Summary: A gem from the past

Comment: This camera may have been introduced in 1986 but it is still very usable. I took it on a trip to Cedar Point two days ago. I bought this camera here on Amazon and was pleased with the good feel it has. It is made of plastic but it feels solid.

I bought two of those "photo" batteries that are a bit shorter than AAs, and 5 roles of ISO 400 Fujifilm film. I used this camera with my Nikkor 50mm f1.8 lens and got some very nice results.

This camera may not be for those that like to switch controls very quickly because it has the older, hold down a button to switch between modes, and another button to hold down and change the actual aperture value or shutter speed. There is no mode dial and only one rotatable command dial. This is not really that big a deal because you can still change settings a few seconds.

There is only one auto focus point in the center, but you can chose a very narrow one, or a wide area one that has motion tracking to help find your subject.

This camera has a way of making you take your time to compose carefully because if you do not, you will end up with something annoying or unwanted in your prints. I only used one roll of film, but these were all close to "keepers" because I knew I would be getting a copy of each one. I only took two shots of one or two things for a "backup" because I figured I would get more unique shots for that roll. These all came out technically correct, except for one that was taken into the sunset as a portrait, where the person was a little to underexposed.

This camera is a solid buy for those who want to force themselves to take fewer and better pictures, and is very dependable for these things.

There are a few cons, the settings can be frustrating because of the extra seconds they take to change, the battery indicator does not really tell you specifically how much power is left (but only the very newest cameras, aka d90 do that anyway), and the shutter can only go to 1/4000 of a second. When you are using ISO 400 film outside this can make or break your depth of field.

I think the camera is a good buy for people who want to get a taste of "full frame" and who want to improve their photography.

Summary: purple haze

Comment: I bought this camera (used) for only $15 shipped. (It's a F70)
So I'm not complaining. (well, a little bit)
It's a fine functioning product and a Nikon.
One gripe though...after developing all my shots have a purple colored cast to them. Regardless of the lens, it's 'purple' dirt, purple giraffe, just plain purple. My Nikon N2020 & N8008 have no such problem using the exact same lenses.
Needless to say, even though I like the way the F70 functions I'm back to using the other two older cameras.
Maybe the digital cameras now have a good enough anti-shake (not blurry) that I should be looking into an upgrade. Problem is Nikon digital anti-shake mechanisms are inside the lenses so while my older film camera lenses can be used, I'm back to square one on digital shake.
My Minolta lenses have no such problem with the Sony Alpha's. Their anti-shake is inside the camera so all old lenses get the benefit.
Anyway, N70 or F70 it's 'Whoopee'...the color purple.

Summary: Best value and well made camera for amateur

Comment: to serious amateur. I bot this camera back in 96 or 97. Took thousands of pictures. This camera takes great pictures and is very very reliable. Even did a couple friends' wedding with it.

Work well with almost all nikon lens. Auto-focus could be a little sluggish when paired with some professional grade nikon zoom lens such as the excellent 80-200 f2.8D and 35-70 F2.8D lens. Other than that, it works well with all other lens including the popular 105 mm F2.8D. Having that said, with 80-200 F2.8D, it is still fast enough to catch my kids running around at the beach and freeze their action.

It is a quality built camera in sharp contrast to those canon plastic toys. You got to hold it in your hand to feel it.

The menu system is very different than the traditional camera. It took me a few minutes to get the hang of it without looking at the instructions. It is very similar to some of the digital camera's menu at present days. It was truely ahead of its time.

It does not have DOV function which you may miss when your skill grow. But 99% of the time, you don't miss it. If you do, you are the type who would have bot the F100, F5 or F6 already.

I took pictures with it along side with a N90s. I did not see any difference in the pictures. However, it does make a huge difference when you upgrade to the professional grade lens. Color fidelity, sharpness and contrast are greatly improved. I have pictures of my kids blown up to poster sizes.

Spend your money on the lens not the camera. If you on a tight budget, this is the one to get.

Summary: great 35 mm slr

Comment: now that you can get one cheap, this is a great camera - even better for the money than most other used nikons

Summary: Glad I did not get a better one!

Comment: Years ago when I was looking for a SLR I was thinking of getting one of the expensive ones but people told me to start off with something like this. Well I did, and I am so happy. I love this camera. I have taken it to Italy, Netherlands, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island in Hawaii. It has gone everywhere with me and given me some great pictures.

If you are just starting off with these cameras or even if you have been using these types of cameras for awhile you will not be disappointed with the N70.