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Nikon N75: Midrange Marvel

The $360 question: Is Nikon's newest 35mm SLR worth the bump up from the N65?

What's Hot and What's Not

HOT

NOT

• Excellent handling

• Top-notch autoflash system

• AF-point selection easy, fast

• AF points light up in finder

• Good control placement and marking

• Centerweighted and spotmetering

• Eyepiece diopter adjustment

• Good AF speed, sensitivity

• Very quiet

• Oh, that annoying focus-aid lamp!

• Controls for centerweighted and spotmeters difficult to find

• No flash-OK indication

• Uses wimpy CR2 batteries

Lab Test Results

Viewfinder: Test data was the same as for N65.

Autofocusing: Data was the same as for N65, with these exceptions: From EV 6 down to EV 3, AF was faster than N65, about 0.8 to 0.85 sec. At EV 0 to EV -1, AF took from 1.4 to 1.6 sec. With a low-contrast target, AF speed took about 0.4 sec longer at EV 5 and below. AF-assist lamp

activates at EV 3 and below. Time lag from pressing the shutter and exposure was 140 milliseconds.

Shutter speeds: Extremely accurate; no error detected from 2 to 1/1000 sec; at 1/2000 shutter only 1⁄10-stop slow.

Exposure Accuracy: At Auto, P, S, A, and at centerweighted average, exposures were very accurate, with over/underexposure about 1⁄5-stop, from EV 1 to EV 14. Exposures were average, with about 1⁄5-stop overexposure from EV 15 to EV 17. In spotmetering, exposures were within 1⁄5-stop at every light level.

Sound Level (in decibels at 11⁄2 feet, center): Single-frame advance: 82.3 peak, 61.2 average; Continuous: 82.7 peak, 61.5 average; Autofocus: 72.3 peak, average too low to read; Rewinding: 80.3 peak, 61.6 average. Camera was extremely quiet overall.

Specifications

Camera: Nikon N75 35mm AF SLR. Approx. street price: $260, body only; $360 with standard 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G AF Zoom-Nikkor lens.

Focusing and Viewing: Auto-Servo AF switches between focus-priority and continuous AF; five AF sensors with illuminated viewfinder indication; AF switch for central AF point only, user-selected point, or closest-subject focusing; manual focus. AF range: EV -1-19 at ISO 100. Steady white-lamp

focus aid rated to 10 feet; pentaprism finder; film-load and battery status shown on viewfinder screen; depth-of-field preview; adjustable diopter.

Shutter and Exposure Controls: Speeds from 30-1/2000 sec plus T; five Vari-Program modes and full auto; shiftable program, shutter- and aperture-priority AE, metered manual; exposure compensation ±3.0 EV in 1⁄2-EV steps; autobracketing ±2.0 EV in 1⁄2-EV steps; multiple exposure; lighted LCD info panel; 2- to 20-second delay self-timer; infrared wireless remote release sensor.

Metering: 25-zone 3D Matrix metering with D or G lenses, Matrix metering with other Nikon CPU lenses, nonmetered manual with non-CPU lenses; centerweighted metering set in manual or with AE lock; AE lock can be set to read approx. 4mm (1 percent) spot at any focusing point; metering range: EV 1-20 with f/1.4 lens at ISO 100, EV 4-20 for spotmeter.

Loading and Winding: Autoload with prewinding; single-frame and continuous advance (1.5 fps); auto DX 25-5000; full and midroll auto rewind.

Flash: Pop-up type (automatic in Auto and some Vari-Program modes; manual lift in other modes) covers 28mm field of view; five-segment 3D Matrix-balanced fill flash with G- and D-type Nikkors; Matrix-balanced fill flash with non-D CPU Nikkors; compatible with accessory Nikon Speedlights; X-sync to 1/90 sec; redeye reduction by focus-aid lamp; slow-sync and second-curtain sync.

Other Features: Polycarbonate body; stainless-steel lensmount; 12 custom functions; powered by two CR2 lithium batteries or, with optional MB-18 grip, four AA cells; N75 QD with date/time imprinting, $20 additional.