Nikon's
been listening.
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The
N75 body design is simple almost to the point of elegance.
There aren't a lot of controls to master, much like the N65.
But N65 users will recognize a few differences, most of which
are key to improved handling (see the section on Handling,
below, for full details).
For
example, on the front, the Depth of Field Preview button is
now just below the lens mount, not up near the autofocus assist
lamp where it cramped hand positions.
On
the body top, you'll note that the exposure compensation button
has returned to its usual position and we now have a motor
drive selector switch centered around the Mode dial.
The
back looks quite different, as what is the autofocus selector
lock button on most Nikon bodies has transformed into an autofocus
mode
selection switch. As with most Nikon bodies, put the switches
at the "green" positions and the camera is essentially
in all-automatic mode.
Still,
all in all, very few buttons and knobs, yet they allow you
an almost pro-level of control over the camera.
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The
Basics
A
very spooky thing has been happening lately with Nikon product designs:
all the things that I have complained about on predecessor models
are being quietly fixed. A egotistical paranoid would think that
Nikon has been reading the critical part of my reviews and using
them as design documents for the next model. A more realistic explanation
is simply that Nikon has started recognizing the same problems we
users have and has finally taken to eradicating them from their
designs. [Just to show you how many of these things there are, I'm
going to put a [+] in the text every
time we hit one of these fixes of things I'd previously complained
about on the N65.]
To
wit, the N75 (outside the US, it's called the F75). When it was
first announced I thought to myself "we don't need yet another
35mm film body variant" and wondered what the heck Nikon would
have done to differentiate it from the N65 and the N80 models that
bracket it in price. Well, it's simple. The N75 is differentiated
from the N65 by simply fixing all that body's problems, while it's
differentiated from the N80 the same way the N65 was: slightly fewer
features and a more consumerish (read: automatic) interface. Let's
look at the differences between the bodies:
| N65 |
N75 |
N80 |
| Five
autofocus sensors under user control (single button) |
Five
autofocus sensors under user control (direction pad) |
Five
autofocus sensors under user control (direction pad) |
|
Auto DX ISO coding only |
Auto DX ISO coding only |
Manual
or DX ISO coding |
| Matrix
Balanced Fill Flash |
Multi-Sensor
Matrix Balanced Fill Flash |
Multi-Sensor
Matrix Balanced Fill Flash |
| Infrared
remote control only (optional) |
Infrared
remote control only (optional) |
Wired
or wireless remote control (expensive option), standard cable
release option |
| Matrix
and Centerweighted metering |
Matrix,
Centerweighted, and Spot metering (latter two controlled unusually,
though) |
Matrix,
Centerweighted, and Spot metering |
| P,
S, A, M plus 6 special exposure modes (some are only way to
get certain features) |
P,
S, A, M plus 6 special exposure modes |
P,
S, A, and M exposure modes |
| 89%
viewfinder coverage |
89%
viewfinder coverage |
92%
viewfinder coverage |
| +/-
2 EV compensation, 1/2 stops |
+/-
3 EV compensation, 1/2 stops |
+/-3
EV compensation, 1/2 stops |
| 1/90
flash sync |
1/90
flash sync |
1/125
flash sync |
| No
custom settings |
12
custom settings |
18
custom settings |
| 2.5
fps |
1.5
fps |
2.5
fps |
| 30
second to 1/2000 shutter speeds |
30
second to 1/2000 shutter speeds |
30
second to 1/4000 shutter speeds |
| CR2
batteries |
CR2
batteries |
CR123A
batteries |
| Short
load time, long rewind time |
Long
load time, short rewind time |
Short
load time, long rewind time |
| No
grid lines |
No
grid lines |
On
demand grid lines |
| 13.9
Oz (395g) |
13.4
Oz (380g) |
18.2
oz (515g) |
All
have: Multiple Exposure, Bracketing, CAM900 autofocus sensors, Slow
and Rear Sync, and a host of other features. Remarkably, a close
set of features across all three bodies, and also remarkably, a
reasonably good set of choices from bottom (N65) to top (N80) (the
purple cells in the table indicate better features, the pink, worse).
Reading
the feature list of the N75, you might wonder if Nikon left anything
out. Like the N80, the N75 has nearly every feature even a pro would
demand of a camera (with perhaps the exception of build quality).
You
get Program, Shutter, Aperture, and Manual exposure modes; diopter
adjustments for the viewfinder; a wealth of useful information in
the viewfinder (though no frame counter); excellent, though not-quite-state-of-the-art
autofocus; 25-segment matrix, and centerweighted (Nikon doesn't
specify weighting in the manual, but it is likely 75/25) metering;
exposure compensation and three shot auto bracketing; DX auto ISO
sensing (but no manual override or display of the set ISO); TTL
flash control, including Slow and Rear Sync in regular exposure
modes; multiple exposure capability; and depth of field preview.
Put
simply, the feature set of the N75 is impressive at its price point.
Personally, about the only thing I really miss is the ability to
meter with manual focus lenses. But this omission aside, I can't
really think of anything I'd want to add to this lightweight, low-cost
body.
Handling
The
N65 was crippled by one fatal flaw: certain of its features were
"embedded in" the special exposure modes. If you wanted
continuous motor drive, for example, you had to select Sports exposure
mode and settle for the other compromises that all automatic mode
made. Well, Nikon's been listening; with perhaps one exception,
this flaw is now banished [+], and
even the remaining issue can be fixed with a custom setting.
Besides
being lighter in weight, the N75 is a bit smaller than the N80.
Amazingly, while putting in a few more features and retaining the
N65's features, the N75 manages to shave a few tenths of an ounce
off the weight (it uses the N55 body form, which is slightly smaller).
This is a small, light body. Unfortunately, you may find that the
small size and some of control placements makes the camera feel
a bit uncomfortable, especially if you have large hands or long
fingers. I'm almost certain that Nikon styled this body to fit a
smaller, woman's hand. Still, the hand positions aren't quite as
constrained as they were with the N65. This is most noticeable with
the new location of the depth of field control [+],
for instance (it's been moved to just below the lens from a position
that used to be too close to the shutter release on the N65). The
exposure compensation button is back where we expect it [+]
(just behind the shutter release), which helps the hand position,
too. So, while this is still a body for smallish hands, at least
you don't feel contorted when using common controls.
Gone
is the N65's awkward autofocus sensor selection button, and in its
place is the direction pad we've come to know and love. [+]
It's a real bonus that in place of the direction pad lock button
we also now have an autofocus mode selector. Explaining the autofocus
options on this camera is so much easier than on other Nikon's simply
because of that control (makes you wonder why it hasn't been used
on other consumer bodies). The new "green" position (green
indicates all-automatic, or idiot-proof, settings on Nikon bodies)
locks the direction pad and lets the camera make all the decisions
about which sensor to use (Dynamic AF with Closest Subject Priority).
The other two positions are Dynamic AF with Center Subject Priority
(what used to be called Single Area autofocus with the center sensor
selected) and Dynamic AF. If these names look a bit unfamiliar,
that's because, yes, we basically have a new set of options, though
using the old feature set to "build" them. Rather than
have three places where you can select autofocus options, Nikon
has simplified things down to this control (and some minor changes
that occur with other camera settings; yuck, more embedding!).
But
the interesting thing is this: unlike the other Nikon bodies, you
probably won't be scrambling to the manual to try and figure out
what the camera is doing. Why? Because the default is that you set
the selector, press the shutter release, the camera focuses, AND
THEN the camera lights up the autofocus sensor being used
(and beeps to tell you it has achieved focus if you have sound on,
which is the default). Holy mackerel, what a concept! Instead of
giving the user lots of cryptic switches that interact and telling
the user that the autofocus sensor that gets used might not
be the one you selected, here everything is simplified and turned
around in such a way that you may actually learn what the settings
do from trial and error. While it may still take you a while to
master the different autofocus possibilities of this camera, you
won't be confused about which sensor is being used. Ever.
A
dial on the left top plate is used to set the camera's exposure
mode (and the special program modes). This dial is clearly labeled
and easy enough to use. Gone are virtually all of the embedded functions
in special exposure modes [+], but
still remaining are limitations to what you can do in special exposure
modes. For example, you generally can't set bracketing, multiple
exposure, and sometimes even some flash options or exposure compensation
in these modes. While the exposure modes finally seem to set more
extreme settings (hey, finally f/2.8 in Portrait mode!), frankly,
I could have done without these additional modes--none of them really
do anything particularly useful, in my opinion.
Continuous
motor drive is now available via a separate frame advance selector
instead of being embedded in a special exposure mode [+].
Curiously, Nikon didn't put the multiple exposure mode in this same
selector (it's the last option in the bracketing button sequence).
This is probably a good choice considering the audience for the
camera. To get multiple exposures you're going to have to set it
intentionally, not accidentally move the motor drive switch to the
wrong position. Likewise, the self-timer is set by a separate button.
I think this shows that Nikon has actually thought a little bit
more about the user of this camera and tried to make advanced features
as logical as possible, but not easy to accidentally set.
Setting
apertures still takes a bit of getting used to if you're moving
down from one of the fancier bodies: if you're in aperture priority
exposure mode, you just rotate the Rear Command dial. If you're
in manual exposure mode, however, you must hold down the exposure
compensation/aperture button and rotate the Rear Command dial.
Metering
is performed via a new 25-matrix design most of the time. When you
press the AE-L button (or use Manual exposure mode), the camera
automatically switches to center-weighted metering. But...Nikon
now provides a custom setting to make the AE-L button perform matrix
metering [+], center weight, or spot
metering (this is the only way to get to spot metering, by the way).
No more seeing an exposure and having it change when you press the
exposure lock button! (Assuming you change the custom settings,
that is.)
One
note about film loading: like the N55, the N75 winds the film
to
the end of the roll when you first load it and then rewinds it
back into the canister as you take pictures. Thus, there is
a longish
delay between closing the back and being able to take the first
picture on a new roll, but only a very brief delay before you
can
open the back and remove the film. This also has the side benefit
of mostly protecting the pictures already taken should you inadvertently
open the camera back prior to the last exposure, something amateurs
may appreciate.
Overall,
I'm pleased with virtually all the changes Nikon made to the N65
to create the N75. The N75 handles pretty much the way I'd like
it to, while the N65 often made me stop and think (and consult charts
to see which special mode I had to set to get a feature). Indeed,
the advance is enough that I'd state this: anyone considering the
N65 should get the N75 instead. Period.
Performance
Exposure
The
N75 matrix meter is accurate, though note that it uses 1/2 stop
increments, which isn't good for slide shooters. That said, I didn't
find any exposures in my initial set of slides that I was uncomfortable
with. And you can always dial in exposure compensation or turn on
the exposure bracketing, if you're really worried.
Manual
exposure users should note that you get only two stops of metering
information on each side of 0. But also note that you don't get
matrix metering in manual exposure mode. Instead, you get an unspecified
(in the manual, at least) centerweighted system.
My
N75 book goes into the exposure system
at great length, but suffice it to say that, like most Nikon SLRs,
the N75 is fine at handling 80% or more of the situations you throw
at it, and a little knowledge can help you perfect that remaining
20%.
Autofocus
The
CAM900 sensor used in the N75 has two primary liabilities: the outlying
sensors all have more trouble with low contrast subjects than the
central one, and in low light those same sensors are also less sensitive.
While the same is true of the N65, N80, and D100, with the N75 it's
a little easier to deal with. If normally you have the camera in
the "magic autofocus" position (the green setting for
Dynamic AF with Closest Subject Priority), just flip it down one
setting and you're using only the central sensor.
AF-S
lenses focus quite swiftly on an N75, as they do on all other recent
Nikon bodies. Indeed, I was a bit surprised at how well the AF-S
and VR lenses worked on an N75. The 24-85mm AF-S lens is a perfect
companion for this camera (the upcoming 24-120mm VR AF-S is a bit
big for the body, in my opinion, but if you want VR to steady shots,
it's a valid choice). Note, however, that if you use the VR lenses
on the N75 you'll gobble up your batteries much faster, and CR2
batteries aren't as easy to find as AA or even CR123A.
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Build
Quality. Exactly what you'd expect for an inexpensive
body; you'll want to take precautions to keep this camera sheltered
from the elements. But other than that it seems hardy enough;
certainly as good as my N65, which has withstood one heck of
a lot of travel as a backup body (i.e., stuffed away in a pack
that gets thrown around a lot).
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Flash
sync is only 1/90.
That, coupled with the weak internal flash don't make for as
much flexibility as I'd like. Example: at ISO 100 with
an f/2.8 lens on the camera, your maximum shooting range is
14 feet (4.2m). Moreover, the built-in flash can't be used with
virtually any zoom that goes wider than 28mm due to its position
so close to the prism. The SB-50DX makes a decent complement
to the camera and fixes many of the internal flash limitations
(the SB-80DX is a better flash, but a bit big for the camera
body). But note that the SB-50DX and N75 use different battery
types.
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Manual
lenses. If you've got AI or AIS lenses, you won't
be using them very often on the N75, as the body can't meter
with them. That's a shame, as I'd love to take my Series
E lenses with this body to save weight on backpacking trips.
- Only
one battery in QD versions. The
date and time stamp versions of the body use the main camera battery.
If the camera is without power for more than 30 minutes you must
reset the date and time.
- The
N65 has been fixed.
Virtually all of the issues I had with the N65 have been addressed.
Bravo Nikon.
- Bang
for the buck! I thought the N80 was a good value, but
the N75 now easily tops that. If you can live with a few missing
features, this body is a tremendous value.
- Feature
specification is rich and deep. When a low-cost body even
includes diopter correction for the viewfinder and multiple exposure
capability, you won't find much missing.
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features
