Quick, powerful, accurate AF.

Meters with old manual-focus lenses. In fact, I had my 28/2 and 24/2 updated with the chip so they matrix meter on my N90s.

Rugged. I've learned to trust that my N90s will work. Even after considerable use, the covering looks good.

Superb feature set, including useful tools like DOF preview. Separate AF lock/AE lock lends an added level of control.

Excellent high eyepoint viewfinder.

Great feel in the hand, especially with the MF-26 back.

Takes AA batteries! I use lithiums in mine.

Relatively straighforward operation, considering the capabilities of the body.

These aren't so much weaknesses as quibbles:

I wish I could program shift with the aperture ring, like the FA.

The special Ps program modes are useless - I'd much rather have had the 4-stop analog scale and two-shot self timer from the N8008s.

The problem with wide-area sensors is that they make the focus difficult to control precisely and the old lock-focus-and-recompose is impossible on continuous-servo mode. So, I tend to prefer spot focus, single-servo mode because that way I know for certain where the camera will try to focus.

The N90s may well end up being a classic body. It is capable, fast, and reliable. With recent price reductions, it's also a good value.

Customer Service

My MF-26 back went in because it was peeling, and was returned, cleaned, adjusted, set, and with new batteries, within days!

Similar Products Used:

I've owned two. I sold the one with the MB-10 grip - a big, clunky thing with the only advantage of providing a vertical shutter release. Meager return for a cumbersome package (I have small hands).

N8008s (with its 4-stop analog scale, the best manual exposure mode camera I've ever used).

Also: N60, FA, F3/T.

Not similar: FM, FM2/T, F, EM, FG, FG-20.

Very useful and a lot of function.

None

I used this camera shooting wedding over one hundred time without any trouble, because I this camera with SB-28 Nikon flash. I am so proud when I am using of Nikon product.

Customer Service

never

Similar Products Used:

F100,F5 AND F3

solid feel with mb10 grip.
simple to operate.
reliable.

af/manual lever sticks out(looks like it could snap off)

first used the camera while working as a press photographer. Chief photog had the so-called prof. gear. Very durable and rugged when "bumped" by a car. Body and lens also knocked against a brick wall and still worked OK. Colleague didn't have as much luck with his f90x body, I think it got a little wet and never fully recovered. A few years ago I bought my own body when I left the newspaper and have since dropped it (landed on the mb10 grip) and no problems.
Overall it feels good in the hand and seems to take a bit of punishment.

Customer Service

not needed yet.

Similar Products Used:

various canon and nikon bodies over the years

Handling (with MB10)
AA battery size
Battery life (contrary to others' experience, apparently)
Lens compatability
Motor wind rate.
TC16 teleconverter allows MF lenses to be AF-d! (if only I can find one second hand at less than the price I paid for the F90).
Lovely hand strap grip thing.
Flash features (if I can ever afford a SB28).

Fiddly buttons
Need to spend $150 to get F90 rechipped for the vertical shutter button on MB0 to work.
Cost of the MF26 back.
Stupid progam modes which I've never used.
AF hunts in low light.
Useful features only available with MF26 at $$$$.
Nice hand strap is a total rip-off.
Prone to wear marks, especially on the back.
Physically big, especially with the mandatory MB10.

Lovely AF complement to my battered F3, and both use all lenses. I suppose that it'll eventually become my backup when D-SLRs drop to acceptable price.
Bounces quite happily when dropped.
Resists most of my 9-mth old daughter's worst efforts.
My wife can use it with great results (she's only ever used a P&S).
AF quick enough to keep up with daughter (at the moment!).
Great value second hand and (so far) reliable.
I just need to save up for the 2.8 80-200 to make it perfect!

Customer Service

Not used.

Similar Products Used:

F3; OM1n; OM4; Leica

Good features (with MF-26). Handles well. Easy to understand controls. Good build.

Needs MF-26 for features that should be included in the body.

As long as you ad the MF-26 for it's features and the MB-10 for it's added grip and release button it makes a great camera. The MF-26 features can be a pain to set. With the F-100 and now the N80 on the market I would not consider buying it again new but I would buy it again used for $400 or less. Nikon's claim that upgradeing the N90 to N90s made this camera a pro model is really (I think) an attempt to justify why so many pro's were turning away from the F4 for this camera. In all reality, this is and always has been a ameture camera. I sold mine and bought the N80. Much improved fetures and handeling made the N80 better for me. And if you don't beat your gear, I think the N80 would be better for you. My ratings bellow are based on where I think it fits into the Nikon lineup now, not when it came out in 1994.

Customer Service

Fixed MF-26's peeling back for free 3 years after warrenty had run out.

Similar Products Used:

To many Nikon bodies and lenses to mention.

8 segment Matrix, 75/25 center-weighted, and spot metering, meters my arsenal of older Nikkors, motor drive, exposure control in 1/3 EV steps, easy display panel functions, vertical grip, relatively light and wieldy (minus vert. grip)for candid people shots compared to other Nikon AF pro models, plus a host of other robotic features I will probably never use. Not to mention a big white Nikon plastered across the prism which tells the world you're shooting a camera conceivably more expensive than their own.

plastic housing lends the impression of cheapness (leading to many fitful stages of stratch-paranoia which I have since overcome), innocuous Vari-program function taints the professional allure of the camera (should this be on the FM-10?), AF is a bit loud (indoors/dim light give the sensor fits, auto film rewind, rubber camera back wears off swiftly under minor rubbage, no built-in auto exposure bracketing, 92 percent viewfinder.

This camera is WAY TOO UNDERAPPRECIATED. It seems to suffer under the weight of current-crop, market-driven, techno models which render anything older than a year obsolete these days. However, my style lends itself to full manuel focusing and spot metering ninety percent of the time, so I am not qualified to evaluate some of the camera's more advanced electronic features such as Control Back and Photo Secretary. For me, it's metering is dead perfect with all my manuel lenses (the new N80 won't meter ANY of my favorite lenses except a 50 1.8!). The N90s' shutter is blessedly quieter than my FE-2, and the motor drive has performed without a glitch through hundreds of rolls. My chief complaint is the absence of auto exposure bracketing which for chromes would have been a real boon. But then again, if it did, Nikon wouldn't have needed to create an F100. Also, minus the MD-10, the N90s is smaller than the F5, or even F3 with MD-4, which makes for convenient carry especially for unobtrusive street/people shooting. Which brings me to another point: Some reviewers seem to suggest that this camera is somewhat inferior to newer Nikon models, esp. pro models. If so, then why do so many staff photogs at N. Geographic use the N90s? I have seen more photos with photogs holding this camera in the last five years than any other camera. These people work, sweat, eat, breath, bleed, and I assume make love, with these things dangling around their neck in some of the most inhospitable places on earth. None of these camera are particularly cheap, but the N90s does provide enough bang for the buck to keep it in contention with the heavy-weights for quite some time.

Customer Service

Never needed -- including my twelve year old FE-2!

Similar Products Used:

FE, FE-2, plus Pentax K-1000, Minolta SRTs, Olympus OM gear over the years.

Well-made
Uses AA batteries
Fast and more important, accurate AF
Can use AI lenses w/meter
Logical controls
Handles well with or w/o the MB-10 grip

Needs MF-26 for added versatility

Excellent camera! I've used it regularly since 1996 and has given me great results. I have used it at sporting events (NBA games, Indy time trials, HS football games) and the AF was always on target. Flash pictures with the SB-26/28 are outstanding. The F100 is an even better camera but it also costs $500-600 dollars more. I remember when I bought this back in early '96, it was the latest and fastest Nikon at that time. It didn't take long before the F5/F100/N80 came along and made N90s look ancient. Anyway, I still use and enjoy the N90s extensively. No regrets here!

Customer Service

Haven't used

Similar Products Used:

F5, N60, N8008s, N6006s, F100

None

No MLU
Need databack for multiexposure

Great Camera. (Switcted from Canon Eos 3 that underexposure, plastic feel and dark viewfinder and a 40+ area eye control that is difficult to get calibrated.)
Opening a new camera from the box is like having great sex!!
Now pictures are perfect exposured. Af works better than the Eos 3 even if there is no selective focusing points.
The viewfinder is bright and makes me happy looking into. Now I can concentrate on taking pictures and I can highly recommend this camera for outdoor/nature photography! It is a very rugged camera. I have spend about 300 days/nights camping in a tent taking about 1500 rolls and it has worked perfectly all the time. Of those 1500 rolls I would guess that less than 10 photos has not been perfect in focus or perfect exposure.

Similar Products Used:

None

Accurate Meter
Fast, accurate AF

No bracketing
Rewinds w/o lead-out function

Having been a Nikon convert for years, it has been no surprise that this staple of the Nikon line (how many years will it go?) has been a versatile, useful tool. I shoot primarily editorial and photojournalism assignments, as well as some fine art for personal portfolios, and the N90s is effortless in both pursuits. Certainly performs on the professional level, but would make a great addition to any amateur's bag as well.

Customer Service

None used

Similar Products Used:

N80, F5, F100

everything is perfect.

nothing.

this semi-pro work horse is surperb for advanced amature.i take pics for fun and i think i don't need tough bodies.functions well engough for me to enjoy the very pleasure of photographing.i really appriciate the mark segmtation of nikon Co.
for F90x is what an advanced amature may need for reasonable price.i don't agree with the dislikes of many people.one product may not seciate all but a limited circle of people.so just try to find your circle, and get what exactly you want.

Customer Service

nice.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Eos5,
Z-1p