Nikon N2020 – Nikon’s first autofocus SLR camera

The Nikon F501 or the Nikon N2020 as they call it in North America was Nikon’s first autofocus SLR camera released in 1986. What interest me the most about this camera is the obvious transition in design and use compared to older Nikon film SLR’s. From mostly manual operation to leaning more into automation. Still, unlike the Nikon f801 which looks and functions like a modern Nikon DSLR, the Nikon N2020 is a combination of both the classic and the “modern”. This makes the camera very unique among its peers. Plus, I’m digging how this camera looks.

One of the more obvious change in Nikon N2020 compared to the widely popular F series SLR cameras from Nikon is the absence of the film advance lever. This camera has an automatic film loading and advance mechanism first introduced in its older brother the Nikon N2000 (F301). Funny enough both cameras needs the film to be rewinded manually after the roll is exhausted. A good example of combining the old and the new. The two cameras are practically the same except for the introduction of autofocus in the Nikon N2020. Speaking of autofocus, since this is Nikon’s first autofocus SLR, I wouldn’t rely much on the autofocus speed specially on moving subjects, although I find the focus confirmation light in the viewfinder very helpful and makes the camera capable of manual focusing.

Looking at the top, we can still see a rewind crank, a physical shutter dial (with speeds of bulb, 1 second to 1/2000th and an option for Aperture priority and program mode), an exposure compensation dial and an iso selector. You can select DX mode on the iso dial which then reads the film’s DX coding so the camera knows what iso the film is. Also located at the top are the hotshoe, the shutter release button, a rewind lever and button to allow for the use of the rewind crank, an on/off switch which also doubles as the single/continous shot selector, an audible sound switch and the frame counter.

As always, when trying a “new” film camera I used an expired Kodak Max 400 film rated at iso 200 as a test roll. Needless to say I am happy on how the photos turned out but would definetly need to start using fresh films when I shoot again. 🙂

Shooting in the streets, this camera can be on a disadvantage specially if you are trying to be discreet. The camera’s size is fine, a bit bigger or as big as some olders Nikons, but the noise of the autofocus is just an attention getter! It is loud and proud and the fact that the focus hunts a bit makes it even worse. Plus the auto advance motor creates a noise that sounds oddly familiar with the autofocus. Don’t get me wrong, I like the noises the camera makes but don’t expect to go unnoticed and be ready for a few stares from people close to you when shooting.

Overall, it was a great shooting experience using this camera and would definetly shoot it again soon. Although if you are looking to buy a Nikon N2020, I’ll highly recommend checking the manual focus N2000 because of the split focus screen. The autofocus on the N2020 just isn’t that realible that you are better of using manual focus. But if your style of shooting is slow and methodic, the Nikon N2020 is more than enough of an autofocus camera. 🙂