Nikon N90s 35mm Film Camera

The Nikon N90 35mm film body was Nikon's first true 'prosumer' film camera and was an in instant hit with consumers wanting a camera with features closer to the flagship pro F4 model, but with a more managable price. The N90 was the first model, but after listening to reviewers and consumers, Nikon quickly added spot metering and named the new model the N90s. Buyers and users definitely prefer the N90s over the N90 model and you should expect to pay a bit more for the N90s.

Nikon's approach to this crossover product was to add a lot of the rugged features of the F4, including faster motor drive, heavier frame and mirror box, and an improved viewfinder system with high-eyepoint viewing, but allow the owner to opt for a vertical grip/heavy-duty battery pack rather than building the camera with an integrated vertical grip and HD battery pack. The result was a camera that was smaller and lighter than the F4 but quickly convertible in the field to a full pro-style body with integral vertical grip.

Nikon also made sure the N90s was equipped with the latest autofocus system, which has performance similar to the F4s. Remember, though, that this system was developed in the early 1990's and does not have the blazing speed of Nikon's latest AF systems. However, the F4s and N90s are two of Nikon's most compatible F-series lens mount cameras, and can mount a wider variety of old and new Nikon lenses than just about any other models.

With digital cameras now dominating the market, there is a good supply of N90s cameras and accessories at bargain prices. Look for a camera with light consumer use (no heavy wear at the corners) and expect to shoot many, many rolls of film with this rugged, reliable prosumer workhorse.

I love my Nikon N90S 35mm Camera! I am an AVID picture taker that loves to take pictures of family, friends, and everything else that can be captured on film. I own a few SLR cameras (Minolta, Pentax and Canon) but this camera, the Nikon N90S, is by far the best 35mm Camera I have every owned! This camera is not a “Professional” camera per say but it’s pretty close to being one. I did a bit of research and I‘ve read quite a bit of reviews and all of them all say and highly praise this camera. After I’ve had a chance to personally take this camera and take it for a TEST drive, I was in awe in how well this CAMERA performed! THIS NIKON N90S takes awesome pictures and how easy it is to learn this SLR camera. Furthermore, this camera has a rugged feature…“but with a faster motor drive, heavier frame and mirror box, and an improved viewfinder system with high-eye point viewing, but allowing the owner to opt for a vertical grip/heavy-duty battery pack rather than building the camera with an integrated vertical grip and HD battery pack.” My suggestion is to add the MB-10 because it will give you a better grip/hold of the camera for those vertical shots and your batteries will last longer; Lithium batteries work the best. This camera can be found here on eBay, in used condition and at reasonable prices. What is reasonable? It depends what you want to pay!

I bought my camera without an owner’s manual and pretty much figured out on my own how to use it. Later, I did obtain an owner’s manual on eBay and if you search enough you can find one at a reasonable price. Actually, you can find quite a bit of accessories on eBay at reasonable prices you just have to search. Searching for A NIKON Camera Strap? A: avoid the “Velour” Camera Straps; They are very cheap and not a pretty sight to look at.

This camera is perfect if you want to take FANTASTIC, sharp, clear, with perfect contrast photos! I am very much and perfectly pleased overall with the performance of this camera and absolutely have NO complaints about this CAMERA! ACCESSORIES, search on your own of the various accessories for this BEAUTY such as: Nikon SC-17, Nikon MF-26, Nikon SB-28 Flash, Nikon SB-25 Flash, Nikon 24-120mm Lens, Nikon MC-20 and much more. These are a few of my favorites.

In this day and age of digital cameras, still there is something about 35mm that to me is far superior than Digital Cameras. I love the clarity of every picture that I take with this camera. This N90S will not disappoint you!

I don’t want to bore you with who said this and who said that. TRY it for yourselves and you will be amazed, LIKE ME! THIS CAMERA is worth what ever YOU pay FOR ‘IT.”

AMAZED and with REGARDS TO YOU,

I was a professional photograph for a number of years with published work in multiple magazines, but that was using a Nikon F3. After it was stolen I tried using Canon cameras, the top of the line I'm sure I would have loved - but the others didn't really fit me, my hand or style. The Nikon N90S is a step below the pro version but has all the features I need in a film camera, yes I do digital also but there are still some things that digital just can't capture. I'm more of a photography purist also, I love working with film. I don't like manipulated images after the shot to make them look good. To me the camera should capture the image and allow the photographer to visualize and bring his dream to the film base. Granted that is not always possible, so we use darkroom adjusting sometimes. But the Nikon N90S, and yes I have multiples, brings me back almost to the pro level without the expense. Also, buying them on ebay makes them more affordable and gives me the advantages I need, even though I'm not a pro photographer any more. I take images for me now, not other people. And I love all my nikons from my N90S trio to my digital twins. The N90s allows me to be creative with the images I want to make.

This is the he man Nikon at an everyman price. Shooting digital means you can point and shoot as easily as falling off a log, sort of. Shooting well on film is for photographers. The N90S is such a dream and so afordable that it doesn't make sense to NOT own one. I have fallen in love with my N90S after the first few minutes of use. You won't be able to help yourself. It's just heavy enough to let you know it's total quality and light enough to no be a pain in the neck.
Look for one in excellent aesthetic and mechanical condition. You can get manuals online and many are still available from Nikon. Are you in love yet?

I love the solidity of the N90S and it's ability to survive in rough and dusty countrysides as well as being at home in my native Texas. In a recent 2 week trip to Africa, a pair on N90S outperformed three digitals, becoming the "last camera standing." Where the digital cameras suffered debilitating battery and cartridge failures, the N90S just kept on clicking away for the entire safari, providing all the photos for the party of four. Carry spare batteries and plenty of 35mm film, and the N90S will not let you down.

After such success, I had to buy another "spare" N90S. When I look at their bargain basement cost on Ebay, I find it difficult to pass up.

I bought my N90s off Ebay at an extremely reasonable price. I was expecting a somewhat used camera; instead it arrived in TWO original factory boxes, one for the camera, one for the booster grip, neatly wrapped in the original plastic and styrofoam. From the overall smell of the I guess that it has been used very, very little. I put it to use immediately, making some exposure test shots using a roll of Kodak Gold 200 snapshot film, this showing a spot-on exposure meter. Over the Labor Day Holidays the N90s came along as a backup unit to my digital equipment, and was called into heavy duty action immediately as I discovered that in my haste I had forgotten the batteries in the chargers at home for the digital "stuff." At this shoot I was the only photog left using a film unit, which attracted plenty of curious onlookers as I CHANGED FILM? The mass of this camera actually makes it very usable for action photography because it is so stable; carrying it around also makes the mass noticeably as its HEAVY, so a good wide neck strap is a "must" for this camera. Aside from the tiny purchase cost, it has set me back virtually NOTHING, because I already have a good stable of Nikon Lenses. Its very easy to use, rugged and the batteries can be purchased anywhere. Just a great old film camera, assembly quality is superb.

I owned an N90s for about 4 years. NEVER a problem, never a hassle -- as with all the Nikons I've owned over the past 30 years.

Easy to handle, intuitive, light, excellent pictures. I used it pricipally with the Nikkor 24-120 and the 70 300 zooms.

Not made any more but if you want a great film camera, cheap, this deserves a look.

dave

The advent of digital cameras has made clasics like the N90s dirt cheap. This camera has been my main camera for many years. I was happy and shocked to pick this one up on ebay for just over $100. They were running $1,300 for the body when I got my first one. These are wonderful cameras for anyone wanting a great film camera for very little money. They can be quite automatic for the beginner and fully manuael when that is what is desired. I love digital but it is hard to let go of film and since I stick with Nikon all the non DX lenses I have still work on this camera.

I am no "pro"! That having been said this camera make anyone a "PRO". The pictures come out great everytime. Read the manual and your off, taking pictures like a pro. I have a 5 mega pix digital camera (for the last 2 years) but you can't compair the 2. The Nikon N90S 35mm Film Camera is the best I have used. The picture quality compaired to digital is far better in my opinion! I would recommend this camera to anyone that like to take nice quality pictures. The camera feels heavy/strong and well built and from all the reviews I have read it is well built!

This camera is a great value. It was one of the best cameras during its time and it still impresses. It was replaced by the great F100. But, this one is 1/3 the price of F100 and it's 2/3 or more of what F100 is.

Pros:

- Price. About $100 for a good specimen. you can buy 3 N90s for the price of one F100.
- Better autofocus compared to N80.
- Good layout of controls. Easy to use.
- Bright and big viewfinder.
- Meters with manual focus lenses.(AI)
- Rugged.


Cons:
- Slower autofocus compared to F100 and F5.
- ???



I would say that F100 is a better camera than N90s/F90X. But, N90s is more value for money.If you have manual focus lenses and autofocus lenses, then N90s is highly recommended. This is a very reliable camera and is made for rough use. I bought mine for $70 and I'm very happy about it.

The Nikon N90s was Nikon's top of the line consumer camera for many years. The thing I most like about it is the ability to meter through ai and ais lenses. It is amazingly fast. It is well built and takes great pictures. The drawbacks are a noisy AF motor and the lack of a built in flash.

I love the solid feel, it reminds me a lot of the older style of brass framed cameras that I learned on. This camera has a terrific metering system easy to use controls and is a fun backup or #1 camera to my Nikon D80. If you like to play around with film cameras I highly recommend this one. You can get these on Ebay for a decent price and the Nikon n90s does a great job.

It is a hefty camera, making it easier to hold steady. It has all the options to make it an easy point and shoot camera. However, it has features that make it a professional camera; the 1/8000 sec. shutter speed, "trap" depth of field, fast film feed and a wide compatibility with Nikon lenses make it extremely versatile.
I have a Nikon D50 digital which I really love, but there is just something about the N90 and the pictures that it produces that makes me say I will never give up film.

i like the speed.. it's fast focusing and frames per second is all you need....tracking is great...love it.. got two...

i like the service once my account was taken care of, nothing to do with seller, delivery prompt, very clean, exremely happy for the quality,better than described,I recommend to everybody I talk to visit this seller.

This is a great Camera. It works perfectly with cool pictures. I worked with this and I like it so much. with a film camera, it is a high value camera. This can work with most of the Nikon lenses. It is what I like most about!

I still use film for wedding photography. My assistant blazes away with a Nikon digital camera, but I still like to take my time and shoot a few rolls of Portra 800.
Isn't it great how cheap used film cameras are on Ebay? The N90S I bought had the original sales slip in the box: $799.95 in June of 1999. I paid $63!
I bought the N90S because it has better metering and better autofocus than my nice old F4. The N90S is not a cheap plasticky model. It is heavy and reeks of build quality. I also like that it uses AA batteries. It will do until I can afford a nice used F5. Great fun!
If you want a really nice film camera for under $200, I think the N90S is a better choice than the newer F100 because IMHO it is more solidly built.

The reason I'm writing this is just to let people know you don't have to spemd a lot to get the equipment you need to take very good pictures. The N90s is a camera that will allow you to either let the camera do it all or as you learn do it all yourself. The quality of this camera is easy it's a Nikon and it's not the low line from Nikon. I started using an N90s with little knowlege of what it can do but as I have learned the workings of the camera the pictures just keep getting better. I still believe a good photographer can do more with 35mm than with digital. At least thats true if you concider the difference in cost. I think you can make the film camera be more artistic. I have both film and digital equipment and in my opinion film is more fun,also you don't just snap until it is good you check the settings and spend a little more time on the shot with film or at least I do. The N90s is great,easy to learn and will produce great photos. It stands up to a lot more abuse ,more getting wet 'more dust and just more getting banged around than a digital will. I shoot wildlife and landscapes and I find the camera even being carefull gets harder use in those conditions and my Nikon N90s has taken it all and the quality of the photos is wonderfull. This dosn't give you the specs but getting them is as easy as Nikon USA.com.. If you are thinking of a good film camera this si one.Thanks for your time..

Both the N90S and the SB 23 are great products, being old school I still prefer film to digital and the N90S provides the same features and functionality of higher end cameras of it's time ( Nikon F-4 ) with significantly less weight, anyone who has carried the F-4 can attest to that.
I have taken this camera to Afghanistan and the tribal region of Pakistan places where 5 minutes after leaving a car or building you feel like you are covered in a fine layer of dust and both have performed well and never had issues.

Sincerely.
Al Barnes

You can find these on ebay for approximately $50. Then get you a 50mm f1.8 lens from nikon for another $100. and you will have the basis for an excellent photographic experience bar none for at least the next 10 years. These cameras are built to take a few nudges and bumps and still take great photos and with the low cost nikon 50mm lens you are on your way. Just get close the the subject being photographed. Learn to compose and shoot with 1 camera and 1 lens and have fun at the same time. Just remember, get up real close. That lense is fast enough not to have to use flash so don't hesitate to shoot nightclub scenes in low light. You will be amazed at what really happens. I shoot 2 of these cameras 1 with the 85mm 1.8 and the other with the 50mm 1.8. I take good care of my equipment and don't plan on buying anything other than film and batteries for at least 10 years. By then I may switch to a different format. Nikon really outdid the competition when they came out with the N90s. All the features of a professional camera on sale now for $50.00 US. I photograph family, friends, parties, weddings, birthday parties and sporting events and do my best to create something special for years to come. Yes the f100 is probably a better camera, but for my experience I cannot really tell the subtle differences between the two which is why I am sticking with the N90s. Thanks Nikon. You are still the best.

This camera is wonderful Read lots of reviews before I bought it and it is better than I could have expected Thanks again for the opportunity to use this wonderful N90s Nikon never lets you down.

I thought i was getting a N90s, but it was an n90, which isn't much different, not a big deal. The seller sent it pretty quickly and got it to me within a week, which was amazing, i was so excited to get it in the mail. It's an awesome older camera that is in good condition as far as i can see, other than the scratch marks on the lens. I am planning on trying to get that prepared or buying a new lens. I am very excited about this camera considering that it's my first manual film camera. The seller also threw in a couple of extra film cartridges for me, what a gentlemen.

I have a Nikon F4 and I think I like the N90 better. Weight has a lot to do with this opinion since I think the performance of the two cameras is pretty close in things that really matter to the average photographer. For example, they both have a fastest shutter speed of 1/8000 second, both have high speed motor drives, and are built tough (although there's a lot more metal in the F4).

The major feature missing from the N90 is mirror lock-up. I suppose I can live without it since the shutter on the N90 is sooooo smooth that there's really so little vibration that unless you are doing some kind of scientific work it probably makes little or no difference anyway.

Something I like better that the N90 has that the F4 doesn't is the self timer that lets you choose how many seconds you need before the shutter fires. It also lets you stop down the lens to check depth of field and the camera is remarkably quick and accurate to focus. Compared to lower order Nikon Autofocus film cameras like the N8008, N70 and N6006 the controls are very logical and intuitive. Just easier to use and not too intimidating. It is thicker and heavier than any of these other cameras, though and does not have a built-in flash like the N6006 and N70 (which can be useful and convenient when you are traveling light.

And last, I know no self respecting pro would say this, but I really like that the N90 has seven program settings for things like Portrait, Landscape, Sports photography, and close-up/macro photography. These settings chosen by the engineers will consistently deliver fabulous pictures that even a pro could be satisfied with.

Finally, here is a camera sold less than ten years ago for well over a thousand dollars that can now be picked up on ebay for around $50 to $60 for the camera body. Really a great deal for a first class camera. Good Luck