Nikon Action Touch Underwater Camera Review by Stephanie Bryan

Nikon Action Touch Underwater Camera Review by Stephanie Bryan on Shoot It With Film
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Written by Stephanie Bryan

I carry a camera with me pretty much everywhere I go. Usually, I bring my Canon Rebel 2000 and light meter, but sometimes I hate having to lug my light meter around.

So I went searching for a camera that was mindless and I could literally just point and shoot. Enter the Nikon Action Touch.

Find the Nikon Action Touch on eBay.

Nikon Action Touch Underwater Camera Review by Stephanie Bryan on Shoot It With Film

Why I Love the Nikon Action Touch

I was in love with this camera from my very first roll.

This camera is SO super simple, and, literally, you just load your film and push the shutter button.

And the best part is that it’s WATERPROOF! Yep – an underwater, point and shoot, film camera. It doesn’t get much better than that.

You can find the Nikon Action Touch on eBay and occasionally in some of the Facebook film groups or at KEH.com.

And if you see one, you better snatch it up because these things go like hotcakes on Sunday morning!

Nikon Action Touch Underwater Camera Review by Stephanie Bryan on Shoot It With Film
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Build and Lens of the Nikon Action Touch

The body of the Nikon Action Touch is completely sealed, and as I mentioned, completely waterproof.

It houses an f2.8, 35mm, has a pretty decent autofocus (above water) and easily adjustable focal range for shooting underwater.

Nikon Action Touch Underwater Camera Review by Stephanie Bryan on Shoot It With Film

Loading and Rewinding

Loading the camera is just like any other 35mm film camera – just slide in your film, link the leader on the film spool, and press the button to load the film.

The Nikon Action Touch does not rewind automatically when you finish your roll, but the button to rewind the film is easily located on the bottom of the camera.

Be careful to unload your film AFTER your camera has dried completely.

If you are shooting underwater and go to unload your film while your camera body is still wet, you risk damaging the inside components of the camera.

Nikon Action Touch Underwater Camera Review by Stephanie Bryan on Shoot It With Film

DX Code Hack to Change the ISO

My biggest tip for shooting with the Nikon Action Touch is to cover or adjust the DX code on your roll of film so the camera reads the roll as an ISO 100 film stock even if your film has a higher ISO.

The DX code is a bar on the film canister made of black and silver squares. The pattern of squares tells the camera the film’s ISO and how many exposures are on the roll.

I typically use a 200 or 400 speed film and cover the DX code with a piece of black tape so the camera reads the film as ISO 100! This just helps give your images a little bump of exposure.

You can read a full step-by-step tutorial for hacking your DX code here.

Film DX Code Hack on Shoot It With Film

Image Quality and Final Thoughts

The overall image quality of this camera is pretty decent, although if you’re going for super clear, super sharp images, this probably isn’t the camera for you.

The Nikon Action Touch (find on eBay) is just a fun, mindless camera. You really don’t have to think about anything other than pointing and shooting!

It’s perfect for beginners, professionals and hobbyists alike! This camera is my go-to when I want something simple and easy to capture our day – especially any day at the beach or pool!

Nikon Action Touch Underwater Camera Review by Stephanie Bryan on Shoot It With Film

Thank you so much, Stephanie! To see more of Stephanie’s work, be sure to visit her on her website and Instagram!

Check out Stephanie’s other Shoot It With Film articles here, including an article on how to shoot Kodak ColorPlus 200! You can also read more of our film camera reviews here.

Leave your questions about the Nikon Action Touch below in the comments, and pick one up for yourself on eBay here!

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