DOF, Grid lines,light

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Its true that N80 is not as durable as many other cameras outthere like N100 for example. What you can do, is buy 2 N80 instead of one F100 with the same amount of money and solve the durability problem...get my point.
A camera that just needs a little bit of talent and care to make you give a 5 star review.

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Incredible functionality for the price.

absolutely none

This is absolutely the best value in a camera that is out there right now. No exceptions. I usually use Canon equipment, just personal preference, but the N80 has so much functionality for such a low price that it would be a shame to pass up the opportunity to own one. Its size and weight are really what make it worth buying. Sometimes you just can't lug around an F100 or 1N. And for those who say the camera just isn't sturdy enough, I would have to ask just what it is that they're trying to do with it? Under normal use this camera will stand up to anything. But sure, if you expect your camera to double as a tent stake hammer, then I guess you might have problems.

Customer Service

no problem

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I've worked at a Camera Shop for the past 2 years selling cameras and have seen/used virtually every camera out there.

Extremely compact, well designed and DURABLE!

A few shortcomings noticed as compared to higher end bodies, but for the target market there should be no complaints

I am sitting in an airport trying to kill some time and I managed to reach this sight. Since photography is essentially my life (work, hobby,etc.), I was interested in the review section. A sponsor gave me several products to try and the Nikon N80 was on of the bodies, as a result I was quite amused to see what others had to say about it. The size, design, and lightweight feel of the N80 drew me too it, so I started carrying it for personal use. After reading several reviews of it for fun I find it amazing that so many people can find such quirkly little problems with a camera. If used correctly and in the hands of a competent individual this camera will take excellent pictures that will be more than adequate for just about any situation. Ninety nine percent of the time the results I have achieved with this camera are more than adequate for professional use(that means turning in a print for someone who will write me a check, not for grandpa and grandma to see what the family did this summer). I think that many are simply bored and overanalyzing a very simple issue, perhaps they should spend more time working on their personal talents, as this is the best feature for good photographic results. Sure it is lacking some refinement in areas, but overall this camera is really outstanding for it's intended market which is EVERY SINGLE PERSON OUT THERE WHO DOES NOT HAVE TO RELY ON PHOTOGRAPHY FOR A LIVING. By the way in response to the supposed lack of durability, have any of you ever dropped it? I have dropped it, I have had it fall off a car trunk as it drove away, and even watched it fall out of a helicopter (while still on the ground of course) on to cement and never once did it present a problem. I'll get off the soap box now, but please make sure you know what you are talking about before you "review" a product. Have a nice day.

Customer Service

Excellent experiences with Nikon in the past

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Other Nikon products, but none similar to this model

It is very light, and comfortable to handle. Nice speed

it has to many plastics on it

It is a great camera. For the price is the best of its kind. I have use for nearly to months and it is great. I could recomended to any body.

Customer Service

never use it

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N-70, 8008s, FE-10

Loaded with functions, easy use. Metering system is impressive when used with good lenses. Bracketing works wonderful. Custom functions provide a wide range of options for the serious photographer. 2 command dial is excellent for the kind of aperture/shutter setting you want without any hustle. 5 are focus selector is a good feature for creative touches. Built-in flash is useful when used only as fill-in.

A bit small for my hands. Light weight is a concern for some but it does not mean low quality. No Mirror Lock-up (but not a big problem for this level of camera). Metering system selector is awkward to operate so is the focus selector button. The diopter is not very well positioned. One has to take the cap out for adjustment. Yet the biggest flaw of this camera is that the metering does not work with the old Non-CPU Nikkors.

This is an excellent camera for the money you pay. It has all the features --well, almost-- you need to make a serious entry into pro-level cameras. The outlook of the camerak is very impressive. Its easy-to-use functions, which should not fool the beginner-- are a good incentive for taking better and more creative pictures. Obviously, it is a watered-down version of F-100. When used with some care, it is likely to last for quite some time until you feel ready to move into the pro-level. There is some difference in terms of picture quality between N80 and its bigger sisters such as F-100 and F-5, but this is not an abyss. If this is a concern, it can be compensated by better quality lenses.
True, this is not the best camera you can buy in the market. But without doubt, this is the best deal you can have.

Customer Service

Not needed. But if you need it, you have to send it to NIKON itself. The camera is too new for local repair shops.

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N60, N70, N90s, F-100, Canon AE-1

Similar enough to my F5 to use as a backup. With the extra grip ti feels fine, otherwise it is small for me. I have shot it in Russia and Mongolia, at least 100 rols. It performs fine.It was the body for my lightweight system. I like the cable release instead of electronic. light weight is one of the reasons I bought this camera

Stolen two weeks ago. Otherwise, the rewind is slow but quiet, lacks MLU, not much else for normal use.

A good camera, not much in limitations for normal useage.

Customer Service

None needed

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I have used Nikon F, F2, F3, F4, F5, Fg, FE FA, N70, N90

Smart design, operating levers are well placed, light metering acurate, auto focusing is positive, shutter is very smooth, film revind in slow speed is incredibly quiet and in general the f 80 feels solid and secure in my hands.

Very few, operating levers are rather too small and camera is using 123 type batteries.

It is hard to believe what people do with their equipment. Mr. Jeff Anderson has discribed it quite accurately, if you take some care of your equipment it should never fail you. I do use my equipment in most environmental elements and the F 80 is still fine. I like the quietness of the F 80 including slow rewind very important in nature photography. The layout of camera functions is logical and not over done. I think you are getting more in up to date technology than you pay for. Strongly recomended for anyone who takes photography seriously and a good body as a back-up for the pro.
I rate F 80 with 4 stars only because F 5 is just a perfect piece of equipment.

Customer Service

Never needed.

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Previously used Nikon 8001, Canon AEII and presently own Nikon FM and two K 1000 bodies only because of Pentax' fine optics.

simulates some features of F100 and F5, relatively low cost

No high speed flash sync with SB-28, no mirror lock-up, only 2.5 fps, 1/4000 max sutter speed, fragile body, no vertical shutter release with MB-16 battery pack, slow flash sync 1/125 (should be at least 250), no color matrix metering, fixed view-finder, viewfinder inconvenient, inconvenient to hold, leaks dusk inside the film chamber, flimsy knobs, kit includes one of nikon's dumbest lens (AF28-80mm f3.5-5.6D), useless low GN (12m) flash power.

Bottomline is clear. If you have the need, use and money, go for F100 and F5. If you don't have the money but have still the need and use, buy F80. Please take good care of it, especially don't let your kids play with it (like the one of the commenter below who I suppose is a Nikon employee. He can afford to break his F80 because he will probably get a free replacement fron Nikon USA, but you and I won't). Buy MB-16 battery holder for improved grip (I don't believe those Nikon decoits charge you $70-80 for this ugly piece of plastic). Never ever buy the AF28-80 lens, it doesn't take a genious to see the awful picture quality (shame Nikon, shame!). You will be much better off to buy the AF28-105 lens which gives much better overall picture quality. Also, get the SB-27 flashlight with a SC-17 TTL cord (you will have much better creative options than SB-28's tilt and swivel. In any case, this camera can not utilise SB-28's high speed flash sync). At last, buy a Manfrotto tripod. And you are ready to begin an exciting photographic journey. Thats what this camera is meant for.... people who just started the journey. Long way to go mate!

Customer Service

Accessories not easily available in Australia. Have to order and it takes weeks, if not months.

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Canon, Nikon, Minolta, Pentax, Leica, Contax, Hassleblad, Yashica, Vivitar, Fuji, Kodak, Bronica, Toyo, Minox and some custom made cameras.

Amazing features such as focus / exposure control being very automated and very smart. 3D metering, built in illuminator. info in viewfinder, grid lines, red illumiation, depth of field preview, LCD illuminator, custom modes. great price

feels cheap and plastic-y compared to F90x (N90), no computer (secretary) link, no MF back options.

I am enjoying the controversy. It seems that Canon and F100, F5, F90 owners are mad as wet cats over this camera. Sorry. Excuuuuse me, but it seems like you get 90% of F100 features for less than half price. I wish the F80 felt nicer to hold. Regards!

Customer Service

Old Nikon never broke.

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Nikon F401 (4004?) for last 15 years. Yes I know it's a pocket camera with a Nikkor lens. Talk about features, not!

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First reviewed this camera back on 9-25-00. Really liked it back then but had only shot a few rolls of film. Now I have had the chance to see how it performs in different situations...mostly around my three children...all three have had thier shot at destroying it.

First off, somehow my two year old climbed onto my desk to get at it. Realizing she could not get down and carry the camera at the same time she did what any self respecting two year old would do... first push the camera off the desk onto the hardwood floor, and then climb down.
When I got to her ( this happened in a matter of seconds) she was trying to open the lens, like a jar of candy... which is what she thought it was. Child number one struck out, there was a scratch where the camera hit the floor but other than that it worked fine.

About a week later I was at my son's soccer game. It was halftime, I set down the camera next to our cooler to grab my two year old who was running onto another field, and as I was coming back saw my son running toward our cooler, but he wasn't stopping to get a drink... he was going to kick a ball that was next to our cooler and next to my camera. Now I would love to brag and tell you that my son kicked the ball and kicked it well, but alas he missed and punted my N80 end over end about 5 feet. After he stoped crying, (he was ok)we looked at the camera and it was fine. He actually took a picture when he kicked it- It's given me some good ideas. Strike two.

My seven year old was taking a picture of the rest of us at a local outdoor mall and just dropped it, it fell out of her hands and onto a cement planter which she was standing on to take the picture. There was a ding on the case but again the camera worked fine. Strike three. This camera is pitching a shutout.

Kids-0 N80-3

The pictures still look great, easy as hell to use- you should see the shots my kids are taking.

And if anyone out there needs to check the durability of a camera, send it to our house, we can help.

It is without question the most durable piece of technology I own. This camera kicks ass and takes names.

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