Nikon F90x - a fantastic workhorse

[Manuel odabashian]

Am thinking of buying one bit have very few nikon lenses which would you suggest?

 

[Dennis-B]

Am thinking of buying one bit have very few nikon lenses which would you suggest?

The AF-D and -S lenses are great, and those are available for a bit less than the later "G" models. Beside, the "G" model lenses won't work in all modes, since there's no aperture ring.

My favorite lenses are the 24mm f/2.8, the 50mm f/1.4 (for speed), and the manual focus 105mm f/2.5 AI-s. I added the MB-10 battery holder, and my camera came with the MD-26 data back.

I owned a N90s for a long time, and it was the backup to my F4 and F5 cameras. They're really great cameras, even though the autofocus is dated, and slow, compared to the F5.

 

[John Earley]

I have had an N90S for a number of years. A workhorse camera that's built to last. I haven't used it that much though due to slow/hunting autofocus and poor ergonomics. The sticky back was solved with some alcohol. After drinking enough I didn't care if it was sticky.

 

[cooltouch]

I've known about the N90s and its reputation for a good 30 years and it's a camera that definitely seems to be a workhorse well worth adding to my small stable of AF Nikons (I own an F4s, N80, and F100). But I'm curious about backs. I'm running into listings for N90s's with the MF25 and MF26. I'm guessing that the MF26 has a more comprehensive set of functions, but this is just a guess. Can anyone here expound on the capabilities of the 2 backs?

 

[Colin Corneau]

I bought one new on my first newspaper job back in about 1990. I used it constantly at a daily newspaper and all my shooting for about 15 years -- in that time I literally put tens of thousands of rolls through it. It was used heavily...not one problem, ever.
I'm convinced it's a hugely underrated camera. Very reliable workhorse and a superb metering system in it, too.

 

[M-88]

Sticky back door is what I can't stand in F90/N90. Personally prefer F-801/N8008. And G lenses work with it alright, only in P and S modes.

 

[Dennis-B]

Sticky back door is what I can't stand in F90/N90. Personally prefer F-801/N8008. And G lenses work with it alright, only in P and S modes.

The F90X I just bought came with the MF-26 data back. Even though I don't use it, it's a nice replacement for the standard "sticky" back.

 

[M-88]

The F90X I just bought came with the MF-26 data back. Even though I don't use it, it's a nice replacement for the standard "sticky" back.

Indeed! Not only it eradicates the problem, but also enables a substantial amount of options. I could never use any of those, to be honest, except for exposure information imprint, which is handy when taking test pictures.

A sad thing, though, is that a databack increases the price. Although a sample with a regular, but non-sticky door already costs more expensive.

 

[Ariston]

I love all three of my N90S/F90X cameras. I especially love the price. I bought one "as-is" from KEH because it was cheaper than buying a replacement diopter for my camera, which I needed. It turns out the eyepiece shade just didn't open and close well, so I put some lighter fluid on it and, voila!, I now have three perfectly working N90S cameras... but only two diopters! Maybe I should buy another "as-is" one for its diopter piece...

I don't need three, but they are worth so much more to me than the tiny sums people are willing to pay for them. They are such great cameras. I'm glad to see I'm not alone in my affection for them.

 

[Ariston]

I forgot to mention that my lenses work equally well with my N90S and D700 (except for VR, I guess), which is a real advantage.

 

[George Mann]

I have taken many pictures with my F90x, and find it to be a most capable camera. However, I also find that the sliding exposure lock switch is most difficult to operate without accidentally tripping the shutter while composing vertical shots.

 

[Ariston]

I have taken many pictures with my F90x, and find it to be a most capable camera. However, I also find that the sliding exposure lock switch is most difficult to operate without accidentally tripping the shutter while composing vertical shots.

I can certainly see that being annoying if I shot slide film. The one complaint I have about the F90X (and this applies to my fancy DSLRs, too) is that it doesn't allow for stop-down metering. Somehow my FE can pull this off, but Nikon locked this feature out of the newer cameras, for whatever reason.

 

[M-88]

The one complaint I have about the F90X (and this applies to my fancy DSLRs, too) is that it doesn't allow for stop-down metering. Somehow my FE can pull this off, but Nikon locked this feature out of the newer cameras, for whatever reason.

FE needed the feature simply because that's the only way to meter Non-AI lenses, they couldn't make FM/FE accept non-AI glass and omit stop-down metering

 

[Dennis-B]

FE needed the feature simply because that's the only way to meter Non-AI lenses, they couldn't make FM/FE accept non-AI glass and omit stop-down metering

Nikon, at the time the FM/FE series were produced, offered AI conversion for non-AI lenses. Keeping non-AI lenses in their native configuration pleases collectors, not necessarily shooters. Nikon probably expected users to either update, or replace older lenses at some time.

You can add a CPU to AI lenses, making them fully compatible with the later bodies.

For my own likes, stop-down metering is a relic from the past. I'd rather be able to compose, focus, and meter with everything wide open.

 

[Paul Howell]

I had a small number of non AI lens, I think 5, when I upgraded from the F to F2 then 3 I had all my lens converted, the only non AI lens I eventuality replaced was the the 28mm. Factory conversion was not cheap, but a lot less than new glass. My last Nikons were the F3 and FG so I don't know how the AF bodies worked with non AI lens glass.

I keep thinking about a 90s with a battery grip, just have so many systems as it is don't have room.

 

[M-88]

Nikon, at the time the FM/FE series were produced, offered AI conversion for non-AI lenses. Keeping non-AI lenses in their native configuration pleases collectors, not necessarily shooters. Nikon probably expected users to either update, or replace older lenses at some time.

You can add a CPU to AI lenses, making them fully compatible with the later bodies.

For my own likes, stop-down metering is a relic from the past. I'd rather be able to compose, focus, and meter with everything wide open.

Conversion wouldn't be that convenient for everyone, would it? Nikon played safe when they made FE/FM accept both kind of lenses. Just as they played safe when they released a manual focus counterpart N2000 for their first autofocus camera N2020.

 

[Ariston]

FE needed the feature simply because that's the only way to meter Non-AI lenses, they couldn't make FM/FE accept non-AI glass and omit stop-down metering

I'm talking about intentionally locking out the meter, not the fact that the lenses will or will not mount. My non-AI lenses mount just fine on my DSLRs. All of these bodies allow you to stop down the lens, but Nikon programmed the camera to stop giving metering information as soon as you stop it down. There is no reason for it. I can look through my lens and see the camera metering, and as soon as I stop the lens down, the meter goes blank...

A large part of why I use Nikon is because they cared enough about their customer base to keep the same lens mount through all these years. I can use my lenses on my Nikon F, all the way up to my D700 or D300. I understand that you can't make features like VR backwards compatible, but there is nothing whatsoever keeping them from leaving the meter on when you stop down the lens.

Despite this complaint, Nikon is still better than most, I suppose. I would be furious if I bought a pro Canon body the year before they changed the mount.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

...
I'm guessing that the MF26 has a more comprehensive set of functions, but this is just a guess. Can anyone here expound on the capabilities of the 2 backs?

The MF-26, like the MF-23 for the F4, allows exposure information to be imprinted between frames.

 

[M-88]

I'm talking about intentionally locking out the meter, not the fact that the lenses will or will not mount. My non-AI lenses mount just fine on my DSLRs. All of these bodies allow you to stop down the lens, but Nikon programmed the camera to stop giving metering information as soon as you stop it down. There is no reason for it. I can look through my lens and see the camera metering, and as soon as I stop the lens down, the meter goes blank...

A large part of why I use Nikon is because they cared enough about their customer base to keep the same lens mount through all these years. I can use my lenses on my Nikon F, all the way up to my D700 or D300. I understand that you can't make features like VR backwards compatible, but there is nothing whatsoever keeping them from leaving the meter on when you stop down the lens.

Despite this complaint, Nikon is still better than most, I suppose. I would be furious if I bought a pro Canon body the year before they changed the mount.

Can't comment about DSLRs as I never owned one made by Nikon. Although I have Pentax DSLR and I must say that it works with all K-mount lenses, allows focus confirmation, the only way you will meter with manual lenses IS actually stop-down metering and it also allows for image stabilization, as it has in-body sensor shifting technology. Of course AF is screwdriver-type so it works even with very first AF lenses too. I understand that Pentax is not as highly regarded as NiCanon, however I admire their efforts to make the most out of whatever they have. Their film bodies have always been half-baked (except for a few) though.

 

[Ariston]

I am not a brand snob. I would not hesitate to own a Pentax, or any other capable camera. I just happen to start with Nikon, and I want to stick with one lens outfit. This thread is dedicated to a $30 camera, so I doubt there are any camera snobs here. I don't think I have ever heard a Pentax or Minolta (or whatever) owner unhappy with their purchase, so they must be doing a lot right.

 

[Dennis-B]

Conversion wouldn't be that convenient for everyone, would it? Nikon played safe when they made FE/FM accept both kind of lenses. Just as they played safe when they released a manual focus counterpart N2000 for their first autofocus camera N2020.

Conversion to AI is not that expensive. A fellow in Ann Arbor, MI, does it for around $25-$35. There are also kits that you can purchase which add the contacts to Nikkors, and those run around $30.

 

[Ariston]

Conversion to AI is not that expensive. A fellow in Ann Arbor, MI, does it for around $25-$35. There are also kits that you can purchase which add the contacts to Nikkors, and those run around $30.

Dennis, from what I understand it isn't that hard to file away the collar yourself. But I have lenses that don't have a collar to file (maybe non-Nikon). Are you saying there is a kit to add the collar?

 

[M-88]

Conversion to AI is not that expensive. A fellow in Ann Arbor, MI, does it for around $25-$35. There are also kits that you can purchase which add the contacts to Nikkors, and those run around $30.

1. I'm talking about then, not now.
2. If that was / is so easy, what's your opinion on reason why FM/FE accept both kind of lenses?

I can covert a non-AI lens into AI readily at home, I know it's simple, but what was the point of making an aperture collar extra sophisticated for those two cams?

I don't think I have ever heard a Pentax or Minolta (or whatever) owner unhappy with their purchase, so they must be doing a lot right.

I agree. Minolta has made only one thing wrong. It was their merging with Konica.

 

[Ste_S]

A large part of why I use Nikon is because they cared enough about their customer base to keep the same lens mount through all these years

It's not the same mount in reality though. It's a minefield as to what lens works with which camera (and which features work).

In retrospect, Canon got it right. Any EF mount lens will fully work with any EOS camera, whether that be film, digital full frame or digital APS-C.

 

[M-88]

It's not the same mount in reality though. It's a minefield as to what lens works with which camera (and which features work).

In retrospect, Canon got it right. Any EF mount lens will fully work with any EOS camera, whether that be film, digital full frame or digital APS-C.

Actually they too have lenses specifically designed for APS-C format (labeled EF-S). If we mount it on full frame camera, we'll get vignetting on certain focal lengths.