Nikon F80 in thrift store

[sly]

Saw a lensless F80 yesterday, under $100. Planning on going back today with a lens. Anything particular to check for? This is much newer and more electronic than anything in my camera stable.

 

[chip j]

I got 3 new ones from ebay for less than $40 ea., and one came w/a new 28-100 nikon lens!.

 

[spark]

bring some AA batteries, check to see if the thing comes on.

 

[sly]

Right! Batteries and lens.

 

[TheToadMen]

And an old film to check shutter, transport, rewind, etc. Don't know if the shutter will fire without film loaded?

 

[images39]

The F80 doesn't take AA batteries. As I recall, it takes two rather expensive smaller batteries. You can use AA's only if you mount the optional battery pack that Nikon offered. The N80 has a lot of good features, but I'd strongly recommend the F100 instead if possible. It uses regular (and cheaper) AA batteries and it focuses much faster and more reliably, especially in low light conditions. It was an expensive camera when new, but F100's can be found for very low prices now.

Dale

 

[TheToadMen]

Here is the manual of the Nikon F80 and some music while reading it:

 

[TheToadMen]

The F80 doesn't take AA batteries. As I recall, it takes two rather expensive smaller batteries. You can use AA's only if you mount the optional battery pack that Nikon offered. The N80 has a lot of good features, but I'd strongly recommend the F100 instead if possible. It uses regular (and cheaper) AA batteries and it focuses much faster and more reliably, especially in low light conditions. It was an expensive camera when new, but F100's can be found for very low prices now.

Dale

From the manual:

"Use two CR123A or DL123A- type 3V lithium batteries."

"With the Battery Pack MB-16, four 1.5V AA-type alkaline-manganese, lithium, NiCd or Ni-MH batteries can be used to power the F80/F80D/F80S. When AAtype lithium batteries are used, usable number of film rolls increases and maintains stable performance at low temperatures. (Film advance speed in continuous shooting remains the same [as that of batteries installed only in the camera body] with the MB-16."

 

[BMbikerider]

The F80 doesn't take AA batteries. As I recall, it takes two rather expensive smaller batteries. You can use AA's only if you mount the optional battery pack that Nikon offered. The N80 has a lot of good features, but I'd strongly recommend the F100 instead if possible. It uses regular (and cheaper) AA batteries and it focuses much faster and more reliably, especially in low light conditions. It was an expensive camera when new, but F100's can be found for very low prices now.

Dale

 

[BMbikerider]

From the manual:

"Use two CR123A or DL123A- type 3V lithium batteries."

"With the Battery Pack MB-16, four 1.5V AA-type alkaline-manganese, lithium, NiCd or Ni-MH batteries can be used to power the F80/F80D/F80S. When AAtype lithium batteries are used, usable number of film rolls increases and maintains stable performance at low temperatures. (Film advance speed in continuous shooting remains the same [as that of batteries installed only in the camera body] with the MB-16."

The F80 takes 2 x CR123 batteries, the same as used in the F6. Actually they are not THAT expensive.

 

[mgb74]

The F80 takes 2 x CR123 batteries, the same as used in the F6. Actually they are not THAT expensive.

No, they're not. And have a long shelf life. Just don't buy them in the local drugstore, etc. I get mine on Amazon and/or ebay. Generally Panasonic brand. So far, no reason to think they're counterfeit.

That said, almost $100 for a F80 seems high. A N90s should be better and cheaper from a trusted seller.

 

[MattKing]

I would call Nicole at Beau Photo - they have a bunch of used 35mm bodies.

 

[sly]

A 35mm camera for sale in a thrift shop, locally. This is big. When I killed my FE a couple of years ago there were buckets of digis available but none of the local thrift stores had a single film camera - they routinely binned them. The fact that a small local thrift store had 4 film cameras in their case is a good sign for film resurgence. They were all priced in the $60-70 range. I haven't been in a rush to replace the FE, as I've got a Nikkormat, and shoot more MF and LF than 35mm. It'll be nice to have a lighter camera with some automatic features to fill the niche between all-manual cameras and the cell phone. (I gave my digital camera away.)

I know I might find one cheaper off the Island, but I like to get my hands on things before I buy them. I'm also happy to support a local business.

 

[daleeman]

I used a pair of F80s for wedding photography for years. The AA battery pack makes them much more desirable. Will not meter at all w non auto focus lenses, not at all. Sometimes mine had power up problems, bu switch on and off worked.
Sticky skins were an issue after time. I still have one, KEH offered me $6.00 for it mostly for the battery pack.

A Nikon F90s for $30 works so much better, takes and meters with AI lenses and all. My truck camera.

Pass on the F80 get a F90s. S for spot meter.

 

[Prest_400]

I got my F80 with 28-80 lens, bag and cable release for 40€ off local classifieds. I would indeed recommend waiting for one of these low priced (saw kits even at 15€!) or, if cheap, get an F90. Gets halcyon use on the beach and still goes strong.
F90 isn't that cheap over here but F80 serves me good. Light, modern looking and quite convenient. Quite agree on your points as I have a Manual MF and a convenient AE priority 35mm is a boon. The pesky batteries are good to me (and save weight, bulk and having to pay for the grip) but Don't leave it on overnight because the CR123 can die in the process.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have a Nikon N75 that I have used for fourteen years. It is a great camera. I use it for C-41 film and the Nikon F100 for black & white film. Enjoy.

 

[Tim Stapp]

Last year I paid the pricely sum of $5 for mine and added a 28-200 lens for an additional $40 at the local camera store. Later, bought the grip for $28. $100 seems high to me

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have a Nikon N75 that I have used for fourteen years. It is a great camera. I use it for C-41 film and the Nikon F100 for black & white film. Enjoy.

I use the 28mm to 300mm Tamron zoom lens on the N75, the 28mm to 200mm Nikon zoom lens on the F100, but they share the 20mm to 35mm Nikon zoom lens.

 

[sly]

So I didn't get a good enough look yesterday. It's not an F80, but an F801 - which is older, and I think more versatile. The number system Nikon uses makes no sense to me at all. (You'd think the F80 would be followed by a slightly adapted F80-1).

I spent the money, will run a roll through. I can take it back if it's a dud. (It's our favourite thrift - we've got a relationship with the owner.)

 

[Chan Tran]

Near $100 is too much.

 

[sly]

It was $60. I know they are cheaper on eBay, but there's exchange rate, shipping, the fact I couldn't actually handle it, nor have any connection to the seller. I'm not a fan of Internet shopping.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

It's not an F80, but an F801 - which is older, and I think more versatile. The number system Nikon uses makes no sense to me at all. (You'd think the F80 would be followed by a slightly adapted F80-1)...

For both Nikon and Canon, their scheme has evolved where it is the number of digits in the designation that indicates a camera's position in the marketing chart.

Nikon:
1 digit = professional (F2, F6, D5)
2, 3 digits = advanced (N90, F100, D810)
4 digits = entry level (N2020, D3200)

(actually, Nikon started their D-lineup with entry level 2-digit cameras but switched to four digits)

Canon:
digit "1" = professional (F-1, 1v, 1DX)
1 non-1 digit = advanced (7NE, 5DmkIII)
2 digits = mid level (70D)
3 digits = entry level (500N/Rebel G, 500D)

Yes, there are inconsistencies - but this is the trend.

 

[avb]

For both Nikon and Canon, their scheme has evolved where it is the number of digits in the designation that indicates a camera's position in the marketing chart.

Nikon:
1 digit = professional (F2, F6, D5)
2, 3 digits = advanced (N90, F100, D810)
4 digits = entry level (N2020, D3200)

(actually, Nikon started their D-lineup with entry level 2-digit cameras but switched to four digits)

Canon:
digit "1" = professional (F-1, 1v, 1DX)
1 non-1 digit = advanced (7NE, 5DmkIII)
2 digits = mid level (70D)
3 digits = entry level (500N/Rebel G, 500D)

Yes, there are inconsistencies - but this is the trend.

Remember the F50, F55, F60, and F65 were "entry level"
And the N8008 (F-801) was the next-best to the F4 until the F90 showed up!

 

[TheToadMen]

So I didn't get a good enough look yesterday. It's not an F80, but an F801 - which is older, and I think more versatile. The number system Nikon uses makes no sense to me at all. (You'd think the F80 would be followed by a slightly adapted F80-1).

I spent the money, will run a roll through. I can take it back if it's a dud. (It's our favourite thrift - we've got a relationship with the owner.)

Hi,
The F801 is a nice camera. A bit bulky maybe, but I like that look. Enjoy!

 

[hsandler]

I've had several F80s. They are a nice late-model autofocus Nikon. What's nice is that they are compatible with the newer AF-D and AF-S lenses, even VR works with them, IIRC. That said, the going rate for a body on kijiji in Ottawa is about $40, or $75 with the 28-80 kit lens. Personally, if I was getting an autofocus Nikon, I'd get a late model, F65, F75, F80 or F100. I think the F801 is quite a bit older,. from early 90s, and I would not expect autofocus to be very sophisticated. Personally, I also find the early autofocus bodies not too aesthetic. Otherwise, I'd get a metal manual focus metal body from the 80s like the FE2 for the superior viewing screen for use with manual focus lenses. The view screens on the autofocus bodies are not well suited to objects "snapping" into focus visually when manual focusing.