Nikon N90s (F90s)

[Eric Rose]

I pulled this oldie but goodie out of the camera closet and loaded some APX100 (from my secret stash) into it. I was reminded just how much I love using this camera. It just does everything I want a high level 35mm slr to do. I only have a couple left as I probably burned through 5 or 6 of them back in the day.

I have been a Nikon guy ever since the mid 70's when I was doing PJ work. Used the F, F2, Nikkormat (another great Nikon slr), N90, N90s and finally quit at the F5. My favourites are the N90s, F2 and Nikkormat in that order. The F was a tank as is the F5. Dropped an F out of a moving car once while covering a hostage situation. Backed up, picked it up and kept on shooting, film that is. Tried an F6 but it just seemed to wimpy to me.

Anyway if you get a chance to grab an N90s in good condition treat yourself. I have the battery grip as well which works like a dream.

 

[John Bragg]

Great camera Eric. I bought mine a while ago for £30 on ebay WITH an Af Nikkor 50mm f1.8 and a never ready case. If I recall it has a shutter similar to the F4 and also has a metal chassis under that plastic and rubber outer. My only minor criticism is that it doesn't have back button focus capability. I like to use that on my F5 and disable it on the shutter button. Hold button in for continuous focussing, press once for static subjects. Works like a charm.

 

[Alan9940]

I bought my N90s new and that camera, along with my F2 and F4 are my favorites; well, they are the only ones I own. The N90 is used when I want quick, light, full automation (such as taking pics of the grandkids), the F2 when backpacking and/or carrying camera gear over great distances, the F4...well...cuz I just love the way it feels in my hands.

 

[George Mann]

My F90x is the best camera I have owned.

 

[mgb74]

Hint: The data back version does not suffer from the infamous sticky back and only adds about 1/8-3/16" to the depth of the body. The data feature can be turned off.

 

[Paul Howell]

AP, UPI, the Army and Air Force all issued N90s rather than the F4 or 5, rugged camera, great features, one of the best buys on the market.

 

[vlasta]

Well that sticky back coating can be removed easily.
I used medical alcohol - 2 minutes business.

 

[chip j]

The great N90s has METAL catches on it's back, not breakable plastic like the foul F100.

 

[TheRook]

I bought the N90s a few years ago for a very good price. Although it is certainly packed with features and performs great, I rarely ever use it, and actually still use my less-electronic Nikon FE most of the time. I guess I just can't get comfortable with all those buttons and menus on the N90s.

 

[George Mann]

I guess I just can't get comfortable with all those buttons and menus on the N90s.

That's what I thought when I begun shooting with my old 8008's. But the more I used them, the more it's interface became second nature!

 

[Cato]

Those are great bargains - on EBAY under $100 will get you a mint camera. It's hard to believe that when they were new, they sold for about $1,000!

 

[ic-racer]

In the last few years I started using Nikon 35mm. I got an F100, a few N75s and N55. Somehow missed the N90. I'll have to check it out based on your post.

 

[tomc]

The N90s , it's like an F4 on a diet. I like it.

 

[Element 6]

I had mine since 2000. It has been to Europe, tramping in New Zealand where it was soaked to the bone. I took pictures "blind" with the viewfinder so full of fog but the autofocus did its job. This has been a workhorse. The sticky back was removed with alcohol. Recently my 3 year old dropped it on the prism when learning to photograph. But it still works like day 1. My N90s deserves a more caring owner, but she refuses to let me down.

My wife with her digital G lens has even started to use it. I told her if her lens dont have the Aperature ring she will need to use the program mode and that's what she does and it just keeps taking great pictures. I love the N90s

 

[M Carter]

It's funny to see all the analog kids on Reddit buying up chrome & leather Nikons for hundreds of bucks to see if they like film. Yeah, they're good cameras, but the most outrageous deal anywhere on a 35mm film camera today has to be the 8008s (25 bucks!?!??!), followed by the N90s. I've owned both since new - even have an 8008 with a polaroid back. I did a ton of multi exposure product work with the 8008 - that ME button is just the shizz.

By the way, the N90 battery grip works just fine on the 8008, other than the vertical button doesn't do anything.

 

[TheRook]

It's funny to see all the analog kids on Reddit buying up chrome & leather Nikons for hundreds of bucks to see if they like film. Yeah, they're good cameras, but the most outrageous deal anywhere on a 35mm film camera today has to be the 8008s (25 bucks!?!??!), followed by the N90s. I've owned both since new - even have an 8008 with a polaroid back. I did a ton of multi exposure product work with the 8008 - that ME button is just the shizz.

By the way, the N90 battery grip works just fine on the 8008, other than the vertical button doesn't do anything.

I think these "analog kids" prefer something that doesn't look and feel like a modern DSLR. And perhaps more importantly, they want something that won't require an electronics expert to repair. Should someday my N90 fail to turn on, I will probably junk the camera. The camera's electronics are too complex for me to fix, and it's just not worth finding someone who can.

 

[Sewin]

The classic SLR design in black with a bit of brassing does in my opinion look much nicer than the later Nikon 35mm cameras,hence the demand, although I really like my F65 performance wise.

 

[Prest_400]

Great camera Eric. I bought mine a while ago for £30 on ebay WITH an Af Nikkor 50mm f1.8 and a never ready case. If I recall it has a shutter similar to the F4 and also has a metal chassis under that plastic and rubber outer. My only minor criticism is that it doesn't have back button focus capability. I like to use that on my F5 and disable it on the shutter button. Hold button in for continuous focussing, press once for static subjects. Works like a charm.

What a Bargain! I saw one for 60-70€ shipped. Probably should have taken that one but I already got the lens.
I was once searching for a 50mm 1.8 to pair up with the F80 and replace the Zoom. Amusingly enough, standalone lenses tend to sit around 80-100€ used here, and it is possible to get same or lower price with a film body. I was lucky to pick up one for 60 or so.

I think these "analog kids" prefer something that doesn't look and feel like a modern DSLR. And perhaps more importantly, they want something that won't require an electronics expert to repair. Should someday my N90 fail to turn on, I will probably junk the camera. The camera's electronics are too complex for me to fix, and it's just not worth finding someone who can.

Exactly. There is a cult effect as well. Some cameras were dirt cheap and aren't so because they become the staples or go to cameras.

I myself got a F80 (N80) for less than 50€, which is a bargain. Wanted it because it looks like a DSLR and doesn't stand out in a vintage sense. Plus, the thing may be electronic and perhaps it may give up suddenly but it hasn't! And I do mistreat it a bit shooting often around the beach.

 

[M Carter]

Oh, for sure - a plastic-over-magnesium electronic camera is probably not really repairable. That said, I've got an 8008, 8008s and N90s I purchased new. The 8's and N90s have both been dropped (both landed flat on their backs on concrete) so hard the lenses' internal supports shattered. The N90 has a little scuff, the 8008 still looks new (remember the big old quantum radio slaves? Clip it to your belt and wire it to the camera? I set a camera on a table and stepped away to work with the makeup artist and BAM, 8008s on the floor, and then a strap failure on the N90s while running between setups). They were some tough-ass cameras, and I have no idea how many times they've been fired. Made a living with them for a decade or so, then they sat in a closet for another decade. Pop in the batteries, and I'll be damned - humming along. And no "hope the shutter speeds are still accurate". I really love my RB setup, I sometimes shoot with a HiMatic and a flipped lens Brownie, a couple Isolettes too. But for 35mm, it's the AF-era Nikons. I have an FG but it jams too often.

I think these "analog kids" prefer something that doesn't look and feel like a modern DSLR. And perhaps more importantly, they want something that won't require an electronics expert to repair. Should someday my N90 fail to turn on, I will probably junk the camera. The camera's electronics are too complex for me to fix, and it's just not worth finding someone who can.

Exactly. There is a cult effect as well. Some cameras were dirt cheap and aren't so because they become the staples or go to cameras.

I myself got a F80 (N80) for less than 50€, which is a bargain. Wanted it because it looks like a DSLR and doesn't stand out in a vintage sense. Plus, the thing may be electronic and perhaps it may give up suddenly but it hasn't! And I do mistreat it a bit shooting often around the beach.