Nikon is legendary for its meticulous construction and amazing picture quality. The N70 is Nikon's top model in its non-pro SLR line. It has a wide range of advanced features that let you take incredible photos in any shooting situation. With a built-in flash, improved autofocus, and a good selection of exposure modes, the Nikon N70 makes it easy to take perfectly exposed and focused pictures with little effort. At 7mm by 3mm, Nikon's cross-type autofocus sensor module has an extra-wide focus detection area that swiftly locks onto a moving subject. The autofocus can detect subjects in light as dim as EV minus 1 (at ISO 100). The N70 also offers both spot and wide-area autofocus--the latter is especially handy when you want to loosen up your composition.
The Nikon N70 uses 3-D matrix metering for incredibly accurate exposure. An SPD (Silicon Photo Diode) sensor divides scenes into eight segments; the N70's microcomputer then reads the light pattern for data on brightness and calculates contrast to put out optimum exposure value. The Nikon N70's built-in speedlight flash uses a five-segment TTL multi-sensor for optimal flash balance.
In addition to standard program, manual, and shutter- and aperture-priority modes, the Nikon N70 offers bracketing and a useful mode called flexible program, which lets you shift the combination of shutter speed and aperture normally set by the program mode.
1 Best value and well made camera for amateur
to serious amateur. I bot this camera back in 96 or 97. Took thousands of pictures. This camera takes great pictures and is very very reliable. Even did a couple friends' wedding with it.
Work well with almost all nikon lens. Auto-focus could be a little sluggish when paired with some professional grade nikon zoom lens such as the excellent 80-200 f2.8D and 35-70 F2.8D lens. Other than that, it works well with all other lens including the popular 105 mm F2.8D. Having that said, with 80-200 F2.8D, it is still fast enough to catch my kids running around at the beach and freeze their action.
It is a quality built camera in sharp contrast to those canon plastic toys. You got to hold it in your hand to feel it.
The menu system is very different than the traditional camera. It took me a few minutes to get the hang of it without looking at the instructions. It is very similar to some of the digital camera's menu at present days. It was truely ahead of its time.
It does not have DOV function which you may miss when your skill grow. But 99% of the time, you don't miss it. If you do, you are the type who would have bot the F100, F5 or F6 already.
I took pictures with it along side with a N90s. I did not see any difference in the pictures. However, it does make a huge difference when you upgrade to the professional grade lens. Color fidelity, sharpness and contrast are greatly improved. I have pictures of my kids blown up to poster sizes.
Spend your money on the lens not the camera. If you on a tight budget, this is the one to get.
2 great 35 mm slr
now that you can get one cheap, this is a great camera - even better for the money than most other used nikons
3 Glad I did not get a better one!
Years ago when I was looking for a SLR I was thinking of getting one of the expensive ones but people told me to start off with something like this. Well I did, and I am so happy. I love this camera. I have taken it to Italy, Netherlands, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island in Hawaii. It has gone everywhere with me and given me some great pictures.
If you are just starting off with these cameras or even if you have been using these types of cameras for awhile you will not be disappointed with the N70.
4 Best Serious Camera for the Price.
The user interface is intuitive but non-traditional. The only camera (to my knowledge) with a comparable on camera flash is the $1300 Minolta Maxxum 9. By the time you become a serious enough photographer to need Depth of Field preview and faster synch (which the N70 does not offer) it will be time to upgrade to a more expensive model; if you are just taking family/vacation photos you will not miss these features. Nikon lenses offer an excellent value to quality ratio. I suggest starting with the Nikon 50mm/1.8 AF-D lens before purchasing a zoom lens. Eyeglass wearers will find this camera more to their liking than the Canon Elan II which is also an excellent system. The N70 will fill your point & shoot needs as well as giving you creative manual control should you decide to make photography a hobby. Pentax also makes excellent SLR cameras and should be considered if you do not anticipate becoming really serious (because Nikon has such a large market share they can offer pro-grade lenses at a lower price point). Don't forget a sturdy tripod and a camera bag.
5 A Truly Exceptional Camera
Within the first ten minutes of having this camera I could use most of features. This incredibly fast camera (3.7 fps at high continuous film advance, and very fast autofocus)it is impressive. It has a varitey of built in programs like, action, depth of field, night, ect. These are very usful but can alway be overrided for custom control. The built in speedlight is one of the best ones on the market and very good for any kind of fill flash or light to medium flash usage indoors. Within the world of amature photography, you can get much better than this.
6 N70 is a good investment
I have been using the N70 for about 6 months now, and I absolutely love it. Its autofocusing speed is phenomenal, and its features offer everything I need for shooting action and stills in all lighting conditions. Its controls are very easy to use, and Nikon offers any accessory you can think of. I would suggest augmenting the N70 body with a Sigma 28-200 lens.
7 17 years later I finally bought a new Nikon N70
I have had Nikon cameras since my college days (1968-72)and have owned the original Nikon F, Nikromat and Nikon FE. At first I was skeptical about owning an automatic camera, but was I in for a surprise when I took it out of the box. At first I found myself not missing calibrating the camera for each shot (I was suspicious) and then I realized how many pictures I had taken (it also has a built in motor-drive). I had gone through 3 rolls of film at a Thanksgiving feast given by some friends of mine . . . if I had used my old setup I'd have been lucky to finish 1! What I am trying to say is the Nikon N70, with its built in computer allowed me (read - freed me) to take as many pictures as my heart desired, with all of them being in perfect focus! (Using the Auto-Focus feature I was able to concentrate on the subject at hand . . . not the camera!) If you want professional results without the time-consuming features this is your baby! I have not used my other cameras since I purchased the Nikon N70, and I guarantee it if you buy one you may as well sell your other cameras. (I know, I did)
MorrisZ342@juno.com
8 I like the N70, but...
I own an N70 and it has served me well. For an amatuer, and even a serious amateur, it's a great camera, however, keep in mind that the N70 lacks a few features that you may not miss at first, but may come to want over time. For example, there's no depth-of-field preview, the shutter syncs at 1/125th not 1/250th, the max shutter speed is 1/4000, half that of the 8008s or N90s, which means nothing for action photos (1/4000th is plenty fast) but in high light situtations where you are still overexposed at f22, the extra speed is necessary. Also, there's no locking button for the shutter, and no data back available. I am considering upgrading to N90s or an F4s, but I will keep the N70.
9 The Best Pictures I have ever seen
I have a couple of friends that have this camera and every time I see the pictures they take the pictures are always crisp and sharp in the contrast. I am currently in the process of trying to acquire one of these cameras because it has really piqued my interest in photography. It has been great looking at getting it because it has the most lens availability and compatibility of all the cameras I have looked at and it looks like it is more durable than canon so I plan to get one!
10 It's well-built,but not as easy to operate as Canon Eos Elan
I both own Nikon N70 and Canon EOS Elan. I used EOS Elan for several years , but N70 is new to me. N70 has a strong body,well-built than any other non-pros cameras(including Eos Elan) , but too many buttons . It's not easy to be familiar with it rather than EOS Elan. And the focus speed , it should be better.
11 WELL BUILT. TAKE OUTSTANDING PICTURES.
THIS IS A VERY GOOD CAMERA. IT IS WELL BUILT AND I LIKE THE WAY IT FEELS.TEAM IT UP WITH A SB-28 FLASH AND A GOOD LENS ( I HAVE SIGMA 28-107) AND YOU HAVE A GOOD MACHINE.
12 A great camera by a great camera company
I have to admit that I am biased. I only ever use Nikon products. I have an F3 and an 80008. I purchased the N70 for the built in flash feature (so I wouldn't have to lug around my SB-24) and to have one nice do it all camera to take on vacations, etc. without having to take my whole camera bag with F3 or 80008 bodies. Well, I've shot a wedding, a trip to Spain, and, well, you get the idea. Haven't even needed to pickup the other two. The nice thing about the N70 over the N60 (which is also a great camera) is that the N70 still has the synch port. I wouldn't, of course, trade my F3 or 80008 for studio work or other stuff, but for one compact camera for taking on trips, etc. this camera is great. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it isn't a professional's camera like the F3 or F4 or N90, but this camera is fantastic and more than enough camera for most people.
