (no big deal) 1/90 flash sync (only matters for daylight fill flash) 1/2000 max shutter (you loose some depth of field options in bright sun for example you can't select f/1.8 with fast film because your shutter speed would have to be over 1/4000) You really need a good flash like the SB80 for good flash results. The onboard flash is a joke. | ||
| Thoughts | My main camera is a Nikon D100 but I still like to shoot film so I bought this camera because of the price ($159 refurbished from B&H) and it let me loose about 10 pound of weight. I used to carry around a Nikon FA and a FE2 with all my old heavy AIS lens. My MD-12 motor drive weighs more than the N65! I don't care about a status symbol, I just want something that works great for nature photos and action/sports. Now when I go hiking with my D100 I have my N65 straped to my back, if I find something "film worthy" I bust out the N65 with Velvia film and bam, great shots everytime! I use to leave my other film cameras in the car.
Now I only carry one set of lenses plus I can't tell the difference in the photos between my N65 and my trusty old FA. Once the shutter goes up it's just glass and film. Everything else just has to do with how long the shutter stays open vs. apature size. Bracket your exposures and you will get that hero shot with this camera. Get the $45 battery pack. It makes all the difference in the world when holding the camera plus you can use AA batteries. If you don't get great photos don't blame the camera! The N65 is capable of F5 quality with the right glass. | ||
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| Pro | Light weight, ease of handling, matrix metering works well under some specific conditions, TTL flash matrix provides good results in fill situations, decent value for the money | ||
| Contra | Limited control..ie no film ISO override, no limited exposure or spot metering options, limited matrix metering accuracy unpredictable results in situations other than bright even lighting, with subject in tight with limited area to consider caculations or wide with plenty of tonal range to make caculations, light weight construction ( a little too much plastic) | ||
| Thoughts | Good value, have to work around limitations,, given the choice now.. would have spented a few more bucks for a stronger Nikon....Use this one as my "point and shoot" | ||
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| Pro | Excellent value for the money. Light weight for travel, excellent autofocus and
ease of operating controls. Convenient flash mounted on camera have used with Nikon lens, Quantaray, Tamaron and have not had any bad pictures from California, Nevada, or Holland. Recently shot worlds fair of flower shows in Holland with very nice results and a lot less weight. | ||
| Contra | It's use at night could be improved with better flash. I compared it to my F100 in recent shoot at Disney World and it was a poor 2'nd for night work, but with a tripod
the problems were overcome. Still like the weight when traveling. | ||
| Thoughts | Good dollar value, excellent for travel, ease of use, accepts other lens, Matrix
meter is just fine, if stolen no big loss when working in high risk areas | ||
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| Pro | Very good value for that price
perfectly working matrix metering system - just trust it! Very good (maybe a little too light) fill flash Light weight Smooth operation Metal mount | ||
| Contra | Plastic body
A little slow flash sync (1/90) - only matters if you use fill flash quite often AF/M switch hard to operate AF mode set automatically | ||
| Thoughts | When you previously used a 1980's die hard metal SLR (like I did), this one feels like a toy. You've got to get used to this (but, what the heck, others ain't better) - I did, and now I love it.
I shot loads of films with it, and even nasty high contrast things were perfect. This thing just works as advertised - like a charm! It's worth every cent of its price. | ||
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| Pro | cheap and has enough to take photo | ||
| Contra | plastick like a toy | ||
| Thoughts | now i know that AF is not so imported
i dream about decent manual FM2 but this price it's really very delicate | ||
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| Pro | vERY PORTABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT
WORKS WELL WITH ALL NIKON AF LENSES BUT DOESN'T BALANCE WELL WITH HEAVY ONES EXCELLENT RESPONSE, ACCURACY OF af AND METERING NO ERRORS ON SLIDE FILM EVEN IN CONTRASTY LIGHTING EASIER TO USE THAN F80 (NO STUPID FEEBLE CONTROLS ON BACK - UUGH!) AND A LOT CHEAPER DURABLE EVEN WHEN DROPPED | ||
| Contra | 2.5FPS CONTINUOUS DRIVE ONLY IN SPORTS MODE
CHANGING FOCUS ZONES A LITTLE FIDDLY BUT STILL BETTER THAN F80 LACKS SIMPLE CABLE RELEASE, ELECTRONIC RELEASE HARD TO FIND WILL NOT SUPPORT A MONSTER LENS | ||
| Thoughts | This camera is definitely the best value for money which Nikon have produced for years, finally putting the decent technology into an affordable amateur camera and giving it build quality which is more than adequate for most uses. It handles well and can be used by all the family without fear of little Johnny breaking it and Daddy having a temper tantrum. At the same time it delivers results the equal of posher, more fancy and more traditional Nikons eg F90, FM2, as it has the key technological innovations from the more upmarket models. A pleasing product if not perfect. | ||
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| Pro | reliable build
silent work easy for use | ||
| Contra | poor autofocus
poor exposures, colors are not natural | ||
| Thoughts | I exchanged Nikon 65 for Minolta Maxxum 5, which is (in my opinion) more better camera | ||
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| Pro | Great valeu for money, i use it with my Tokina 28-80 2.8 ATX PRO and it gives great results. I use the optional battery pack to give it more weight and stability. Itīs very easy to use. Would i make better pictures when using a F5 ??? | ||
| Contra | Have you seen the price??!! | ||
| Thoughts | Great cam. for a great price, combine it with a good lens!! and you wonīt be dissapointed. | ||
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| Pro | light weight, good auto focus, easy to set features. | ||
| Contra | absoluted worthless matrix meter system ethier horribly over or under exposes pictures. 3 rolls of film only 7 usable pictures (all done in manual mode*by passing pos light meter system* with old vititar 5200 flash I use with my old canon a 1) what a POS. I bought this camera because my eyes are failing me and I having a difficult time focusing my old manual focus cameras in low light , but other than N65's good auto focus system, this is really sad pos camera and gets a F---- in everything else necessary in a good camera. Thank god I did not tie up more money with a external speed light flash. Gods Im mad! | ||
| Thoughts | This is a camera Nikon should be ashamed to put there name on simple put the light metering system is worthless. I just hope the camera store I bought it at wont screw me in to a store credit and I can get a full refund on my visa card , Im really very upset and wont buy another nikon product unless I field test a working model first but this experance has left such a bad taste in my mouth I'd doubt that seriously. Ive used a canon TX and a A1 for years with beatiful results , hell I ve even got a old nikon L35 af rangefinder auto focus that shot dozens of mind blowing pictures (and it was largely base on postive results with my nikon L35 af I bought the n 65) but this camera is crap, and the onboard speedlight flash is even worse than useless, and the completely worthless matrix metering and it add up to one completely useless camera. Worse yet it too light weight to even make a decent fishing weight or door stop. Do I sound mad, hell yes! Buy this camera at your own risk !! | ||
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| Pro | I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH IT ,ITS GREAT GOOD BALANCE,LIGHT,VERY USER FRIENDLY,PRICE? CANT BEAT IT! I USE IT WITH A 70-300/28-80 NIKOR LEN'S GIVING ME GREAT PICTURES!!!! | ||
| Contra | CANT THINK OF ANY | ||
| Thoughts | OVERALL GOOD CAMERA FOR THE PRICE | ||
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| Pro | Great price, easy to use. The fill flash works real well. The sports mode gives surprising results. My first AF and I find it very user friendly - all controls are well placed. | ||
| Contra | A little light weight for my liking so I added the optional battery pack. | ||
| Thoughts | Nice camera - really enjoy using it and got some nice result with the Tamron 70-300 in macro. | ||
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| Pro | Just bought it,anyway I'm pretty now to SLR cams. I Prefer it rather than EOS300 because its metal lens mount and better viewfinder. | ||
| Contra | nothing AFAIK. I seriously need manual in English. I have only German one. | ||
| Thoughts | Could anyone please point me to a softcopy of user manual on web, or send me it as file? [email protected]. THANKS A LOT. | ||
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| Pro | RETIRED | ||
| Contra | LIGHTWEIGHT,GOOD PRICE,but-check--MINOLTA DYNAX 3 (when arrives)! F65 HEAVIER,M.DY.maybe too too light? | ||
| Thoughts | no spot metering & couple of minor things. PC.FLASH. BODYWORK APPLIES TO F80 AS WELL. | ||
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| Pro | Lightweight, easy to use, very good value. Dept of field preview. Multiple exposure. | ||
| Contra | No Auto Exposure lock, no spot metering. | ||
| Thoughts | It's really annoying not being able to meter from a part of the scene, and then lock the exposure. This way I must shoot in manual mode when ever the contrast is significant. AE lock and Spot Metering is all that separates this little camera from being perfect. | ||
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| Pro | Great camera for a novice SLR photographer because it has most of the creative features on higher priced bodies for less money and its auto modes like Auto, Portrait, Landscape and Night Scene allow you to pick the camera up and take great pictures right away! Body is lightweight and the lens mount is metal whereas the Rebel 2K is plastic. Accepts Nikor lenses and other good lenses like Sigma, Tamron, and Quantaray. The ML-L3 wireless remote control is pretty nifty - got mine for $14.95 at Cord Camera. | ||
| Contra | ISO setting is automatic but you can adjust the exposure compensation by + or 1 2 EV in 1/2 increments. | ||
| Thoughts | You can't be the value for the price! Right now you can pick up the body for between $270 and $300 and Nikon has a $20 rebate going on until the end of March 2002 - Wow! | ||
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| Pro | small and light, full of features, very accurate meters, easy to use and i love nikon design over others. Servo AF is awesome in sports mode. | ||
| Contra | slow flash synch speed, no spot metering (oh well, i can live with it especially at that price). | ||
| Thoughts | Great. I bought it with Sigma 28-200 3.5-5.6 lense and its a good combo for an awesome price. | ||
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| Pro | All the right features. Feels good in your hand. Very light. Able to use some of the best Nikkor lens'. Great price. | ||
| Contra | Slow flash sync speed. Will be hard to use "fill flash" in bright daylight. | ||
| Thoughts | A great all around product. I picked the n65 over the n80 because neary the same features for $200.00 less | ||
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| Pro | Light weight, best value | ||
| Contra | None for the price | ||
| Thoughts | Better than any point and shoot on the market | ||
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| Pro | Full of features, very easy to use for a beginner. Light weight, Autofocus is great. Best Value. Works great in daylight, night photos, action and stills. Does it all while providing great optics. | ||
| Contra | None for the price. | ||
| Thoughts | Better than any point and shoot on the market. | ||
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| Pro | DOF, lightweight, fill flash works very nice, PRICE, a LOT of pro-cameras functions | ||
| Contra | For that price? Are you joking? | ||
| Thoughts | If you want versatility at the moment of taking pictures, buy the 28-80, 28-135 or any other zoom, but donīt expect to get very high quality photos. If you want sharp pictures and donīt want to spend much money, go for the nikon AF 50mm/1.8 | ||
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| Pro | DOF, lightweight, fill flash works very nice, PRICE, a LOT of pro-cameras functions | ||
| Contra | For that price? Are you joking? | ||
| Thoughts | If you want versatility at the moment of taking pictures, buy the 28-80, 28-135 or any other zoom, but donīt expect to get very high quality photos. If you want sharp pictures and donīt want to spend much money, go for the nikon AF 50mm/1.8 | ||
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| Pro | very easy to use and get good results light but good feel in the hand ! flash fill in wonderful a total joy and pleasure to use | ||
| Contra | nothing that has bothered me | ||
| Thoughts | certainly a fine camera if you want good photos without hassle. has been reliable and enabled good prints and slides in all conditions......enjoy | ||
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| Pro | Many features naerly like F-80. Remote Control Option (that i miss at my F-80) | ||
| Contra | built like a EOS-300, like a cheap toy i buy it at a reserve cam (F-80)and try to get the old F-60 which is much better except the few features i donīt need | ||
| Thoughts | If you search for a Cam like this take the EOS 300 i think the F-60 is the better choice if you donīt need all features. | ||
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| Pro | It's light, comfortable to carry around. metal lens mount. silent mirror slap. cheaper than n60. 2.5fps. dof field preview. | ||
| Contra | >does not balance well with 28-105 nikon lens | ||
| Thoughts | it's a casual and beginner camera. does the job and it's affordable. go for it. | ||