A simple 35mm camera outfit

What is a Nikon F55 kit?

Well, this is one of the last film cameras produced by Nikon at the turn of the millennium, it is cheap, lightweight and simple yet surprisingly capable.

The F55 kit includes the camera with its usual kit lens, the excellent 28-80 g and also the moderately capable 70-300 and is quite a bargain these days. But why would I want to use such an outfit if I already have much better Nikon equipment?

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[unfotografodepelicula]

I had an f60 and it was a great camera to walk around and landscaping, now I'm back to my FM2n and F100 ;) great video!!! thanks!!

[dejong]

Like it! Much overlooked entry level Cameras / Kit lenses, but it is what you do with it rather than having the most expensive on paper best lens. Good use to take the weigth as criterium to take what equipment to take with you on a hike! Sorry for not commenting your videos but have been watching them all!

[lesliewalters]

I remember using the f55 and that 28-80mm lens with slide film and was blown away by the sharpness, colour and exposure of that combination. If someone takes care and doesn't machine gun through a roll, then it's not so expensive. Looking forward to your Hill trip

[thegroove]

Literally just ordered the kit on eBay because of your review.

[chacker]

It's nice to see someone use entry level gear with full awareness of its weaknesses and on purpose. You said several times "I have many of them" ... how many of these cameras did you ... I mean, you know these are not single use cameras intentionally 😉

[milanmedek]

Nice video. I started with an F50 more the 20 years ago. My first Nikon. Still works today, however I use an FM2 now.

[AliasJimWirth]

Always interesting content, Steve, never a disappoint. Thanks for posting.

[lensman]

Some of the cheap as chips Nikon lenses, actually have amazing performance if used with common sense, as you correctly mentioned. I have a 28~105 AF-D which at F8 or about is indistinguishable from my old 35~ 70 AF-D F2.8, and I know the latter is a superb lens from a period when Nikon Pro lenses were made of metal and built to last. The 28 ~105 is a superb walk about lens when mounted on either my F80 or F90X. I have a Sigma 24~ 105 F4 ART lens for my Nikon D800. It is a superb lens but it is almost a 1Kg in weight . I feel that I am more inclined to carry the little EM5 MKii with the 12~40 F2.8 Pro than the heavy Nikons these days.

[jw]

Great coverage and points. I've got three of the Rebel Ti film bodies kicking around, bought at thrift stores for $20 each. They're essentially disposable, used whenever I don't want to risk my other kit. The Elan 7 is the mid-grade Canon, and the EOS 3 would be semi-pro, maybe a bit higher spec than the F100. What I like about the Canon is the Image stabilized consumer primes and zooms. Specifically the 28-135mm IS and 35mm IS. It helps so much with my shaky hands, which was reason enough to choose Canon over Nikon. Looking forward to seeing your N55 vid next!

[spuggym]

Got a Pentax SV for 85 pounds with a Super Takumar 50mm f1.8, I think the only other SLR I'd want to buy is probably a Nikon F for the waist level viewfinder. Granted I do have a Canon Rebel G which is similar to this, and for a trip out where I dont want to think too much about looking after the gear thats definitely one to consider. I guess this type is good for digital shooters coming into film if they have the same camera systems due to the lens compatability

[oilyrag]

Both of these kit lenses have plastic mounts which will break in time. It did on my otherwise excellent 28-80 when two of the three locking tabs broke rendering the lens useless. And it wasn't me being hamfisted as I'm always very careful with my gear.

[jonnoMoto]

That's more or less what I bought 20urs ago. An f65. Lenses were the same but black. Added the 50mm f1.8 pretty soon on. The 70-300 is ok but pretty crap at 300mm.

Used mine hiking, out mountain biking, rock climbing. The 28-100 finally died whilst caving.

Still use it today but did suffer the Nikon sticky rubber

[ldstirling]

Steve, is that another silver F55 with 28-80mm kit lens on that shelf in the background of your video? If so, is that camera broken or still in-use?

[tacituskilgore]

It's a good chance to show off your handsome face, O'Nions!

[weisserth]

Paper lenses.

I get why you bought this, but quite honestly buying crappy cheap stuff over time is more expensive than buying something proper once.