- Fast motor, if you can figure out how to turn it on. - Matrix metering, if you can figure out how to activate it. - Numerous photo modes, if you can find out how to change them. - Beautiful egyptian heiroglphyics on the settings display, readable by anyone versed in ancient and obscure languages.

- Autofocus system hunts too much in low light. - You''ll miss a lot of pictures trying to remember how to run this camera

We bought the N70 and the super-sharp Tamron 28-105 zoom to take to Costa Rica and photograph wildlife (everything from monkeys to sloths to mccaws). Before we went, my wife and i had a huge fight and i threw the camera onto the front lawn, very hard, and the body survived (the lens was toast, however). So the legendary durability is still there, even in this low-cost body (the body plastic was warped slightly in one place and the rubber torn). Well, its too years later and my first children were born 6 weeks ago so I got out the N70 to take photos. I can''t remember how to run the dang thing !!! I have finally become so frustrated with this camera that I bought a whole Pentax ME Super / Super Program on EBay with lenses so that I can get these features : - Autofocus that doesn''t hunt. - Lenses that focus in the dark. - Simplicity to get a picture fast

Similar Products Used:

Pentax ME Super Canon A-1 (handled) Pentax IQZoom-60 Canon DV Ultura

Good auto-focus, ruggard and the important features work well.

Don''t leave it on in your bag when not in use - it will eat your batteries.

I was talked into buying this camera as my first camera (second hand). At the time was more than I expected to pay, but with hind sight I''ve not been disappointed. I’ve found this to be a reliable camera, with all the feature I need (bar one – see below), and easy to use for someone new to photography. It feels quite a solid camera, and it’s comfortable to hold and easier to hold steady than other cameras I’ve tried. It has survived trips to Egypt and India without getting too dusty or knocked around. I’ve found the auto focus to be particularly good on this camera – seems to lock in quicker than my N80 and the continuous focus on a moving object is quite accurate. The LCD on the top is not as easy to use as other cameras; however, it is no worse than most office photocopiers I’ve used. As a beginner/intermediate I appreciated the matrix exposure system, which got things right most of the time before I gained much of an appreciation of what to do about tricky exposure situations. It also had the flexibility with spot metering when I wanted to try something different. There are some features on this camera that I do not use – such as the “pre-programmed modes” for landscape, macro, portrait etc. These do not seem to pick practically good apertures/shutter speeds – certainly not as good as the N65.

Customer Service

Has not been needed yet (I''ve had for a couple of years, second hand).

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N65, N80

Price is currently par or less then a used fm2 and has a lot more advantages and options. 3.7 fps motor drive. 3 metering modes (spot, matrix, and 75/25 split) Fill flash on demand. Durable camera used for photojournalism work.

lithium batteries are spendy and are the only power source available.

I primarly use the N70 as a MF body with my fm2 as a back up, as I have a collection of MF lens. This one of the advantages of the n70 is that it will take any AI or AIS MF lens from nikon. The newer N80 will not accept most of these lens. The camera works great and I''m pleased with the overall layout and design of the camera, even though it takes about 2 hours to learn. Changing shutter speeds is quick and does not require leaving the shutter release and/or removing your eye from the view finder. The three metering modes allow for great flexabilty, the spot metering is dead on. Though the camera is catorgised as an amerature body it has enough fetures for pro use, although the AF may be slow compared to the N90, F100, and F5. Also the flash on the camera works as a great fill flash for high noon summer days, as the pro cameras lack this option.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

fm2

Great metering in program mode. Great for all manual control. Light-weight body. Great feel in your hands - much better than the Canon. Nikon lenses.

No Depth of Field preview. Inside ISO reminder would be helpful - camera doesn''t default back to DX after film is taken out. LCD is not backlit!!!

Good camera. Some say that the LCD interface is confusing. I don''t think so. I don''t even take my eye away from the camera to change settings anymore. LCD isn''t backlit, though, so using in dim light or at night is difficult at times. Otherwise, the button placement is logical and very easy to use.

Customer Service

never used

Similar Products Used:

Canon

Affordable (used around $200). 3d matrix metering. Very sturdy and reliable camera.

No pc terminal,need to look at top of camera to change settings.

Great camera for the price. I have been using it for 3 years and have ran over 1,000 rolls of film throught it. It has also been used to shoot in -30 F cold weather, it worked fine, but the batteries died quickly in the cold. I made so much money shooting portraits and weddings with this camera that I bought another one. The controls are easy to figure out, but you do have to look at the top of the camera to use them. My only complaints are: lack of a PC terminal, no auto-rewind,no backlit LCD(makes it very tough to use in dim light). I upgraded to the F100 and keep the N70s as backup.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

F100, Pentax 645.

Reliable, durable, features, EASY to use.

No depth of field preview.

The N70 is an excellent, durable camera which I use as a backup body to the N90S. Frequently, users have complained of the "confusing" and hard to understand interface, and I frankly can''t understand the reason for all the fuss. I have found the interface simple and very understandable (I figured it out in a very short time, and I''ve yet to really reference the manual). The autofocus is a few milliseconds slower (literally folks) than the N90s or even the EOS 3 at worst, and for all practical purposes those few milliseconds have never caused me to miss a shot. I tried the Elan II a while back and owned an Elan 7, and I find the N70 a better camera than both. Although I formerly shot Canon (EOS 3 body and Elan 7), I have found that ECF can be an annoying rather than nice feature, so I would simply shut it off. ECF can cost you many good shots at worst. The meter on the N70 is excellent, much like any Nikon with 3D matrix metering. I''ve found that Matrix metering seems to be more reliable than Evaluative metering (although a good center weighted meter with a thoughtful user behind it works just as well). In short, the N70 is reliable, easy to use and feature packed (truly). I wouldn''t hesitate to buy it again, and with regard to confusing interfaces and lightning fast autofocus, the rules are simple - to me these are truly minor details, its probably more productive to worry about the creativity and quality of your images.

Customer Service

None so far.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Elan 7 and Elan II.

Lightweight and Feature Packed

Doesn't have the "solid" feel of cameras such as the F5, F100 or F3.

Overall, I'd say this camera is a pretty good value at today's prices (I bought it when it first came out years ago). However, the N80 would probably be an even better value given its more advanced technology.

Similar Products Used:

F5
F100
N90s
N90
N6006
FA
F

great metering good lens selection it's black so it doesn't look like a toy

confusing interface

well 2 years later... I would take more pictures if it was a little more intuitive... Too D*** Many Buttons. My wife has a Fe if that camera had the metering of this camera and the built in flash Wow!I put an 85mm 1.8 on it and have some smashing kid pix. Portraits too! I guess you could say its a good techno-weenie camera. All the high end stuff is like this so I guess were stuck with these kind of huge interfaces that get in the wat of creativity.

Customer Service

?? got the manuel PDQ but they charged me for it

Similar Products Used:

cannon stuff

Feels more solid than the N60. Better specified.

The film doesnt rewind after it is finished. I screwed up 4 rolls of film because of opening the back by mistake. Why does Nikon insist on such stup*d useless "features"?
The user interface is absolutely pathetic. This camera competes with the N50 for the worst interface ever.
Cant use VR lenses. No backlit LCD. No AEB. Cant use IR film. etc.

Value for money(?) Bad user interface. Good metering and flash. Decent AF speed. I would wait for a better camera. Maybe the N80 is the answer?

Customer Service

-

Similar Products Used:

N50, N60, N90s, N80, Elan, Elan-IIe, EOS-5, Minoltas, Nikon FM-10

very few buttons
well sealed black stealth Nikon!
fast fps

no end of roll options
NO DOF! -stup*d
-this makes it almost not a real camera

This camera has very few buttons, but you have numerous options once you figure it out. I use the Quick programs to store groups of settings so that I can handle almost any shooting situation. Basically one setting is a general purpose Matrix setting with spot focus. The other one is a spot meter with spot focus. These both are used in conjunction with the AE-Lock and presto, any situation can be handled with ease. In a pinch, I can opt. to +/- exposure compensation, but usually that is not necessary with spot meter control. In this way, I don't have to fiddle with changing modes on the go- All I do is just OUT one of the Quickprograms. The N70 is built very strong and is sealed well- I have taken this camera for granted while it has been stuffed into backpacks, camelbaks, fanny sacks and thrown into a sack. It has never failed or even blinked in rain or shine- a superb testament for durability. It even meters my awesome manual lenses, something so basic to photography for those not born yesterday. This is not a pro body like the F4,5 or even 90s, but I am certain that I could not take any better a picture if I had had one of those. The N70 is a great simple camera with a multitude of functions which when mastered can be an effective shoot tool or if not, a terrible mess.(For those C vs. N people: Canon makes better bodies- The EOS-1 has stood the test of time without a need for upgrade; also the A2E, but Nikon needs constant retooling. The multifocus method by Canon is much more efficient and the USM lenses are the best focusing method by far. Nikon glass/coating, however, are consistently good, no matter what speed. Also Nikon Matrix yields better % shots- The EOS-1V seems to have matched this. Some Canon long glass is the best, but Nikon has more 'best' glass throughout line. For sports, Canon AF system is king. Nikon generally is good. Best of both? Canon body with Nikon lenses.)

Similar Products Used:

None