Nikon N80

mjames · Aug 23, 2005

What do you guys think about the Nikon N80? From what I've read, it seems like a pretty good moderately priced camera.

roteague · Aug 23, 2005

I've had one for the past 5 years, and I like it a lot - it has been all over the world with me. Small and light, it has one of the newer autofocus modules. I would consider buying another one.

Bighead · Aug 23, 2005

roteague said:
it has one of the newer autofocus modules.

As in, my N80 could have an older focus module??

I ask that because that is my only gripe with my N80... The AF is a little slow at times. It will at times do a lot of "searching". Know what I mean? It also uses one of those little lights, for low light situations, for the AF, which also annoys the crap out of me... If I am trying to shoot something candid, the light tips the people off....

But thats my only gripe.. I love that camera. I have considered another for a backup.. I may get a used F100 or F5 though, for a primary.

roteague · Aug 23, 2005

I have both an N80 and a F5. I find that for ocean scenes, the N80 locks focus easier than the F5. I bought the F5 a couple of months ago so now I use the N80 as my backup camera. I like the focus selector on the N80 better than the F5 and the N80's viewfinder grid is nice as well, but I found the N80 to be a bit small (I have the battery pack for it, so it isn't too bad). The F5 is in a totally different league; it is much bigger and heavier.

Dave Parker · Aug 23, 2005

for the different price points out there, I would look at a pre-owned F100, it is a heck of a camera for the money, still small enough to handle easy, and very durable feeling in your hands, I am not a Nikon person, but absolutely love the feel of the F100 in my hands.

Dave

wildbill · Aug 23, 2005

I bought one about 2 years ago, also witht the battery grip. I wouldn't use autofocus for landscapes but i do use it for people shots and a couple weddings. It searches quite a bit. It sucks compared to the eos-1N i got recently from the big auction site. The other reason why i'm disapointed is that the camera shuts down in cold weather. Anything below 35deg. F and it won't work. I don't know if they all do this or not. I tried both battery options and no luck.
You've got to get the f5 if you want all the good features like 100% viewfinder coverage, autofocus, weather seals, metal body, mirror lock-up, and fast frame rate. just my 2cents

FrankB · Aug 24, 2005

Excellent camera. Ergonomically the best I've handled by a long, long way. I've had mine for about five years and like it more each time I use it.

Highly recommended.

Russ - SVP · Aug 24, 2005

I considered the N80, until I discovered it's 1/125 flash sync. I then purchased an N90. Which I really like. If the flash sync is not a concern, the N80, is a fine camera.

Kiron Kid

madvax · Aug 25, 2005

Bighead said:
I ask that because that is my only gripe with my N80... The AF is a little slow at times.

It depends on the lens you're using. AF is pretty fast when I use primes, and slow with my cheap 70-300 zoom (plus it sounds like this thing is powered by a diesel engine )

André E.C. · Aug 25, 2005

Bighead said:
??

I ask that because that is my only gripe with my N80... The AF is a little slow at times. It will at times do a lot of "searching". Know what I mean? It also uses one of those little lights, for low light situations, for the AF, which also annoys the crap out of me... If I am trying to shoot something candid, the light tips the people off.....

Tip- Buy the F100 or the F5 or 6, for that price, don`t complaint.

Satinsnow said:
for the different price points out there, I would look at a pre-owned F100, it is a heck of a camera for the money, still small enough to handle easy, and very durable feeling in your hands, I am not a Nikon person, but absolutely love the feel of the F100 in my hands.

Dave

Now, that`s a good piece of advice!

wildbill said:
It sucks compared to the eos-1N i got recently from the big auction site. The other reason why i'm disapointed is that the camera shuts down in cold weather. Anything below 35deg. F and it won't work.

And your comparison also sucks, how can you compare those two machines?
One, a flagship of Canon, the other one, a semi-professional body from Nikon, ridiculous!
I live in Helsinki/Finland, I can asure it`s cold enough, have worked with the "little wonder" outdoors with -25c and never shut down, maybe your one was a lemon?

The bottom-line is, for the price, the F80 it`s the big bargain of that class of machines.

Cheers

André

Soeren · Aug 25, 2005

Not mentioned so far is Lens compatiblity.
With the F80 you loose lightmetering with non AF lenses i.e. AIS and AI.
F100 is compatible with non AF- as well as G-lenses
F90X is not compatible with G-lenses, at least not in M and A modes.
I use 28mm AIS and 180mm AIS on my F90X and the only drawback is I have centerweighed and spot metering only but since I use spot 95% anyway its no problem.
How does the viewfinder compare ?
Do you like your camera light or a bit more heavy (rare, medium or welldone )
Søren

Bighead · Aug 25, 2005

madvax said:
It depends on the lens you're using. AF is pretty fast when I use primes, and slow with my cheap 70-300 zoom (plus it sounds like this thing is powered by a diesel engine )

Ironically, I just bought my first prime for it and a haven't used it yet... Good to know.

roteague · Aug 25, 2005

Bighead said:
It also uses one of those little lights, for low light situations, for the AF, which also annoys the crap out of me... If I am trying to shoot something candid, the light tips the people off....

You can turn this feature off, through the menu.

Nikon N80

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