Nikon F70

Sewin · Jun 2, 2016

Well,

After following the plastic slr thread I was looking for an F65 / F55 but found (won) an F70 for £10 delivered.

Awaiting delivery, I wonder if someone can help out please regarding G lenses.
I've got AF lenses so they should work but also a G lens.

According to compatibility tables etc the G lens will work in P & S, without sounding silly, how do you or the camera set the aperture?

I'm probably missing the obvious as I've not received the camera yet.

I'm also quite looking forward to getting to grips with the fan interface.

Thanks All.

Ricardo Miranda · Jun 2, 2016

Hi,
The F70 still follows the same principle as the F801/601/90 and the F4: you need a lens with an aperture ring.

ronnies · Jun 2, 2016

Ricardo Miranda said:
Hi,
The F70 still follows the same principle as the F801/601/90 and the F4: you need a lens with an aperture ring.

So like the F4, G lenses will work in P & S modes because the camera can select the aperture itself.

A G lens is like a D lens with the aperture ring glued to the minimum aperture value.

Ronnie

Sewin · Jun 2, 2016

I just found this answer.?
http://www.photography-forums.com/threads/nikon-g-series-lenses-on-f4-n70.17156/

Ricardo Miranda · Jun 2, 2016

Sewin said:
I just found this answer.?
http://www.photography-forums.com/threads/nikon-g-series-lenses-on-f4-n70.17156/

There are some wrong answers in there.

Here is a compatibility table for you:

Need Aperture ring: F4/ all F801/F90 series / F601 / F501 / F70

No need for aperture ring: F401 series / F50/60/80/65/55/75 / F5 / F100 / F6

It is easier to remember that all 1st generation apart the F401 and the semi-pro and advance amateur from the 2nd generation need an aperture ring.
They also can be distinguished by having the AI coupling tab on the mount.

The command of aperture in the body and therefore no need for an aperture ring was introduced on the 1987 F401.
As has happened before Nikon introduced "new features" in the lower range.

Sewin · Jun 2, 2016

Thanks Ricardo.

ronnies · Jun 2, 2016

Ricardo Miranda said:
Need Aperture ring: F4/ all F801/F90 series / F601 / F501 / F70

That is really "Need aperture ring for M and A modes".

Ronnie

ic-racer · Jun 2, 2016

You might want to look into the inexpensive (N)F55 and (N)F75. The numbering scheme is odd as both of these are more advanced than the F70. In fact the (N)F75 is a later design than the F100 and is perhaps the most sophisticated plastic 35mm SLR made. (N)F55 is like the (N)F75 but with fewer features. They are small, light and inexpensive. I have three of them and I use them for just about all my 35mm work.

Sewin · Jun 2, 2016

I was really looking for an F55, F65 however at £6 U.K. pounds I couldn't resist bidding and winning the F70.

The F55, F65 and F75 are listed as fully compatible with G lenses, so if I don't like the F70 I've not lost much.

Ricardo Miranda · Jun 2, 2016

ic-racer said:
The numbering scheme is odd as both of these are more advanced than the F70.

No, they aren't.
The F70 has a higher flash sync as well as higher max shutter speed. And it is compatible with AI lenses. On top of that you can change the ISO, while with the F75 you can't.
One thing though is that the F75 has 5 point AF and VR is available and the F70 has only one point.
The F55 is really the bottom of all of them: AF-S and VR lenses can't be used, no TTL flash with external flashes, no ISO changes, etc. Apart from that it is very cheap and you can still use full Manual mode. Put an AF 50mm /1.8 and it is a very capable and light package.

blockend · Jun 2, 2016

It's worth mentioning that cameras that have auto ISO setting and DX coding, can be changed via the exposure override. So to call 200 ASA film 400 ASA simply set the +/- compensation button to minus 1 stop, 200 to 800 minus 2 stops and so on. Conversely to down rate the film speed add stops (200 to 100 ASA +1 stop, etc). The button stays at the setting until you change it and the camera meter takes care of the rest, usually with a reminder on the LCD. So unless you're in the habit of pushing/pulling film and greatly compensating exposure at the same time - in which case you might theoretically run out of stops - ISO automation isn't a problem.

RalphLambrecht · Jun 3, 2016

Sewin said:
I was really looking for an F55, F65 however at £6 U.K. pounds I couldn't resist bidding and winning the F70.

The F55, F65 and F75 are listed as fully compatible with G lenses, so if I don't like the F70 I've not lost much.

eBay destroys the valued price of everything.

ron917 · Jun 3, 2016

Sewin said:
I just found this answer.?
http://www.photography-forums.com/threads/nikon-g-series-lenses-on-f4-n70.17156/

That link is filled with confusing and incorrect info, probably best to ignore it

I own a N70 (same as F70) and some AF-S G VR lenses, along with AF, AF-D and manual lenses.

Auto focus works fine with AF-S, AF, and AF-D lenses. It should work with AF-I also, but I don't own any of those.

G lenses work fine in P and S modes. You cannot directly select the aperture.

Manual (non-CPU) lenses work fine in M and A modes. Do not mount non-AI lenses, they will damage the aperture sensing lever.

AF and AF-D lenses work in all modes. Remember to set them to highest f number (smallest aperture) in P and S.

VR is not supported.

The F/N70 has a great feature set for such a cheap camera. The only thing I miss is mirror lock up. The user interface is a strange, but it works once you get used to it.

I paid $10 for mine, including a plastic AF-D 35-80 lens.

Besk · Jun 3, 2016

The F/N70 is also my go to camera for candid 35mm photography. I can use all of my lenses on it - manual AI through the G series.

Sewin · Jun 4, 2016

Thanks ron917 for a very helpful comprehensive answer.

ic-racer · Jun 4, 2016

Ricardo Miranda said:
No, they aren't..

Yes, thanks for the correction, very good points. I meant to indicate F70 is an older design. Either way, he got a good deal.

Sewin · Jun 4, 2016

ic-racer said:
Yes, thanks for the correction, very good points. I meant to indicate F70 is an older design. Either way, he got a good deal.

Received it this morning, all seems fine and functioning, I like the "fan" not too complicated at all.
Seems to work with the G lens in P & S.
As well as the manual I also received the Magic Lantern guide book.

It feels and operates nicer than my defunct F60, time to film test it

Ricardo Miranda · Jun 4, 2016

Wait until you see the QR function and how useful it can be.

Nikon F70

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