The large parking area suggests a large tap room. But the tap room is way too small.
Bhavna, Shaan, and I recently had two disparate experiences at Burnt Mills Cider in Bedminster, Somerset County. Our first trip on a weekend in the summer of 2022 was enjoyable, encouraging us to plan another visit. As residents of Somerset County, we wanted to support our local businesses. We left home in Montgomery Township around 5:15 PM on a workday this time, driving north for an hour to reach the cidery around 6:15 PM. Our goal? To sip cider and munch on goodies from the Veganish food truck. But, as life often reminds us, things don't always go according to plan.
Upon arrival, we faced our first challenge: a packed, dimly lit, unpaved, and uneven parking area. It took a lot of work to navigate the potholes and bumps in the parking lot to find parking. We found a parking spot near the entrance, far from the tap room. Armed with our iPhones as torches, we reached the taproom.
We got to the taproom and realised there was no food truck. I understand this isn't Burnt Mills Cidery's fault, but they must work with reliable food truck vendors. We thought about ordering delivery from one of the nearby restaurants, but we expected it would be at least a 30-minute wait, and we were hungry.
Inside, the small tap room was packed. We could hardly hear ourselves discussing what to do next. We had just driven almost an hour, and based on how filled the small tap room looked, we expected a shitty experience. We did not relish the experience of standing around drinking while shouting over the din. The outdoor space was available. It was cold outside, even with winter coats. Sitting outside drinking cider while inhaling smoke from a firepit was not the experience we wanted.
Inside, the tiny taproom was buzzing with people, making it hard to think, let alone chat. Faced with the prospect of a less-than-appealing experience, we made a call. Instead of braving the crowded space or the cold outdoors next to a smoky firepit, we decided to head to Flounder Brewing, grabbing pizza en route. It was a great decision – Flounder's spacious taproom and heated outdoor area offered a comfortable and relaxing evening.
Burnt Mills Cider, Bedminster · 16 December 2023 · Apple iPhone 11 Pro · iPhone 11 Pro back camera 6mm f/2
But we weren't ready to give up on Burnt Mills Cider yet! Determined to give the cidery a chance, we planned a daytime visit. We pre-ordered pizza from Bedminster Pizza this time and arrived early on a Saturday. What a difference!
The welcoming staff clustered behind the small taproom. As we ate pizza, we explored a variety of cider flavours. Bhavna and Shaan each enjoyed a flight: Shaan's included Fall Spice, Blackcurrant, Cider Donut, and The Hunt, while Bhavna's featured Fall Spice, Jersey Peach, Cider Donut, and The Hunt. My picks? I enjoyed half pours of the "Semi-Dry" and "Hops. I was disappointed that the "Sparkling Dry" was, so I had a half-pour of Blackcurrant. Shaan was delighted by the "Cider Donut" cider, which she said tasted like cider doughnuts. The jam-like qualities of the Black Currant were a shared favourite. We ended our visit just as the crowd began to get larger, bringing home cans of "Semi-Dry," "Hops," and "Black Currant,"
My problem with Burnt Mills Cider cider is that the tap room needs to be bigger to accommodate the number of people arriving in the cars that fill the large parking area. To a first-time visitor, the parking area suggests a large tap room. Once the tap room gets packed, ordering cider becomes problematic. The recipe for a good experience is to visit on the weekend, arrive as close to opening as possible, and pre-order your food for delivery or pickup.
The Nikon N2020 is user-friendly and offers a classic SLR design, but most importantly, it has auto-focus.
As an avid photography enthusiast, I have a soft spot for my Minolta XD-11 and Minolta X-700 cameras. However, my less-than-ideal vision, resulting from cataract surgery in the early 2000s and multiple eye surgeries in 2019, have made manual focusing challenging. While my everyday activities are manageable, photography requires more precision. Therefore, I sought to purchase a 35mm film camera to accommodate my needs.
Here's a concise list of the features I desired:
Autofocus and manual capability
Classic design reminiscent of late 1970s and 1980s film cameras
Programmed auto-exposure mode
Aperture priority and Shutter priority modes
Manual ISO dial
Exposure compensation dial
Solid and durable construction
After seeking advice from Jim Grey and reading reviews online, I decided the Nikon N2020 (Nikon F-501) was the perfect fit. I scoured eBay and KEH for weeks without purchasing until one fortuitous spring morning in Princeton. While walking around with my Fuji X-T3, I "stumbled" into the New York Camera of Princeton. It’s interesting how often I stumble into New York Camera of Princeton. 🙂
After a short conversation about my needs, the shop owner handed me a clean and functional Nikon N2020 from the display case and even replaced the batteries for me to test. The camera felt good in my hands, and the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens provided with it seemed capable. After a brief overview of its essential features and several presses of the shutter, I couldn't contain my excitement, especially when they offered the body and lens for a reasonable price of $87.
Specification
Details
Camera Type
Film SLR
Film Format
35mm
Lens Mount
Nikon F Mount
Shutter Type
Electronically controlled focal plane shutter
Shutter Speed Range
30 seconds to 1/2000th of a second
Exposure Modes
Program, Aperture Priority, Manual
ISO Range
25 - 5000
Built-in Light Meter
Yes
Viewfinder Type
Pentaprism Viewfinder
Autofocus
Yes
Multiple Exposure
Yes
Self-Timer
Yes
Battery
Two 3V CR1/3N or DL1/3N lithium batteries
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Approx. 146 x 91.5 x 59 mm
Weight
Approx. 470 grams (body only)
Fujichrome PROVIA 400F - Expired · Wednesday 19 April 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
The Nikon N2020, released in 1986, was a groundbreaking camera that revolutionised photography with its autofocus technology. It made focusing quicker and more accurate, a significant advantage for capturing moving subjects and action shots. Despite the technology's limitations compared to modern cameras, the N2020's autofocus is considered quick for its time, and it helped make photography more accessible to a wider audience.
Auto Focus: Auto Focus is the main reason I wanted this camera. The N2020 utilises Nikon's first-generation autofocus module, with 96 CCDs focused on a subject in the centre of the frame. Later modules, like the AM200 used in the F4, had 200 CCDs. The autofocus uses a "screw drive" mechanism, where the camera body's motor drives the lens. Nikon labelled the initial screw drive lenses as "AF" or "AF-D." Nowadays, most autofocus lenses have motors within the lens but are powered by the camera body, resulting in less noise and vibration.
Despite being slower than modern cameras, the N2020's autofocus is still capable, particularly in well-lit conditions. It performs better in daylight than in low-light situations. The camera can achieve "focus lock" by half-depressing the shutter, allowing you to reframe while maintaining focus. However, the screw drive autofocus generates some noise during operation.
The N2020 offers "single" and "continuous" autofocus modes. In "single" mode, the shutter will not release until the subject is focused, allowing for focus lock and reframing. The "continuous" mode attempts autofocus tracking but is not very effective.
Fujichrome PROVIA 400F - Expired · Wednesday 19 April 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Viewfinder: My copy of the Nikon N2020 has a reasonably clear and uncluttered viewfinder, although it may be less bright than other models. The viewfinder displays LEDs for the shutter speed on the right side and focusing indicators at the bottom, providing essential information for composing shots.
By default, the camera has a "Type B" focusing screen. However, you have the option to replace it with either a proprietary "Type J" screen (matte/fresnel with a centred microprism) or a "Type E" screen (grid).
Focus Assist: The Nikon N2020 allows most manual focus Nikon lenses to utilise its autofocus sensor for "assistance." By half-pressing the shutter button, you activate the sensor, and arrows and a circle will appear at the bottom of the viewfinder. Once the centre circle turns "green," it indicates that the lens is in focus. This focus assist feature is valuable and has been incorporated into subsequent higher-end Nikon film SLRs.
Exposure Modes: The Nikon N2020 offers three program modes: aperture priority and manual operation. In program modes, only the shutter speed is shown in the viewfinder. "Program" is a fully automatic mode setting both aperture and shutter speed. "Program Hi" sets a higher shutter speed and wider aperture. "Program Dual" switches to "Program Hi" for lenses 135mm or longer; otherwise, it uses regular "Program." Aperture priority mode lets users choose the aperture, while manual allows setting both shutter speed and aperture. The camera indicates meter mismatches by blinking the shutter speed.
Fujichrome PROVIA 400F - Expired · Wednesday 19 April 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Auto Film Loading: With auto film loading, the Nikon N2020 streamlines the process of loading film, making it quick and efficient for photographers to start capturing their images without requiring extensive manual film threading. Push the shutter button after loading the film canister to activate this feature. There is no automatic film rewind.
Under Exposure Warning Alarm: The Nikon N2020 features an underexposure warning alarm with a switch on the top. If the selected shutter speed and aperture combination is insufficient for the lighting conditions, it produces a loud beep. However, you have the option to disable this feature if desired.
Motor Drive: The Nikon N2020 has an integrated motor drive for continuous shooting. However, the motor drive on this camera is relatively loud and lacks sound-dampening, which means it can be noticeable during operation.
The N2020 can achieve up to 2.5 frames per second in the fastest continuous shooting mode. This rate is comparable to other non-professional cameras of its time. Under normal ideal shooting conditions, the camera can sustain a continuous shooting speed of about 1.5 to 2 frames per second.
Fujichrome PROVIA 400F - Expired · Wednesday 19 April 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
While the continuous shooting capability is useful for capturing fast-paced action or sequences of shots, the noise produced by the motor drive might be a consideration for photographers who prefer a quieter shooting experience, especially in quiet or discreet shooting environments. However, for situations where capturing multiple frames in quick succession is essential, the Nikon N2020's motor drive provides a functional and effective tool for those needs.
Film Speed: The Nikon N2020 offers versatile film speed options for various shooting scenarios. The ISO dial has a DX setting, automatically recognising and reading the film's coded information from DX-coded film cassettes. This simplifies the shooting process, as the camera sets the appropriate ISO speed of the film automatically, ensuring accurate metering and exposure settings.
For non-DX coded film cassettes or if the photographer wants to override the DX setting, the N2020 allows manual film speed selection. Users can manually choose any film speed between 25 to 3200 ISO. This wide range of manual film speed selection ensures compatibility with various types of 35mm films, including those with non-standard or specialised ISO ratings.
DX and manual film speed options allow photographers to use a wide array of film stocks, adjust sensitivity to lighting conditions, and accommodate creative preferences. Whether shooting with standard DX-coded films or experimenting with unique film emulsions, the Nikon N2020 provides the necessary versatility to achieve optimal exposure.
Fujichrome PROVIA 400F - Expired · Wednesday 19 April 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Exposure Compensation: You can override the camera's automatic metering and fine-tune the exposure for specific shooting conditions or creative effects. Located on the ASA dial, there is a dedicated wheel that enables exposure compensation adjustments ranging from -2 to +2 stops. To dial in the desired negative or positive exposure compensation value, simultaneously press an adjacent button and rotate the exposure compensation wheel.
Flounder Brewing · June 25, 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 · FUJICOLOR PRO 400H
The Nikon N2020's sturdy build quality and ergonomic design make it comfortable to handle during shooting sessions. Its versatile shutter speed range of 30 seconds to 1/2000th of a second, with a bulb mode, allows for creative photography, including long-exposure shots.
The camera's ISO range from 25 to 5000 offers flexibility in adapting to various lighting conditions, and it supports both DX-coded film and manual ISO adjustments.
Flounder Brewing · June 25, 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 · FUJICOLOR PRO 400H
The N2020’s compatibility with Nikon's F-mount lenses, renowned for their backward compatibility and extensive range, is a significant advantage. While the 43mm "perfect normal" focal length more closely matches the human eye’s perspective, the 50mm focal length was popularised by Leica, and it quickly became "standard." The "standard" AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens sold with the camera is a versatile, high-quality prime lens suitable for portraits, street photography, and low-light conditions.
Specification
Value
Name
AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Manufacturer
Nikon
Maximum Aperture
f/1.8
Minimum Aperture
f/16
Mount Type
Nikon F
Lens Type
Fixed Focal Length
Focal Length
50mm
Angle of View
46°
Minimum Focus Distance
0.45m
Lens Construction
6 elements in 5 groups
Diaphragm Blades
7
Autofocus
Yes
Filter Size
52mm
Weight
185g
Dimensions (DxL)
64.5 x 39mm
Recommended
Yes
So, what’s my conclusion? The Nikon N2020 provides a user-friendly experience, featuring intuitive controls, a bright viewfinder, and a classic 1980s SLR design. Its autofocus technology, versatile features, and lens compatibility make it an excellent choice for amateur 35mm film photography enthusiasts.
Flounder Brewing · June 25, 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 · FUJICOLOR PRO 400H
The Fujichrome Provia 400F was underexposed. I had forgotten to override the automatic DX settings that the camera read from the cartridge. The Fujichrome Provia 400F was exposed at box speed.
All the films were developed at Boutique Film Lab and scanned on my Epson Perfection V600. The Fujicolor Pro 400H and ORWO Wolfen Color NC500 negatives were converted using Negative Lab Pro.
If you like Minolta SLRs, you might also enjoy my reviews of the XD-11, the X-700, and the XG-1. Or check out all of my camera reviews here.
ORWO, short for "Original Wolfen," is the trademark of ORWO Net GmbH, a company based in Wolfen. They're well-known for their black and white film products, crafted in Germany and sold under the ORWO brand.
ORWO recently introduced a color-negative film called Wolfen NC500, an ISO 400 film. This film lacks a remjet layer, which can be processed in any standard C-41 colour film processing lab and is available in 35mm canisters of 36 exposures.
I wish I'd come across James Tocchio's experience report on ORWO Wolfen NC 500 before I used it. Sadly, I stumbled upon James' post several months after I had already loaded this film stock into my Nikon N2020. James' thoughts on his ORWO Wolfen NC 500 experience closely align with mine, so I'll let his words do the talking.
... let’s look at the grain structure. It’s heavy and exaggerated, and it does tend to diminish some of the detail of the film. Color films from Kodak’s Pro line certainly render sharper and cleaner images, and even ORWO’s own Wolfen NC400 has finer grain. Recall, however, that sharpness and cleanliness are not the intended goals for Wolfen NC500. Wolfen NC500 is not a true-to-life film. Not even close.
The de-saturation is certainly a "vibe". Colors are muted across the range, but especially so in the blue tones. Believe me when I say that the skies of Florida and the waters of the Gulf are all far bluer than images from this film indicate. Plants are greener, too. For those seeking to simply document the colors of the world as it is, Kodak’s color films are much better in this regard.
I'm with James on this one. I scanned the negative myself. I thought I'd messed up somewhere when I first saw the scans. So, I went back to Vuescan to check my settings. I also tinkered with the white balance for the images I brought into Adobe Lightroom. The images were not to my liking.
But it finally hit me after I checked out some sample photographs on the Lomography website. I had had a bit of a misconception about how this film stock would turn out. Personally, I'm a fan of the fine grain and more true-to-life colours you get with the Kodak Porta 400 film stock. ORWO Wolfen NC 500 doesn't do it for me.
Lastly, ORWO’s new color film is not cheap. Pricing ranges from shop to shop, but NC500 typically costs in the area of $17 per 36 exposure roll. Compared with some other color films, ORWO is pricey.
I burnt through the whole roll in just one day. Most of the shots were taken outside at the local farmers' market on a sunny July day.
Over at Analogue.Cafe, Dimitri thinks that if you're willing to put in extra work, you can find a use for this 35mm film. ORWO Wolfen NC 500 is pricier than Kodak Portra 400 film stock, and honestly, it doesn't look as good. Why bother?
ORWO is gearing up to release a new 200-ISO color negative film called NC 200. Hopefully this will be better than ORWO Wolfen Color NC 500. I can't recommend the ORWO Wolfen Color NC 500. I have zero plans to use it again.
Saturday 22 July 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8Saturday 22 July 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8Saturday 22 July 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8Saturday 22 July 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8Saturday 22 July 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8Saturday 22 July 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8Saturday 22 July 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8Saturday 22 July 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8Saturday 22 July 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8Saturday 22 July 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8Saturday 22 July 2023 · Nikon N2020 · AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
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