Nikon N80 Question

[Bruce Butterfield]

Ran out of battery about halfway through a roll of 36; I removed the dead batteries but wasn’t able to replace them for a few days. When I finally put in the new ones, lo and behold the film counter was automagically set to 22 which seemed right to me. My question is what is the technology that allows that magic to occur? As far as I know there isn’t an underlying mechanical counter — or is there? Inquiring minds want to know…

 

[MattKing]

Many cameras have two battery systems - one to do things like wind film and meter scenes and power built-in flashes, and a second, extremely long life semi-permanent battery that is designed to power the systems that retain information even when the other batteries are out of the camera.
That second battery is often designed to require the involvement of a service technician to replace it.
The Nikon experts will know better than I whether the N80 is set up that way.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Data/Date Back (Application for F80D, N80QD and F80S) …

… Power Source: (Common to Simple and Between Films QDs)
The power is supplied from the camera body. The super-capacitor is mounted so that the date
is not reset when the battery in the camera body is replaced.

Nikon N80 Service Manual

Factory service manual. Also covers the F80 and F80s

learncamerarepair.com

This applies to the version with data back.

Accordingly, a (high-capacity) capacitor is installed, which is charged by the main batteries and supplies voltage to the settings when the batteries are removed.

I suspect that this solution is also implemented for the camera settings, but I couldn't find anything about it in the service manual.

 

[blee1996]

Yes most likely a high capacitance capacitor for the EPROM that hold essential settings.

 

[Bruce Butterfield]

Interesting, thanks

 

[Daniela]

Good question, OP. I've noticed that too and wondered about it. I've had mine for 24 years....Long live the N80!