focusing
relatively sturdy build
bright viewfinder

tiny size makes it hard to grip
older matrix meter version
no meter with manual focus
battery selection

In re-entering the world of photography, I did a lot of research into which system and model I would get. Being strapped for cash, I knew it would be low end and so I compared the Nikon, Canon and Minolta models. (I've never liked Pentaxes because I found their lenses like 50/1.8 to be no performance match for the equally priced Nikkor, though they do have certain overall system advantages). Canon offers the best selection of lenses and features per camera but have horrible viewfinders, Minolta offers the best metering but feel cheap, but Nikon made the best 50/1.8 (and I knew I'd be using that a lot) and has the best flash performance. The N65 is a signifcant improvement over the N50 and N60, particularly in terms of focusing, metering, ease of use, and ergonomics. It also *feels* better in the hand than the Canon or Minolta models. Some criticize it for not having the option of manual film speed settings, but the +/- 2 stop exposure compensation can be used for the purpose (that's how to shoot TMZ @ 3200). A cheap adapter can be got allowing it a pc cord sync.
A couple notes on the weaknesses: It's a bit small. An battery holder/grip can be got but for $50 (outrageous) whereas Canon's is about $20 (I think). It doesn't use the most up-to-date matrix meter, but that only comes to play in edge-situations involving zooms and flashes. The battery selection is silly--the newer, smaller lithiums designed for APS cameras. They don't last all that long--especially in cold weather (as I've found out this winter). And whereas you can still fit some manual focus lenses on the N65, you can't meter them (as was possible manually with the N50). But all in all, a great entry level, especially at the $300 price mark which is comparable to everyone else's and only slightly more than a decent used camera.

Customer Service

not yet necessary

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebels

-Easy to learn
-Has many features that are standard on N80
-Inexpensive
-Light and ergonomic

-Made in Thailand
-Shutter-release button is a little sensitive

This is a great camera! I bought it in a kit with a Tamron 28-80mm lens and it works great. The exposure bracketing is very simple to use. It is light but still has a solid feel to it unlike the Rebel 2000. I will always prefer Nikon to Canon. Good for a beginner who wants a great camera at an affordable price.

Customer Service

Haven't neaded it yet

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS Rebel 2000
Nikon N80

Great build quality, excellent value, smooth motor, built-in speedlight

Slightly finnicky autofocus, unable to manually set film ISO.

I used to use an ancient Olympus OM-10 SLR and when I started getting into sports photography I needed something with AF. I considered a Canon, and immediately ruled out the Minoltas because they feel cheap. My art teacher, a professional photographer for a newspaper, has a Nikon N70 and sez he loves it. I wasn't looking to spend a whole lot so the N70 and N80 were out of my budget, but Ritz had the N60 on sale and the N65 had just been released. I tried the '65 and found it a better buy than the '60. Ritz was selling the '65 with a 28-80 Tamron lens for $380 but offered me the body with a Nikon 28-80 lens for $400. Not a bad deal.

The camera feels sturdy and I've had no problems with it whatsoever. Granted, I keep it in a Lowepro bag, heavily padded (I love those bags!) since I also tote around a 70-300 Nikon lens and my old OM-10, but my '65 has held up really nicely.

A lot of people here say that it's a good "beginner" camera. While this is true, the N65 is just a step below the N70 and N80, which I've seen many professionals use, so I bet the N65 would be good for an advanced user as well. That is, the advanced user who doesn't roll his or her own film in non-DX coded canisters....

Customer Service

Haven't needed it, but before buying the camera I called Nikon to see what the differences between the N60 (on sale) and the N65 (just released), and they were very professional and really knew their stuff!

Similar Products Used:

Played around with N80, N60, various Canons and Minoltas

Lightweight but solid.
Auto, S and P modes offer great flexibility
Logical controls. Terrific results with built in flash.

Not compatible with Nikon non-AI, AI or AI-S lenses (see complaint below)

For under $500, I was able to get the N65, Tamron 28-105 zoom, bag, strap and a couple of filters. Perfect for my wife's point and shoot needs, flexible enough for my experimentations. HOWEVER, one of the major reasons I purchased a Nikon was to use the 3 Nikkor lenses that I inherited from my grandfather, who shot professionally with a pair of F bodies (eventually I'll be using it as well, but I'm a novice without a metering system). The lenses are non-AI, and I was perhaps misled by Nikon's claim that their bayonette mount allows even their lower end 35mm bodies to work with hundreds of current and past lenses. It was only until I read the fine print in the manual that I discovered that the N65 will only work with the current lens lineup from Nikon. I've found a resource to modify the lenses at $25 each, and I'll probably make the investment because the 60mm Micro is in particular an awesome lens. Other than that - no complaints. I'm about to purchase the 50mm 1.8 and the Tamron 70-300mm LD to complete the kit.

Customer Service

none needed yet

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel 2000
Nikon N60

Excellent grip and feel.
Easy to use
Lightweight
Metal lens attachment
Clear LCD panel
Quick AF
Depth of field button

Doesn't remember settings when turn off and back on
Settings wheel is too easy to rotate so can be accidently bumped to undesired setting

I was shooting with old russian camera Zenit with manual focus and I was getting few pictures sharp because of my eyesight. This camera is amazing for me as far as AF. Also it's very easy to use, various programs are very nice (Aperture and shutter priority etc.)
Lightweight (13 oz) compared with all metal Zenit (35 oz). Excellent for the beginner, not sure about professional photographer.

Customer Service

none, hopefully never

Similar Products Used:

none

Very fast and quiet. It is very easy to use and helps a begginer really learn all about photography. Has great auto mode for those who just want to shoot and not worry about the settings. I absolutely love it.

the flash is just like a regular flash and causes that nasty flat face look. If you are not paying attention while trying the auto focus feature you can push the button down too far and take an out of focus picture. It is also priced a little high, but that can be solved by shopping around and looking for deals

I really enjoy using my N65 because I take many pictures of children and because it is fast and quiet I get those priceless shots that I would have otherwise missed. I have gotten used to the sensitive trigger button and no longer have those fuzzy pictures. I think that in some places this camera is way over priced, but if you shop around on the internet you can find a really good deal. I think that this is a great camera whether you take pictures just as a hobby or as a profession.

Customer Service

none needed so far. :)

Similar Products Used:

minolta that I borrowed from a friend a while back, I am not sure what kind it was.

Ergonomically designed
Well balanced
Light weight
Attractive.
Superb value for money. Allows access to most of Nikon's lens and accessory line.
Easy to upgrade when the time is right...you only need purchase a new body.

Cannot set ISO speed (Not a big problem as there are ways around this).
No cable release (however the remote costs no more than a good quality cable).

Excellent Camera. It's a Nikon!

Customer Service

Excellent (very quick to answer a couple of questions which I could not find the answers to in the manual).

Similar Products Used:

Canon
Minolta

Bracketing
Depth of field preview
Blub setting

Cannot set ISO speed

my very 1st SLR camera. But before that i compared it (F65) with Canon Elan 7. At 1st i decided to purchase the Canon Elan 7, but on my second thought, Canon Elan 7 has some features that are needless to me, such as 1/4000s shutter speed and 4 frames per sec as i'm into Landscape n Architecture photography. What is great to me is that the bracketing system allows me to take a few photos before deciding on which is the best...Depth-of-field preview enables me to see the depth of field before taking a shot. Manual focusing are also includes in this camera, it allows me to select the Shutter Speed and Aperture, which are the 2 out of 3 elements in taking good photos. While this camera cannot set the ISO speed manually, it doesnt matter to me as i could load a ISO 100, 200 etc etc onto my camera.All these features including those which i didn't mention comes in with this great camera. i didnt regret buying this SLR, so......what r u waiting for.......?

Similar Products Used:

None

lightweight
cheap
nikon
built-in flash, but for very few ocassions

can´t use infrared film

the camera feels good for someone who doesn´t care as much for the equipment as for the results that all the elements involved in the shooting can lead to. I´m thinking, of course, in the film, the exposure, the developer, the lab... two or three negatives coming together to make just one positive. It´s b&w. Maybe this camera is a strange choice for someone who works in the grey area, but as my father (yes, the writer; yes, I live under the shadows of the "gregerías": sorry, this was for the spanish literature lovers), I like to take something meant for an specific business and use it in a way that purist would never applause.
The camera works real fine in b&w, though sometimes I´d like it had a spot metering for all the zone system stuff that I try to do. Of course, the 28-80mm lense that came in the kit is well packed for a future gift to my three year old son; I prefer using the 50 1.8 and 28 2.8 that I bought for my "artistic" purposes: I´ll tell you, this two lenses are all I use and think of using in a long time.
The camera, this baby gives me the feeling that I take pictures in the days that we are living, not in those days were my father use to write: this is a five star for the designers

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

nikon n50

Ergonomics/Interface,
DoF preview,
sensible defaults,
Excellent build quality

No manual ISO setting, but exposure compensation can correct for this, and the camera has never missed a DX code.

Great camera. The interface is just right. It has a solid feel and a metal lens mount. The Nikon optics are excellent.

Similar Products Used:

Cannon Rebel G--CRAP!