The Great Nikon N75 vs N80 Shootout!

[ic-racer]

 

[ic-racer]

Differences	N75 $180 New	N80 $340 New
Size	131 x 92.5 x 65mm	141.5 x 98.5 x 71mm
Weight	380g	515g
Viewfinder	Penta Mirror	Pentaprism
View	89%	92%
Flash Speed	1/90	1/125
Control Dials	1	2
External Control	IR Remote	Screw Cable
Film Speed	DX only	DX and Manual
Meter	25 element Matrix	10 element Matrix
External Battery	AA + Extra Release	AA
Internal Battery	2CR	CR123A
Top Speed	1/2000	1/4000
Low Battery and End of Roll Indicators	In finder	On top only
Extra 'Center Subject' AF mode	Yes	No
More Special Functions	No	Yes
Spot/Center/Matrix	By Menu and AF-L button	By dial with indicator in viewfinder
Year of Introduction	2003	2000

 

[Mick Fagan]

Interesting. I've never really looked at these cameras, mainly because I still use my F3's.

Can either be used without the internal battery?

Also, as there is no explanation from your good self, why the posting? Just wondering.

 

[ic-racer]

Simularities
Lens Compatibility Charts
External Flash Compatibility Charts
Built In Flash GN
CAM 900 Focus Module
5 Focus Points
4 AA Battery Pack Available
No functions without battery
Metal Lens Mount
No Mirror Lockup
Spot/Center/Matrix meter selections
Inexpensive on the used market

 

[gone]

It's an interesting comparison, as they look like siblings that were separated at birth or something. I owned the N80 and N70, never had a N75. Neither of those worked well for 3rd party lenses. The N80 can't meter w/ them, and even though the N70 would happily meter w/ anything you could put on it, it's somewhat darkish viewfinder made it difficult when doing stop down metering.

 

[ic-racer]

In practical use the significant weight advantage of the N75 makes it a better travel camera. The 25 segment matrix meter is only bettered by the F5 and F6.

The N80 is kind of like a mini F100 and useful when the F100 features are required. Like needing both control dials, or easier switching between the metering patterns.

My impression is the N75 is the best Non-Pro AF camera they made and the N80 is the best value of the Pro cameras. They pretty much meet at the same point.

 

[ic-racer]

Interesting. I've never really looked at these cameras, mainly because I still use my F3's.

Can either be used without the internal battery?

Also, as there is no explanation from your good self, why the posting? Just wondering.

Both are very remote from the F3. Neither does anything without power. Neither would replace the utility of F3, but each can be had for the cost of an original Nikon strap for the F3.

 

[ic-racer]

It's an interesting comparison, as they look like siblings that were separated at birth or something. I owned the N80 and N70, never had a N75. Neither of those worked well for 3rd party lenses. The N80 can't meter w/ them, and even though the N70 would happily meter w/ anything you could put on it, it's somewhat darkish viewfinder made it difficult when doing stop down metering.

I'd recommend using them with NIKON brand AF lenses. Mostly AF-D compact lenses to take advantage of both camera's small size and features. Much better cameras out there for non-AF purposes.

 

[George Mann]

My impression is the N75 is the best Non-Pro AF camera they made

I don't see how any of these later models can compete with the N70 for real world use.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I bought the N75 to use the Tamron 28mm to 300mm AF zoom that my girlfriend won for me at Bel Air camera. I have never had problem with that third party lens on that camera.

 

[Moose22]

I don't see how any of these later models can compete with the N70 for real world use.

Hah, good one! Isn't that the wackiest user interface ever put on a film camera? It's the Microsoft Bob of camera menus.

And, yes, I own one. So I get to make fun of it.

@Mick Fagan they're coming up because of a couple of active threads on these cameras. Both are thrift store bargains in the States right now, you can often find them for less than $40 with a lens and they're good to use cameras. Way better in actual use than anything you can buy for the cost of a camera strap should be.

 

[Huss]

I have no opinion on such cheap and ghastly cameras.

 

[snusmumriken]

I have no opinion on such cheap and ghastly cameras.

 

[SteveInConverse]

I'd recommend using them with NIKON brand AF lenses. Mostly AF-D compact lenses to take advantage of both camera's small size and features. Much better cameras out there for non-AF purposes.

View attachment 327800

Speaking of D lenses... I find them a bit "cheaply made". I've got a 28-80 that's just loaded with plastic...not sure that there's any metal in it. It takes good pics, just feels super cheap.

 

[Moose22]

Speaking of D lenses... I find them a bit "cheaply made". I've got a 28-80 that's just loaded with plastic...not sure that there's any metal in it. It takes good pics, just feels super cheap.

28-80 isn't a typical D. It IS cheaply made. It was a slow, inexpensive zoom that has surprisingly good optical performance for the price range. But it actually WAS cheap.

Much of the AF-D line is a bit more stoutly built, metal mounts and some body parts.

 

[snusmumriken]

Differences	N75	N80
Size	131 x 92.5 x 65mm	141.5 x 98.5 x 71mm
Weight	380g	515g
Viewfinder	Penta Mirror	Pentaprism
View	89%	92%
Flash Speed	1/90	1/125
Control Dials	1	2
External Control	IR Remote	Screw Cable
Film Speed	DX only	DX and Manual
Meter	25 element Matrix	10 element Matrix
External Battery	AA + Extra Release	AA
Internal Battery	2CR	CR123A
Top Speed	1/2000	1/4000
Low Battery and End of Roll Indicators	In finder	On top only
Extra 'Center Subject' AF mode	Yes	No
More Special Functions	No	Yes
Spot/Center/Matrix	By Menu and AF-L button	By dial with indicator in viewfinder
Year of Introduction	2003	2000

It’s a bit odd how they mixed and matched the specs of the two models. I don’t see what role each model was aimed at, do you?

 

[ic-racer]

It’s a bit odd how they mixed and matched the specs of the two models. I don’t see what role each model was aimed at, do you?

Seems like the N77 was an upgraded consumer model...N80 downgraded pro model. Pretty much met in the same place. The N75 was a newer design so it got the better meter, but to save weight it got smaller viewfinder, less knobs and smaller batteries.

 

[ic-racer]

Speaking of D lenses... I find them a bit "cheaply made". I've got a 28-80 that's just loaded with plastic...not sure that there's any metal in it. It takes good pics, just feels super cheap.

Seems some AF-D are better design and construction. In the picture above the 24mm AF-D is pretty hefty, made in japan. Feels very well made. The big 28/1.8 G in the back feels more hollow and like plastic. It is NOT made in Japan.

 

[Huss]

Anyone that thinks all D lenses are the same needs to check out the pro versions like the 85 1.4D.
The cheap Ds are cheaply made - or should I say not sturdily made - but they all have great optics.

 

[SteveInConverse]

28-80 isn't a typical D. It IS cheaply made. It was a slow, inexpensive zoom that has surprisingly good optical performance for the price range. But it actually WAS cheap.

Much of the AF-D line is a bit more stoutly built, metal mounts and some body parts.

Awesome! Glad to know there's a explanation!

 

[KerrKid]

Honestly, if the nameplate on the N75 said “Mattel” instead of “Nikon” it would seem appropriate. Especially, the silver and black one.

But it IS a Nikon and it is so small, light and handy that it’s really a joy to use. The 28-80 kit lens compliments it well and so does the 50mm f1.8G. Anything bigger and heavier just defeats the purpose of the camera IMO.

If I didn’t have either a N75 or N80, I’d just buy which ever one was less money.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Honestly, if the nameplate on the N75 said “Mattel” instead of “Nikon” it would seem appropriate. Especially, the silver and black one.

But it IS a Nikon and it is so small, light and handy that it’s really a joy to use. The 28-80 kit lens compliments it well and so does the 50mm f1.8G. Anything bigger and heavier just defeats the purpose of the camera IMO.

If I didn’t have either a N75 or N80, I’d just buy which ever one was less money.

My black & silver N75 lets me know that it is packing color film and my black F100 packs black & white film. When my N75 dies, the black N80 will be harder to tell apart which film it is carrying at a glance.

 

[KerrKid]

There’s a N75 with original box on eBay right now for a starting bid of $10.90. It probably won’t sell for much more than that.

If I didn’t already have 4….

 

[MattKing]

Honestly, if the nameplate on the N75 said “Mattel” instead of “Nikon” it would seem appropriate.

Well, Mattel seems to have inspired some interesting things :
https://www.chevrolet.com/camaro-life/hot-wheels-edition

 

[Moose22]

Anyone that thinks all D lenses are the same needs to check out the pro versions like the 85 1.4D.
The cheap Ds are cheaply made - or should I say not sturdily made - but they all have great optics.

I have my 85 1.8D on the N80 right now. It's a favorite of mine for people photography in the wild. Not a plasticky feeling lens at all, with metal threads, mount, and focus ring, though a plastic barrel.

But the 1.4 is next level on the "not plastic" feel. Big filter threads, heavy enough to notice -- it has to weigh at least a pound -- and a metal barrel with that rough Rhino Lining finish paint like the old-school pro Nikkor zooms.