Modern cameras (Nikon N80/F80) should make it easier right...?

Quinten · Dec 12, 2005

Since I could use AF for sports I bought a used F80 today, I can't even get a film loaded with this piece modern technology thingy while it was easy with my good old FE wich could well have been designed before I was born.... (I am only 24 and suddenly understand my grandparents with mobile phones)

When I load a film I just lay the end of it in the camera and close it, than it starts to wind it till frame one and says error,.. error!!! "Where is the old film leaver I can do it in myselves!" Seems it can only write and not listen...
Ohh and one more thing where is the iso dial? How does this little thing now the iso rating of my film?

Ohh dear and that's when I haven't even loaded a film yet! This is going to be funny...

cheers!
Quinten

Dave Parker · Dec 12, 2005

Qunten,

You need to make sure the film is in the correct spot before the take up spool will start winding the film, to short or two long, won't work, as far as ISO, the camera has contacts in it that read the DX code on the canister, if your canister don't have the DX coding, it will either default to ISO 100 or you will have to set the ISO manually..

Your best bet would be to see if you can find a owners manual for the camera and READ IT, this will go along ways to making sure your using the camera correctly, as sometimes misloading the film can cause a problem with the camera that will make it non-functional and require service..did you buy it at a shop? if so they should be able to help you out.

Dave

Gerald Koch · Dec 12, 2005

On the N50 you can set the film speed manually. When I bought one used the clerk told me that later models like the N80 have the such provision for manual speed settings.

ann · Dec 12, 2005

no, the entry level slr, or not easier to use. THey (manufactor) don't think people are going to use them in anything but auto mode.

try teaching the basic fundmentals with 1/3rds. folks eye's glaze over with full fstops.
and then of course add those funky zoom lens that change fstops with increasing focal length.

roteague · Dec 12, 2005

Quinten said:
When I load a film I just lay the end of it in the camera and close it, than it starts to wind it till frame one and says error,.. error!!! "Where is the old film leaver I can do it in myselves!" Seems it can only write and not listen...

Quinten,

With the N80/F80 you need to lay the film cannister into the slot, pull the film leader, and position the leader with the red line on the takeup side. If you go too far, or too short, the camera will error out. As for you other question, you can manually set the ISO, but not as easily. I don't have my N80 with me, but I will check for you when I get home.

rbarker · Dec 12, 2005

Make it easier? Of course they do, but only if you RTFM (read the "fine" manual) and can understand what it says.

roteague · Dec 12, 2005

The N80/F80 is actually not a bad camera; I've had one for about 5 years and found it relatively trouble free. The autofocusing is better than my F5.

pentaxuser · Dec 12, 2005

Quinten said:
Since I could use AF for sports I bought a used F80 today, I can't even get a film loaded with this piece modern technology thingy while it was easy with my good old FE wich could well have been designed before I was born.... (I am only 24 and suddenly understand my grandparents with mobile phones)

When I load a film I just lay the end of it in the camera and close it, than it starts to wind it till frame one and says error,.. error!!! "Where is the old film leaver I can do it in myselves!" Seems it can only write and not listen...
Ohh and one more thing where is the iso dial? How does this little thing now the iso rating of my film?

Ohh dear and that's when I haven't even loaded a film yet! This is going to be funny...

cheers!
Quinten

The posts in this thread is making me have second thoughts about changing to Nikon. I have a Pentax MZ7 and simply taking the leader and feeding it beyond the first couple of teeth on the take up sprocket has never failed.
There is an ISO section on the programme dial which is easy to use as well.

The trouble is I have yet to find another owner past or present of a MZ7 so can't compare any notes.

Pentaxuser

ann · Dec 12, 2005

Nixon is not the only camera with auto load features. this is very common in all new models.

I love mine and won't trade them.

gnashings · Dec 12, 2005

ann said:
Nixon is not the only camera with auto load features. this is very common in all new models.

I love mine and won't trade them.

And its not a crook, either!

Ole · Dec 13, 2005

pentaxuser said:
The trouble is I have yet to find another owner past or present of a MZ7 so can't compare any notes.

Not an MZ7, but I have a MZ-5n. I have it, my wife uses it mostly...

rfshootist · Dec 13, 2005

Quinten said:
Since I could use AF for sports I bought a used F80 today, I can't even get a film loaded with this piece modern technology thingy while it was easy with my good old FE wich could well have been designed before I was born
cheers!
Quinten

Actually the auto film load of the F80 is the fastest and easiest way to load film at all. Just RTFM and you will find that confirmed. Without a manual you never will be able to activate the full potential of this camera and it will stay a stupid full auto thing not better than any P&S.
If you need a wheel to set ISO manually this isn't the right camera tho.

bertram

Quinten · Dec 13, 2005

It works!!! You just have to put in the film first and pull the film while it's in the camera.

I think the more a camera does the less I know what I am doing. The only reason I bought it is for the AF since long lenses wide open and a fast sport where bad ingredients for Manual focussing. I am surprised by the AF it's incredibly fast with the lens I bought for about 25 dollars

Thanks for all those replies! And I sure will look for a manual, seems the thing has more setting than I can imagine.

cheers!
Quinten

FrankB · Dec 13, 2005

pentaxuser said:
The posts in this thread is making me have second thoughts about changing to Nikon.

The best advice is to go to a shop and handle one yourself. I've had one for about five years and think it is the best ergonomically-designed camera I've ever seen (compared with Canon, Minolta, Pentax, etc.), however, that's just a personal opinion. YMMV.

pentaxuser said:
I have a Pentax MZ7 and simply taking the leader and feeding it beyond the first couple of teeth on the take up sprocket has never failed.

On the F/N80 slip in the canister, pull the leader across to the red line and close the back. That's it, done.

pentaxuser said:
There is an ISO section on the programme dial which is easy to use as well.

Likewise on the F80. If you're using non-DX coded canisters, a film outside its auto range or would just like to change from the auto-set ISO rating then set the program dial to ISO and dial-in the new rating using the command wheel (under your right index finger). You can even change a custom function so that the camera will not automatically pick up the DX rating.

Quinten - If you can't get hold of a manual try and get hold of a Magic Lantern Guide for it. It not only tells you what the camera can do but also why you might want to do it!

benjiboy · Dec 13, 2005

Impeach Nikon !! Sorry folks I'm just being silly.

mawz · Dec 13, 2005

roteague said:
The N80/F80 is actually not a bad camera; I've had one for about 5 years and found it relatively trouble free. The autofocusing is better than my F5.

I must say I find that hard to believe. The F80 has a cut down version of the F5's AF sensor (With only one cross sensor) and a weaker AF motor. The Af performance on the F80 is distinctly inferior to either the F5 or F100.

Dave Parker · Dec 13, 2005

mawz said:
I must say I find that hard to believe. The F80 has a cut down version of the F5's AF sensor (With only one cross sensor) and a weaker AF motor. The Af performance on the F80 is distinctly inferior to either the F5 or F100.

Well you may disagree, but I have heard alot of people who prefer the AF speed on the F80 over the F5..

Now to render one of my personal opinions, the F80 is one of the worst ergonomically balanced cameras I have ever held in my hands..

Just goes to show you why there are so many different models of cameras made now a days.

Dave

roteague · Dec 13, 2005

mawz said:
I must say I find that hard to believe. The F80 has a cut down version of the F5's AF sensor (With only one cross sensor) and a weaker AF motor. The Af performance on the F80 is distinctly inferior to either the F5 or F100.

I can only tell you what I have found through experience. Yes, the sensors are different, the F5 and F100 use the Multi-CAM 1300 module while the F80/N80 uses the Multi-CAM 900 module (consumer grade, but newer design). I do a lot of shooting along the ocean - I live in Hawaii after all - and have found that the F5 has trouble locking onto ocean waves, it does a lot of hunting, and I usually have to turn it off and focus manually; something I rarely have had to do with the N80.

roteague · Dec 13, 2005

Satinsnow said:
Well you may disagree, but I have heard alot of people who prefer the AF speed on the F80 over the F5..

Now to render one of my personal opinions, the F80 is one of the worst ergonomically balanced cameras I have ever held in my hands..

Just goes to show you why there are so many different models of cameras made now a days.

Dave

When I bought my N80, I insisted on getting the optional battery pack with it. The camera was just too small for my hands without it. It balances the camera quite nicely, and has the additional advantage of coverting the camera to AA batteries (4ea).

Dave Parker · Dec 13, 2005

roteague said:
When I bought my N80, I insisted on getting the optional battery pack with it. The camera was just too small for my hands without it. It balances the camera quite nicely, and has the additional advantage of coverting the camera to AA batteries (4ea).

Robert,

No aurgument intended at all, was just voiceing my opinion that is all it is, just my opinion, the camera don't fit the way I shoot, or my hands, but I know there are a great many out there that it does...

Dave

FrankB · Dec 13, 2005

FrankB said:
I've had one for about five years and think it is the best ergonomically-designed camera I've ever seen (compared with Canon, Minolta, Pentax, etc.), however, that's just a personal opinion. YMMV.

Satinsnow said:
Now to render one of my personal opinions, the F80 is one of the worst ergonomically balanced cameras I have ever held in my hands..

Just goes to show you why there are so many different models of cameras made now a days.

LOL! Yes indeed! You can't please all of the people all of the time!

roteague · Dec 13, 2005

Satinsnow said:
Robert,

No aurgument intended at all, was just voiceing my opinion that is all it is, just my opinion, the camera don't fit the way I shoot, or my hands, but I know there are a great many out there that it does...

Dave

I was agreeing with you; without the battery pack, I too found the camera balance off. And, it was way too small for my hands.

rfshootist · Dec 13, 2005

Well you may disagree, but I have heard alot of people who prefer the AF speed on the F80 over the F5..

I have no comparable experience with the F5 but in general AF speed depends on the lenses too. Speaking about my own experience Maxxum 5 and 7 do have a better AF speed !

Now to render one of my personal opinions, the F80 is one of the worst ergonomically balanced cameras I have ever held in my hands..

Depends bit on the mounted lens too but I have no complaints at all.
This body is small and light and that's what I love. Plastic is no prob, I don't go to war with it.

bertram

Dave Parker · Dec 13, 2005

rfshootist said:
Well you may disagree, but I have heard alot of people who prefer the AF speed on the F80 over the F5..

I have no comparable experience with the F5 but in general AF speed depends on the lenses too. Speaking about my own experience Maxxum 5 and 7 do have a better AF speed !

I have used the F5, the F100 and still prefer my Maxxums, I currently shoot the 9XI(I own two of them) and the Maxxum 9 with very fast glass 300 f/2.8 and 600 f/4 so focusing is very fast!

Now to render one of my personal opinions, the F80 is one of the worst ergonomically balanced cameras I have ever held in my hands..

rfshootist said:
Depends bit on the mounted lens too but I have no complaints at all.
This body is small and light and that's what I love. Plastic is no prob, I don't go to war with it.

bertram

Even with small lenses on the camera, it was still very out of balance for my hands, but as I said earlier, that is why there are so many different models of camera, because, there are so many different models of photographers!

Dave

Quinten · Dec 14, 2005

Funny how a thread can go, I just hope to have more sharp pictures of the ports pics I do than with manual focus, and an F100 was just to expensive (these stings still have quite a value on the used market.) So I gues the F80 is a lot better than the FE here. I don't really care about how it feels etc just needs to do it's job. In case an F100 is a load of times faster I might concider it for later though. But I remember a famous quote: "In case I would have a 1000 dollars I would be a millionair!" Guess that's thruw when you come from an FE.

cheers!

Modern cameras (Nikon N80/F80) should make it easier right...?

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