Metrix, Centre and Spot Metering. D.O.F. Easy to use command dial system 18 Custome functions. On Demand Grid Line in the View Finder. Mechanical shutter release.

No vertical shutter release on the MB-16 vertical grip.

I have had the F80 for over 2 years and the only complaint I have is the lack of a vertical shutter release on the MB-16 grip. What's with that Nikon? Haven't you guys at Nikon been reading photographyreview? Now that my peeve is out of the way lets talk turkey. The metering system is dead on. I love the fact that it backs up the Metrix system with Centre and Spot, so you're covered no matter what the situation is. Some of the reviews on this camera have complained about the metrix metering being balanced at a -ev. I wonder who's developing the film. After buying this camera and learning about film, I'll bet the exposure problem is not the fault of the camera but the photo-developer. You can't believe the difference between the local grocery store and a pro developer. Not only is the exposure off but the colour balance is a mess. And it didn't matter what film it was. Buttom line get your stuff developed at a pro level place because you owe it to yourself. The feel of the camera is first rate and I love the fact that I can quickly go from Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority to Programme without ever having to go into some silly hierarchical menu system. With the two command dials I can manipulate both the shutter speed and aperture settings quite easily. I have also managed to get around the limitations of the built in flash quite easily. For starters you are never going to match the quality of the SB-28 with a built in flash but with practice you can get to within 90%. For starters always focus and meter lock on the closest subject (especially if they are blonde). I also back that up by taking a second shot with my flash output at -.5 ev. People always complain while you're taking the picture but they always love you after.

Customer Service

None needed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon, Minolta and Pentax

- simple to use; - manual iso setting; - threaded shutter release; - DOF preview; - dual wheel system (in contrast to F60); - light weight and compact.

- cheap feel; - viewfinder is only 92% of final image; - annoying AF-assist lamp; - LCD on top of body does not give about meter reading (annoying if you're working at a low angles).

I was hesitant to upgrade from an F60, but did and don't regret it one bit. In fact, I should've bought this one in the first place. I've used my new F80 in a variety of cirucmstances and am very happy with the results. Metering is accurate. AF is sharp. It is very easy to use and the shutter is quiet. Do I recommend it? If you are like 95% of all F55 to F65 users how never use anything but ful automatic, don't bother getting the F80. It offers nothing extra and the kits retail with the same lens anyway. But, if you want complete control (including of ISO setting) and greater ease of use thanks to two wheel operation get the F80. It also has the AF for when you want it and you can stick it in auto mode when you're taking snaps at Grandma's birthday party. Futhermore, it comes at a very reasonable price which has allowed me to get some nice glass: AF 28mm f2.8 D and AF 50mm f1.8. (Lenses determine image quality far more than the body, so forget the fancy body and invest in some decent primes. They're surprisingly cheap second hand. And because they make you use your brain when composing a picture you learn more faster)

Customer Service

Not needed yet, but as servicing is done by importers, any comments would apply to Thailand only

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F60

This is a great first camera. I don't know of another model that gives you so much bang for your buck. Super-intuitive layout, no idiot-modes, screw-in cable release, near-pro metering ability, Nikon F-mount, plus lots of bells and whistles you may or may not use. What keeps this camera from greatness? First and foremost, somewhat chintzy build quality. This aint no F5, to be sure. (Of course you could buy four of these or one F5!) AF is LOUD and clumsy, with lots of focus-searching. This can be alleviated with the addition of one of Nikon's AF-S lenses, which you can now afford because you went with such an economical body. The AF-assist light is a major pain in the ass. Given all the other features this camera has, it really should be IR. But you can always turn it off, or do what I do, focus manually. No mirror lock-up. If you don't know what this is, you don't need it. If you do know what it is, you still probably don't need it. And if you really do need it, you probably already have it and you're not considering an F80 anyway. Last but certainly not least, I would really, really like the ability to set EV compensation on the sub-command dial when in A or S priority. In these modes, the dial does absolutley nothing...really poor planning on Nikon's part, especially since Canon's EOS models have this feature. But again, those are pro bodies. Sorry for such a long-winded review, it's almost over. Bottom line: The F80 does a great job at bridging the gulf between the consumer and pro markets, taking features from both and being all of neither.

Well Designed. You could should with your right hand alone. The camera controlls are load out very well and are easy to use in the field. The addition of the MB-16 batter pack gives it a heavy-duty feel when using larger lenses.

No verticle shutter release with the MB-16 battery pack. Tradeoff for the $700 I saved instead of going with the F100.

So far I am very pleased with this camera. I finally broke down and upgraded from an old Minolta that my parents purchased not too long after they were married, so making the switch from a pure manual camera to an AF has been quite an adjustment

Customer Service

None so far from Nikon, but if it weren't for the price from Abe's I would never shop there again, horrible customer relations.

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First AF

a good amatuer camera with some pro touch.,but..(this doesn't mean its durability and capabilities are comparable with f90x or some higher level cameras)

the problems with flash syncro modes in deffernt exposure modes. incompatibilities with manual nikor lenses.built in flash guide number is only 12 at 100 iso. (it must be at least 14 or 15 as in f70 and f60)

its not a complete camera of its class,but anyhow nikon has done more homework to create this one. my humble opinions are these; size-it feels very small especially those who allready used f70,0r f90x..etc. so for them a grip like mb16 is a must. metering system-i read a lot about it,s elegence.i had used f70 before..when comparing with f70's metering its little less responsive.this i am saying with the proof of some experiment shots i made together f70 and f80 sidebyside at a time.as i have no scanner i could not post the snaps with this review. my findings-f80 tends to overexpose at least by 0.5 f values..while f70 found to be more accurate .the scenes were desert landscapes with some greenish patches during an overcast sky.film was fuji 400 print film,matrix metering were used. fill flash capability-f70 really far superior than f80 in this regard with its built in flash..f80 's built in flash is not much impressive anyway.snaps using sb28 also i observed the same results. focus mode selector of f 80 found to be tough to operate.f70's user interfase also very difficult to deal with in the beginning..but its accurate meterig and responsiveness really outweighs f80. viewfinder..f80 is better than f70. especially the grid lines are extremely will help u while taking landscapes and architecture.but the rubber(dk10?) cap covering the viewfinder is prone to stick grit and dust easily and very difficult to clean.it should be made like the one in fm2 or fm3a . custom functions-only the grid line found to be usefull for me..other 18 are..oh . sorry..no comments..who cares these toy functions while concentrating on exposure and framing? flash syncro speed-in aperture priority most of the time u are foced to use a speed 0f 1/60 or 1/90..and when there is bright ambient light only u can use 1/125.i thing this is a major minus point of f80...because at 1/60 or1/90 flash syncro if u r using lenses more than 200mm focal length the picture blur due to hand movement is a matter to think. if u change the exposure mode to manual u will gett 1/125 speed but instead of matrix balanced flash ,u will get standard ttl flash only.

Customer Service

not yet needed

Similar Products Used:

nikon f70 nikon fm2 pentax mz7

Great 3D Matrix metering Spot metering Location of controls - all adjustable at eye level.

Got to be some, but I will find those later.

I first purchased the N65. A good camera, but I found it did things on its own - and the lack of a second command dial caused me some problems. SO I took advantage of a 30 day exchange policy and got the N80. Not just good, but great - even in a beginner's hands. I shot a roll at a botanical garden under heavy overcast skies and got results far better than I had a right to expect. The second dial is a great addition, and the Matrix metering is better than the 65. A friend has the F100 and he shot several frames with my camera. Other than a few pro features, he says the 80 is outstanding. I agree.

Customer Service

Made one call to Nikon USA and received very good help.

Similar Products Used:

N65 Canon Rebel

Nikon glass, control logic and layout, ergonomics, metering, low light AF.

lack of compatibility with AI and AIS lenses, visible light AF assist lamp (I turned mine off)

I moved from an FE-2 to the N80. Since my manual focus lenses will not meter on the N80, I considered dropping Nikon and looked at several other models and brands. But since I had a Tamron 70-300 LD 1:2 macro lens, 2 AF multipliers, and a lot of flash gear that would work with the N80, I went with it. I'm not at all sorry I did. The camera handles well, has good ergonomics, and logical control layout. I added a Nikkor 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 macro lens. Picture quality is excellent. I find the built in flash to be a real benefit in many situations. Not much range, but handy to have. Initially I was worried about the 1/125 second flash sync, and the lack of mirror lock up. I had both on my FE-2 and thought I might miss these features. So far, it's not a problem. The MB-16 is a highly recommended accessory. It allows use of AA cells (or the 2 x CR123A cells) and considerably improves the feel and steadiness of the camera. For long focal length lenses, or any large or heavy lenses, it's essential. Although Nikon rates the AF to only f/5.6, I find I can get good AF with a 1.5x multiplier on my 70-300 f/4-5.6, which works out to f/8.4. Just use the center cross sensor and give it something to look at with high contrast. It even works with my 2x which gives f/11 if the light is above EV8 or 9. All this with the assist lamp turned off. Hey Nikon, this should have been a near IR lamp. I gave the camera 5 stars since there is no 4.5 star rating, about where it belongs. The metering and flash are better than my FE-2, and the AF is really nice with my aging eyes.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Maxxum 7000i, Nikon FE2, Pentax Super Program

cable release On demand gridlines Backlit LCD Price Its a Nikon

Can't rewind film with the leader left out of cartrige Can't use infrared film Not as strong as F100, F4, or F5

I have had this camera for about six months now and it has not let me down in performance. I use it mainly for school so I shoot pretty much all black and white(Ilford Delta 100) and some slide(Kodak EliteChrome 100). I've taken it backpacking with me over the summer in very rocky wilderness terain, so its been wet, banged around and even dropped, but in hasen't affected it at all. I don't suggest dropping any camera but its good to know its fairly durable for being mostly plastic. The picture quality is awsome for a 35mm and I always produces good prints, though I always use a tripod and cable release to. This camera has so many features, its kind of overkill and only a few features that could be added to improve it, like being able to rewind the film with the leader left out, and the ablity to use infrared film. The best fetures are the on demand grid lines in the viewfinder and cable release socket. I have two lens', the 28-80mm F/3.3-5.6G that came with the camera and a Tamron 70-300mm F/4-5.6 LD. Both are great quality lens' and are very affordable. This really is a great camera for anybody.

Customer Service

never used

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N65

An excellent camera! I have been nothing over more than impressed with the performance of this camera. More thought has gone into the ergo-dynamics of this camera than its predecessor and over the vast majority of the 35mm SLR competition out there.

Easy to use

Slow motor, durability

Good camera, extremely poor on the durability front.

Customer Service

Poor, expensive and non-responsive

Similar Products Used:

Few Nikons