It's build quality has not failed me even though it's made of plastic. Over the years of experience, this feels very much like a pro model even though priced "cheaply". The AF is fast. This camera is one that encourages you to use your own initiative and judgement instead of relying on regular programs(F70,F90x,Minolta mini card systems)

my main gripe : no Flash Sync Socket!!!!!!!!!!! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!! The MB-16 battery pack should double up as a vertical grip!!!!! double ARGH!!!! it would be really really nice to have an option to upgrade for the basic model to include exposure data printing in between frames...

Buy this if you're a pro looking for second body without busting your budget on the F100. Buy this also if you're a student in photography.. I believe that this will serve you well through the coming year..

Customer Service

I'll need it probably when I do some combat photography in the wet jungles of India... kekek

Similar Products Used:

Nikon EM,FM2,F2 Photomic,F601, F90X and F70
Yashica FR2, Cosina CT-1 super
Contax 167, Canon AE1-program
Minolta 3xi, Dynax 8000

Matrix grid
Value
Amazing functionality

Bought it at Ritz
It's a bit small for large hands (get MB-16)

I am very happy with this camera, since I have just gotten back into photography after 8 years. It was recommended to me because it was a baby F100 and you get the most bang for your dollar. I agreed, and the camera is now at my side for a all of the time. If you are learning about photography buy this camera.
If, and when, I upgrade to a F100 or F5 I will still always use this camera as RELIABLE backup. For the price it's a great value.
The only thing I would recommend is to pay a little more and get the MB-16 battery back for the power source and to extend the camera size. It will be a LOT easier to hold. Before the camera would fall out of my hands, but now it stays put.

Customer Service

Not used.

Rebate took over 4 months to get back.

Similar Products Used:

None

Light weight, simple controls, and a very nice metering system make this camera a pleasure to use. Included are a range of custom settings that give the user a lot of control. The built in flash is something I don't use often, but it is really nice in a pinch, particularly as a fill flash. This camera seems to correct many of the weaknesses of the N-70.

I would prefer an infared AF assist rather than the bright white light built into the camera. In the scheme of things, however, this is a minor annoyance. I don't use the AF assist light very often and so this isn't a frequent problem for me. Pros might miss the absence of a mirror lockup, but that is something I would rarely use in my work.

A great camera for the advanced amature or as a back-up for the pro. Easily the best Nikon out there for the price.

Customer Service

Have had to send it back because the AF assist light won't work, including the AF assist on the SB-28 flash when attached to the N-80. It was repaired under warranty but in a few weeks the AF assist stopped working again. I don't miss the bright white AF assist on the camera but I do miss the infared AF assist on the SB-28. Given that they did not permanently fix it the first time I am reluctant to give it up for a month or more to have them try again.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N-70 (own)

Excellent metering system
Easy to understand viewfinder
DOF preview
Durable casing
Its a Nikon
Excellant value

Cheap Focus select button
A bit too small for my hands
Some of the buttons feel like they're going to break off

The N80 is not a pro camera.It's for advanced amatuars and people who want something
a little more serious than the N65.
Those who want the " metal feel" should by all means get a F100/F5.The N80
takes 80% of the F100's features at half the cost.Talk about value.I recently went with my mom to the ocean on the Pacific coast.I took some fantastic pictures.One roll turned
out horribly because I wasn't paying attention to the settings on the LCD.I own two lens for it, spanning a range of 28-300mm.Autofocus is good but as others have said,it tends to hunt.The biggest complaint I have is the focus selection switch.It always feels like its going to snap off.I've yet to get the battery pack for it or a speedlight like the SB-28.
If you're interested in photography and are looking for a SLR in the $450-700 range,try
the cameras I listed but definitly try the N80.You won't be disappointed.Once again,
if you don't like the N80 because of its cheaper casing or no metering with manual lenses,
stop complaining and get the F100 or N90.

Customer Service

I hope I'll never have to use it.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS ELan 7e
Minolta Maxxum Htsi Plus+Xtsi
Pentax ZX-7
Canon Rebel 2000

small, quiet, adaptable, quick,fill flash

so many functions

This is a tremendous camera at an excellent value with the current rebate offer. Nikon AF bodies are built extremely well and I don't ever recall one malfunctioning from any one of my friends except for those which have been abused. I am confident that this N80 will last long into the future while still maintaining excellent value. In terms of usability- it is as usable as an F100, except for manual lens metering control, but according to the manual, if you use the flash, you can have standard TTL flash metering! Of course, ambient light will not be measured. For sure, all the serious photog tools are here: spot metering, multi-adjustableAF, motion tracking, and DOF. Add in a lightweight, compact body, a fill flash, and quiet operation and then you get super versatility. The frosting on the cake is the multimode AE-L button, superimposed gridlines, and numerous custom controls. By all measures, before the F100 came out, any camera with all these features, was considered "Pro". For this class of camera, I don't think ANY maker has ever made a more complete body. It reminds me of the old FE, FE2, which was not considered "Pro," but was favored for its usability and even its automation that made picture taking more pleasurable. These non-Pro bodies are durable and still used today, but are no match for the ultimate durability of the F3. The N80 is by a wide margin, not as durable as the F100 or even the F90x, but is just as usable, if not more, for most photogs. Popular PHotography claims (and I do believe them-even though almost every lens that they test is fairly decent) that they have never come accross a body as accurate in shutter speeds. For a consumer body to do this is virtually amazing. This instrument is both precise and one of the most functional bodies. Shooting at midday has only made me realize what an asset an on camera flash is. My favorite is combining the superb 24 prime with the N80 body- this duo can be the perfect stealth street shooter, being both incredibly compact and as silent as an SLR can be.

Similar Products Used:

most general available 35mm stuff including some funky half-frame cuties

My Favorites:
DOF Preview
LCD backlight
Control layout
18 Custom features

Mirror Lock-up

Just purchased it and I think it's great. Most of the complaints I've read are not really applicable to me. If you buy this camera you will not regret it. I take about 3-5 rolls a week and the pictures are excellent quality so far. I think its sturdy and the perfect size. Remember this is a mid level camera. If you want a heavy duty pro-like camera....go buy one.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N60
Canon Elan IIE

1) Light
2) Price
3) Metering
4) Matrix Grid
5) Custom function
6) Build in Flash
7) Solid feel

1) No Infra Red AF

This is a very good camera, quite similar to the top range F100, just without all the professional needed function. I personally find this is a much better choice than the F90x if fast fps is not a definite need. Considering it cost less than 1/2 the price of a F100, it is a definite good buy. But don't misunderstand my intention here, it is never comparable to the F100, which is really a top engineered gear.

Similar Products Used:

None

Easy to use programs, five spots for autofocus selection,good autofocus speed, AF beam assistant for low light situations, flash compensation button will compensate for flash output, very helpfull specially for fillflash operation, battery grip with AA batteries, Size, Weight, ergonomical design, rugged. Very convenient hotshoe flash mount with TTL, speedlight flash integrated with a GN of 12.

No sync port, so you have to buy the AS-15 to perform this operation.

This is not a camera that will let you down, you can do everything you want it has most of the functions of the top of the line Nikon Cameras, the grid on demand is a great feauture and very easy to access, lightweight compact size makes it convenient for traveling, hiking, camping etc. It's a good thing to have one of this little babies always around, I always carry one under my car seat. You never know.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS ELAN II
Nikon F100
Nikon N90s
Nikon F4s

Smooth Shutter
Good viewfinder with adequate eye relief
Lots of features like DOF Preview, Grid lines, Spot Meter
Nice flash
Good ergonomics

Lack of Mirror Lockup, but then again, there is hardly any mirror slap.

Excellent camera with a really smooth operation that instills confidence in this product. A real pleasure to operate with lotsa essential features thrown in at a bargain price.

3 things won me over to the F80 when comparing it to the EOS30. First was the spot meter. Second, the shutter mechanism and overall operation of the camera felt smoother. thrid, adequate eye relief. with the EOS30 i couldnt see the viewfinder readouts without losing sight of the corners of the frame. But in any case, i think both the EOS30 and F80 are great cameras in this price range which would make their owners equally pleased.

Customer Service

Never used them

Similar Products Used:

F65, EOS300, EOS30

features
quiet
quick
easy to understand

tough to hold in one hand or cradle camera

I like this camera, but the body+lens is tough to tote about without the neckstrap. My previous SLR bodies are easy to hold one handed (when not taking a picture). - My hand fits between the grip on my left hand with the body upside down- the N80 does this with great difficulty, so I just stuff it in a grocery bag. I know that it was meant to be used, but why can't a camera be street friendly? I'm guessing that the olympus IS series is nice to tote. Oh, BTW, the N80+ 24prime is a great street camera- often people don't know I just took a shot. For flexiblity, I like the 24-120, but for some reason, my lens doesn't provide ULTIMATE (think, Zeiss) performance- just good to very good- not excellent, though- colors are good. The AF speed is very good and the wide focus points give me a better results on the street. I'm not too crazy about the Program mode, although it is shiftable- I prefer something like the original Konica Hexar's smart program mode. I never am quite sure what is the setting will be if I don't shift it- Although I can always see it in the top LCD- which is superb- Most every feature is well implemented and obvious for a regular photog. The body looks very high tech (and it is) and I think people think that it is very expensive. I just shot some Raiderettes at a street fair and the fill flash (-1.0) was Perfect! Serious Amateurs NEED built in fill flashes because who the heck is going to slave around an external flash for street photography!?! And for adding DOF into the amateur bodies is a super idea- I use it even for the street to finely check DOF. The more I use this camera, the more I find that it is an incredibly functional tool that facilitates my creativity and spontaneity. Excellent!

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None