Dependable, reliable, well built

Interface different from other Nikons
Slow AF
Can't use manual Nikon lenses and get metering

This camera may be the most maligned animal of an SLR ever put out by Nikon! I honestly don't understand the animosity many profess toward this camera. It has decent ergonomics and is built to the Nikon-level standard. While it would be nice to be able to meter with manual lenses, and the camera won't do every photographic task (and cook your breakfast), it has certainly helped me develop as a photographer, and I have taken many good pictures in program, aperture priority, and full manual modes. The AF is slow, and it will hunt if the subject is not centered. I turn AF off a large portion of the time.
However, compare these trade-offs with the types of trade-offs in the current Nikon product line, and you'll see that this camera did a lot for its time. I have no intention to get rid of mine, although I may demote it to a second camera if I can afford an N80 sometime next year.
The N4004 is a solid, fun camera to use, and one in good condition would represent an excellent value and put you into Nikons inexpensively. After all, why spend $1500 on a F100 when all you need is a light-tight box to put that AF 50/1.4 prime lens on?

Customer Service

I had the back replaced after the latch broke (after 12 years of problem-free shooting)

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None

Well it is a nikon. Pop up flash.

Very slow Af, door lock had to have it replaced. This model has problems. Weak frame. Bad in low light.

Well it's a very low-end AF system, so if your doing pro work you don't want this camera. Might be good for a beginer but I'd buy a manual camera instead. Or spend the money for something that's built to last.

Customer Service

Excellent. NIKON

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Nikon fm2,nikon 990 coolpix,nikon f100,hasselblad c and cm,pentax k1000,nikon f10. I can go one for a while but not needed.

Well.. it's a Nikon.
Bulletproof reliability.

Not pro gear.

I bought this camera in the mid-late 80's. It has proven to be very reliable, and takes excellent pictures. I don't understand others apparent loathing. Sure the AF is slow, but consider the age of the technology. It still allows my wife to take a focused, reasonably well exposed shot before it's gone. A task that eludes her with my manual camera. Besides, you can still go full manual. The weight issue is purely subjective, I like the heft of the camera. Much of the rhetoric I see here sounds like someone complaining about the features of a 286 based computer compared to todays cheap 1 GHz PIII. If you cut your teeth on Windows 9x, then DOS plain sucks, right? That's just the way it is with technology...
Overall, it's been an excellent camera for a quality concious amateur.

Customer Service

Never used.

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Different Minolta, Canon and Pentax models

It's a Nikon. Lens and other items for it readily available on eBay. Uses common AA batteries. Pop up fill in flash.

AF a little slow but not as bad as some say.

Maybe it's not for the pro but I've been using this camera as a casual user since I bought it in the mid 1980s. It's been dependable and provides good pictures.

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None

Good solid construction (not like the N/F60 with poly carbonate construction), easy to use manual settings, easy to load film.

AF is kinda slow on larger zoom lenses. Works great with my 35-70 zoom. No remote shutter release or depth of field preview.

The bottom line is, for the money you can not find a better used entry level camera. The next nearest new competitor is the F/N 60 at $600 CAN. Lets face it people, the reviews of people saying this is a terrible camera are a load of crap. They're likely comparing their loaded up F5's and 100's etc. This is a great, simple to use well constructed camera. You wouldn't be buying this camera for a professional job so dont be soo harsh on it. I aspire to buy a feature rich F80, 90 or 100. Its not my dream camera, but it was a great start!

Customer Service

None

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Nikon F/N 60

Major advantages: takes common AA batteries, robust construction, analog dials. Nice touches: the ability to set aperture in half-stop increments using those dials.

Also a strength: the built-in flash is quite powerful. It offers almost identical power and coverage, according to my blank-wall and flash meter tests, to the N65 (which claims to cover out to 28mm).

Major issues: no exposure compensation setting, no viewfinder display showing aperture or shutter speed, can't meter with manual lenses. Quibbles: popping up the flash takes a thumb and a finger, no PC socket.

Okay, now this is the N4004S I'm talking about here. The S added some AF speed, using a more-powerful AF motor and some of the algorithms from the N8008s. (The N5005 added flash coverage down to 28mm, predictive AF, and a better power management system.) It also added a lock on the dials which is actually sort of pesty. I got this body and a lens I wanted to try for less than the price of the lens, so what the heck. Like the N50, I figured it would serve as a knock-around body, and like the N50, I've found it to be better than that. The AF in particular, while not showing the speed of the N90s, is functional in the same way the N8008s is functional - for many situations, it works fine. With the 50/1.8 on it, AF is quick and decisive for well over 90% of typical shots. If you want to read a bit of a rant about real-world AF speed, see my review of the N6006 - I don't want to repeat things here. The N4004s offers only single servo AF (the N5005 adds predictive focus), which makes focus-locking a breeze, and the twin dials make it easy to use manually. This would be a much easier body to use if more information showed in the viewfinder. It's designed to leave on Program mode, and it shows - although you can do shutter-priority and aperture-priority with relative ease, manual exposure leaves you with small but nagging obstacles to overcome. I've downrated it mostly for that reason. To leave it on a positive note, the flash metering is really quite competent, and the body handles balanced fill flash with ease.

Customer Service

Not needed.

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Geez, I hate having to post a list with every review. Just for kicks, this time I'll list what I haven't owned. I have not (as of this posting) owned an F4 or an F5. I have not owned an N4004 (non-S), N8008 (non-S), or N90 (non-S). I have not owned an N5005, N2000, or N2020. I have not owned an N70. I have not owned an N80 or F100. I have not owned any Nikkormats, although I have borrowed them. I have not owned an FE2 or FM2, although I have owned the FE and FM, as well as the FM2n. I think that's actually a shorter list than the bodies I have owned. Sheesh!

Nikon Quality
Standard Battery

AF is slow

I purchased this camera when it fist was introduced. I agree with others that the AF is slow, even with that said I have never had a problem with the camera and it takes great photos. When I purchased the camera I also purchased two lenses both AF Nikkor so I have not encountered problems that some people have. Yes I do have to use manual focus often but after 10 years I understand the quirks and limitations of the camera and have taken some great photos. For me this camera is a keeper until it stops working.

Customer Service

Never had a problem

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Cannon AE-1 various point and shoot

Takes AA batteries and feels much more solid than the newer generation of AF cameras. We call it the F401 in the UK

Lack of viewfinder info,can't use my AI manual lenses.

Anyone got an instruction manual for the N4004 / F401. Come on guys, don't let me beg, it's degrading :-)

Customer Service

Take it apart yourself and if it still wont work, shove it in a box with all the other disasters.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkormat FT3, Nikon FE
Zeiss Nettar, Yashica 635, Practicar and Zenith. I like my Mamiya RB67, it's cool and phallic :-)