Excelent Metering (same as 100)
DOF Preview
Custom Program
Cheap

Cable Release
Cheap Feeling
Build In Flash
No Metering with MF Lens
To Small (Must buy MB-16)
Only 2.5 fps (N70 has 3.1)

N80 is a Great Camera if you have limited budget. If you have enough money to buy F100, I would recommend everyone to buy F100. I bought this camera a year ago and then I bought another F100 6 months after that and I use my N80 as my backup camera (It has convinient built in flash, sometimes you'll need it when you think F100 + SB-28 is BIG). Basically I just don't satisfy with my N80. You should buy N65 or F100 instead of N80. If you buy N80, you just wasting your money.

N80 is quite small for anyone that has big hand like me. But MB-16 Battery Pack will make the a perfect grip. (It doesn't have vertical shutter release button)

I give 5 on both value and overall rating because this camera is great at this price.
You can get it for $350 at Tristate Camera.
As I know, Tristate camera is an honest store with reasonably price.

Other East Coast Store likes to cheats the customer, they ask wether I want made in japan or made in china? Plastic or Glass lens? I bought lens from regency camerazone.com, they said that they give me USA version, but the warranty wasn't on the box.
And my worst nightmare is when I bought my camera at CCI camera, the sales person (Alfred Bonar) is very tricky, He gives me Sigma lens that cost about 1/3 from the lens that I ordered (nikkor)

Customer Service

Very Good, When I tried to get Diffuser that works with N80 (an SU-4 accessory), I got it 2 days after I called them.

Similar Products Used:

F601 (F6006), N8008, N60, F100, FM2N, Maxxum 9000

the concept - cheap camera for the intermediates - that can give you so much for so little money

can't work with manual lenses

i wouldn't have written if it wasn't for the thing that happened yesterday - i felt from my bike - my camera was in one of those cheap cammera bags - and we both hit the concrete hard - i got scraches - my polarizing filter is broken - but the vcamera survived it - i just hope for longer than a day - i think that deserves a few stars!!

Customer Service

none so far

Similar Products Used:

eos 50e, nikon 60, several other cameras

inexpensive
complete functions- nothing left out

a bit light weight
nice enough to worry about it

A super ergo camera that has every feature you need. The grid function is hidden in the custom function 4, which you must turn on. I wonder if it uses batteries. Also, the viewfinder projects a very warm image- combined with an 81B on my lens, the view from the SLR was very warm- too warm in fact. This camera is very quiet- the shutter clicks with very little shake and the wind is muted. I took some stealthy shots just because it is so quiet compared to normal street noise. No one is going to snap their neck back to see what you were taking- great. I have managed to fool the focus when focussing close and with heavy backlighting- the camera could not find the focus point! ( I turned of the AF assist light- it is way too annoying) Otherwise, the wide focus is very fast and great for snapshots and moving targets. For fine focussing, I don't really see the need for a movable AF pin point. True, the points are sufficiently small for accurate focus, but they must be aimed on an area of sufficient contrast. Mostly, I use the wide focus (?close focus) and then manually focus for critical portraits. The previous poster says that the AF/Manual switch is too small- I agree, but have learned to live with it. Nikon does have the Matrix metering nailed down- amazingly, it is better than the older models when it comes to balancing for shadow details- It has proven to be more than 90% successful for me. I will definitely use it for most situations- it does not get fooled easily. And with any strange lighting, the spot meter should suffice- An excellent metering system- more advanced than most metering systems. For the price, this camera cannot be beat for the ease of use and usefulness of features. Because the price is so low and that this is now my favorite camera I do worry about it's longevity. I believe that it is very solid, but may not be as durable as some of Nikons older AF bodies. Time will tell, but in the meantime it is sure a pleasure to use.

Similar Products Used:

None

Evaluative 3D matrix w built in flash
Spot metering
Good ergonomics for most fcns
Takes standard cable release
Viewfinder grid (custom function)

Manual Focus switch very inconvenient
No mirror lockup
Flash Synch lim to 1/125, even with external speedlight
No remotes (ergo the cable release)
Can not select for film leader to be left out.
Does not support metering w Nikon MF lenses
Made in Thailand

In upgrading from older manual focus gear, I initially bought the N80 & had some good results, but I replaced it with a Canon Elan 7E. My experience: I initially thought it was great that the shutter release was threaded for cable release until I realized that it did not support any remotes at all, wired or wireless. I really found myself missing mirror lockup for macro work and long exposures. I found the AF slow and noisy; but much more importantly -- inflexble to control. If AF is on, it's locked in, so there is no fine-tuning the focus. (vs. Canon's FTM -- Fine Tune Manual while in AF -- on most USM lenses) I very often found that AF was not getting the desired spot, so would switch to MF, but then would be frustrated as I was forced to look away to use the dinky little switch on the front of the camera body - a crucial piece of horrendous ergonomics. I like the built in flash with its 3D metering, and that flash compensation goes to -3 stops; plus I like the well-placed dedicated meter and flash compensation buttons. The viewfinder grid can be handy, although it makes the viewfinder a bit busy. I'd give this a 7 of ten overall, but out of 5:

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Older manual focus slr, Canon Elan 7E

all functions built in
customizable

build is a bit thin and weak

As a serious amateur body, this one is at a great price and functions very well. If you need more, get an F100, you won't be dissapointed. Less is a very competent N65. I have noticed some great reviews below. As for being made in Thailand- all the better as my out of pocket costs are lower. Also, the below reviewer is right- the designer has everything to do with the final product (crap in, crap out). My 5 year old Olympus Stylus Epic is made in Hong Kong- and has proven to be most reliable in the absolute worst conditions. All manufacturing aside, here is my review of the N80: The fit and finish are pretty good- tight. The strength, I can tell, is a bit less robust than some of the older AF bodies and better bodies. In my hand, if I grip firmly, the grip somewhat creaks because the battery compartment lies very close to the outer camera shell- I hope they reinforce this area in future models. The viewfinder screen is a bit dimmer (or more yellow) than my old N70/N90. The AF still hunts a little, but hunts less than the older AF mechanisms. I just assume that it is trying to maintain focus. Camera noise is very low compared to other AF bodies. The AF noise seems to be the most objectionable- as with any screwtype AF. If I prefocus, noise is minimal. It is true that Nikon AF seems always want to retry focus everytime I release and press the shutter release. The custom functions would solve this by having AF only active whilest pressing the AF/AEL button, but then I lose AEL for my spot metering. Overall, the camera is fun to use and not confusing because all the controls are mostly on the outside of the camera. What is confusing is all the AF/AFselector modes. I just use single shot mode mostly so I don't worry about it. The continuous mode only helps with quickly moving targets. The camera is on the smallish size and even my small hands leave my pinky hanging off the end- which is okay-I prefer a small as possible SLR body. With this body I can quickly make changes, but have to be sure that I change them back. This is a good camera to grow with because it is not missing any critical features for good basic photography.

Similar Products Used:

nikon classics, N70, N90x

Light weight
Accurate meter and focus

controls are not labelled and are sometimes awkward to operate

I recently bought an N80 and used it to document my family vacation in Ireland. I have mixed feelings about it, and I am not sure if I will keep it. I had previously been using an FM2 (manual camera) and before that I had a Canon Rebel. I bought the N80 because I wanted a camera with TTL flash metering and auto focus for action shots.
Unfortunately, I have found the N80 to be a hassle to use, compared to the FM2. Even after studying the manual and bringing it along for reference, I still have a hard time operating the controls and remembering what button to push. Frankly, I find all the metering and focussing modes confusing. I use manual controls most of the time, and they are easier to operate on a manual camera. Many of the buttons on the N80 are very small and over-sensitive, so this camera demands a high degree of manual dexterity and patience.

The auto focus can be a nuissance, so I switch it off most of the time. In low light, it shines a beam to assist in focussing and this can be disturbing to other people. The auto focus is fairly slow and it spends a lot of time hunting around. It is unable to keep up with a moving subject. If I forget to switch it off, or if I fail to maintain adequate pressure on the shutter button, I will lose the focus when I move the camera to adjust the composition. I have had too many pictures ruined by the camera focussing on the wrong subject. Sure, it is operator error, but I don't make those mistakes with manual focus.

I am currently testing the TTL matrix metering with my SB-28 flash. I got good results in program mode when photographing a wedding, but closeups of the bride were under-exposed.

That's enough ranting. I do like the spot metering better than my FM2. I wish I had more raves, but I think I will like the N80 more as I memorize its functions and learn how to use them. Now, if I can only remember which dial is for the aperture and which one is the shutter speed....

Customer Service

Very useful and friendly. Quick response.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel

Features for the price.
Nikon backup

focus assist lamp too close to lens axis.
cant rewind leaving the leader out
Bit cramped

When you consider the price, you cant really moan about it.... Nikon does not claim it to be of professional standards but it does include several features found on much more expensive models.
I found it a bit too small but thats probably the trend today. I bought it more for a backup to my F5. I am not disappointed and being a lot lighter I can carry it around fo casual shots without visiting the Chiropractor. initial results were as usual excellent with exposure control reliable. focus was fast in good light and viewfinder information good.... excellent buy if you dont expect durability.

Customer Service

Good in UK

Similar Products Used:

F70 F90 F4 F5

cost
spot meter

2.5fps

Good camera for the money, so is the elan 7. The camera is made in Thailand this is NOT a bad thing. If you think the words "made in Japan" make a camera better you are stupid. The N80 is a good camera, it is not a pro camera. If you want a F100 buy one! Both the N80 and the elan 7 are good buys at this price range.

Customer Service

NONE

Similar Products Used:

rebel 2000
elan 7
nikon N65

Fully compatible with all newer Nikkor lenses including VR; light; 5 AF sensors and Matrix Metering

Does not meter with most non-AF lenses

I think the F80 is a good camera and has excellent performance/price ratio.
I noted around the internet a few very bad reviews, complaining about bad focusing or metering.
I bought mine four months ago and shot about 400 slides with it in many different scenarios.
I didn't find any bad shot that I can blame to the camera.
For what concerns AF, I see no problems until now, probably I would like something faster (my
lenses are all Nikkors AF: 24f2.8, 50f1.8, 180f2.8). I will buy in a few weeks the AF-S 300f4 from which I expect better performance.

On the bottom line, I'm quite satisfied with this product. I meant it as the introduction to the Nikon world (I'm a former Minolta user) as I wish to go for the F-100 in a couple of years if I will prove to deserve it.

For what concerns 'big troubles' that some people complains about, I think there was some bad stock of F80 around. If you don't run into them, you shouldn't have any problems

Customer Service

Didn't need up to now

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 505si

very featured
quiet
lightweight
high quality

lots of nooks to hold dust/grit

For the price you get a lot of features. I'm not sure if selectable focus spots is that useful to me. A wide focus is sufficient. This camera is incredibly quiet. I took a few pictures standing 5 feet away from my father while he was working in the garden with my 24mm lens and he didn't even hear it. My Nikon FE or EM would have given me totally away. I'm not sure if this is 'stealth' photography, but quiet picturetaking definetely preserves the moment rather than colouring it. The camera body is very lightweight and when a heavy lens, like a 80-200 or a zoomer like the 24-120, is attached, the balance point changes dramatically to the lens. This makes me hold the lens rather than the body for balance and stability. This takes some getting used to and I worry if the body can support large lenses on a tripod. I would tend to think that I would only use the N80 for handheld shots only or with a compact lens. The flash is great for a little fillin during the daytime to lighten up shadows (-1, -1.5). Some people think of this camera as a backup F100 or F5, but hey whynot use it as a daytime, handheld, street AF Nikon alternate? The N80 is a very versatile camera.

Similar Products Used:

None