A Sentimental Twenty-Year Long-Term Review of the Nikon N75

The Nikon N75, known as the F75 in Europe and U2 in Japan, is—alongside the Nikon F6—undeniably one of the most advanced and feature-rich 35mm film cameras of its time, and even today. Introduced in 2003, the N75 arrived during what some call the twilight—or perhaps the peak—of the film era. Unfortunately, it didn’t receive the attention it truly deserved. Quickly overshadowed by the pseudo-flagship F6 and the rapid rise of affordable Nikon digital SLRs like the D100 and D70 in 2004, the N75 was sadly discontinued in 2006, becoming an unsung hero of its generation.

My First Love: Two Decades with the Nikon N75

You know how they say, "You never forget your first time, or your first car, or your first kiss," etc.? Well, that’s how I’d describe my love affair with the N75. It wasn’t just my first "real" film camera—it was my first 35mm SLR and, most importantly, my first Nikon. It’s crazy to think how this camera was tied to so many firsts: the first time I walked into a camera store, my first job out of high school, the first time I fell in love, and even my first dollar made in photography.

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

In high school, my uncle lent me his Hi-8 Sony camcorder, roped my friends together to record skating videos only to find out my videos were garbage—ain’t even gonna lie. So, I decided to try photography instead after reading a Men’s Health article in 2003 that named "photographer" as the sexiest job of the year. I was in 10th grade, and that was all the convincing I needed. From there, I took photos of everyday high school life with Kodak disposable cameras. But I knew I wanted a "real" camera. And it had to be a Nikon because I saw the F5 in The Lost World: Jurassic Park back in 1997. Though at the time I had no concept of model numbers, I just knew I wanted a Nikon.

Ritz Camera Culver City and the Toshiba Handibook

Two short years later, in early 2005, my Mom got me the N75 as an early high school graduation present from Ritz Camera at the Fox Hills Mall in Culver City. Even now, I still remember how much she paid for it—around $450. She didn’t have to spend that much. She could have easily gotten me the Toshiba Handibook, but she didn’t. She got me a Nikon. And you best believe I felt like a big-shot National Geographic photographer the second we walked out of Ritz Camera.

The kit included a Quantaray 28–90mm lens, a five-pack of Fujifilm, and the notorious Ritz Camera warranty. Yes, the warranty was expensive AF, but, as I’d later find out, it was worth every penny—I ended up working at the Ritz Camera in the Beverly Center later that year. I even bumped into the gal who sold me the N75 at a couple of training meetings at the flagship store in Beverly Hills. A story for another time.

High School, College, Backyard Parties and Weddings

From early 2005 to mid-2006, I photographed everything—from family and daily high school life to our last field trip and eventual graduation. Mind you, we couldn’t even bring Game Boys to school, so I had to be careful not to let it get confiscated. It was with me when I fell in love for the first time while working at Ritz Camera. In other words, the N75 represents that phase of life right after high school—when you finally feel like an adult, with the freedom to go where you want and do what you want. Not that I didn’t have that freedom before, but you know, it feels more "official" after graduation.

Sadly, both the F5 and D200 replaced it as my main camera in 2006. But when I moved to East L.A. in 2013, the N75 came with me on countless nights out because of five features we’ll get into in a bit. And by 2017, it became essential for photographing Los Angeles at night for my personal project, Semiotic Nights, and even documented my days as a college student at ELAC.

Nowadays, because of the N75’s lightweight and compact size, I usually pair it with the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D. A combo that balances well in the hands, adding no extra weight—feels like I’m just holding the 85 by itself. The autofocus is surprisingly fast for a camera in this class, the difference in comfort and weight is noticeable—and much appreciated—during long hours of photographing weddings.

It’s why I keep two N75s around: a black one with a Quartz Date back and the MB-18 battery pack attached, serving as a telephoto carrier and backup for my F5 and F6, and doubling as a "party" camera during receptions. The date imprint (all the rage these days) and a handful of features I’ll touch on later make it perfect for the job. The second is a silver one I keep for nostalgia—a time capsule of my early adult life. And I can’t imagine parting with either of them.

Nikon N75 Sample Photos
taken with the Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G

Incredible Nikkor Lens and Nikon Speedlight Compatibility

While not unique to the N75, the insane compatibility of the Nikon F-mount is worth mentioning, especially when you consider the N75 was marketed as a camera for beginners and soccer moms—much like today’s Nikon Zfc. However, while the N75 can mount nearly any AIS, AF-D, and AF-G lens, that doesn’t mean you should. Still, it highlights the impressive flexibility of this tiny powerhouse. In other words, this is a camera that grows alongside you as a photographer. For me, it started as an everyday high school camera and now serves as a reliable second camera for weddings.

Now, when it comes to flash, the built-in pop-up flash is more than enough for most situations, especially if you’re going for that point-and-shoot look. While rated for 28mm lenses at about 10 feet, I’ve gotten decent results with lenses as wide as 24mm and as "zoomed in" as 80mm. If you need more power, the N75 is compatible with the SB-800, SB-600, SB-80DX, SB-50DX, and SB-28 Nikon Speedlights. Personally, I slap on the SB-23 and call it a day.

A Point-and-Shoot Film Camera for Beginners

You don’t need me to tell you that, for whatever reason, both film and digital (digicam) point-and-shoot cameras have not only made a comeback but are now priced through the roof. Honestly, I don’t get it. I worked at camera stores like Ritz Camera and Samy’s in Pasadena for well over ten years, and back then, both digicams and film point-and-shoots were junk—and in my opinion, still are. That said, if you want the point-and-shoot look without spending point-and-shoot money (can’t believe I even have to say that), just get an N75.

Thanks to the meter Nikon engineers put in it, the N75 far outclasses both the F5 and F6 in terms of keepers. In other words, it delivers consistently well-balanced exposures when paired with D or G-type lenses, all without the need for an external light meter. The N75 weighs about the same as a typical point-and-shoot, uses the same quirky batteries, is incredibly easy to operate thanks to its simple and elegant design, and offers the added benefit of better image quality—all at a fraction of the price of the Nikon 28Ti or 35Ti.

Five Features That Make the N75 Easy to Use—Even If You’re Drunk

As I mentioned in the intro, the N75 is by far one of the most advanced and feature-rich 35mm film cameras ever made. When it was introduced—and even now—it stands out for five key features that no other film camera can match. In fact, the only Nikon cameras that share these features are the D200, D300, D300s, and D700 (excluding the film advance feature). Had the N75 been made with a magnesium alloy body like the F100, it could have been the best 35mm film camera ever made, dethroning the legendary F3.

When set to AUTO, all five features work seamlessly together, letting you literally point and shoot—even with one hand. I know this firsthand because I’ve taken my N75 to countless parties and nights out, relying on these features to kick in after one too many drinks. Making the N75 the perfect disposable camera alternative for weddings—because not a single frame goes to waste. So, what are these five magical features?

• AF-Assist Illuminator (Beam Light) — Helps the N75 focus in the dark.

• Focus Confirmation Beep Sound — Lets you know when the camera is in focus.

• Built-in Speedlight (Pop-Up Flash) — Keeps the N75 lightweight without needing an external flash.

• Auto Film Advance — Automatically advances film and rewinds one frame at a time into the canister after each exposure. Ensuring no frame is lost, even if your drunk self accidentally opens the back. It also conveniently displays how many shots you have left, a feature I wish my F5 and F6 had.

• Closest-Subject Priority Auto Focus (with AF Mode Selector) — Automatically focuses on the nearest subject or person, with the added convenience of quickly selecting this mode via the AF Mode Selector on the back of the camera.

AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G: Nikon’s Hidden Gem

I’d be remiss not to mention the lens the N75 and N55 are usually paired with: the AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G. A lens quickly dismissed for its lightweight, "junky" build quality. But let me tell you—aside from its stylish silver finish that perfectly matches a silver N75—the optics in this lens are incredible, thanks to its very low element count of only six. This lens is insanely versatile: sharp when you need it to be (with flash or in plenty of light) and soft when you want it to be, delivering a disposable-camera look in natural light. For what it costs, this lens outperforms expectations, punching well above its weight class.

YouTube "Photographers" Are Too Snobby for Kit Lenses

It’s time to drop the idea that kit lenses are junk to be thrown away with yesterday’s trash—a misguided notion constantly shoved down our throats by Sony, Fuji, and—most of all—Canon fanboys on YouTube. Which is funny, because we have Canon to blame for this mess in the first place. For a long time, a "kit lens" usually meant something like a 50mm f/1.8—a solid, well-built lens that is now sought after for its "character" by the very people who trashed kit lenses in the first place.

Canon started cutting corners and churning out cheap, plasticky lenses in the mid-90s, got ahead in the mid-2000s, and by the early 2010s, their influence—along with their loyal band of YouTube "influencers"—cemented the idea that kit lenses are worthless. However, Nikon didn’t follow that trend—especially with the Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G. If you’ve read the One Thousand Nights article on this lens, you’ll know that Haruo Sato, the lens’s designer, had a mission: to create an affordable yet high-performing lens to end the stigma that kit lenses are junk. And he succeeded.

Drawbacks of the Nikon N75

Honestly, there’s not much to dislike about the N75—it’s as close to perfect as you can get with a "modern" 35mm film camera. However, aside from its lack of weatherproofing (which, to be fair, isn’t a big deal), the N75 does have two minor flaws:

Quirky CR2 Batteries

• The N75 runs on a pair of CR2 batteries, $20 for a ten-pack of the Tenergy brand on Amazon. A pair lasts at least 20 rolls of film, a non-issue if you use the N75 occasionally. However, CR2 batteries are expensive and sometimes difficult to find in other countries. If you plan to travel with the N75, I recommend picking up the Nikon MB-18 battery pack grip, which uses four AA batteries. Which surprisingly doesn’t add much weight to the N75. If anything, it balances better in the hands.

Small Viewfinder

• The N75’s viewfinder is small compared to models like the F3, F5, or F6. However, this might not be an issue if you’re used to Nikon DSLRs with double- or quad-digit model numbers, which have similarly sized viewfinders, or even disposable cameras. Again, a non-issue but, if use the N75 at night, the smaller viewfinder can be a challenge. Thankfully, the AF assist beam, the red-highlighted focus brackets, and the focus confirmation indicator and beep sound more than compensate for this "drawback."

Is the Nikon N75 Worth Purchasing in 2025?

Five or ten years ago, I would have said to pick up as many N75s as you could find. Considering it was $350 brand new in 2003, to then sell for just $10–$20 used a few years later. However, because of the you-know-what in 2020, it’s no secret everything, especially in the second-hand market, has gone up in price. Unfortunately, N75s now go for $50, with mint-condition models (particularly the Quartz Date version) going for about $100.

For some reason, the black version is a little harder to find. That said, when compared to the F6 and F100 in terms of features, the N75 is a bargain—especially if you need a 35mm film camera for college, a backup film camera, want to introduce film into your wedding photography without breaking the bank, or, as I mentioned earlier, as an alternative to a disposable film camera. If you find one at a good price, grab it—two if you can—because I suspect their prices will only continue to rise.

Nikon Film SLR Camera Alternatives

Maybe $100 feels like a lot for an N75, a film camera from the early 2000s—I get it. But at the same time, we’ve got people out here paying $500 for the Pentax 17 Half-Frame Film Camera, which is insane to me in this economy. If you’re on the lookout for a better deal, I recommend the Nikon N6006, N65, or N55, which can be found for $30–$50, often paired with the Nikkor 28-80mm or a 28-90mm Quantaray lens. If you’re in Los Angeles, check out the L.A. Camera Expo (swap meet). It was originally hosted in Pasadena, but now it’s held in Huntington Park. Either way, it’s worth a visit—I once found a brand-new N75 there for $10.

The Legacy of the N75: Nikon’s Last Hurrah

Nikon outdid themselves with the N75, cramming every possible feature into it. Just as they did with the F6, the N75 represents one of Nikon’s final masterpieces from the film era, their last two film cameras to roll out of the factory. Some N75s even came with a Quartz Date back, a rare find today. Sadly, my original N75 is long gone. Yet that silver N75 was more than just my first camera—it was my entry into the Nikon brand, my introduction to film photography, and, for lack of a better term, my gateway into the "real" world.

I currently own two N75s: a silver one I picked up for ten bucks at the Pasadena Camera Swap Meet, and a black one with a date back. I have no intention of selling either—not because of their market value, but because of the emotional attachment I have towards them.

It’s why I believe gear does matter—not because you need the most expensive camera, but because you need a camera that means something to you. A camera that feels good in your hands. Dare I say, even a camera that makes you feel cool—or, in my case, like a National Geographic photographer. For me, the N75 is all of that and more. It’s not just a film camera; it’s a reminder of where I started. It’s incredible to think how this little piece of electronics, encased in fancy plastic, has brought so much joy into my life over the years. And in the end, isn’t that what truly matters?