The User’s Review: SMC Pentax-F 35 – 80 mm 1:4 – 5.6 Zoom Lens

This lens (4758012) was made in Taiwan. The lens has a mental mount and plastic body (see the images below). Its zoom ring has a scale marked at 35, 50 and 80; the aperture ring is marked as 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 and A, which is associated with a luck button to lock in and release; When you turn the distance ring, the focus distance in both m and ft is shown in the distance window. A macro range marked in green is between 0.4 – 0.6 m (1.3 – 2 ft). The lens fully extends at zoom 80/distance 0.4 m, and fully retracts at zoom 50/distance infinite. The front piece, fitting with 49 mm filters, turns with the distance ring.

This lens works well on my Pentax DSLRs. 

Figure. Various views of SMC Pentax-F 35 - 80 mm zoom

Later I also wrote a review on the Pentax-FA 28-80mm lens.

The User’s Review: Nikon N55 (F55) 35mm Film Camera

To descript Nikon N55 (F55), its users use these words: affordable, compact, high tech capabilities, very few limitations,  its photos just as good as any $1,000 camera,  good ergonomics, Nikon's smallest and lightest 35mm SLR with superior performance in a classic Nikon design with buttons and dials conveniently placed to facilitate use.

Figure. Front, back and top views of Nikon N55.

This model, in black and silver colors, was released in 2002 (Fig.). It has two versions: N55 and N55 QD with date/time imprint. The camera was made in Thailand, and was well built (9/10). When released, the price for a body and a zoom was ~ USD 350. Nowadays, you can get a used one in excellent conditions under USD 20. Remember, it’s cheap, but still a Nikon. The features of N55 are listed in the following table with pros in blue and cons on red.

Table. Features of Nikon N55 35mm film camera

Focus Type	Autofocus (Dynamic AF with closest-subject priority, Single Servo AF and Continuous Servo Af with Lock-On), Manual Focus
Viewfinder Type	Penta-Dach-Mirror
Focusing Points	One of three, selectable but not light-up
Shutter Speed	30 - 1/2000 sec, Time
ISO Range & Setting	ISO 100 - 5,000, no infrared film, only auto & no manual setting
Frames per Second	1.5 fps
Exposure Modes:	Auto, Vari-Program (Landscape, Macro, Night, Sports with continuous shooting, Portrait; No auto pop-up of flash), Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual
Light Metering Modes:	Center Weighted, Partial Metering; 3D 5-segment, 5 sec auto shut-off after operation
Auto Exposure Bracketing	3 shots with fixed compensated  EV (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2)
Auto Exposure	Yes
Flash Sync Speed and Modes	> 1/90 sec, Front-curtain, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Flash cancel
Red Eye Reduction	With Red Eye Reduction
Depth-of-Field Button	No
Shutter release cable & remote	No
Lens mount ring	Plastic
Self Timer	Yes, electric with 10 s delay
Multiple Exposure Mode	2 – 9 exposures in P, S, A and M modes
Film Wind & Mid-roll Rewind	Loading – Rewind; Yes.
Dioptric Adjustment Range	from -1.5 to +0.8
Eye Relief	17 mm
Viewfinder Frame Coverage	89 %
Viewfinder Magnification	0.68X
AF-Assist Illuminator	Yes
Battery	2x CR2 3 v and 1x CR2025 3 v for date imprint in QD version
Optional battery pack	No
Dimension	129x92x65mm, 129x92x67.5mm for QD vision
Weight	350 g, 360 g for QD version

One of Nikon service advisories states that N55 autofocus electrical components may fail affecting camera performance and/or operability. In case your N55 has this problem, check the Nikon website for a free service (well, it’s not really free, you have to pay outgoing shipping. But Nikon will do more besides the repair. They also clean and adjust your camera into a good conditions).

The User’s Review: Pentax ZX-10 (MZ-10) 35mm Film Camera

Fig. 1. Pentax ZX-10.

This model with date back (Fig. 1) was assembled in Philippines and  released in 1996. There is also a all black-color version of this model I saw online.

Pros: Power zoom; Compact; lightweight; 6-segment metering; 6 modes including ‘Green Operation’ (auto); manual set of film speed; 3-point autofocus (also see the cons), shutter release socket (see the cons also) (Fig. 2); much information showed on the LCD and display on the right side of viewfinder; consecutive-frame mode; in-focus sound switch (Fig. 2);  panorama format picture (Fig. 3); optional AA battery pack; one of the best camera straps, with two small pockets and a protruding part on one side of the strap clamps to trigger rewinding button (Fig. 4). 

Fig. 2. Side view of Pentax ZX-10.

Fig. 3. The panorama lever (P) on Pentax ZX-10.

 Fig. 4. The strap of Pentax ZX-10. The pockets with the Pentax signs and the clamps are unique.

Cons: Only a focus frame (look like [       ])in the viewfinder without lighted-up focus point (this genetic disadvantage also passes on to some Pentax DSLR); the mode dial, LCD and select switch have to work together in order to set up the camera (too complicated); special shutter release cable (it’s electric, who cares? why not the universal one?); money (a coin) needed to open the battery door (Fig. 1); a Phillips screwdriver needed to change data back battery; Date on the film door extends to only 2019.

The camera is not very durable because of many plastic parts including body lens mount. Shutter problem is one of the major issues with these cameras.

Later I wrote a blog article to compare this model with other two-dig slr cameras released between 1992 - 2002 by Pentax, and tell you probably the only reason why ZX-10 is preferred. 

The User’s Review: Nikon Nikkor 28 - 80 mm zoom lenses D vs. G

I summarized the comparison between D and G models in the following figure and table. The advantages of each model are highlighted in the table.

Figure Nikon 28 - 80 mm D and G zoom lenses. The shorter ones are always G model.

Table Nikon AF 28 – 80mm D and G lens

Nikon AF 28-80mm	D	G
Production period	1995 – 1999	2001 – 2006
Color version	Black	Black or silver
Optic elements	8 in 8 groups	6 in 6 groups
Aperture ring with lock	Yes, 3.5 - 22	No
Maximum aperture (f)	3.5 - 5.6	3.3-5.6
Diaphragm blade #	7	7
Manual focusing ring	Wider	Narrower
Focusing ring movement	No	Yes with zooming
Focusing scale	No	No
Close focus (m)	0.4	0.35
Lens mount	Plastic	Plastic
Filter size (mm)	58, rotates	58, rotates
Weight (g)	264.3	194.1
Lens size (Ф & length, mm)	63, 57 - 113	66.21, 64.00 - 82.03
Full retraction at zoom length (mm)	between 38 - 50	at 50

Among D lenses, there are several versions. I see a narrower focus ring on D.  The problem with these lenses is that they are not durable because of most of moving PLASTIC parts. It’s common to see loose zoom and focus rings on old lenses. 

If I was given a pick of only one of them, I go with D lens, simply because it has an A-ring, which can be used on older Nikon bodies.

The User’s Review: Nikon MB-17 Battery Grip for N65 Camera

Fig. 1. Nikon MB-17 battery grips with a battery drawer for 4 AA batteries. The white piece is the cover of grip connecting pole.

Nikon MB-71 is well-designed and user-friendly battery grip, made in China, paired with Nikon N65 camera (Figs. 1 - 3).

Fig. 2. Nikon MB-17 battery grips paired with two color-versions of Nikon N65 cameras. 

Why do I like to have it attached to my N65? I believe that there are at least three reasons. First, for a long run, the attached battery grip, which accepts 4 AA batteries, will save $ for me from the CR2 batteries required by Nikon N65. Second, the grip helps balance the camera with lens. And third, it is more comfortable for my hands to hold them together. One of my friends told me the fourth: you would look more professional when holding a camera with a grip. Do you have the same feeling?

Fig. 3. Back view of a Nikon MB-17 battery grip attached to a black N65. 

MB-17 has no any camera control buttons on it. I am looking for a Canon PB-300 battery grip for my Elan 7NE because there are a second set of control buttons including a shutter release on this Canon grip.  

The User’s Review: The differences between Pentax SMC DA L and DA II (18 - 55mm) Lenses

Some people believe that the DA II lens produces better images. And the two models do have differences physically. At this time, I have both lenses side by side to demonstrate them (Figs 1 - 2 and Table).

Fig. 1. Front view of DA II and DA L. See the different colors of reflections caused by two kinds of front element coating.

Table Physical differences between SMC Pentax DA L and DA II (18 - 55mm)

	DA L	DA II
Quick shift (QS)	No	Yes
Super protect coating SP	No	Yes
Mount ring	Plastic	Metal
Distance scale	No	Yes
Weight (g)	200	220

The key difference is the quick shift (QS) in DA II. The lens releases the gear with the focus-driving motor in camera body and allows manual adjustment of focusing once the auto-focusing finishes. I use QS for two purposes (1) manual focus adjustment if I can do better than auto-focusing, and (2) for storage, I set the distance ring to infinity to reduce the lens length, without switching to the manual focusing mode on camera body.

Fig. 2. Side and mount views of DA L and DA II

The DA L lens was sold online for USD 37 including shipping, on May 20, 2011.

The User’s Review: Nikon N65 (F65) film slr camera released in 2000

I own several Nikon N65 bodies (all body versions, see below), and prefer to use them than my N75 because of the bright pentaprism viewfinder in N65.

N65 (= F65) has two color versions (black vs. black-silver) either with or without date print (Figs. 1 - 3). The black version is less common and priced higher in the second-hand market.

Fig. 1. various versions of N65 bodies

N65, released in 2000 and made in Thailand, is of lightweight (395g or 400g for date version), compact design (139.5 x 92.5 x 65.5mm, 68mm thickness of date version) and higher quality (9/10).

Nikon Multi-CAM900 autofocus module with AF-Assistant light and 3D six-segment Matrix Exposure Metering System with auto or manual selected Centre-Weighted Metering are installed in N65 (Nikon N75/F75 and N80/F80 uses the Multi-CAM900 too). Lens servo includes single servo AF, continuous servo AF (only in sport mode) and manual focus. There are 10 exposure modes (M, A, S, P(auto-multi program), Night, Sports Continuous, Close-up, Landscape, Potrait and Auto). My understanding on the Auto mode is like point-and-shoot if AF is set.

Fig. 2. Top view of N65

The LCD panel on top (Fig. 2) and the bottom display of viewfinder provide me information more than enough. Can you get a picture you want if all the values show/are set right? No. These tell you only the science part but you still need the art part to create your own image.

Detailed information on N65 can be found in its user’s manual, which can be downloaded at $0 from the internet. Below are some points that, I think, are important to its users:

Focus area/AF-assistant light button is located above the lens release button on the outside wall of lens mount. Since this is a single button, you have to follow the preset cycle to set the focus point you want. The good thing is, with the same button, you can turn off the AF-assistant light when you want.

N65 has a depth-of-field preview button, located right under the AF-assistant light. This light can be turned of by pressing down the focus area selection button (located right above the lens release button) while focusing.

Auto-set DX Film of ISO 32 – 3200 is usable. Film advance speed is < 2.5 fps. No infrared film can be used with N65 because of its infrared sensor used to locate the film frame.

Fig. 3. Data back of N65. A CR2025 cell is needed to imprint date.

To power N65, two 3V CR2 batteries are needed. MB-17 battery grip using 4 AAs is available at several USD (used) to $20 (new). A separate CR2025 cell is installed on the film door for date printing. On my N75D, the two CR2s do everything.

Immediate or 2-second-delay release remote modes can be chosen on N65. I prefer these timing options to be set on the remote (like my Canon RC-1), which is easier for user.

Why do I like to own and use N65? I am answering this question by lining up my N65, N75 and N80 by my notebook.

1. Easy to use, with many functions (settings) including point-to-shoot. N65 has one command dial. Why do you need two like on N80 if one can do all?

2. Bright viewfinder. It’s a conventional optical one in N65 (vs. electrical-optical viewfinder in N75 and N80, which needs power to ‘light up’).

3. Remote control for N65 (and N75, not for N80).

4. Small and lighter weight to carry around.

5. Low cost and high capacity (N65 is the little brother of N80, and is more different from N75, whose brother is N55). If yours does not work any more or is lost, buy another one.

6. Lower cost and easy-to-find battery grip, compatible with AA batteries, which reduce your cost for a long term.

  

Over the years, the common problems developed with N65 include broken film door latch, mis-functional button of shutter release, lost AF and failed flash. Check these issues while you are looking for a used N65.