C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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The Nikon F50 (sold as the N50 in North America) is an entry-level autofocus 35mm SLR introduced in 1994. It was designed to attract first-time SLR buyers stepping up from compact point-and-shoot cameras, with a large rear LCD panel displaying shooting information in plain language and a set of guided automatic modes alongside the standard PASM controls. The F50 used Nikon's standard F mount, meaning buyers could invest in AF Nikkor lenses that would later migrate to higher-tier Nikon bodies. Specifications are entry-level: 1/2000s top shutter speed, 1/125s flash sync, and a built-in pop-up flash. It was succeeded by the F55 (N55) and occupies the bottom rung of the 1990s Nikon AF SLR range, below the F70 and well below the F90 and F90X.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
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Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
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Before you buy used
About this camera
Nikon's 1994 entry-level AF SLR with a prominent LCD panel aimed squarely at first-time SLR buyers.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Nikon F (AI-S / AF / AF-D) |
| Years | 1994-1999 |
| Shutter | 30s - 1/2000s, electronic vertical metal |
| Flash sync | 1/125s |
| Built-in flash | Yes, pop-up |
| Meter | TTL matrix / center-weighted |
| Modes | Program, aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual, scene auto |
| Autofocus | Single-servo and continuous AF (screw-drive) |
| Battery | 4x AA |
| Weight | ~460 g (body only) |
The F50 arrived in 1994 as Nikon's answer to the crowded entry-level AF SLR segment, in which Canon's EOS Rebel line had established a strong consumer foothold. Nikon positioned the F50 below the F70 (launched the same year) and priced it to compete against the Canon EOS 500 (Rebel XS in North America). The large rear LCD - which displayed shooting mode and basic settings in block text rather than cryptic icons - was a deliberate usability choice intended to reduce the learning curve for buyers new to interchangeable-lens cameras. The built-in pop-up flash and scene-oriented automatic programs reinforced this approachable positioning. The F50 was sold with kit lenses, typically the AF Nikkor 35-80mm f/4-5.6D or 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G. It remained in Nikon's catalog until around 1999, when it was replaced by the more refined F55 (N55).
The F50 is not a significant camera in photographic history, but it fulfilled a practical role: it put Nikon F-mount glass into the hands of beginners who might later progress to higher-tier Nikon bodies. The F mount compatibility meant that a kit lens purchased with an F50 could follow its owner to an F90X, F100, or eventually a D-series DSLR. The large LCD and guided modes lowered the barrier of entry in a way that the F70 and F90 did not attempt. Today the F50 is a cheap route into the Nikon AF ecosystem - particularly relevant for anyone who has F-mount lenses and wants a lightweight, low-stakes backup film body. Its primary limitation is the 1/2000s top speed, which restricts use with fast lenses in bright light without neutral-density filtration.
Nikon F mount. AI-S lenses mount and expose correctly in program and auto modes but do not provide matrix metering data on this body. AF Nikkors autofocus via the body's screw-drive motor. D-type AF Nikkors enable matrix metering. AF-S lenses mount but will not autofocus. Common kit combinations: 35-80mm f/4-5.6D, 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G, or the 50mm f/1.8 AF for more serious use. Built-in pop-up flash covers wide-angle to short telephoto range; an external Speedlight (SB-22s, SB-28) connects via the standard hot shoe and provides TTL flash control. No motor drive or winder accessory; built-in motor manages film transport.
BW
Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
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Kodak Ektar 100 is a fine-grain C-41 color negative film with saturated color and high sharpness.
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