I never expected to own a camera of this caliber, but sometimes
a deal is simply too good to pass on. I'd been thinking of saving
up enough for a N65 body to supplement my N6006, but when a
customer sold my employer
his F90x (the inernational version of the N90s) system, I took one
look at my cost and had to have it. It took a few days to come up
with the cash, including selling my N4004
to my business, but within a week the N90s was mine.
Compared to my N6006, the N90s is even
larger and heavier, but the wide-area autofocus is so fast and
smooth and precise that I don't mind the extra bulk. This camera
handles like a dream and has become my primary SLR. The N90s is
sometimes classified as a professional camers - Nikon USA does so,
but Nikon Japan does not. Regardless, it's a camera pros use and
love.
For me, the most important feature of the N90s is the faster
flash sync - 1/250 gives you a fighting chance of using fill flash
outdoors. I don't need shutter speeds faster than 1/1000; I don't
recall a situation where I've even gone that far. I certainly don't
need 4+ fps film advance. The slightly improved matrix metering
definitely isn't enough reason to switch cameras.
I wouldn't mind trying high speed flash sync, but that requires
a very costly Nikon flash (SB-28).
The one thing I wish the N90s had is a built in flash like
Nikon's consumer models, something which hasn't been traditional on
pro models. It's not that I use a built in flash often (I prefer my
Sunpak 433AF), but if Nikon had included a flash on the N90s, I'd
have high speed sync. Not a big deal, and so far this is the only
improvement I can think of for an otherwise stellar camera.
Nice as the really cool tech features sound, what convinced me
that this would become my primary camera was using it a few time.
The autofocus is so quick (compared with my N6006) that I've
sometimes taken the picture before I knew it. Focus is very
sensitive and very accurate. I need to learn the trick to focus,
recompose, and shoot without taking a picture as soon as focus is
achieved. This camera is remarkably responsive.
I've played with the MB-10 multipower vertical grip, which
you'll usually see attached to the N90s in photos. It adds size and
weight, doesn't increase power capacity, costs money, and the only
thing it really gives you is a shutter release specifically
designed for vertical photography. I'll save my money and do things
the old fashioned way.
The only complaints I've heard are that the N90s seems a bit
loud compared to newer models.
If you have any comments on the N90s or see any errors on this
page, please email Dan Knight
. Thanks!
Go to Nikon AF SLR home
page.
