I did not even look at the N60, so I cannot comment on its interface, but
the N70 really is NOT confusing to use. In fact, the only reason I look at
the manual is to read about what certain functions are, since many are new
to me (AE bracketing, Exposure Compensation, etc.). But to select a
function and set its value is cakewalk. Just think of these two phrases:
What function? What value?
Here's how it works; it's time to put the myth to rest.
All you ever need to think about is (1) What function? and (2) What value?
That's all you need to remember. The rest is right there on the camera and
waiting for you in a consistent interface.
Let's say I want to do AE bracketing of -2/3 stop. I press and hold the
function button with the left finger and rotate the dial with the right to
the bracketing section. To set the value, I press the button labeled set
with the left finger and rotate the dial to a value of -2/3 (two clicks).
If I want to change to another comp value, I press set and rotate the dial.
If I want to change to spot metering, I press function and rotate the dial
to the metering. I then press set and rotate the dial to select which
metering I went (matrix, center, spot).
It's very intuitive and consistent.
Let's say there are several settings you like to change and use for most
pictures. That's a fine candidate for one of your 3 custom QR (quick
recall) settings. The 4th one is the factory default. So you set your
different options, such as center-weighted metering, wide-focus, AE comp of
+2/3 stop, and Aperture Priority. To save it, press and hold the In button
(to put it In a save-spot) and rotate the dial to the QR value you want to
store it in (1, 2, or 3). Now, any time you want to recall those settings,
just press and hold the Out button (to pull it Out of a save-spot) and
rotate the dial to the QR value you want to retrieve. Poof...you've just
set all those items. Now, feel free to override one or two if you need to.
So using the consistent interface allows you to find what you want, and
using the QR functions allow you to rapidly recall a group of settings as
your basis point. By effectively choosing your QR (which I haven't done yet
since I'm still new to the N70), you can quickly choose your settings and
even work around the curse of the unlit LCD display (at night).
Now, you may be thinking...function, set, in, out, dial....argh! But it's
very simple. The dial is easily rotated by the right thumb, and the in
button is hard to reach (so you don't accidentally press it and wipe out a
saved setting). The out button is on the top-left near the front of the
camera. It is small and round. Function is on the top-left, centered near
the rear, is oval and wide. Set is right below it and is a wide oval,
though smaller than function. The buttons are very easily discernible by
touch.
Okay, but what about focus-locking? Typical. Hold the button half-way
(assuming the mode is on focus-priority rather than shutter-priority) to
obtain focus and then recompose your subject off-center.
What about exposure-locking? Say you're inside a house and the sun is
shining strongly through the window. This one's a bit tricky, and if others
have tips for me, I'd appreciate it as I tried some of these this
morning...First, obtain a focus-lock on the subject, then point the camera
at what you want to meter and while carefully holding the shutter button
halfway (for focus-lock), use your thumb to depress the exposure-lock
button...this is the awkward part. Now, keeping exposure-lock depressed and
focus-lock half-pressed, finish composing your picture and press the shutter
release the rest of the way. That's how I understand it to work. A bit
tricky on coordination, but it works. I would imagine one can just press
the exposure-lock and then compose their picture, but I'm not certain, so I
did it the way I described.
That pretty much sums up the controls on the N70. Oh, the set button is
labeled set/timer (diagram of a timer). So to use that, press set and
rotate the dial one click to engage the timer.
I'm only on my second roll of film with this camera and I absolutely love
it. I haven't found the interface difficult at all. And that means it
encourages me to play with all the settings.
Ross
If I then decide to change it to -1.0, I press and release function to
select that function, and that function type (the last one selected). Now I
press set and rotate the dial for the value.
While that might seem a tad bit awkward that you must press and release
function before changing the value, it isn't, because it makes the interface
behave in a simple and consistent manner throughout.
Want to change the flash
