Nikon N80

Do you own a Nikon APC DSLR? Do you own any film-format AF lenses?

If so, you may decide after a day or so with the N80 that you don't need to invest in a D3 or D700. The N80 frame is the one Fuji and Kodak bought from Nikon to build their DSLRs. The metering system and viewfinder is virtually identical to my D70.

I packed it with a 20mm f2.8 AF for a trip to Italy a few weeks ago, and ended up shooting about a dozen rolls, from the Vatican to the Forum, the Colosseum, and wonderful church and scenery. The exposures were PERFECT, every single frame, and razor sharp.

The camera is light, sweet, and quiet. I love it.

It's competitive with my D70, except covers a full frame.

Batteries could be expensive. But they last a long time, as do a set of spares for your camera bag. Without flash, they might last for years of shooting.

All the Canon SLRs, Nikon F, Nikkormats, Nikon FM, Nikon FE.

When Minolta dumped it's camera department to Sony I was hit with a delema. I had always planned to continue with Minolta products and go for a modern Auto Focus SLR from the Maxxum series, but it all keyed into the future purchase of a dSLR camera.

So when Henry's in Toronto held the launch party for the Sony Alpha I went and gave the Alpha a shot. I didn't like it. That's where the choice had to be made.

Which Auto Focus, Modern Film SLR camera should I get?

The choice soon became clear, Nikon was clearly in the lead. Canons didn't feel right in my hands, too small, same with the Pentax. So I started looked at Nikon's offerings both on the film SLR and dSLR cameras. I liked the Nikon dSLR cameras (and now own a D70s), but I didn't have the money to get one such camera. So I went into Henry's in Oakville and looked at the choices. I settled for this nice number, the F80 (N80 to you Americans) along with a few lens and a Speedlight SB-28 flash. I was not disappointed with the purchase, sturdy enough to take a beating and light enough not to be a burden.

Coming from an all manual background in cameras this system was the perfect step up. Easy to run in all four modes with two command dials, one for shutter speed the other for aperture. The whole interface on the camera is simple and easy to use for both one new to photography and someone who's been around.

even the built in speedlight is excellent for doing quick shots.

However the one thing I do recommend anyone get along with this camera is the associated battery grip, it's the perfect companion to it and gives the camera more of a "pro" feel.

May feel 'plastic fantasic' but it's a solid camera.
Easy to take anywhere
Worry free SLR photography

Battery Grip, they should have included this with the camera orignally gives it a great added feel and grip, and allows the camera to be run on 4 AA batteries (cheap and readily available, anywhere) as opposed to 2 CR123 Lithium batteries.

Various Canon, Minolta, and Pentax SLRs

Haven't needed to make use of it.

Covered under both Nikon and Henry's

I'm not even sure if they still sell this camera new. We've had ours for 3 years or so. This was my first autofocus SLR. Construction is fairly solid, and controls are pretty straightforward. It's pretty high tech for me with all the info, and screens in the viewfinder. It's fun to use, and delivers good results.

Quality, ease of use.

Those dang expensive batteries, tho they last quite a long time. I want rechargeables.
I've given it a 3 value rating since it hasn't held it's value. As new cameras that are worth 1/3 after 3 years! Sad.

Nikon F

Haven't needed.

used less than 12 rolls. bought to take to germany.
last year got out, would not turn on.had fixed $100 and put away. got out 4 5 weeks ago, ssame thing will not tur on.
sent to nikon prices repair at a $200+ for a now useless camera. repair at houston said camera GOT WET and ruined board. has been kept in plastic case weit accessories, etc. inj safe with expensive guns. NO MOISTURE. was told moister came from hinges of plastic case which has moisture control in with camera. ever heard of such a thing. batteries are good. hasen't been, very unhappy, wish i still hqad my old minolt,s back. used for over 20 yeqars, NO problems. can't sell with 28.8 lens.
Good fouder for a 45?

Ron ,Houston,Tx. 10-09-06. looked at reviews, nothing like my problem.l

none

will not operate

minolta 102, 201

not worth darn

I bought this camera back when the only real digital alternative from Nikon was the D100. It cost a little bit then. I do not use it much now as I have gone through a D70 to an S3 to a D200. This is a great camera, kinda small, get the battery extender, tends to fix most size issues with any Nikon camera, now its mandatory after using the S3 so much. The camera is well built. Look how many digital camera are/were based on the N80. It is a great value now for what you can pick them up for on Ebay and other places. The one I have still looks new as I was a little more conservitaive with taking pictures back in the day as you had to use FILM instead of a memory device. It was still great to use. I used it alot for motorcross pictures and it performed great. Have shot 12-16 rolls of film at one event and most all pictures were usaeable and of great qualty. I am a digital dude all the way and now that it as gotten to the level it is it is hard to argue the film vs digital so much anymore. I will say that when you get that unigue shot on film it is still great. I still carry it in my camera bag and pull it out every now and then to shoot a few rolls. no menus to navigate ect, just shoot some photographs. If anything digital has been a great teacher in the fact of all the techno mumbo jumbo and the ability af trial and error that you end up knowing what works and what doesn't. I am not ready to ditch the film camera yet and I think it has kinda lost its place in photography. Digital introduced alot of people into photography that would have not bothered with it before. The companies have catered to the masses and i am as guilty as everyone else for buying into it. Digital really took me to the next level. The upsdide it has taken the camera to the next level also, no matter how it got there, it is there. It has created a boom in the indusrty again and the competition gives us better products each year at more affordable prices opening up a great world for everyone. Loot at how many point and shoots are out there, I wish the camera companies had done that back when film was all you had.

The Nikon N80 is a value in todays market. It is easy to use and all the functions are easliy set and executed. It goes beyond a beginner camera without the confusion of equipment more reserved forthe experienced photographer. Film still has its palce and being more of an artist minded person its kinda like having another grade of canvas. The day will come when you create an image with film and people will look at in awe, just becasuse you did it with a film camera. The N80 is the reason i am a Nikon dude all the way, prior to this camera I was a Canon user. I am not going to speak ill of Canon, they have great products that make great images but I switched for a reason and have never looked back. I credit the N80 for really getting me hooked on photography and that is why i always carry it with me. Its like having an old friend that you have not seen for awhile. its kinda cool to see them every now and then.

The camera is worth getting and performs great. It is positioned in the middle but performs top rate. It is a bargain in todays market and I will probably get another one when I find a great deal on it. I love this camera, I have a attachment to it that I will never let go. It reminds me of the essence of photography. Film required a skill, talent and imagination. Most people are not going to purchase this camera if they are already using digital. If you are new to photography buy this camera. If you decide to go digital your lenses will go with you. You will enjoy using this camera and you will get great photgraphs.

The main thing is to get a camera, film or digital, and go create some art or some great memories. Good luck.

Well built. Ease of use. It is now a great value at the price you can get one. It has what you need and none of those bothersome and pretty useless auto mode options that clutter up a command dial. You do not have to be a tech wizard, its a camera. It looks good and by golly its a Nikon.

Get a battery extender/grip. They are cheap and they change the whole dynamics of the camera, looks and feel. This is really the only weakness I feel worth mentioning. This may not be a issue for smaller hands. i have hust gotten used to using them and perfer it on the camera.

Cannon Rebel, Nikon N65 (No). D70, S3 and D200.