Nikon N65

N65QD: I bought the QD version for its all-black finish (remember, you can turn the date imprinting off). It went back to Nikon for the dateback recall, and was returned within a week. I have had it now for well over a year.

Personal background: I am not a professional photographer; I am an advertising copywriter (www.kuraoka.com). Photographically, I am merely a two-or-three-roll-a-week amateur. I upgraded from an N60QD for the dof preview and the exposure bracketing. My other bodies include an N90s, F3/T, FA, and the F I inherited from my father.

The N65 occupies a much-used position: a tiny, lightweight SLR body that gives me control when I want it, yet is friendly enough in appearance to avoid intimidating non-photo-buffs. My wife is much more willing to take control of the N65 than the N90s, even though we all know that the N90s in program mode is every bit as easy to point-and-shoot. It must be a weight/mass thing. At any rate, if the family goes out and I’m carrying the N65, even if I have big glass mounted, there will be several shots with me in it. With any other body, it’s all them. In the long run, that’s worth something.

Exposure accuracy is good in all modes. Frame spacing is even. There were no light leaks. The back uses a light baffle design instead of foam, which strikes me as less well-sealed, judging by the amount of dust I occasionally find in the film chamber. If you were to use this body in sandy or dusty conditions, I’d recommend having foam added. In fact, I may get around to doing that myself.

Like the N60 that preceded it, the N65’s AF seems slower in rotation but quicker in locking. The result is very quick overall AF performance, substantially better than my old N8008s and N50, slightly better than my N60QD, and matching or surpassing my N90s with everything but big, heavy lenses (with which the N90s enjoys a decisive edge). The N65’s AF-assist light makes it a competent but annoying performer in low light. That light has considerable range, reaching the far end of a darkened 20-foot hallway with a beam bright enough to read by. In an ordinary well-lit room, the AF-assist light usually stays off – but the threshold is unpredictable, especially with low-contrast subjects, slower lenses, or wider changes in focusing distance. Thoughtful touch: a button cancels the AF-assist light on an as-needed basis. The five-point AF is okay, locking with fair confidence on off-center subjects, but it’s still intensely annoying to not know which sensor is in use. Selecting a single AF point requires cycling through each point in turn, which is slower than simply centering the subject, focusing, and re-composing.

There’s no way to manually set the film ISO rating (I, for example, like to rate NPH at 250). However, in all modes except Auto (green) and Manual you can set exposure compensation +/- two stops in half-stop increments. I’d prefer it was 1/3-stop increments, to match standard film speeds, but the difference is only 1/6-stop either way. “But you can’t shoot Velvia at 40!” Yeah, well, if you can consistently distinguish a 1/6-stop difference (and you may be a person who can), then the N65 is not for you. Unlike the N60, the N65 can do exposure compensation in its Vari-Program modes. Compensation cancels if you change modes; in P, S, or A modes the exposure compensation stays set. Between exposure compensation and bracketing, you can get plus/minus three stops in half-stop increments.

As an all-purpose mode, P mode is better than Auto (green) anyway. The only difference between P (“Auto Multi-Program”) mode and Auto (green) mode is that P mode enables more features: exposure compensation, slow sync flash, and shifting the aperture/shutter speed combination in half-stop increments (this is NOT bracketing, because the exposure value remains the same). What does the green mode get you? A flash that will pop up automatically. Oh boy.

Philip decries the single-wheel control. In actual use, this has not been a significant problem. In aperture-priority mode, the control dial controls the aperture in half-stop increments. In shutter priority, the control dial controls the shutter speed, also in half-stop increments. The only mode that is cumbersome is manual mode, in which the control dial controls shutter speed by itself and aperture in conjunction with the aperture button (which is the exposure compensation button doing double duty). Yuck! Hallelujah File: the meter display shows +/- two stops in half-stop increments.

Exposure bracketing is a piece of cake, easier by far than on my N90s + MF-26.

The maximum flash sync speed is 1/90 – about a half-stop slower than the previous N60. This has not been a serious limitation. Actually, when the flash is the main light, I prefer to drag the shutter speed down to 1/60 or slower, to get some ambient exposure. Higher-speed flash sync is admittedly handy for daytime fill with fast films or when using a large aperture – but the N65’s 1/90 is adequate for most uses. Flash coverage is fairly even to 35mm, and barely acceptable at 28mm. There is considerable flash fall-off at 24mm. Because the pop-up flash still sits quite low over the lens mount, large lenses will cast a shadow. Red-eye reduction is via a silly bright lamp (the AF assist lamp doing double duty) that all but guarantees dazed expressions in your subject(s). On balance, the N60 had a more-powerful flash, but the N65’s is still very handy.

More important, is the improved compatibility with the newer Nikon Speedlights. Where the previous N60 was a “Group IV” body (like the N50 and N5005), the N65 is a “Group II” body (like the F4s and N8008/s). So, when you use an SB-26/7/8, the Speedlight will automatically pick up the ISO film speed, lens focal length, and shooting aperture from the camera/lens combo.

The N65’s ergonomics are excellent, but controls don’t move with the solid sureness of the higher-end Nikons (nor do most of its competitors at this price point). The buttons are small, but well-spaced and have good tactile response.

Minor quibbles: the textured plastic dateback is less grippy than the front – good thing there’s a ridge for your thumb. It won’t accept a standard cable release, although the wireless remote is tiny, relatively versatile, and cheap (under $20).

Just plain quibbles: takes two wimpy CR2 batteries. When you find a good price, stock up! No PC socket.

Major quibbles: no AE lock button.

Conclusion: A significant upgrade from the N60 in every respect except the built-in flash. It’s worth it just for the easy bracketing, increased compatibility with newer Nikon Speedlights, and dof preview. Its small size and light weight make it a great all-the-time companion, and despite that light weight mine has proven rugged enough to shrug off minor bangs resulting from everyday use with a toddler in the house.

John wrote a very complete and competent review of the N65/F65. I bought the F65 for my wife some time ago as a gift, and it's turned out to be a really great buy. She loves it and the very few times I get to use it, it's been a pleasure. I use all sorts of cameras on a regular basis, from a 1936 vintage folder to a Nikon CoolPix 995 digital camera I bought last year. The F65 is a nice budget camera. Affordable, but with all the important features. Some budget SLRs are just too cut down in terms of features. The only thing that I find limiting about it is that although you can cancel the AF assist light, it only cancels for that one shot, and comes on again for the next shot unless you remember to hold down the AF area select button when you half press the shutter release. This is my one and only gripe. I have always been impressed by the exposure in all the photos we've taken in the 7 months that we've had it (Oct 2001 to present).

It is a much better value buy than the N55/F55 in my honest opinion, which has too many features left out. With that experience in mind, my Dad replaced his now defunct F801s (N8008) with a F65 as well. He just wanted a good, occasional use SLR, and didn't want to spend too much and it was a very good buy for him.

Note, you can buy an optional battery pack for the F65/N65 which accepts AA type alkalines or rechargeables. It screws into the bottom into the tripod mount and increases the height of the camera. This improves the grip somewhat and allows you to ignore the need for those little lithium batteries as well. Now we have 2 F65 SLR cameras in the family, we are all very happy with them. If you need spot metering, then you will have to go for the F80/N80.

I have been using the f65 for over a year now. And to my satisfaction! The camera was appealing to me because I was looking for a professional brand, which uses a steel fitting for snapping on lenses. Since my budget was limited, I bought the f65. It’s a very light camera with enough options for the amateur photographer (me). It came with a standard nikor 28-80 lens which focuses pretty fast.

For me there is only one drawback: the Maximum sync speed with a standard flash is 1/90th of a second. To slow if you want to use the available light and brighten up the subject just a little bit more. Now I use a white screen to reflect light.. not very convenient!

Al together a fine camera for beginners. The f80 is a better alternative and not too much more expensive. However I think that if you want to buy a Nikon which has really more to offer you have to switch to f100, but the price gap between the camera’s is pretty big.

This is possibly the dumbest review on earth. I know Philip Greenspun is a decent photographer, but to deny the readership his valuable ideas of the difference between this camera and the myriad others he has used because it has a ONE-WHEEL interfaces, is simply ASININE.

Most entry-level SLRs are one-wheel (see Rebel and others), and few beginners who buy the cameras will CARE.

The fact is, this camera is one of the best entry-level cameras on the market, is supremely popular (maybe that's the problem, Philip?), and a good value.

To deny the readers of Photo.net an editorial review, due to equipment snobbery, is ridiculous.

Costing approx £250 with a 28-80 zoom lens ,it is one of the most popular entry level SLR camera by a reputed company. It also has quiet a few advanced features which will appeal to a beginner as he/she improves as a photographer. For an average person entering the market for the first time, the price difference between F65 and F80 is very significant. We expect experienced photographers like Phillip to give us their valuable opinion about a camera as popular as the Nikon F65. Please forget about the fact that it has got only one wheel (which has never bothered me)and give us a proper review.

I just want to say that I agree with W Mohn's post on October 24, 2002. Philip Greenspun's review has got to be one of the snobbiest pieces of writing I've read in awhile. As someone trying to enter into the world of photography and who is considering the N65, it is very discouraging to find that the camera has been totally dismissed because it is "too beneath" the reviewer to spend any time on. I guess, in essence, what Mr. Greenspun is saying is that if you are a begining photographer or someone who doesn't have an unlimited amount of cash, go someplace else, because he doesn't have time for you. That's just fine. This will be the last visit I make to this site. Thanks for nothing Phil.

yippee, phil got a degree from MIT. he's one of 2000 per annum. yay

I was looking at a F65 today and was considering buying one but I first decided to read up a little on its performance and what the people who used it thought of it. I am a amature in the biggest way but I like things to work and work simple! I went to the camara shop and wanted to buy the F80 but the salesmen told me the F65 is everything I would need. I have been to 3 or 4 web sights reading what people had to say about the F65, and most said the same thing! Its a all around great camara! exept for the comments of Philip Greenspun. But I agree with with Mohn and Marsh! I will buy one tomorrow! Philip in the future try to give a more positive opinion to help us guys (WHO DONT HAVE OUR HEADS UP OUR BUTTS) to make a good choice. Thank you W Mohn and Ronald Marsh for the feedback I needed to purchase my new camara!

I too think that this camera should have been reveiwed. I have been shooting Nikon for a while now, slowly gravitating towards the smaller bodies. Started with 2 F4s', went to one F4s and an N80 for backup and now have just the N80 as my main camera. While on vacation recently my wife and I decided that she needed a camera of her own. She loved using my N80 rather then the point and shoot so off to the first camera store we go. They had both the N65 and N80 there. After handeling them both she prefered the N65. I originally thought that she should get the N80 because of the features it offers, but she reminded me that she really won't be using many of those features. As a total beginner she just wants SLR quality images and viewing. The N65 offers more then enough features for her as she learns more about photography and I think it will probably be years before she grows out of it, if she ever does.

Also, the price difference is still a very real factor. With current rebates the N65 is about $130 less then the N80. Thats a big difference in my mind. When on a tight budget that money can often be better spend on better glass. After using my N80 for a long time and trying out this new N65 I really think I could be perfectly happy with the N65. For some reason I rarely use manual exposure mode. I usually opt for aperture or shutter priority mixed with exposure comepensation. Not sure whay, but that just the way I do it so not having two wheels doesn't mean a whole lot to me (I did try manual exposure with the one wheel system and while not as fast as a two wheel system it certainly isn't bad) I also rarely shoot my film at speeds other then the DX coded ones. For the instances I do, exposure compensation could surely handle it for me.

This camera is very small, very light and very easy to use. Perfect for someone just getting into photography who isn't even sure if they want to take it seriously, they just want better pictures and SLR viewing. It's also a nice camera for someone who knows what they need in a camera and what they don't. While I love my N80 and am glad I have it, as a cash strapped college student if I had it to do over again I may have gotten an N65 and spent the extra cash on the glass.

I must agree with those who criticise PG for a poor review. After all a camera is a tool and the F65 (N65) is a capable one. It seems to me that the F65 would appeal to various people:

• Beginners.
• Someone who knows about photography, but just wants something to play with from time to time.
• More advanced users who want a backup camera, or a second camera loaded with an alternative film.
• Climbers who need a light camera.

From what I have seen it is a capable little camera. Well built (for its class) and with some excellent features:

• The essential 4 exposure modes.
• A good range of shutter speeds, with 1/2 stop increments.
• Matrix and centre wieghted metering. No spot though.
• A built in flash.
• Nikon's excellent flash control including matrix balanced fill flash.
• Depth of field preview: an advanced feature on a basic camera!
• Multiple exposure: another advanced feature on a basic camera.
• Auto exposure bracketing: yet another advanced feature on a basic camera.
• Very light. With a cheap 35-80mm AFD lens (or the better 50mm lens) it is ideal for walkers and climbers for whom weight, or rather lack of it, is important.
• Infra red remote control: not as cheap as a cable release, but (in my opinion) essential.
• A decent build quality.

Mmmm. Doesn't look so bad does it?

You can read my review of the N65 at the very top of the "reader's comments" section (or, directly below Philip's much-decried review), dated March 2002.

Since then, my opinion has not changed. The little N65 has held up well to two kids and probably two to three rolls a week, so its build quality is just fine. I still use the N90s and F3/T as well. But for family outings, when I'm already lumbered with a stroller (or two), diaper bag, changes of clothes, sunscreen, food, water, etc., the body I grab is the N65 loaded with NPH and set for +0.5.

Frankly the "one control wheel" bothers me even less than it did a lot of other people, because I mostly use the Program mode anyway. (My F100 is the ultimate "point & shoot".) However, the N65 does have another flaw that I consider serious. I tested mine for a month or so and then took it on a 4-week foreign trip, where it proceeded to fail after a week. The culprit: the plastic catch that holds the back closed simply broke off. Okay, I bought the camera because it was the lightest body Nikon made at the time, so I wasn't expecting sturdy--but that piece of plastic is FLIMSY. I'd suggest carrying some heavy rubber bands, just in case--I had to scrounge them all across Europe, because they only lasted a few days of being stretched around the camera. Adhesive-backed velcro worked for only 3 days, because the adhesive flowed under tension.

Here's something worth archiving, regarding film scratches with the N65QD (the black, date-back version of the N65).

I started getting a fairly significant scratch right down the center of the first six frames of film, even after carefully blowing the inside out. Here's a sample of the kind of film scratching I was seeing: Leo Kuraoka at 30 weeks. I looked around carefully inside, and saw nothing out of order, so I took it to an authorized Nikon repair center. They confirmed that the camera body was scratching film, and their technician spent a week going crazy trying to trace the source of the scratch. These things are hard to figure out. Anyway, what turned out to be the film scratching culprit was the date-back battery cover! Yup, if that cover is not absolutely shut absolutely tight, it lifts just enough to scratch film. It has only a plastic catch holding it shut; it's not a screw-down cover. I had not changed the date-back battery recently, so it jiggled up all by itself. Who'd have thunk it? At any rate, giving the battery cover a quick press when loading film is now standard operating procedure.

At the same time, I also had door seals added to better keep crud out. That actually improved the feel of the whole camera back - it feels more-solid now.

As for everything else about the body, refer to my review at the top of the comments section; my opinion of the N65 has not changed. It's a nice, lightweight, competent box.

I am a beginner, having used my N65 for about 3 months now. I'd just like to add to the above that I did not even know of a one-wheel/two-wheel distinction when I bought my N65. Now that I have used it for 3 months, the one-wheel design (requiring that I press a button while rotating the wheel to change exposure value or aperture---depending upon the mode) has become intuitive. It never occurred to me that it might be annoying relative to other designs, and I suspect that were I to use a two-wheel design at this point, I would find IT annoying (until, of course, I grew accustomed to it). If you have used the same TV remote control for years, a new and even "better" design would prove annoying for the first little while. In other words, ignore Mr. Greenspun's comment on how annoying the one-wheel design can be unless you have become accustomed to a two-wheel design with another camera (in which case just give yourself three months!).

For what it's worth, mine came down to a choice between the Maxxum 5, Rebel, and N65. I chose the N65 (despite my conclusion that the Maxxum might have a slight edge) because the N65 felt better in hand than the others. Though I can't compare the performance of the N65 to other cameras given my limited experience, I have found it a joy and a great starter model.

I agree that this is snobbery.

Galen Rowlen, the late god of nature photography, who worked for National Geographic, and sold more books than you could shake a stick at had an N65 in his hiking set and sold many a picture taken with this.

This is a great entry level camera, and it is even cheaper now that the N75 came out. Both of these, N65 and N75 are fantastic cameras. I only sold mine because I bought a D100 and never shoot film anymore.

Andrew

Quite a lot has been said about the F65 already. I could have got the F80, but chose the F65 as an interim body, so that I would be migrating to dSLR pretty soon. However, Nikon is somewhat slow in producing an affordable, and yet full of great features like the Canon's 10D. I would like to add that it is a very rare occasion to use M mode, when you need to control both the aperture and shutter speed. So far, the only situation is in a studio environment, when you need to fix the shutter speed at 1/90 or 1/60, and then adjust the aperture according to the studio flash and film sensitivity. In fact, most of the time, the P mode is most useful for me, and at times, some when I doubt the metering might not give me the correct exposure. I should say that more than 95% of the time, the F65's metering is spot on. It is only under very difficult conditions that the camera's metering needs expossure compensation.

I have bought the F65 recently with 28-110G and 70-300 G for£250 and when i got back my first set of results the images did not appear sharp as i hoped. Are these lenses bad quality? Also i have been confused with the power consumption of this camera. The supplied batteris lasted for only one film, i had used the flash barely and had sometimes used the AF without actually taking an image (action photos). How long have you found the batteries to last for?

Something that has not been noted so far - F/N65 works with all nikon lenses, including VR, something that is not true of F/N55, F60, etc. In this regard, F65 is even better than heavyweights like F4 and F90, as these won't be able to make use of the VR functionality.

So its Nikon's smalles/lightest/cheapest full function body.

I would have to agree with all of the comments posted. I would not call my self a "pro" because I earn most of my income from non-photographic work (like most photographers). However, the whole distinction between "pro" and non pro are rediculous. I know many people who are "pros" because they make their living from photography but their oppinions and expertise in the field are not worth jack. Most of them consult me for advice! They are wedding shooters and portrait shooters who make their living with expensive point and shoot cameras like the F5. No offence to F5/1V owners!

I use an FM3a as my main body because I like the total control and the simplicity. However, my "back up" or second body is the 65. I shoot nature and portraits and fine art. I have been a photographer for about 5 years now. I have bought the 65 back when I began to just shoot casual pics of my friends and minor adventures and that blossomed into a side career.

Here is the deal, in my honest opinion the 65 is a great camera. I have tried the 90s, the 100 and they are great cameras. The 65 is not an F100! But it is an great little camera. I have had no trouble selling prints from this camera. I used it a lot when I was a climbing guide in NorCal. I could carry the little guy with me on tough assents and shoot my buddies and clients, then sell them the pics. I have shot surfing, nature, portraits and family get togethers with this little beauty. I have never been able to blame the camera for bad shots. If the exposure is wrong (which in 99% of shots it isn't) it is my fault.

This is a great camera for a beginner because it is easy to use AND broad enough in capabilities that you can grow into photography. It has very few limitations; no MLU (but use the self timer), slow auto focus (I have shot some sports and use manuel and prefocus techniques to great success), no spot (neither did Ansel Adams), no DX coding (honestly, not a big draw back for a beginner, or even a "pro" most of the time) and yes, the build quality isn't as good as more expensive bodies, but i have never had any problems even while dragging it up vulcanic rock while climbing in Pennicles National Monument.

But there are ways around these "limitations" and learning your way around them will make you a better photographer. I learned a great deal about photography from this camera. I moved from using the idiot p&s modes to ap/mm. I carry this camera along with my FM3a body. One film in one camera, another in the other body, and a long lens on one a short on another, which was awesome while shooting concerts for a local college. Both bodies are light and easy to use in the near dark auditorium. The meter was dead on in the odd stage lighting. When I wasn't sure I bracketed, which you should do for important shots anyway.

One wheel? Honestly Phil.

Buy the camera. That is unless you are a snob, or worried about people not thinking you are a "real pro" cause you body is plastic and silver. But if you get good images (which you will if you learn the craft) then the proof is in the print. I remember seeing a half dozen people at the concert with the same camera! I am sure they got great pictures. If mine were better (IMHO I think they were!) it is due to my understanding and practice at image making. And that is what photography is about.

Frankly I've been very pleased with my Nikon N65. I generally shoot with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens and I have been pleased with the results. It may not be a fancy camera but it is important to recognize that having the best equipment doesn't make you the best photographer.

After about a year of asking a question i have not got a reply. However i have found solutions to my problems.

1. Use a tripod and fine grained film to solve the sharpness problems (not as sharp as my zuikos or a walzers though) 2.Buy a battery pack. i havent needed to charge the batteries once after doing this (although i did once because i had left it on for a week). I got mine from hong kong for 25 quid but im not sure if it was legit.

Other than this i have found there to be no major problems with this camera its very reliable, strong (dropped it a few times, still fine though), light, easy to hold once the battery pack was bought (i found the body to be too small for my hands).

The only problems are the autofocus in dark conditions and that blinding light. If only there was a switch to turn it off/on.

Great camera, unless your phillip greenspun.

First of all let me tell you that I am a begginer in this field. In june, 2005 I procured "The Little F65", after studying lot of reviews on the same camera in the net. And I am posting my comment after using this camera for 6 months. It came with 28-80mm G lens. I found it to be a fantastic camera to learn photography which is also very handy. Only problem I have with this camera is that aperture size sometime does not come down to minimum f stop (say f3.3)..This problem may be more due to the lens than the camera body. And another aspect I donot like is the auto pop up of the inbuilt speed light, of course u can cancel it but some time it appears to be disturbing. And u need a pair of stable hand while using the speed light because the shutter speed will be 1/90s or 1/60s. While going for trekking u will never feel that this camera body's weight is a liability. And it will produce great pic. to u. In short this is a great camera at an affordable price to enter into this photography world !! Cheers for F65!!!

Greg Young May2009 I just found this article and I must say; do not listen to Philip Greenspun! I have a Nikon N65, D50 and D80. I purchased the N65 in 2001 and it has served me well. It might feel a little cheap conpared to all the new stuff, but it's like a mickey mouse watch; It takes a licking and keeps on ticking. I have shoot weddings/receptions and events and it did not fail me. It's not the fastest or sharpest film camera, but with a little photo knowledge and the right lens, it will get the job done. At a friends wedding were I was taking candids shoots, the N65 blew away the Professional Photographer's work. Left him in the dust, it did. I still have my N65. It's simple, but will make you learn photography. It's a great starter camera for anyone. I recommend one of these before you start to shoot digital.

I know this is an older post, but I have this camera, and it's my second n65 also. Like an idiot, I had taken the camera apart for some spare body parts thinking it was broken. I had tested the batteries which seemed fine so I concluded the camera died since it didn't even register anything on the LCD screen nor did it turn on. I tested the batteries and the meter read that they still had charge. I ordered my second camera on e-bay (new n65 was in tip top shape like new for $20.00). I had the inkling to put the batteries in the new camera to see what would happen and behold, nothing. I was like, uh-oh, what did I do? Break a perfectly good camera (my old one). The new camera came with batteries so I knew it was perfectly fine. Sorry about the long story, but my point is that I love this camera enough to buy another one. It took really good pictures and is simple enough that I don't worry about the extra features and settings. That lets me focus on shooting. I've been used to the new Nikon digital functions as well as the N80 functions, so the button placements are very similar that I am not fumbling around for the right buttons. All in all, I am still using this camera as well as my new N75 which is even more improved on the N65.