Very quite, solid design

Little to much plastic, but good!

All i must say in the N80/F80 is by far the greatest camera that i have bought yet, I have had a manual camera forever, and decied to go out and buy an AF camera, this is a great camera for ones looking to ecpand, happy shooting

Customer Service

Good

Similar Products Used:

None

Comprehensive features
Spot metering
Control layout
On-demand gridlines
Light and compact

Not able to meter with MF lense

The truth: This is an EXCELLENT camera IN ITS CLASS. It is unfortunate that peolpe do not rate this camera in the right context and give and it low scores because of things like lack of mirror lock up or no eye-piece blind. After all, this camera is designed and manufactured for a specific (mid-class) price-point, so it is obvious that it will have polycarbonate body and not have every feature on the F5. If asked to choose, I am quite sure that most photographers will find spot metering to be a far more important feature than MLU. For those of you concerned about metering affected by stray light due to lack of eye-piece blind (typically in tripod mounted situation), you can engaged the self-timer, lock the exposure, then press the shutter release button --- the metered value will remain locked until the shutter fires. No more problem!
So it appears that some people are submitting reviews without knowing the camera well enough, while some are comparing the F80 against some absolute or ideal standards, resulting in some rediculously low scores. This is hardly fair to the camera nor to people relying on these reviews for which camera to choose!

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F5, F4, F3, F100
Canon EOS50E

Small size
Works with VR lens

No exposure metering with non-D lens
AF hunts

I traded my F70 for the N80, I wish I would have read the reviews. I assumed the N80 would provide minimal exposure metering with manual lenses, but it provides nothing. Autofocus hunts, racking the lens in and out in many situations. The F70 sometimes did that, and the F100 never does.
If Nikon provided some metering with manual lenses, this would be a great camera.

Similar Products Used:

N70, F100

Light weight; speed; responsiveness; useful inbuilt flash, balance - even when using heavy F2.8 lenses; easy to hold; DoF preview; price; cable remote shutter release!! metering is very accurate; it's a little beauty!! Good for expers and beginners.

Very few taking the price into account. It does not have the metal structures of the F100 or F5 but does not feel fragile.

For the price, considering the F100 and F5, the F80's features are very hard to beat. Yes, it feels light, but try carrying an F5 and a couple of large lenses around for a couple of days and you soon begin to appreciate the F80. I will buy the F80s next to provide backup.

Customer Service

Not needed yet. I took the F80 across Australia for a 5000 km trip in very hot and wet conditions with no problems. Now off to Malaysia with it and don't expect problems.

Similar Products Used:

I have had, or still have, F5, F60, F401x, Lite-touch 120 QD etc and a series of F2.8 lenses - I like Nikon!

*Great value for the price
*Build in flash
*Light
*Cable release adaptor
*Easy control dials
*Grid lines
*Spot metering
*Quick AF with AF D lenses
*5 focus areas selection
*AF Lock

*No manual lense adaptability
*Only 2.5 fps
*No mirror luck up
*Best suited for 4 finger people

For the past 30 years, I have used mostly a FM2n, a Pentax K1000 and a sure shot Espio 140mm. So the N-80 was quite a tall order for me and I had to use the instruction manual before I used my first roll and it was all on P (Programmed auto) mode. The first results of that roll (100 asa) taken inside with a tripod and my 24-85mm 2.8 AF-D were more than satisfactory. I was experimenting during the Christmas holidays and the fill in flash was a savior. I used the self timer (variable speeds) several times and although the AF assist illuminator is distracting you can time your smile..to it. I have taken several shots of my bird feeder and the spot metering/ braketing were quite useful. Anytime I wish I had more fps out of my N-80, I look at my bill and I feel pretty good. For the last 7 years I have been slowly looking for the camera/lens combination that would do the trick for me (near retirement). Meaning a good compromise in quality/price/flexibility. I know that with the N-80 and the 24-85mm 2.8 AF-D I have found it. I gave 5 stars for the ratings, not only because I finally feel after all these years that I am in a Cadillac, but also that I only paid $375.00 for it.

Customer Service

Not dropped yet...

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N50

Viewfinder, spot meter, metering system, flash system.

built quality, slow focusing, cheap battery pack, no mirror lock.

I wish the Elan7 was available when I decided to buy my F80. Overall I'm pleased with the performance of the F80 but the focusing gets tricked to often and the fact that the F80 doesn't have the option of mirror lock still bugs me to this day. Overall I recommend the F80, but do yourself a favor and check out the Elan7, it seems to me it is better built, faster and has more features for your money.

Customer Service

Never needed.

Similar Products Used:

Elan7

You know then already - Quality!

Yes we know them as well

Well I have had my F80 longer than most (since May) and nothing has fallen off or gone wrong yet. In fact I cannot find a mark on it. I am fed up of people (Canon users) sabotaging the review scores here (just to get the EOS 30 a higher one) so here is my thought on the plastic body (metal frame remember)
Newtons law: Force=Mass x Acceleration
i.e the heavier it is the harder it strikes the ground
Therefore is the lightweight build such a disadvantage - I don't think so

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 50e,300

Packed full of features. Easy to learn and to use. Can customize to the way you like to shoot pictures.

Honestly, I have not found any.

The N80 is a very nice camera very capable of producing great pictures. I do not earn a living from photography. I do it as a hobby and the N80 has given me everything I could want it an SLR.
Some review the N80 and have given very poor reviews. Please do not judge the N80 by the reviews. The N80 is a great camera. Small, lightweight and extremely user friendly. I know its made me a better photographer.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

N60

I liked the 5 AF points and the On Demand Grid Lines. Lightweight. Don't have any MF lenses so that is not a problem.

A bit small in hand. This can be solved by adding the battery pack. However that is all it is. No additional controls orvertical shutter. Focusing is not as fast as Elan 7E. Also lacks high speed flash synch. Motor drive of 2.5 fps is slow compared to Elan 7E.

I actually don't own an N80 (I shoot with a Minolta). I helped my sister pick out this camera. I have had the opportunity to use this camera a lot.

A very nice camera for the money. Of the many rolls that have been developed The pictures look great. This camera serves the purpose of my sisters needs. It does lack some of the features of the Elan 7E. Mainly the vertical grip and lack of high speed synch when needed. Lots of good pictures taken with SB-28 flash. Overall like I said a very good camera for money. I don't think anyone could go wrong with this camera or the Elan 7E.

Customer Service

Excellent

Similar Products Used:

Elan 7E

excellent metering
great value
solid build (metal internal frame)
lots if features
lightweight

lithium batteries - need the MB16 to use AA batteries and improve grip

This is an excellent camera as a lightweight travel or general use camera and as a backup to a pro-level F100, F5 etc.

The criticisms levelled at the camera seem to be mainly concerning the build quality and plastic feel. What can you expect for the money. The sacrifice in build sturdiness is worth it for useful features in my opinion, provided the camera is not to be used as a professional quality camera.

If you need faster flash sync, auto focus speed, indestructible build quality, then you need an F5 or at least an F100. Otherwise, the camera is outstanding for it’s intended use.

Customer Service

excellent

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F4s, F70, Pronea