Product Review
Nikon F60

Introduction

Nikon SLRs have long dominated the 35mm SLR market. It all started since the Vietnam war, where press photographers brought their trusty Nikons into the killing fields, and came back alive with incredible records of the brutality of wars. Ever since then, Nikon had acquired and maintained the reputation of ruggedness and reliability. Until this day, many professional photographers choose Nikon over other brands because of the unparalleled system it offers.

However, in the 1980s, Canon stunned the 35mm SLR market with a revolutionary autofocus system called the EOS system. Beginning with humble models like the EOS 650, Canon soon introduced a full range of models, from the amateur's EOS 1000F to the professional caliber EOS 1. What separated the EOS series from the offerings by other manufacturer is that the EOS series offer swift and almost silent autofocus, at a very attractive price. The other manufacturers had no answer to the technology that Canon is offering at such a good price.

For a long time, Nikon struggled to maintain its market against the Canon EOS. Although Nikon had a relatively firm grip in the professional segment, where the professionals relied on Nikon's incredibly versatile systems and reliability, Nikon soon found itself losing users in the sports and beginners market. Sports photographers wanted a fast AF system which the EOS could provide, and beginners were attracted to Canon's low-end models. They offered good performance at a low price. Although Nikon's cameras were better built, they could not offer the same levels of AF performance at the low price.

In recent years, Nikon has offered superlative models that matches the EOS series in autofocusing speed and accuracy. For the first time, Nikon users can have swift autofocus together with the Nikon lenses they long to use. The introduction of the Nikon F70, F90X and F5 meant that Nikon users can have incredible AF speed and accuracy, using the Nikon AF lenses they already have. The introduction of the F5 allowed many professionals, whom wanted to use the Nikon system but were let down by the older AF technology, to switch back to the Nikon system. Although the F70 and F90X are more expensive than the Canon equivalents of EOS 50 and EOS 5, many serious amateurs are attracted to the Nikon because they could use the older Nikon MF lenses that they already have, and there is wide availability of Nikon equipment on the second-hand market. Moreover, some preferred the construction of the Nikon cameras, due to the interior die-cast metal framework not found in other makes.

However, although Nikon has leveled out the playing field in the serious amateur and professional market, it has yet to prove itself in the low-end budget. This is a serious issue. Since it is expensive to change systems, photographers usually stick to one system after he/she has invested into it. By offering good cameras at low prices, Canon has effectively attracted hordes of beginners into its system, and they are not likely to stray away from Canon.

Nikon's offering in the low-end market was the Nikon F50. However, the F50 had been plagued by it's poor user interface. It used a system of a combination of four buttons to control all the settings. This process was slow and fiddly, and compared to the Canon equivalent of EOS 500's superb dial system, it fell far behind. To say that the F50 is a lousy camera is unfair, because actual users will know that the F50 has a good AF and construction. However, because the camera interacts poorly with the user, many people did not even consider the camera, especially given its higher price compared to the EOS 500N.

Now, Nikon has upgraded the Nikon F50 to the all-new Nikon F60, to challenge the EOS 500N's dominance in the beginner's market.

First impressions

The camera looks so different from it's predecessor, that if it's not because of it's product placing and model number, one would be hard-pressed to think that it has anything to do with the F50. For starters, the 4-buttons operation is gone, superceded by a much more sensible 2-button toggle system. There is a large LCD panel at the top right that provides confirmation of comprehensive camera settings at a glance. The grip and the shutter release button seems to be a copy off the F5 design. And the left top panel sports a dial very similar to the EOS 500N, with various pictures of modes you can engage with the camera. Looks like Nikon is finally learning to emulate what actually works !! If you're a Canon user wishing to switch over to the Nikon camp, you'll find this camera a breeze to use.

Like the F50, the F60 has the useful but limited capacity built-in flash. And it is the first Nikon camera to have a AF illumination light built-in. Finally, it comes in two flavors - silver/champagne-coloured and black versions, a relief from the all-black crew typical of the Nikon family.

Flash

The built-in retractable flash at the top of the pentaprism has a limited guide number of 15 (ISO 100, meters). Although this is not very powerful, it offers convenience especially when you do not want to carry another flash around. It offers 28mm lens coverage, and it uses matrix balanced fill-flash technology to make your flash photography a piece of cake. The fill flash uses a built-in computer to provide automatic balanced exposure of the foreground subject and background scene, so that you can do away with the complex fill-in flash calculations that puts fear in all but the most seasoned flash-photographers. Other versatile flash modes include normal Sync, slow Sync, red-eye reduction and red-eye reduction with slow sync. Not bad for a built-in flash I must say !!

Exposure

The F60 has a staggering array of modes, of which I'm not even sure I know how to use. Of course, there are the usual shutter-priority, aperture-priority and full manual modes. For those new to photography, in shutter-priority mode, you set the shutter and the camera sets the aperture. In aperture-priority, you set the aperture and the camera sets the aperture. In full-manual, you set both aperture and shutter speed. And there is the program mode, which Nikon calls the all-automatic General-Purpose Program, where the camera chooses both the aperture and shutter for you.

In addition, there are five Vari-Program modes, mainly: Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sport and Night Scene. Like I complained in my Nikon F90X review, these Vari-programs are really redundant. Finally, there is the Auto-Multi Program mode. Add them up, and you'll have a incredible total of 10 exposure modes !! You won't catch me straying from my trusty Aperture-priority and Manual mode though.

The F60 has a top shutter speed of 1/2000 sec. and flash sync speed up to 1/125 sec. For those who feels that a shutter speed of 1/2000 sec. is not enough, consider this: I've seldom been able to get 1/2000 sec. even with my f/2.8 lens and ISO 100 film. Such a shutter speed is definitely more than enough for daily use. Other creative exposure options include Flexible Program, AE lock, exposure compensation.

Autofocus

The F60's autofocus is reasonably fast and decisive. It is responsive and do not hunt around much, with the 28-70mm lens it was tested with. According to Nikon's specs, it operates in light as dim as EV minus 1 (ISO 100). The AF is activated when you semi-depress the shutter release button, and "the new Auto-Servo AF automatically chooses to lock focus or activate focus tracking according to the subject status, i.e. stationary or moving (including directional information)". What this means is that once the AF is activated by pressing the release button, it will focus the image and keep it in focus. If the image is stationary, it will lock the focus. If the subject is moving out of focus, the AF will automatically switch to focus tracking to keep the subject in focus until the picture is taken. Also, there is a electronic range-finder to allow precise manual focusing. The indicators in the viewfinder will show if the subject is in focus, when you switch over to manual focusing. It is a great aid to those with poor eyesight. The AF-assist illuminator light on the camera will automatically light up to give contrast to a dark subject, to assist the camera in auto-focusing.

Metering

One of Nikon's greatest strength must be the legendary Matrix metering. Matrix metering is a form of metering used in some Nikon cameras to provide a highly accurate meter reading even in complex lighting situation. Using various segments to compare the lighting condition in the scene, and complex algorithm to calculate the final "optimum" exposure in a split-second, the matrix meter is able to expose a tricky scene which will otherwise fool a less advanced meter. The 6-segment Matrix sensor ensures optimum exposure even in difficult lighting situations. Like all other new Nikon cameras, the F60 incorporates 3D Matrix Metering — which utilizes distance information from the lens for more accurate exposure determination— is conducted when camera is used with D-type AF Nikkor lenses. So, in addition to the various areas of brightness in the scene, the camera figures out which area actually contains the subject, based on the focused distance information, and give priority to that segment, so that the subject will come out correctly exposed.

The Nikon F60 also has Center-Weighted Metering (when Manual exposure mode is selected or AE lock is used), to allow the photographer greater exposure control. This mode bases the readings on the center of the image. Although I miss having a spot meter in this camera (to allow even more specific control), on second thoughts the target users of this camera probably won't be using the spot meter. Guess you can't have them all...

Other features

The F60 has built-in dioptre adjustment possible (from -1.5 to +1 dioptre). This will help those who sight problems to see the viewfinder a bit more clearly. It is a small but thoughtful feature, and is not available on my Nikon F90X. There is automatic film speed setting with DX-coded film (ISO 25-5000), automatic film loading, advance and rewind. The lack of manual film speed setting really is a sore omission. According to Nikon, "a zinc alloy front body diecast and aluminium film guide rails ensure toughness and reliability". The F60D model offers data imprinting thorough the camera data back.

Complains

The F60 is of course compatible with AF Nikkor lenses and Nikon system accessories for versatile SLR photography.However, like the F50, the F60 can only utilize lenses with CPUs, which means the AF lenses and AI-P lenses. So you cannot use manual focus lenses. This may seriously negate the advantages of buying a Nikon. Also, the camera is using the old 200 CCD autofocus detection module. However, it focuses faster than the older models like the F-801 etc. It is highly likely that there are new algorithms or improved coreless motors accounting for the improved performance.

Handling

The camera handles well, and is about the same size as the EOS 500N. However, it is heavier than the EOS 500N though. It feels small in my hands, but that may be because I'm using a Nikon F90X with MB-10 grip all the while. All the controls fall into place, but I have to bend my fingers a bit to get to some of them (I have long fingers). The grip is really a copy of the Nikon F5, albeit a bit smaller.

The viewfinder is bright and contrasty, and I can see the entire viewfinder, even when I'm wearing my glasses. A plus point is that the viewfinder has a generous rubber seal, which helps to prevent spectacled users from scratching their glasses. No complains about the dials and buttons, which clicks away very nicely. The 2 toggle buttons may be a bit small for those with thick index fingers though. And the dial system is a absolute joy to use, compared to the older F50 push-button system. Just click to the appropriate picture on the dial, and use the toggle button to set further options, and you're done. Fast access and no fuss. The pics are well-illustrated to communicate what functions they do.
 
 

Conclusions

Personally, I have a preference for the Nikon system. I feel that Nikon cameras feel more well-built and substantial, and are well-worth the difference in price. Moreover, I prefer the Nikon flash technology which allows me to do fill-in effortlessly and the fact that I can use almost any Nikon lens on my Nikon cameras, regardless of the age and series. And of course, there is the cheap and wide range of second-hand Nikon equipment available.

All that said, I could not recommend a AF Nikon to a beginner on a budget in good conscience (in the past). Although buying into the Nikon system is a definitely worthwhile investment, the Nikon F50 was not that good a camera compared to the Canon EOS 500N. The higher price and poor interface made it impossible to recommend a F50 over a EOS500N, especially to a beginner on budget !! Try telling them that Nikon has a good system and built, and they will show you that a Canon is cheaper and easier to use. Using a Nikon F50 is like using MS-DOS, compared to the "Windows" system on a EOS 500N.

The Nikon F60 is a brand new camera, with superior user interface and the same price as a F50. With the revamped operating controls and features, I can now heartily recommend the Nikon system, even to the beginning photographer on a budget. 

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