N80 - Nikon's best value SLR
Written: Oct 12 '00 (Updated Nov 30 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fabulous Feature Set, Innovative, Thoughtfully Designed, Amazingly Priced
Cons: Where does Nikon go from here?
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| sweeper's Full Review: Nikon N80 QD Body Only 35mm Film Camera |
If I have to sum up my impressions on Nikon's N80 with one word, the word would be value. After a month-long evaluation of this SLR, my singular wonder is how Nikon managed to fit all the smart features, design thoroughness, and performance in such a small and affordable package.
While Nikon has been known and sometimes criticized for a perceived lag in releasing SLRs, it has totally reversed that notion by releasing the F5, F100, N80 and N65 seemingly one right after the other. In reality, the process has taken nearly three years. However, considering the fact that Nikon has released two professional and two amateur level film cameras in this time, not to mention making significant strides in digital imaging, is remarkable for any camera company. For photographers, Nikon sends a clear message that this leading camera maker plans to stay on top of accelerating technology and respond to consumer demand.
Its release of the N80 in Spring of 2000 elicited strong positive response from upper-echelon amateur shooters who couldn't quite make the leap to the high-end amateur level N90s or the almost affordable pro level F100. That leap was a great one indeed. Nikon had too long let its N70 model languish. Similarly priced and arguably more useful and updated models from Canon and Minolta were released since the N70 made its debut. The N70 with its rainbow colored LCD panel display may have been pretty to look at but many users cried "gimmick" and criticized its value and ease of use. Frankly the N70 could no longer be expected to carry the load of advanced amateurs who heard the technically seductive Siren cry from competing models. From a marketing standpoint and for this Nikon fan, the N80's debut and its remarkably reasonable street price of $500 couldn't have come a moment too soon. A "QD" version of this body allows the user to place time information on the film and runs about $30 more.
Upon unboxing the N80 body my first two impressions were "small and light." These were not necessarily positive attributes as I've not only grown quite used to the bigger size and greater bulk of my old workhorse N8008s body but I've come to depend on them for helping me hold the camera steady during handheld shots. I'd have to wait and see. The next impression was more alarming.
I immediately attached a wide-angle zoom lens and peered through the viewfinder. My heart sank. I couldn't believe the dark and murky image I was seeing. My distress was short-lived upon spying the notice in the box that assured me that the viewfinder image would brighten and normalize when batteries (not included) were installed. Apparently, the entire viewfinder screen is an active transparent LCD panel which allows a myriad of functions and displays some of which I'll explain further on. When the two CR123A batteries were installed a bright and contrasty image presented itself. Whew!
The exterior of the camera is covered in a rubberized plastic with a pebbly surface that makes gripping the camera comfortable and assuring - much better than my older and slip prone N8008s. Ergonomically, the camera fits nicely in my hands. Fingers naturally rest on the most used controls and the camera comes to the eye easily. However, those with large hands may feel cramped. A supplied rubber eyepiece protects glasses and the high eyepoint viewfinder has a built-in wide ranging diopter adjustment - thoughtful design details that make shooting a pleasure for those without perfect eyesight.
While I'm at the viewfinder, Nikon has introduced a number of features that enhance the photo experience if not the final image. The normally black proprietary "Vari-Brite" viewfinder information such as the focus area indicators will glow red if ambient light levels fall below a certain level. This allows the user to continue to shoot with confidence knowing where his or her focus points are. The effect is subtle and does not distract from the image. A wonderfully smart use of the active LCD viewfinder panel is an on-demand grid pattern that can aid in composition. For anyone who has trouble holding a camera level or learning the "rule of thirds", this feature is a Godsend. For the architectural and copy photographer, this feature is absolutely essential. The viewfinder image is 92% of the actual image on film. This is about par for amateur level cameras.
One of the better improvements this model has over previous Nikon offerings including the N90s is the control types and placement. Nikon has finally gotten it right by merging the simplicity of dials with the advantage of electronics. Whereas so many of its predecessors only used buttons to access features, the N80 includes a dial that accesses them directly. A thumb activated "command" dial and index finger activated "sub-command" dial accesses functions within a feature. For instance while in the aperture-priority exposure mode, f-stops are selected by turning the sub-command dial. This type of control takes a day or two to acquire. Once you practice a bit, however, selecting features becomes instinctive and there is little reason to bring your eye away from the viewfinder. The user no longer has to fiddle with the aperture dial on the lens, as in the days of old, and reset it to its minimum aperture when wishing to use the "program" mode. This electronic selection of apertures allows the benefit of selecting AND seeing "intermediate" f stop numbers in the viewfinder or top deck LCD panel such as f/6.7, f/13, f/4.8 etc.
As a regular travel and outdoor photographer, I field tested this camera first in the local undeveloped park in the early evening. My first satisfaction was the camera's lightweight in hiking the steep hills. The weight saving was marginal at best as I also carried an eleven pound tripod and three lenses as well. With a wide-angle zoom lens, I shot off-hand with ISO 100 film toward the ridge to the east which was taking on the orange cast of the setting sun. The camera handled quite well and felt balanced with the attached lens. I attached a three pound 80-200 f/2.8 lens and the camera became a different beast. With this combination, the lens becomes the dominant feature but I managed to experiment with a few hand-held shots before attaching the camera and lens to my tripod. I found later, to my surprise, that some of these hand-held shots were acceptably sharp. The balance and wide-open lens take credit for those. However, all my tripod mounted shots were publication sharp if not publication worthy. Nikon re-introduces the mechanical cable release capability to the N80 meaning users don't have to spend the big money for an electronic switch. Note to Nikon: Don't go messing with this now.
The auto-focus mechanism seemed to be as fast if not faster than the pro level F4 that I had once used. I was able to track and hold a mountain biker zipping by on the trail in the waning light with ease. It was hard to fool the auto-focusing as the cyclist passed behind trees and approached and sped away from me. I also believed the rider was moving faster than normal when he realized he was the subject of my shots. The illuminated top deck LCD was welcome as I shot my last frames of my neighborhood during the late evening from my elevated hillside position through a grove of oak trees. The tricky balance of orange low-pressure, sodium vapor street lamps, incandescent house lights and the last of the darkening ambient sky light was handled easily by the auto exposure system. My slides showed perfect exposure.
Camera noise is whisper quiet during operation. Shutter and reflex lens noise as well as film advance and rewind is much quieter than my N8008s and N6006. I would happily shoot weddings and other social gatherings unobtrusively with this body.
The camera's greatest workout was during hikes in Utah's Canyonlands and Arches National Park. With temperatures in the 90s and long term exposure to the sun, the camera churned through roll after roll of Velvia slide film and delivered a high yield of perfectly exposed and focused shots. During some hikes the camera hung at my side with the attached lens mentioned above or an even heavier 300mm f/4. Surprisingly, the combo didn't hamper our mile and a half uphill scramble to Delicate Arch to catch the last rays of the setting sun just after it appeared from under the clouds and only minutes before disappearing forever that day below the horizon. Working in tandem with two other camera bodies, I was able to capture many memorable images. During the weeklong outdoor adventure in some of the world's most spectacular landscape, the N80 performed consistently and reliably. It never failed to function nor did it present any surprises. The last thing a photographer needs when the changing light or moving shadow is about to show a once-in-a-lifetime image is a camera that does something unexpected. Tools should always work consistently and, in this manner, the N80 shines.
Back in town, I found the built-in flash amazingly useful. Like the flash included on the N6006, the built-in speedlight on the N80 is nicely versatile. Its relatively powerful output (guide number of 39 with ISO 100) and angle of coverage (will accommodate a 28mm lens) belies its small size. Much more than a light to use after the sun has set, the flash has rear and slow synchronization capability, and Nikon's exclusive automatic distance based, user selectable balanced fill flash capability when used with appropriate lenses. A red-eye reduction and focus assist lamp rounds out the integrated speedlight package. These features nearly approach those of my $350 SB24 stand-alone speedlight!
I found the N80 flash capabilities very convenient, intuitive and easy-to-use on my Utah trip. After twelve hours of carrying thirty pounds of camera gear, I wanted to explore the town of Moab in the evenings unhampered by all the equipment. A mid-range zoom and N80 combination felt like a point-and-shoot in comparison. I was able to grab snapshots of local attractions. The slow synch capability allowed me to capture my wife checking out locally made jewelry in storefront windows with a pop of flash while allowing the spotlighted jewelry to show in my final image as well. A conventional flash setting would have illuminated my wife but revealed a dark and uninteresting window display instead. During the day, I tend to use balanced fill flash for most of my people shots to reduce the contrast in sunlit photos. The N80 makes it easy to select a ratio of -1.5 stops to use enough fill without making my use of flash obvious in the resulting image.
Obvious buyers of the N80 will be those contemplating the soon to be unavailable and long in the tooth N70. The N80 will appeal to all Nikon amateurs looking to acquire up-to-date, pro-level features but don't want to spend twice to three times as much for the F-series bodies. Nikon has done a superb job in designing this feature rich, affordably priced camera. It's a camera worth the wait.
Recommended:
Yes
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