Nikon N75 Review

ic-racer · Jun 1, 2011

I kept looking until I found a body being sold with the 4-AA 'grip' that fits on the bottom. I guess these are camera-specific so the one for the N75 is MB-18. It is not that this grip it that hard to find, it is that when found it frequently costs more than the $35 you paid for the camera body

Roger Thoms · Jun 1, 2011

That's good to know, I really like the option to us AA or AAA batteries.

Roger

johnnywalker · Jun 1, 2011

baachitraka said:
I am looking for an consumer level SLR with a spot meter from Nikon.

N or F80

johnnywalker · Jun 1, 2011

ic-racer said:
FILM SPEED:

The camera only shoots at ISO 100, so you have to use the exposure compensation dial (+/- 3 stops).

Are you sure it doesn't just revert to ISO 100 when the cassette isn't DX coded with the ISO? Otherwise it just reads the ISO off the cassette and uses the proper ISO for the film.

ic-racer · Jun 2, 2011

johnnywalker said:
Are you sure it doesn't just revert to ISO 100 when the cassette isn't DX coded with the ISO? Otherwise it just reads the ISO off the cassette and uses the proper ISO for the film.

I have never used the DX system, so I don't have any DX cassettes. If you did have a DX cassette it would read it. Due to the way the very nice matrix metering works, it will likely expose correctly at the ISO speed setting of the cassette. Thus, perhaps lending credence to all the people that post "I use ISO settings and get well exposed images."

Again I want to emphasize that this matrix metering is fantastic. It is based and all the correct principles and automatically checks for your low zones and 'spots' them. I hate automatic stuff, but this really works.

johnnywalker · Jun 3, 2011

ic-racer said:
I have never used the DX system, so I don't have any DX cassettes. If you did have a DX cassette it would read it. Due to the way the very nice matrix metering works, it will likely expose correctly at the ISO speed setting of the cassette. Thus, perhaps lending credence to all the people that post "I use ISO settings and get well exposed images."

Again I want to emphasize that this matrix metering is fantastic. It is based and all the correct principles and automatically checks for your low zones and 'spots' them. I hate automatic stuff, but this really works.

I assume the reason you don't have DX-coded cassettes is that you're loading your own cassettes from bulk film, as I do. I think you can buy DX coded cassettes. I know I've seen them advertised somewhere, probably Freestyle. For my F65, which also needs a DX-code to set the ISO, I break down and buy film locally. In my experience the non-bulk film is always DX coded.

Roger Thoms · Jun 3, 2011

johnnywalker said:
I assume the reason you don't have DX-coded cassettes is that you're loading your own cassettes from bulk film, as I do. I think you can buy DX coded cassettes. I know I've seen them advertised somewhere, probably Freestyle. For my F65, which also needs a DX-code to set the ISO, I break down and buy film locally. In my experience the non-bulk film is always DX coded.

I have some Efke KB25 that is conveniently packaged in non DX coded cassettes, and it is fresh, expires 2-2012. I was surprised.

Also I just found six Kalt DX ISO 400 coded film cassettes. If you want them there yours for the cost of postage.

Roger

ic-racer · Jun 18, 2011

Just got back from my trip to Disney with a bunch of screaming kids and the N75 and a Rollei 35. I'll admit the N75 was way easier to use and I shot 6 rolls of TMY with the N75 and only a half of a roll with the Rollei 35. I had no problem leaving the camera lying around briefly while tending to the kids. At the airport I just sent the camera and film through the x-ray scanner--no hassle.

While at the Disney park I did take notes on what the tourists were using. It seems about 20% of tourists were using DSLRs and the most popular DSLR was Nikon, followed by Canon. These were easily identified by the self-promoting neck-straps. 70% of the tourists were using the non-viewfinder cameras and the rest were using some type of cellphone. I saw no medium format cameras and no classic 35mm SLRs or rangefinders.

I was also amazed that people would carry these massive modern Nikon and Canon zoom lenses on the higher level DSLRs.

I think I did well with the N75, rather than the F100 in terms of weight. I used one hand on the camera and had it to my eye for probably 25% of the time I was there.

I shot the TMY at "-1.5" on the exposure compensator (base exposure ISO 100) and will give feedback as to how that worked out when I process the film.

ic-racer · Jun 19, 2011

Photograph from recent parade. Autofocus, autoexposure. Tri-x in T-max developer printed on Ilford MG Fiber.

Marvin · Jun 19, 2011

I have had an N75 since they were new and I picked up a spare on ebay for a lot less than I paid for the new one. I like the fast autofocus and matrix metering and I also have the MB-18 so I can run them on AA batteries. I have an N80 also and it has spot metering and ISO overide of the DX. You can also set the ISO on the N80 without DX. I wish the N75 was still available instead of the FM10.

John57 · Feb 20, 2012

N75 Spot Metering

Sirius Glass said:
No, it does not. But with my 28mm to 300mm zoom, I can get a spot meter reading.

Steve

The N75 DOES offer spot metering, but it's a custom function set on its internal menu, not something you can set with a button on the body (like most other cameras).

dbuckle · Feb 21, 2012

I pick one up 2yrs ago new in the box for $50. It was local so I didn't have to pay shipping. The guy had a 50mm 1.8 lens for $60 so I took that also. My wife really liked it and keeps stealing it on me.

Grazian · Feb 21, 2012

lancekingphoto · Feb 21, 2012

I bought one off eBay for about $15 last year. I hadn't used it a lot until last weekend, when I attached a 50mm f/1.8 lens from my d*****l Nikon. I shot a roll of Kodak Gold 200, which I had developed and scanned at the local drugstore. I was generally pleased with the results. For some reason, I couldn't get my monster SB-900 flash to work on it (even though it's supposed to be compatible), but the built-in flash was adeqate for the venue.

And, FYI, I believe it will sense DX cartridges from ISO 100-3200.

F/1.4 · Feb 21, 2012

The N75 I don't think supports i-TTL.... the SB-900 isn't backwards compatible, you need a 600 or 800 for that.

ic-racer · Jun 10, 2015

I had been looking for a black N75 for some time and just picked up one. I did not need the lens but it came with the black kit lens zoom. I also recently got the 28mm F1.8 G Nikkor and the kit lens. I almost always use the kit lens zoom at 28mm. For the type of photographs I make, the kit lens (at f3.3) compares favorably with the 28mm at f1.8.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 10, 2015

ic-racer said:
Why the N75? Because that is the last film camera (not counting the F6 which will not be discussed here) that Nikon made. The N75 was designed around 2003 and discontinued in 2006, from what I have read.

Yes, that is a good collecting/experimenting criteria. There's something fun about using an inexpensive camera with plenty of high-end features and which is usable with the latest lenses.

The slightly earlier N80 might offer a bit more: Dead Link Removed

Your Rollei 3003 systems are wonderful. Truly a brilliant design.

ic-racer · Jun 10, 2015

Someday I'll probably get an N80 to add to the system. Right now I have the f100. In fact I got the 28 f1.8 G to put on the F100 as my modern replacement to the Rolleiflex 3003 and Distagon 28 f2.0 combo. Not that I'm getting rid of those Rolleis, but the F100 handles so nice, it is almost hard to put down. I have been using the Rolleis since the 2000F first came out.

I also want to mention I also picked up an N55 body for six dollars. That is a fantastic camera. It does what the others do, and takes the battery grip for the N75. It is a great 'take anywhere' camera. The only problem with losing it or having it stolen is that the film you lose cost more than the camera. Even though the N55 is "low end" it is a very modern design and is the second-to last of these cameras to come out, just before the N75 and after the N80 and F100.

bdial · Jul 19, 2015

Just bought an N75 from a local thrift store with the 28-85 G lens, so far it seems quite nice. I'm working through the remainder of the roll that was in it.
Had to buy a set of batteries though, spent almost double the cost of the camera.

trythis · Jul 19, 2015

Nice find! Great family camera!

Typos made on a tiny phone...

Sirius Glass · Jul 19, 2015

Great camera, travels well and works well with family vacations.

Huss · Mar 17, 2021

kwall said:
Sure, I'd be up for a review of the N75. I don't give a flip what Ken Rockwell says.

KR really likes it:

The N75 is Nikon's newest mostly-plastic 35mm SLR. The lens mount is metal. If you can get over the plastic, and especially if you love light weight, it is among the best 35mm cameras ever made. It's a plastic F5 or F6. The N75 has a metal lens mount.

Huss · Mar 17, 2021

John57 said:
N75 Spot Metering

The N75 DOES offer spot metering, but it's a custom function set on its internal menu, not something you can set with a button on the body (like most other cameras).

Yes it has spot metering. I set mine up so the AE-L button spot meters.

Helge · Mar 17, 2021

Does it have any features over the N80?
The N80 is far more numerous where I live, is light as a feather and cheap like one too (most of mine I had for free). It takes most AF optics too.
N90 takes almost all lenses from AIs and up to AF lenses made in the early 2000s. It's build like a German bunker and weighs like one too.
Both lovely cameras that I'd take any day over the F100 or F6/F5.

Huss · Mar 18, 2021

Helge said:
Does it have any features over the N80?
The N80 is far more numerous where I live, is light as a feather and cheap like one too (most of mine I had for free). It takes most AF optics too.
N90 takes almost all lenses from AIs and up to AF lenses made in the early 2000s. It's mild like a German bunker and weighs like one too.
Both lovely cameras that I'd take any day over the F100 or F6/F5.

I have an N80/F80. It has more features than the N75/F75 and has some nice touches like the dial to select meter pattern.
It has better shutter/mirror dampening, perhaps due to the extra mass. It has a larger Viewfinder.
You may think it is light as a feather but it is much heavier than the N75. It is also a bit bigger.

I am not knocking the F80, it IS a better camera, just that it is bigger and heavier and the N75 does all one really needs in a tiny/light package.

It is just crazy that cameras this good are cheaper than a disposable one time use film camera!

Nikon N75 Review

lancekingphoto

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