1967 & 1994

I am currently shooting two cameras from the Nikon film era; the Nikkormat FTN from 1967 and the Nikon N90s from 1994. And while they are so very different from a technology standpoint—the Nikkormat is an all mechanical, manual focus, manual exposure camera while the N90s offers multiple exposure modes with matrix metering, motorized film advance and auto focus…they filled exactly the same niche nearly three decades apart—as back-up cameras for professional photographers.

The Nikon F was the preferred choice of photographers who made their living with their cameras in 1967. Nikon pro bodies have always been wildly expensive and while a well-heeled pro might have a second pro body as a back up, many used less expensive but still very capable bodies. The Nikkormat FTN was such a camera in the late 1960s. In the 70s, pros might have had a Nikon FM in their camera bag along side their F2.

By the 1990s, professional photographers were making the transition to auto focus cameras and Canon would soon capture the professional market with their EOS line. But for those who stuck with Nikon and Nikon’s first auto focus pro body—the F4, “pro-sumer” cameras like the N8008s and N90s became less expensive choices for a back-up. I purchased a N90s brand new in 1997 and I recall paying around $1000 for the camera and a 50mm f/1.8 kit lens. The F4 body alone was north of $2500.

I purchased my Nikkormat at a local camera shop and after I got it home, I posted an image of my new acquisition on the Nikkormat/Nikomat Facebook group I belong to. Over the next few weeks, quite a few photographers gushed over the FTN and several pros told stories about using the sturdy, dependable Nikkormat as a back up to their F or F2. I had my FTN serviced and modified. You can read about that here.

The N90s is my latest camera purchase. Mine is nearly mint with its original box and paperwork. I joined the N90s/F90x Facebook group and as with the Nikkormat, several pros commented about using the N90s as a back up camera for weddings and sporting events. A few even said that the N90s was their main body— a bridge camera as they waited for Nikon to release the F5 in 1996.

I will post complete reviews of both cameras here soon, but I will say that I am truly enjoying both of these Nikons. The FTN is pure, simple analog joy while the N90s feels a bit like coming home to a period in my life when I was shooting a lot of film and developing and printing in my home darkroom.