colonialpara's Full Review: Nikon N80 QD Body Only 35mm Film Camera
This is a truly valuable addition to Nikon's line of great 35 mm AF SLRs. It is lightweight, user friendly and accepts the entire line of Nikon AF, AF-S and AIS lenses.
The N80, considered to be Nikon's top-of-the line amateur camera offers a wide variety of features and capabilities to its users and while not an entry level camera, will remain capable enough for the long term that the average user will never outgrow its wonderful array of capabilities.
The N80 offers many of the best features of Nikon's pro-level F100, but at a fraction of the cost and weight. The camera was introduced to the USA and the world in early 2000 (outside of the USA it is known as the F80).
The N80, which replaced the highly criticized N70, offers users simpler controls than its predecessor and its top deck LCD panel eliminates the controversial "rainbow" panel found on the N70. Instead, there is an LCD panel now common to the entire nikon SLR line as well as a knurled control dial that allows the user to make a variety of operational selections for the camera.
Below are some of the many features that make this such an enjoyable and capable camera platform.
MAIN FEATURES & TECHNOLOGY:
1) Nikon has included a Multi-Cam 900 AF module with 900 pixels, five focus sensors (one sensor is cross-hatch in pattern and four are line sensors)which are red-lit in low light situations and dark in bright and an AF assist light for red-eye reduction during flash operations.
2) Numerous AF options including Dynamic Auto-Focus in single servo or continuous servo mode, closest subject priority focus, AF Lock-on for AF focus at a rate of 2.5 fps, designation as any sensor as the primary, individual sensor selection. There is also a rear mounted focus mode selector on the camera back door.
3) The N80 contains advanced metering that includes: ten segment matrix metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering. The user can also select 5 spot meters that allow pinpoint control of metering based on selected subject. The flash sensor is five segment and there are a wide range of flash modes. The camera also permits compensation for available and ambient light, AE lock and auto-exposure bracketing with additional variable options for use with and without flash.
4) A built-in speedlight with a pentaprism mounted hot-shoe for use with Nikon's outstanding array of flash units.
5) The camera can also be used with wireless off-camera TTL flash by utilizing Nikon's SU-4 wireless slave flash control accessory and accessory speedlights.
6) The standard Nikon SLR operating modes which include fully programmed autoexposure (P) with flexible program override being possible, Aperture priority (A), Shutter Priority (S) and Manual (M). Selecting these modes is accomplished by turning the knurled control wheel found on the top left deck of the camera.
7) The camera also includes Depth of Field Preview (DOF), an illuminated LCD panel, eyepiece diopter correction, socket for conventional cable release (in the shutter release button) and electronic remote release accessories.
8) The N80 also offers the photographer 18 user programmable custom settings (a pocket card accompanies the camera so there is no need to try to memorize them all).
Despite the wealth of features found in this small, compact and lightweight camera body, the Nikon N80 is NOT a difficult camera to learn how to use. In fact, POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY magazine Editor Herbert Keppler stated in his first test review of the camera that it was so intuitive to use that he didn't even need to read the owner's manual.
CAMERA CONTROLS:
The N80's most important and frequently used controls are the Main Command Dial, found on the upper right rear of the camera (just above the camera back) and the Sub-Command Dial, found on the front of the camera, just below the shutter release button. Both of these dials perform specific functions and one of the 18 custom functions permits the photographer to reverse them, should he/she find that more to their liking. A primary example of use is that the Main Command Dial selects shutter speeds, while the Sub-Command Dial selects apertures.
The Selector Dial on the upper left of the camera deck is used to set operating mode, choose and set a custom setting or to set film speed. This permits manual override of DX coded film cassettes, thereby allowing the photographer to set film speed based on conditions, personal preferences and so on.
Just beneath the Selector Dial is a small switch that determines film rate advance, the self-timer and multiple-exposure(s) on the same frame.
Just aft of the shutter release button are the +/- controls that are used for setting exposure compensation or flash exposure compensation. The flash exposure compensation button bears the traditional lighting bolt to indicate this function and to eliminate confusion as to exact function.
Immediately to the right of the LCD panel is the little button that illuminates the panel; an obvious and logical placement of this feature.
With an ergonomic shape to the right hand grip, the photographer's right thumb comes to rest on the back, just below the Auto-Exposure/Auto-Focus Lock (AE-L/AF-L) button. Surrounding this button is the little outer wheel that permits selection of the 3 different metering methods, (i.e. Matrix, Center Weighted and Spot).
The camera back includes a film confirmation window as well as the Nikon selector switch that permits the photographer to select which sensor will serve as primary during Dynamic Auto-Focus operation. This button is placed where the thumb naturally falls on the camera back for effortless activation.
THE VIEWFINDER:
All needed and relevant information for the photographer's operation of the camera is found within the N80's viewfinder. During operation, only then current functions utilized are displayed within the viewfinder. This helps prevent information overload and unnecessary confusion.
Immediately apparent when one puts one's eye to the viewfinder is the center placement of the 5 cross-screen sensor markings. These are the focus detection sensors previously mentioned.
For practical purposes, the following are the functions that are displayed to the photographer based on features selected and so on. They are:
1) Focus Brackets - for spot metering
2) Reference Circle - for Center Weighted Metering
3) On Demand Grid Lines (Custom Function 4-1 selected)
4) Flash ready light (when flash is chosen)
5) Frame Counter/Exposure or Flash Compensation value, if selected.
6) Exposure Compensation
7) Flash Exposure Compensation
8) Exposure Mode
9) Aperture
10) Shutter Speed
11) Multiple Exposure/AE Lock indication
12) Metering system chosen
13) Focus Area
14) In Focus Indicator
THE TOP DECK LCD PANEL:
The top deck LCD panel displays a wide array of information. The display includes the following:
1) Mode (i.e. Program, Flexible Program, Manual, Shutter Priority or Aperture Priority).
2) Exposure Compensation - if selected
3) Flash Exposure Compensation - if selected
4) Shutter Speed/Exp. Compensation Value
5) Bracketing Bar Graphs
6) Aperture
7) Custom Setting (if selected)
8) Battery power remaining
9) Frame counter
10) Focus Area
11) AE Exposure Bracketing
12) Flash Synchronization Mode
13) DX Code Indicator
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY & the N80:
The N80 offers the user a wide degree of freedom when utilizing either the built-in, pop-up flash or an accessory speedlight. The synch speed for both the built-in flash and hot shoe mounted accessory flash units is 1/125 second. While this is not exceptionally fast, Nikon believes it adequate for most users of this camera. Personal preferences being what they are, you will have to decide if this speed meets your needs.
Lens Compatibility During Flash Operation:
Nikon AF, AF-D, AF-S, AF-I and AI-P lenses with built-in CPUs will maintain most N80 functions. Some of the flash modes will still work, especially with AI or AIS manual focus lenses are used with the N80.
With most non-CPU equipped lenses, however, the N80 must be set to Manual mode and SPOT metering. One must set a shutter speed no faster than 1/125 of a second as well as an estimated f stop using the aperture ring on the lens. Standard TTL flash is still provided automatically by the camera. One warning: while the subject will be properly exposed, the background may not be. Monitor pre-flash, found in more recent Nikon speedlights will NOT be provided. You can still set flash exposure compensation.
Pop-Up Speedlight:
The built-in speedlight has a Guide Number of 39 at ISO 100. This unit is capable of taking advantage of balanced fill-flash with both AF-D and AF-S lenses.
PRIMARY Flash Modes:
Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill Flash. The photographer can obtain a nice balance of ambient light and flash provided light using either the built-in or an accessory flash unit. This mode works either indoors or outside. Outdoors, it is especially useful for providing fill-flash to fill in shadows and reduce harsh contrast in bright sunlight. The feature operates after the N80 is set at matrix or center weighted metering. It operates in all modes EXCEPT MANUAL.
STANDARD TTL Mode:
When using certain NIKON designed and manufactured speedlights, such as the SB-80DX, SB-28/28DX, SB-27, SB-26, SB-25 and SB-24, Standard TTL flash can be selected in ANY camera metering selection. It should be noted that with TTL flash, film speeds of ISO 25 to 1000 can be used. Do not use faster films.
Non-TTL Auto-Flash Mode:
In this mode, the length of flash is determined by a sensor on the flash unit that detects and measures light reflected from the subject as the exposure is being made. As soon as the amount of light needed to correctly expose the picture is rendered, the flash unit shuts off any further light.
Any aperture can be selected in A mode, but the distance from camera to subject is very important.
Manual Flash Mode:
A set amount of light will be provided. Exposure is controlled on the N80 by selecting different apertures based on distances to the subject.
Normal (Front Curtain) Flash Synch:
This is the mode used for most flash photographs. The flash unit fires as soon as the shutter curtain is completely open on the N80. The camera will set the synch speed of 1/60 to 1/125 of a second in aperture priority and Programmed Auto-Exposure Modes. Longer Shutter speeds can be selected in Shutter Priority and Manual modes.
Slow Synch:
In some especially low light conditions, you may find it necessary to shoot at slower than normal shutter speeds for flash. Slow Synch is capable of setting shutter speeds as long as 30 seconds. During this length of exposure, darker backgrounds and background lighting will register on the film surface. When using this mode and long exposure times, a tripod is recommended to prevent camera shake and image blurring.
Rear Curtain Synch:
This is a specialty mode useful in generating creative photos of moving subjects. When selected, the flash fires at the end of the exposure, just as the second shutter curtain begins to close. What results is a flash-lit subject followed by more natural/normal looking streaks of light.
RED-EYE REDUCTION:
The N80 is capable of controlling this occurrence during flash operation. On the front of the camera body is a small lamp that lights for approx. 1 second prior to flash firing. This light reduces the size of the subject's pupils, thereby reducing the amount of light reaching the back of the eye that can be reflected back to the film plane. Certain Nikon speedlight models, most notably the SB-80DX, the SB-28 and 28DX as well as the older SB-26s and 27s have a small red-eye reduction lamp that will fire instead.
Please note though that the one second delay does much to diminish ideal conditions for candid shots.
OTHER ACCESSORIES WORTH CONSIDERING:
Nikon provides several optional accessories the owner of an N80 may find useful. The camera, unlike earlier Nikon AF cameras has a threaded shutter release socket that enables the photographer to utilize a conventional remote shutter release. This eliminates the need to buy the more expensive electronic shutter release.
While the basic camera uses CR123A batteries for primary power, purchasing the optional MB-16 grip/battery pack enables the N80 user to substitute less expensive, more readily available AA batteries. While these batteries do not last as long as the more expensive lithiums, they are available everywhere and at a significant cost savings. I purchased the MB-16 for my N80 and even though I have small hands for a man, I find the grip provides extra camera control and the need to change batteries more frequently is only apparent when using AF mode with high flash usage. I prefer the convenience of AA availability to any inconvenience more frequent battery changing may cause.
This review is not intended to be an instructional manual for the Nikon N80. Instead, I hope that this delineation of the main features and technology, incorporated into the N80 body, will serve to showcase the high end capacity within the camera's body.
When paired with Nikon's wide array of AF, AF-D and AF-S lenses, the N80 user will find unique and diverse picture taking options.
Do not let the list of features frighten you into buying a lesser camera. As I said earlier, this camera is very intuitive and allows the buyer, even one who may feel the camera is beyond their skill level to grow into the N80. A beginner could buy this camera, learn with it, but not outgrow it. It contains that much ease of use, plus significant enough technological advancement that the owner will not be tempted to replace it anytime soon.
For folks who still like analog photography, but who don't have the need, desire or bank accounts to purchase more expensive pro-level cameras, the Nikon N80 is a worthwhile investment in creating delightful and original photography. This camera will allow you to reach the zenith of your creative potential without breaking the bank.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $369/body This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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