INTRODUCTION
Back in 1994, Nikon had decided to have a new range of SLR camera to replace the older range. The range consist of the smallest baby, F50 (widely known as N50 in US), the mid range F70 (widely known as N70 in US), and the professional F90x (widely known as N90s in US) to replace the 2 years old N90 (widely known as N90 in US).
I was just 2 years into photography when it was first release, and everyone in my photography club was talking about it, being cheap and affordable for most beginner. To be honest, it eventually did not win me over, when I purchased the Minolta 3xi instead.
Reviews was based on our experiences with the camera years ago.
BUILD
The build of the F50 is average. It does look solid, but it is really plastic when you get hold of one unit.
The grip of the body is good, providing good and firm hold on the body at all types of shooting angle and condition.
FOCUSING
The F50 offers both Auto focus and Manual focus. In the Auto focus mode, it can be shift between Single Servo AF and Continuous Servo AF.
At Single Servo AF mode, objects are focus easily and accurately, with not much difficulty. The main disappointment is with it's Continuous Servo AF. It is difficult to catch moving object continuously in focus. AF tends to go to and fro and get lost for a seconds or two before focusing again on the objects. It get worst with faster objects.
EXPOSURE
The F50 employs Matrix Metering for Auto Exposure Modes, and Centre Weighted Meterings for manual exposure mode.
Exposure done was accurate for a variety of situations for the Matrix Metering. The Centre Wrighted Meterings is fine, but was easily tricked by bright objects. But for experience users of manual cameras in the like of the FM or the FE series, it could be easily correctly or compensated.
It offers many programs modes for casual users, as in
1) General Purposes
2) Portraits
3) Landscape
4) Close-up
5) Sports
6) Silhouette
7) Night Scene
8) Motion Effects
As well as 4 Advance mode, as in
1) Program
2) Shutter Priority
3) Aperture Priority
4) Manual
FEATURES
The F50 also provides the following features
1) Build in TTL Flash
2) Timer
LENS
The F50 uses a wide range of high quality AF lenses from the Nikkor range. Besides, it is readily supported by third party lenses makers like Sigma, Tokina... etc.
Try to stick to Nikon lenses for better picture quality.
QUALITY TEST
The F50 is easy to use, and without doubt it will be easily adapted by new comers in the world of photography. With the manual in hands, all buttons and knobs are easily figured out without problem. The F50 do not need an expert to know what is happening.
Picture quality is okay, the Matrix Meterings used in the F50 is good enough most usage, but only in 1994. Better Matrix Meterings systems are now available like those used in the N80.
The build in TTL flash is very weak, useless in most condition. Pictures turn out dull and dark. Understand that it also have an ISO guide number of 13, making it basically not useful for good photography. I would recommend a Nikon SB-22s as a supplement for flash photography.
The F50 do not provide the capability of Multiple Exposure or exposure compensation. I don't remember it having exposure bracketing as well.
SUMMARY
This camera is discontinued years ago, and was replaced by the F60 and later by the F65. In my opinions, there are far better options available for the price and with more useful features for creative photography.
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