Nikon F90 (N90) (1992–2001)
The Nikon F90 - sold as the N90 in the United States - was Nikon's 1992 answer to Canon's increasingly dominant autofocus SLRs. It was aimed at the advanced amateur and prosumer, and it was positioned as something of a "catch-up" camera. The F90 had a faster autofocus system and a slimmer body than Nikon's pro-level F4, and it kept most of that flagship's high-end features. It was made in Japan throughout its production run, which lasted from 1992 to 2001. That is a long life for a camera in this segment.
The autofocus module is Nikon's CAM246. A small motor in the camera body drives it and links mechanically to the lens, which is the opposite of Canon's approach of putting a motor in each lens. The F90 also introduced Nikon's 3D Matrix metering system. The shutter is electronically controlled, vertical-travel and metal focal-plane, and it runs from 30 seconds down to 1/8000, with flash sync at 1/250. It uses the standard Nikon F lens mount and shoots 35mm film with a 24×36mm frame. Metering range at ISO 100 with an f/1.4 lens is EV −1 to 21 in 3D evaluative and center-weighted modes, and EV 3-21 in spot mode.
Many working pros adopted it despite its semi-pro billing, and its ruggedness is frequently cited as one of its best qualities. Amateur Photographer has called it a bargain, noting that its feature set rivaled cameras far above its price point. The F90X (N90s in the US) arrived later as a refined variant. The two are distinct models, though documentation on the exact differences between them is thin. One commonly noted limitation of the F90X is that multiple exposures require the optional MF-26 data back.
Today the F90 remains a popular entry point into 90s Nikon autofocus film bodies. Used prices are modest, and bodies typically sell in the £99 - €185 range depending on condition and accessories. Durable build, reliable autofocus and intuitive controls keep it in regular rotation among film shooters.
Similar items on eBay
No exact Nikon F90 (N90) listings are live right now — these searches show current Nikon and similar vintage camera gear on eBay:
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.