Hello All!

I am not a Nikon user but am interested in some of their gear because of the reputation which preceeds the name Nikon. I have owned mostly Canon gear in my short time in photography, but am not beholden to it. This is being stated because I don't want to seem like I am starting a Nikon v. Canon thread. I digress...I picked up an N60 the other day and played with it for a few minutes and was shocked by how awful it felt. The shutter sounded hollow and plasticy and the controls didn't seem very logical. I couldn't figure out how to change program modes, go into manual operation, or change the drive speed. But all of those are aside to how cheesy the camera felt. It seems as though Nikon put their name on an EOS Rebel G, but took away a lot of the Rebel G's appeal and ease of use. Again, I am stating this because I have a great respect for the quality and integrity of Nikon gear and am baffled by the N60. What has been the reaction to the N60 and am I just too used to Canon to understand the N60? Thanks!

-- james (jginalbany@aol.com), January 26, 1999

Answers

You nailed it, James. You are used to Canon gear so when the Nikon does not behave like a Canon, there must be something wrong with it. This works both ways, of course. If you are confused about which system to go with then you must look at the entire system, not just one low end camera body. I am doing that right now.

-- Stan McManus (Stanshooter@yahoo.com), January 26, 1999.

i'm very used to the EOS system and i like the ergonomics alot. but it's definetly EOS that's "different". most other cameras are more similar to nikon. (change aperture on the lens itself, etc...)

as for the features, that's a different story. canon puts more features on it's lower end cameras. nikon seems to think (probably correctly in most cases) that people who'd buy the N60 wouldn't miss those features. i suppose the perception is "better photographer = has more money to spend on camera" and "newer photographer = has less money to spend on cameras" i know some people that don't fit that mold. and i'll bet alot of photo.net readers don't fit that mold. but 95% of cameras are sold to people who can barely pronounce aperture, much less spell it, or find the aperture control on their camera. so leaving advanced features (mirror lockup, spot metering, easy to get to manual controls, etc.) off of cheaper bodies is probably a GOOD marketing descision, even though i don't agree with it.

-- Sean Hester (seanh@ncfweb.net), January 26, 1999.

James, the reaction to the N60 has been generally good. But that is only when comparing the N60 to the N50 (and the N4004 and N5005).

BTW, comparing it to the Rebel G is exactly what Nikon wants -they have identical list prices. One of the British photo mags gave the N60 the edge when they compared the two (better metering).

As far as ease of use is concerned I guess that's debatible. My understanding is that Nikon decided to have the program modes determine certain other features. For example, to switch the advance from single frame to continuous (1.0 fps) it must be set to sports mode.

Ever since Nikon sold the Nikkorex F in 1962 (Mamiya made it) their bottom rung SLRs have never been anything to write home about.

-- Geoffrey S. Kane (grendel@pgh.nauticom.net), January 26, 1999.

Stan,

Believe me, I am not judging the entire Nikon line-up based on 5 minutes with a low-end camera. As I said, I was surprised by the cheap feel of the camera considering how incredible most of their other cameras are. Further, I am not assuming that because it is different or because I don't understand it, then there must be something wrong with it -- it is just that it didn't live up to my expectation of a Nikon product.

-- james (jginalbany@aol.com), January 26, 1999.

I believe the N60 (F60) is exactly what it was designed and marketed to be: a low-budget camera for those interested in taking up mainly AF photograhy and not wanting to spend a lot initially. For MF, there is a similar product in the FM10. In today's market it seems to come down to how much you can afford, and excellent advice on photo.net can help guide you to spend your money wisely for maximum returns.

-- Jeff Thomsen (jesper@mozart.inet.co.th), January 26, 1999.

James: I have found that most of the AF-Program Mode, automatic, low-end SLR's that I have handled are not particularly intuitive to use in any mode but "Program". I have an N50 (not the N60)that I have used as a (go anywhere) travel camera for the past (2) years. The camera's virtues are light weight (with a 28-80AF-D lens) and reliable program mode. Additionally, I do not worry as much about this model camera being stolen, because of it's low replacement cost. I guess if you get accustomed to a particular system (Nikon, Canon, Minolta) there is commonality between their operating techniques that does not translate easily to another manufacturer's system.

-- Charlie Robbins (robbnsc@hotmail.com), January 27, 1999.

I think the aspect which struck me most was how terrible the shutter sounded. It sounded hollow and plasticy, as I said earlier, and didn't imbue me with confidence as would be expected with a Nikon product. I think half of it is that, although I use Canon gear, I have a very high level of respect and expectation for Nikon. I can learn the "workings" of the camera, but am not so sure about how long the camera will be "working."

-- james (jginalbany@aol.com), January 27, 1999.

i must be wierd. "hollow and plasticy" sounds like something i want over "solid and metally". the lighter the better. i sure wish my eos-5 was lighter (and hollow, maybe it would float :-) and with all the hooplah about mirror shake, the lighter the mirror/shutter is the better.

but, you have to realize, i pretty much accept cameras as "consumer equipment". so just like computers, televisions, VCRs, etc i expect to have to replace it in 5 years or less. partly because it's falling apart, but mostly becasue in 5 years there will be BETTER cameras, computers, tvs, etc. to buy. so even if my camera was in mint condition after 5 years, i'd be getting a new one anyway.

so if having it lighter means it only lasts for 5 years I'LL TAKE IT.

-- Sean Hester (seanh@ncfweb.net), January 27, 1999.

I have an N60 (Plus N90, Fe2, Mamiya 645 Pro, Fuji GA645AF, Koni-Omega Rapid, Polaroid 195, etc.). I have used the N60 since Christmas. Results? It is a very fine fast handling, grab-shot, travel, take-anywhere camera. It is intentionallly lightweight (not cheesy) and super easy to use. In fact, it's the fastest handling, finest, moderately priced camera of it's type that I know of. I've used it with the 24-120, 85 1.8 and 50mm 1.8 Nikon AF lenses and the photo results are wonderful. Fully comparable to the N90. Plus the sophisticated built-in fill-flash and auto tracking features are great .

By the way, anyone who thinks the N60 controls aren't logical or easy to use probably hasn't ever used an N60, or has an IQ below 50. It would be impossible for a camera with the N60's capability to be any easier to use. I just ordered a second N60 for my wife who is, ahh, shall we say "camera challenged". Why? Because it's the only camera that she has ever been able to take good, in focus, candid action pictures with. She loves it!

james, maybe you should actually use an N60 before going on forever about something you obviously know nothing about?

Z

-- Z (Zoneten@hotmail.com), January 29, 1999.

"Z", perhaps your obviously jaded comments would mean more if you actually used your real name.

Since the N60 and Rebel G are meant for beginning photographers who may not use a camera on a regular basis, then these cameras should be simple enough to pick up and use in full auto without having to read the instructions. By the way, how high can a persons IQ be that can only spell "Z".

-- Matt Swope (vswope@voyager.net), January 29, 1999.

Yes, please don't bash anybody on the forum or make assumptions based on their questions; we're all beginners in some areas, experts in others. We're here to share as colleagues. Thanks.

This is going to sound like I'm changing the subject, but is there any chance you could spend a little more and get the N70 instead? At $400 (at Camera World of Oregon, with free UPS ground shipping), it seems like a real bargain, and it offers more of the features of its more expensive brethren. It's more comparable to the Elan IIE, for instance. As long as a body holds the film flat and manages a reasonably good metering and shutter system, the lens and whether one uses a tripod or not will determine the technical quality of a photograph, not the body. Every time I get excited about the latest 3D Color Matrix whiz-bang metering, I have to remind myself that it still comes back to f8 at 1/125th. ;-)

-- Mark Hubbard (hubbard@humboldt1.com), February 02, 1999.

I don't have an N60,

But I have an N50. Up until now I have been pretty happy with it. I've had it almost 1 year, and that's exactly how long I've been into photography. Until a year ago I was simply a One Step Polaroid or cheapo point and shoot camera man. If I couldn't buy my camera at Kmart or the local drug store then I didn't have a camera.

I don't understand why people say they User Interface or controls are hard to use on the N50, (and also N60, N6006, etc .. since they all basically look the same). I find it very easy to use and very logical. You push the program button, and then you have an LCD screen to select whatever program mode you want, from "auto", to "landscape", "portrait", "closeup", "sport", "night scence", "sillouette", and "motion effect."

Just push the button over the icon you want!

If you want shutter or aperture priority, just puch the button above the "S" or "A."

Want to manually set shutter and aperture, just puch the button over the "M."

What could be easier?

Now that I know what I want to do with a camera now, I think I want a camera with mirror lockup, multiple exposures, rear curtain and slow sync modes, and a better metering system. DOF preview sounds nice but I'm not sure I need it. Also thought I needed one of those built in TTL flash units with red-eye reduction, like the N60 and N6006 advertise, as the flash on my N50 causes horrible red-eye. But, I think I need to attach a seperate flash unit to reduce red eye.

But, overall, the camera has a good feel and is extremely easy to use. I've read some posts and emails and think that I would get the most improvement with better lenes instead of trying to upgrade to the next level or 2 up. I really want an F100 or N90s, but that's out of my price range. Was eyeing the N70, but I think I'll but a top notch lens instead, wait a few years and buy an N90s when the prices come down and I'll areadly have a good lens.

But for a good, all around, travel/vacation type of camera that's a cinch to use, go for the N60 or N6006.

Kevin Lowman

-- Kevin Lowman (k.lowman@cwix.com), April 06, 1999.

i do own a F60 (N60) and so far, its been great! i came from the and of the old canons, and to my dismay and due to where i am, the older lenses of canon are very hard to find and expensive (if there is any).

i bought my F60 for the ff reasons:

1) nikon lenses can be use on most of their cameras. 2) i am near-sighted, so a dioptre is really handy 3) its got a TTL speedlight build on (GN15) 4) most of my friends use nikon, i could "borrow" their lenses 5) easy to use with any of its programs 6) it feels good on my hand compared to an EOS of the same price range

few things i wish F60 has:

1) DoF preview 2) films leaders after rewind, like those of EOS 3) manual film speed settings 4) stronger AF motor, its slow with my 70-300mm 5) cant be used with silent-wave motors

btw, most of my canon friends use EOS1/5, and i dont feel inferior using my F60 in front of them :)

kai

-- kai huang (kaii@iname.com), April 09, 1999.

I think the N60 is a great budget modern camera. I bought one because it felt well built, the view through the prizm was nice & clear, and the controls were easy to use, all this compared to the equivalent entry level Canon & Minolta's that I tried on the spot. I have since changed to an older but much more fun Nikon FE2 which gives me more control, sounds cool, let's me use non-AF lenses, and is faster in manual operation (less fiddling with thumb dials). But to realize this took me some time and experience. I still have my N60 which is nice for its AF & built-in flash for the occasions that need it.

-- Julio Marcos (jmarcos@earthlink.net), August 18, 1999.