Just Got A Nikon N70 (F70)

[Mikkornat]

It's a cool camera. The controls are funky though. I had to read the manual to figure them out. The film door is sticky for some reason, and the camera had a hard time taking up the film and advancing the film. But so far I'm liking it. Anyone else try this camera and have some tips or something to share?

 

[darkosaric]

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/specroom98/f70/f70spec.htm

All those auto focus nikons are good, I used couple of them from time to time. I just put it on aperture priority and manual focusing - and shoot.

 

[zanxion72]

Use it to get the feel of film again. Then toss it and get an all manual film camera. There is the real fun with film.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

It's a cool camera. The controls are funky though. I had to read the manual to figure them out. The film door is sticky for some reason, and the camera had a hard time taking up the film and advancing the film. But so far I'm liking it. Anyone else try this camera and have some tips or something to share?

I still have one for sale;It's in perfect shape and comes with the original manual.highest bidder takes it or just make an offer.
rlambrec@ymail.com

 

[trythis]

Its the only autofocus Nikon that meters with manual (ai and up) lenses with built in flash. Its bonkers to adjust settings but luckily has a memory setting with the weird [in] [out] buttons.
I think its one of the few AF nikons where aperture is adjusted on the lens.

I use mine when traveling since half my lenses are AF and half are MF. Also if I break it or lose it, they cost <$20

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[Sirius Glass]

I have taken great photographs with my Nikon N-75. I use it for C-41 color. I use the Nikon F-100 for black & white. I take both with me when I am shooting 35mm film.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Its the only autofocus Nikon that meters with manual (ai and up) lenses with built in flash. Its bonkers to adjust settings but luckily has a memory setting with the weird [in] [out] buttons.
I think its one of the few AF nikons where aperture is adjusted on the lens.

I use mine when traveling since half my lenses are AF and half are MF. Also if I break it or lose it, they cost <$20

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There's another one: the F-601.
On most AF bodies up to the introduction of the F5 (except the F401 series and the F50) the aperture is adjusted on the lenses: F501, F601, F801, 70, F90 and F4.
FYI, since the EM of 1979, Nikon has used the lowest range to introduce and test new features: the EM introduced the non removable AI tab and the easier film loading (the infamous non meter 2 shots before "1") and the F401 introduced the control of the aperture from the body.

 

[Mikkornat]

Its the only autofocus Nikon that meters with manual (ai and up) lenses with built in flash. Its bonkers to adjust settings but luckily has a memory setting with the weird [in] [out] buttons.
I think its one of the few AF nikons where aperture is adjusted on the lens.

I use mine when traveling since half my lenses are AF and half are MF. Also if I break it or lose it, they cost <$20

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Ya that's a plus. I have ai lenses and it's nice to shoot them on this body. I just wish they had put the flip up ai tab on it so I could use pre-ai lenses too. Now I'm having to plan to have my pre-ai lenses altered.

 

[trythis]

There's another one: the F-601.
On most AF bodies up to the introduction of the F5 (except the F401 series and the F50) the aperture is adjusted on the lenses: F501, F601, F801, 70, F90 and F4.
FYI, since the EM of 1979, Nikon has used the lowest range to introduce and test new features: the EM introduced the non removable AI tab and the easier film loading (the infamous non meter 2 shots before "1") and the F401 introduced the control of the aperture from the body.

I will HAVE to try the 601. Anything would have to have better control than the n70.


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[Ricardo Miranda]

Ya that's a plus. I have ai lenses and it's nice to shoot them on this body. I just wish they had put the flip up ai tab on it so I could use pre-ai lenses too. Now I'm having to plan to have my pre-ai lenses altered.

Please, I beg you not to modify pre-AI lenses.
In years to come you'll be glad not to do that.
The "mod" to AI, even the Nikon approved one, isn't a full AI spec.
When you get an F, F2 or a nice Nikkormat FTN, you'll be pleased not to have done it.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

I will HAVE to try the 601. Anything would have to have better control than the n70.


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The F601 has the same controls, with a few tweaks, as the F801.
It is also the only Nikon that is "blind" as to what TTL flash goes on the shoe.
The result is you even get rear curtain sync with a cheap Nikon flash like the SB-20, -22 or -23.

 

[Mikkornat]

Please, I beg you not to modify pre-AI lenses.
In years to come you'll be glad not to do that.
The "mod" to AI, even the Nikon approved one, isn't a full AI spec.
When you get an F, F2 or a nice Nikkormat FTN, you'll be pleased not to have done it.

What's missing on the mod? I thought they just carve out the plastic rim. Is it that bad?

 

[narsuitus]

Anyone else try this camera and have some tips or something to share?

Here are my notes about the auto focus/auto exposure Nikon N70/F70 that I use as a backup to my auto focus/auto exposure Nikon F4:

1. It is my smallest and lightest Nikon 35mm SLR.

2. Its camera operations are not intuitive, therefore, it is a good idea to review camera operations before shooting an important assignment

3. It works well with all my manual focus and auto focus lenses. Even able to work in Shutter Priority and Programmed auto exposure modes with my Type G lenses.

4. It makes a great available light candid camera with 50mm f/1.4 auto focus lens.

5. It makes a great travel camera when carried with a 50mm f/1.4 auto focus lens and a 35-70mm f/2.8 auto focus lens.

6. Its low cost makes it a great expendable camera when mounted with a low-cost and expendable Nikon 50mm f/1.8 Series E.

7. It makes a good low-cost telephoto camera when mounted with a low-cost and expendable Nikon 75-150 f/3.5 Series E.

8. Unless the lens has its own auto focus motor, auto focusing is too slow for fast action shots.

9. It makes a great close-up camera for fieldwork because its built-in flash produces good fill light even at a 1:2 reproduction ratio with 105mm macro lens.

10. Its exposure meter is very accurate.

11. It has a rear curtain flash sync feature that is great for balancing room light with flash for large group shots. My F2 and F4 do not have this rear curtain flash sync feature.


Nikon N70 + 180mm lens by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[trythis]

Just found out the N601 is slower at focusing than the N70 so I think I will just stick with it. If it had the ergonomics of the N80, it would could compete as the most desirable Nikon body with a built in flash.

I figured out how to use the in out memory feature so that its east to change modes when switching from manual focus to auto focus so the fiddlyness is less burdensome.


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[Theo Sulphate]

What's missing on the mod? I thought they just carve out the plastic rim. Is it that bad?

"Speed post" is missing:

http://www.throughthefmount.com/articles_back_difference_aid_ai.html

 

[Mikkornat]

Ohh, darn. Well I should probably invest in an AF lens for it anyway.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Ohh, darn. Well I should probably invest in an AF lens for it anyway.

Yes I have a Tamron 28mm to 300mm AF zoom lens and a Nikon 20mm to 35mm AF zoom lens.

 

[blockend]

The 601 had a lousy back locking mechanism, a plastic hook that fell apart on contact with the body's metal latch. There were fix it kits that required considerable skill, or Nikon did the job under warranty, but basically the clock is ticking from day one. Two of mine fell apart just sitting in a drawer!

The later entry level Nikons are very good cameras and mostly overlooked. They are light, have excellent meters, built in flash and cost buttons. The mechanical AF drive is noisy relative to later cameras, but no big deal. The 75 (last consumer 35mm Nikon) sells for more than the 55, 60 and 65 but none cost more than a few films.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

"Speed post" is missing:

http://www.throughthefmount.com/articles_back_difference_aid_ai.html

The Max Aperture Signal post as it is also know is missing and it is need for some cameras, like the F4, to perform Matrix metering.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

The 601 had a lousy back locking mechanism, a plastic hook that fell apart on contact with the body's metal latch. There were fix it kits that required considerable skill, or Nikon did the job under warranty, but basically the clock is ticking from day one. Two of mine fell apart just sitting in a drawer!

The later entry level Nikons are very good cameras and mostly overlooked. They are light, have excellent meters, built in flash and cost buttons. The mechanical AF drive is noisy relative to later cameras, but no big deal. The 75 (last consumer 35mm Nikon) sells for more than the 55, 60 and 65 but none cost more than a few films.

I'm sorry you lost 2 cameras. Are you sure you don't have a naughty cat around?

I've had 3 and none had a single problem.
Still have 2 of the earlier "Made in Japan" and they are still in full working condition.
But, they are very noisy, mainly from the winder.

The F75 is really nice, isn't it?
I have 2 and with the MB-18 it becomes more stable.
But, you can't change the ISO or use AI lenses.

 

[blockend]

I'm sorry you lost 2 cameras. Are you sure you don't have a naughty cat around?

I've had 3 and none had a single problem.
Still have 2 of the earlier "Made in Japan" and they are still in full working condition.
But, they are very noisy, mainly from the winder.

The F601 locking mechanism was a known issue. Nikon offered a replacement metal hook under warranty, and ebay sellers sold a metal hook with four tiny screws which had to be precisely aligned. Mine were original, Made in Japan models, the F601 and F601M (a bizarre model that required AF lenses to provide functionality but didn't offer autofocus).

The back falling on to the body is enough to fracture the hook, and the pressure of being closed for an extended time will also break the hook off. It isn't an urban myth or a slur, it was bad design and a cottage industry emerged to provide a fix. Last time I looked for replacement hooks was about six years ago, I don't know if they're currently available. Nikon knew of the problem and redesigned the locking mechanism on later entry level SLRs. I'd buy one of those - the AF is better too.

 

[darkosaric]

When we are already away from F70: F601 uses expensive 6V CR-P2 type batteries - I would recommend F801 instead.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

When we are already away from F70: F601 uses expensive 6V CR-P2 type batteries - I would recommend F801 instead.

If you buy a good car;you don't mind the cost of good fuel

 

[darkosaric]

If you buy a good car;you don't mind the cost of good fuel

In Europe - yes you do

 

[M Carter]

Regarding the "Sticky back" - is this like the N90 sticky back, where the entire rubberized back becomes sticky? Or do you mean functionally?

The N90 backs can be cleaned - I remove them, soak a paper towel in 99% iso, cover the back with the paper towel, and wrap in plastic wrap for an hour or so. Scrub and repeat.

There may be stronger chemicals that work faster, but the alcohol leaves the black paint intact.