Nikon N55...Lack of Features?

ic-racer · Dec 18, 2024

The Nikon N55 is similar to the N75 in many respects. However, there are a few features that are present on the N75 and not on the N55.

Some things the N55 Lacks compared to the N75:
TTL Flash
AF-S Autofocus
Aperture Preview
Two Focus zones (3 instead of 5)
Custom Features
Metal Lens Mount
Display Illumination
Exposure Lock Button

However, the N55 is still a vey capable camera, packed with other features like fast autofocus, Matrix metering, built-in flash and winder, shutter speeds from 30 sec to 1/2000 including "T," multiple exposure, bracketing, exposure compensation, A, P, S and M exposure modes, self timer, AF assist illumination, focus lock and more.

The AF-S lenses still work with all the metering modes, including Matrix.
The N55 can still be used with external flash, as long as the external flash has its own non-TTL sensor.

Here is an example of a configuration that works great and gives good results.

SB-28 in non-TTL Auto works great.
AF-S 24/1.4 lens gives focus confirmation with manual focus.

Also, a non-documented feature; the external 4-AA battery pack for the N75 works with the N55.

In general use, sometimes the lack of features is a plus. Operation is simpler. Perhaps less complexity can lead to improved freedom from failure in the long run.

Andreas Thaler · Dec 18, 2024

I find it enriching that you devote yourself to these stepchildren of Nikon in detail.

They have always been in the shadow of their big sisters with single-digit numbers and have - wrongly - the image of a „cheap plastic camera“.

250swb · Dec 19, 2024

I think budget or cheap does not mean 'bad' when it comes to Nikon, even for the plastic lenses of the same era. And especially so right towards the end of their film camera production when they used up as much design knowledge as they could on even the most lowly products in the range.

Paul Howell · Dec 19, 2024

I have Nikon, Minolta A mount and Sigma SA mount budget or entry level bodies, all work just fine. The only entry level bodies that I have issues with Pentax AF, from I understand the nylon gears degrade and become stuck or just come apart.

Sirius Glass · Dec 19, 2024

I still use my Nikon N75 for C41 color film and the F100 for black & white film. I have looked at the Nikons below the N75 and decided a while ago that N75 was the lowest I would go. When the N75 dies it will be replaced with an N90.

Paul Howell · Dec 19, 2024

In terms of features, the Sigma SA7 was the entry level, the SA 9 the pro consumer camera. The SA9 has shutter speeds to 1/18000th a second, 1/250 flash sync and 3.5 FPS, the SA 7 1/2000th of a second, slower flash sync and 2FPS motor drive. Both share the same auto focus, poor in both, metering, very good, mirror lock up, metering bracketing, are the same on both. The SA 7 uses a smaller battery the SA9 the larger 2CR5. Both are just barely usable to due to strong yellow cast in the viewfinder. Although the AF is poor, both were capable of good performance with the upper tier of Sigma lens.

ic-racer · Dec 19, 2024

Paul Howell said:
In terms of features, the Sigma SA7 was the entry level, the SA 9 the pro consumer camera. The SA9 has shutter speeds to 1/18000th a second, 1/250 flash sync and 3.5 FPS, the SA 7 1/2000th of a second, slower flash sync and 2FPS motor drive. Both share the same auto focus, poor in both, metering, very good, mirror lock up, metering bracketing, are the same on both. The SA 7 uses a smaller battery the SA9 the larger 2CR5. Both are just barely usable to due to strong yellow cast in the viewfinder. Although the AF is poor, both were capable of good performance with the upper tier of Sigma lens.

Interesting, I had to look that up, I didn't even know Sigma brand had a camera.

ic-racer · Dec 19, 2024

Due to some precieved reliability issues (that have never cropped up in my 12 years of late-model Nikon use) I acquired some spares.... (see picture below)

What is crazy here is that these are all 100% functional. If they came broken I was able to repair. So, I don't have a similar picture of broken Nikons. I actually have ZERO broken Nkion parts cameras. I have a 100% purchase success rate here, not a single dead camera in the whole bunch! Nikon was at its film camera peak with these cameras. The chart below has all the cameras in the picture circled.

Another thing about the chart below is the year the cameras came to market. You can see that prior to the F6, it was the F75 and F55. Thus my fascination with those two.

I think everyone is not surprised the average price ( leaving out the F6/F100) for these cameras was about $35 each.

I think that is crazy good compared to my Rolleiflex cameras.

I can post a picture of my Rolleiflex 35mm SLR cameras and I'm guessing it will show 75% functional and 25% bnroke on which I gave up on after quite a bit if trying (and I don't give up easy!).

Paul Howell · Dec 19, 2024

ic-racer said:
Interesting, I had to look that up, I didn't even know Sigma brand had a camera.

They made a series of non AF in K mount, then SA 7 and SA9 AF. The SA mount is basically a K mount, to electronic close to Canon EF. The digital body the SD 10 was built on a SA 9 frame, used the same mount and meterting as the SA bodies. Some users bought old Rebels and swapped out the K mount for the EF mount. It would not AF, but all other features worked. All of the SA lens are micro motor driven rather than gear driven as in early Pentax AF bodies. Of course there are no 3rd party lens, the upper level Sigma lens are quite good. The digital bodies are just odd. The frist 5 generations used the Favon sensor. I think they still make a point and shoot with a fixed lens with a Favon sensor, the new mirrorless uses the L mount and a standard CMOS sensor. The Favon will not work with video.

ic-racer · Dec 19, 2024

Still the only independent lens maker to design and produce 35mm SLR cameras, Sigma continues developing and upgrading their line. Replacing the previous SA-5, two new models were recently introduced. The SA-9 and the SA-7 are very similar in appearance, controls, and capabilities; the primary advantages of the SA-9 include higher shutter speeds and faster film advance. Shutterbug 2001

I see now why I don't know these cameras. Seems just about any camera (like those Nikons above) that came out around the early 2000 went un-noticed. And there are some real gems!

Paul Howell · Dec 19, 2024

I would still be shooting with mine if they did not have yellowing viewfinders. On occasion I do use the SD 10 or 15, I like the Favon sensor for landscapes.

Melvin J Bramley · Dec 19, 2024

We are all sucked in with gadget laden cameras, I have bee one of them.
Most amateurs do not require the sophistication of do everything camera bodies!
Selling such cameras does not make better photographers only more acceptable exposures.

Paul Howell · Dec 19, 2024

I do like my Konica A and A3, they are budget version of the T and T3, no frills other than shutter speed perfered auto exposure. no self timer, no mirror lock up, the A is lmited to 1/500 top shutter speed while the A3 had 1/1000 of a second.

perkeleellinen · Dec 20, 2024

Lack of ISO dial on the F55 is a bit of a hassle, it can be overcome to an extent with the exposure control. The issue comes with non-DX film which the camera will set at 100 ISO. Can be an issue when it's something fast like 500T as the exposure compensation is only +/- 2 stops.

I find the camera can sometimes not register non-standard films from like Adox and Cinestill.

The AF assist light is very annoying when doing candid photos.

I'm still on my first battery from 2021.

I checked ebay prices recently and they're still available at around £7-£10. A seller just offered me one at £5.

I love this camera and use it all the time.

ic-racer · Dec 20, 2024

perkeleellinen said:
Lack of ISO dial on the F55 ...

DX Coding 35mm Cassettes

I had to DX code some 35mm cassettes. This was pretty easy. I put some aluminum tape in the approximate location on the cassette. I put the cassette in the camera in question. The sensor pins made marks on the aluminum tape. I printed some exposure index labels with a label-maker and used these...

www.photrio.com

MattKing · Dec 20, 2024

Saw one on the shelf today at my favorite Thrift store. It included the kit 28-80mm lens and a Nikon strap, and looked to be clean and undamaged.
It was priced at $25, and had the "Not Tested" label - no doubt due to the need for 2xCR2 batteries.
That store does sort of check cameras normally, but they don't film test them.

Sirius Glass · Dec 20, 2024

MattKing said:
Saw one on the shelf today at my favorite Thrift store. It included the kit 28-80mm lens and a Nikon strap, and looked to be clean and undamaged.
It was priced at $25, and had the "Not Tested" label - no doubt due to the need for 2xCR2 batteries.
That store does sort of check cameras normally, but they don't film test them.

I have not been able to find cameras at thrift stores in the Los Angeles area for years now. It may be a good reason to move to BC.

MFstooges · Dec 20, 2024

ic-racer said:
Also, a non-documented feature; the external 4-AA battery pack for the N75 works with the N55.

Are you referring to that vertical grip which fits like a glove in the photo? that's neat. Does it have vertical controls for the shutter and aperture as well?

Sirius Glass · Dec 20, 2024

If the Nikon N55 does not have enough features, take a look at the N75, N80, N90, F100 or F4 in that order. Surely one of those should please you.

Paul Howell · Dec 20, 2024

perkeleellinen said:
Lack of ISO dial on the F55 is a bit of a hassle, it can be overcome to an extent with the exposure control. The issue comes with non-DX film which the camera will set at 100 ISO. Can be an issue when it's something fast like 500T as the exposure compensation is only +/- 2 stops.

I find the camera can sometimes not register non-standard films from like Adox and Cinestill.

The AF assist light is very annoying when doing candid photos.

I'm still on my first battery from 2021.

I checked ebay prices recently and they're still available at around £7-£10. A seller just offered me one at £5.

I love this camera and use it all the time.

I agree, the N55 like the Canon Rebel, Minolta 5, are still some of the best bargains, although stipped of features compaired the next level cameras, they still provide more features than high end cameras from the 70s and 80s.

ic-racer · Dec 20, 2024

MFstooges said:
Are you referring to that vertical grip which fits like a glove in the photo? that's neat. Does it have vertical controls for the shutter and aperture as well?

Yes the vertical grip that holds 4 AA batteries. However, the N55 does not have the contacts in the battery compartment to allow the extra shutter release to function. Other than that it works fine powering the camera. Also, unlike the N80 battery pack, the battery door can stay attached with the AA pack in place.

Andreas Thaler · Dec 21, 2024

ic-racer said:
Due to some precieved reliability issues (that have never cropped up in my 12 years of late-model Nikon use) I acquired some spares.... (see picture below)

View attachment 385786 View attachment 385791

It looks like my home!

ic-racer · Dec 21, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
It looks like my home!

Actually it is because of your posts...I can't stop buying cameras to fix.

Andreas Thaler · Dec 21, 2024

ic-racer said:
Actually it is because of your posts...I can't stop buying cameras to fix.

What is your success rate?

Sirius Glass · Dec 21, 2024

ic-racer said:
Actually it is because of your posts...I can't stop buying cameras to fix.

The overriding philosophy of Photrio is to enable people like you to obsess in your most driven desires. You have come to the right place for encouragement. Besides if you do not do it, who will?

Nikon N55...Lack of Features?

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