Nikon N90s/F90x – A Victim of Circumstance

Nikon N90s/F90x

First, let me start this short commentary on the Nikon N90s/F90x cameras, (this is not a review), with some honesty. While I’ve tested the Nikon N90s/F90x and also used it a few times over the years,…I’ve never liked the camera. Weirdly, I can’t pinpoint why. Maybe just not “pretty enough”? And I understand there are almost “rabid” defenders of this camera. People who love this camera,…REALLY love this camera! Fact is, it was not Nikon’s first autofocus camera, but was probably the first super accurate and reliable auto-focus system and also had a really advanced, (for the time), multi-mode auto-exposure. Way beyond the still wildly popular FE2 and FM2 of the same era. And it’s not an AF thing. (I love my F4s and F5)

I always say the true value of a camera is reflected in real time market forces. And despite what N90 fanboys say, cameras available for $25-$50 on Ebay and your local Goodwills, by the very nature of those market forces, would indicate more detractors, or lukewarm proponents, than lovers of this very capable camera. That’s just the way supply and demand works.

All that said, the actual general reliability, lens compatibility and specs on this camera do not match it’s unpopularity in the Nikon stable of cameras. Yes, all camera companies have produced “stinkers”, and Nikon is no exception. But the “90” is NOT one of those. So,…what’s the deal? Well, I think part of it was recently coming out of the “solid metal, manual focus” era. Add to that lack of knobs and a newfangled LCD,…and you’ve got trouble looming. Heck,… even the F3 was looked at with a jaundiced eye at first. An F3 was too electronic? Really? Uhh,…yes. Believe it or not. Eventually, pros realized batteries were not the devil incarnate. And Nikon’s F3 became what many now accept as the best all time flagship ever produced in the 35mm SLR camera world.

The Nikon FE2 and FM2 of the same era are NOT as good. No matter what metric you use to qualify that statement. Seems to me, no matter brand, auto-focus SLR’s from the 80’s and early 90’s were kind of dissed as a matter of course. Especially if you were a “purist”. Whatever that is. While I’m aware the earliest examples of AF were kind of hinky, by the time the F90x/N80s came out, the AF was pretty damn accurate. (although maybe not the fastest) I think the Canon EOS 620 was the direct competition. Or maybe the EOS 5. And while it did have a couple of advantages, the “90’s” were a much newer and more advanced camera in many ways. Plus, the Canon needed an expensive 2CR5 battery. The Nikon runs off four cheap AA’s. (if you use modern day Enloops, the N90s/F90x will run forever) But, to be clear, if I were a “sports” photographer, the Canon AF was definitely faster. But not more accurate. (I’ll let you people debate that) Depends what you shoot and what’s important to you. The Nikons had a better metering system and much better flash metering than even the EOS 5. But if you have Canon glass, don’t even think about switching. Get a nice Canon EOS 1V for yourself.

But let’s just put to rest the romanticised version of a “starter film camera”. While I do think the Pentax K1000’s and Canon AE’s of the world are great manual focus cameras, and I still would take a Nikon N80/F80 over a Nikon N90s/F90x anyday,…the Nikon 90’s will outperform any other camera at a similar price and result in a lot more “keepers” for your brand new, just out of the box photographer. So, would this camera probably be a much better “starter” camera than the normal advice given? I would say so.

Nikon N90s/F90x Features & Specifications

• Very bright fullframe viewfinder. But only 92% coverage. (sufficient for 99% of all people)
• Current settings are displayed at the bottom of the finder; information area is automatically backlit in dark conditions
• Top LCD displays current settings and facilitates changes
• Backlit for use in dark conditions
• Cross-Type Wide Area AF System
• Choice of wide-area or spot AF
• One CAM246 AF sensor
• Continuous AF mode with release priority in addition to standard AF with focus priority
• 4.1FPS capable with continuous AF; 4.3FPS with standard AF
• 2FPS mode available
• 3D Matrix Meter when used with a D or G-type Nikkor lens
• Center-weighted and spot metering are also available and usuable with AI lenses
• 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash capability with many Nikon Speedlights – SB-800/80DX/28DX/28/27/etc.
• Seven Vari-Programs: Portrait, Portrait with Red-Eye Reduction, Hyperfocal, Landscape, Silhouette, Sports, Closeup
• Four exposure modes: Program, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, Manual
• Shutter speeds of 1/8000 – 30 seconds + Bulb
• Flash sync speed of 1/250
• Flash sync modes: normal, slow, rear, red-eye, FP high-speed
• Self-timer: 2-30 seconds
• ISO/ASA Range 6-6400
• DX-enabled
• Eyepiece shutter
• Overall strong build throughout (comparable to Nikon D300/D700)
• Stainless steel lens mount
• Uses common 4 AA Batteries

Compatibility

• The N90s/F90x is compatible with nearly ALL Nikkor F-mount lenses as well as ALL Nikon SB series speedlights
• MF-26 Multi-Control Back
• MF-25 Data Imprint Back
• Long Exposures to 100 hours
• Freeze Focus: triggers the shutter as soon as a subject comes into focus
• Custom Reset: customizes which settings are affected by the green-button reset
• Date Imprinting (can also imprint shutter speed and aperture information!!)
• MF-25 World Clock
• Flash exposure compensation
• Interval timer: up to 100 hours between pictures for 99 frames
• Limit frame count in continuous shooting mode
• Multiple exposures
• Customize which settings are affected by AE-L and AF-L (auto-exposure lock and autofocus lock)
• MB-10 Vertical Grip
• Takes 4AA batteries OR, with the MS-11 battery holder, two CR123 lithium batteries
• Interchangeable focusing screens

Lens Compatibility

• Autofocus works properly with Nikkor AF, AF-I, AF-D, and AF-S lenses.

AI and AI-S lenses are usable, with the loss of these functions:

• Autofocus
• Shutter-priority exposure mode
• Programmed exposure mode
• Vari-program exposure modes
• 3D Matrix metering (though center-weighted and spot metering remain functional)
• You can use VR lenses. (but won’t have VR)
• G-type lenses (lenses without aperture rings) can be used, but only the lens’ smallest aperture can be used in manual or aperture-priority exposure modes.

Whew! OK,…it doesn’t have mirror lockup or a built in flash. But neither does the FM2. But, as you can see, they’re pretty complete cameras as far as capabilities are concerned. Before Nikon or Canon got in the digital business, Kodak’s DCS460 6 Mp Digital SLR used the N90s as it’s base camera. But, despite being a true workhorse, like Rodney Dangerfield,…it still gets no respect. The N90s/F90x was introduced in 1994 and discontinued in 2001. While its’ predecessor only lasted 2 years, (Nikon N90/F90), it was actually a pretty good run for this now much maligned camera. Nikon was never clear about the target market. Advanced amateur? Prosumer? Nevertheless, it was used by many pros as a main camera. And many, many more as a backup. But it was clear that the F100 released in 1998 was far superior. (and still revered by some to this day)

Alright. Compared to the same era Minolta Maxxum 9xi and other AF cameras, it’s abilities were about the same. (as are present day prices) Biggest complaint? That stupid rubber coating was always peeling off. (or getting sticky) And, to be honest, Nikon really had to play catchup in the autofocus world when compared to Canon. However, Canon, (film), met its’ match with the release of the F100 and F5. (the “catchup scenario” was repeated as we entered the digital age)

In conclusion, I think the reason most think of them as ho-hum cameras, despite their abilities,….is they’re showing their age. Kind of like an AMC Gremlin. While the Mustangs and Camaros of the same era have aged well, the Gremlins were just assigned to be recycled steel. Oh, well. Kind of caught up in photography’s new modern era, but not quite developed enough to withstand the onslaught of our brave new world. (still… a great “starter”) Or as Mac Shoots Film says below,…”Nikon’s Most Underrated SLR On Earth”. OK. Could very well be.

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