Price vs. Features Spot Metering (a must have for me) DOF preview (also a must) Auto bracketing Accurate Meter Manual (read cheap) Release ergonomics simplicity Nikon Glass

In order of my problems with it: -No metering with MF lenses (worst problem) -Viewfinder not 100% (not unusal except for high end cameras) -Nikon accesories are expensive as hell (flash cords, etc) -No mirror lockup (I shoot some macro but I''ve never really run into a problem with it) -Somewhat flismy feeling switches (so far only a percieved problem) -Slightly slow fps but I really never need to burn through frames

I''ve been using this camera for about a year and a half now. I used a N2000 since 1987 and have been sold on Nikon ever since. When I decided to make the leap to AF I looked at Canon which I liked but brand loyalty kept me with Nikon. I''m not a pro and while I love to have the f5 i can''t justify the extra cost. The n80 had the features I wanted at the price point I was willing to buy at. I have not regretted the decision at all although I do have a wish list of some other features. Reliability has been fantastic although I don''t like the plastic feeling AF/MF switch. It looks really easy to break although I never had heard of one breaking and I follow the camera newsgroups pretty closely. I use the standard batteries CR123A and have not experinced a lot of the complaints others have. I shoot mostly in the SF Bay Area so we have very mild conditions which may account for longer battery life as well as not shooting flash a lot. I do turn the camera off between shots. I haven''t understood the argument that I people have made about the n80 "only" taking 60 rolls between battery changes. If you can carry 60 rolls of film you can carry a couple of extra batteries with you. If you shoot for a living then buy a f5 or f100. If you shoot as a hobby, don''t intend to take the n80 on a battlefield and don''t have a lot of Ai lenses then consider the n80. I shoot 2 rolls a week and it gives me exactly what I want for my usage.

Customer Service

Never had to use Nikon customer service in 16 years of using a Nikon. Hope it stays that way.

Similar Products Used:

N2000 Minolta Maxxum 5

The feel, is light, but not heavy as compared to my N5005, or my recently acquired N70. but you can feel the quality in the product. Shucks it''s a Nikon, dude!!!!!!!!

It''s a new Nikon, but when me and my machine, bond I am sure that the word NONE, will be a suitable description.

I have read a number of reviews, and I am a avid Nikon_man. I have mainly read the expert(pro), reviews. Mainly to help me in my descission to puchase the N80. Some were very critical, but most were very helpful. It is because of these reviews, and my experience with Nikon, that I purchased one. Thanks for your expert(pro) reviews, especially the helpful, ones. But remember, its not the machine, but the operator, behind the controls of the machine, that presents the final, positive or negative result.

Customer Service

My N5005''s entire system locked up, but Nikon, replaced the entire system. My machine has functioned perfectly, ever since. Nikon strikes again.

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Nikon N5005, N70, Pronea 6i(APS N70, Pentax K-1000, Nikon Pronea S, and a Olympus XA, aperature priority camera. I just Love!!!!, my Nikons!!!!

•AF is VERY clear and crisp •Grid Lines, they are very helpful •I enjoy the lightweight •Good size to it when battery pack is added.

None that I have found

This camera is a great SLR. My friend had one and after he let me use it for a few hours, I was hooked, I knew I had to get one. The possibilities are seemingly endless on this camera.

Similar Products Used:

N70, N65

True spot meter Light Weight Small Size A lot of metal in the construction (lens mount, chassis) Controls are very intuitive Good Ergonomics, very comfortabel feel in my hands Good built-in flash Illuminated LCD viewfinder grid and top LCD panel (great for night shooting)

Small size Light weight Plastic exterior Slow shutter release response

This si a camera for someone that wants a capable body that they can grow with and later possibly keep as a backup. The matrix, spot and center-weighted meters give you all necessary options for any lighting situation. The camera is slow though. There''''s significant lag between the press of the shutter release and the actual taking of the picture. That''''s my biggest reason for wanting the F100, I need the responsiveness for people shots. With the N80 you''''re likely to miss a moment if you don''''t anticipate it. It''''s something you can get used to, and I have, but I still don''''t like it.

Customer Service

Have never dealt with Nikon Customer Service

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N70, Canon Elan IIE

Will take pictures of people and animals without scaring them. Will expose film accurately, frame after frame. Will provide years of FUN. Will save you money. Will save your back.s

Won''t fix your car''s radiator. Won''t take pictures at the south pole. Won''t take pictures of star trails. Won''t make you look like a gear snob. Won''t take your old manual lenses.€

This is Nikon''s best camera for the money. Period. Unless you regularly use your camera to fix your car''s engine, the N80 will serve your needs..

Customer Service

Not yet.

Similar Products Used:

N70 N50 FM2 FE2 F5 N90 F100

Light weight, size, nice control layout, spot meter, backlit LCD, rocker dial to select AF point, built in flash, mechanical cable release socket.

Light weight, size (yeah, it can be a positive and a negative) Lack of mirror lock up, slow flash synch, no vertical shutter release option.

My main camera is a Nikon F4s, so when I picked up a N80 for the first time it felt cheap and plasticky to me...nothing like my good old F4. Well, I had 2 F4s'' and found myself wanting something smaller with a built in flash to take to family get togethers and things, but that could also serve as a good backup body. I found myself looking at the N80 again. After really spending some time with it, I came to really appreciate the feature set and even the compactness and lightweight. I finally traded one of my F4s'' in for this N80 and cheap 28-80G (I know, but it came with the camera and its darn light!) I''m glad I did. I wouldn''t give up my main F4 for this (or any other camera) but for me it makes sense to have this as a backup rather then another F4. My fiance can easily use it and its much easier to take along to family and friends houses.

Customer Service

non needed.

Similar Products Used:

F4, F100, Elan 7, A2E,

Feature set for price Grid lines Auto focus ease of use

Feels a bit light

I bought this camera as a second body for my kit based around a N70 (and because I wanted DOF preview). I’ve been very impressed by this camera. The feature seems very well thought out. The things you use every day are readability changeable; less commonly used features are hidden away to give a simple user interface. Some of the features I find very useful: the grid lines are great for ensuring level horizons and vertical buildings; the selectable auto focus spot is great if you want to check you have got the best focus; and the auto-focus assist light is useful after dark. I’ve found the matrix metering system to be very accurate in most situations and spot metering a nice feature at other times. The N80 is lighter than the N70, but feel a bit less rugard and is a litter harder to hand hold than the N70 (but in my experience better than the N65). In summary, a very easy to use camera for an intermediate user with an appropriate feature set for someone who what to try some more advanced techniques.

Customer Service

Not needed yet.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N65, N70

Image quality, ease of use, pro-features, grid-lines, price

Slowish autofocus, apart from that none!

The F80 is one of the best offers on the market at this price. As said in lots of other reviews it packs all pro functions (F100 metering!) In an affordable package. True, it is not as rugged as a F100 or other pro camera, but it will do for everybody who doesnt shoot much in warzones. The comment about not being build in Japan is also ridiculous, in this day and age there are such excellent quality management systems that Nikon quality will be guaranteed no matter where they are built (look at carmanufacturers!). I never had a problem with the camera, as some friends of mine who own the same camera. I''''ve been using it for a while now and the results are EXCELLENT. I was truelly amazed by the first film I got developed and this amazement grew to respect roll after roll. Metering is always spot on and I love that I can use true spotmetering. Focus zone selection is great and the on demand grid lines are fantastic. Maybe useless to certain type of photographers, but now unmissable for me. Autofocus and fps could be faster but is no problem for me. Flash is really strong and will suffice on most occasions. DOF preview is great and a simple feature as display illumination will make the pleasure of using this camera only greater. One of the strongest points (apart from picture quality) is the ease of use of the whole camera. 30 minutes of testshooting will be enough to get to use the camera instinctively, so well is it laid out. Only thing is that you always will have to have the manual at hand to look up the custom settings. I remember seeing a camera that displayed all the functions and options in the display, that would be really handy. All in all the best SLR camera I ever owned and one of the best deals at this price.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

F65, F100, Canon EOS, Pentax. Some manuals

Light but well enough for travelling. Choice of 3 metering modes, no subject biased modes, everything you need unless a sports or professional photographer.

Some may find the spec overcomplex or gimmicky, af - manual switch a bit loose.

I was a manual focus user for 2 years and upgraded to the f80. For the money there is no other as well built or as well specified. Its main attraction is its lack of subject bias modes and level of spec. Basically an f100 without the build and faster motor drive

Customer Service

Excellent

Similar Products Used:

pentax me-super, pentax p-30, canon t70, nikon f65

Light but well enough for travelling. Choice of 3 metering modes, no subject biased modes, everything you need unless a sports or professional photographer.

Some may find the spec overcomplex or gimmicky, af - manual switch a bit loose.

I was a manual focus user for 2 years and upgraded to the f80. For the money there is no other as well built or as well specified. Its main attraction is its lack of subject bias modes and level of spec. Basically an f100 without the build and faster motor drive

Customer Service

Excellent

Similar Products Used:

pentax me-super, pentax p-30, canon t70, nikon f65