Nikon have expertise in camera manufacture and development that is not really comparable to other makes. They have developed their own metering systems and methods that others have just copied. The F80 continues this tradition and it really is a magnificent camera for both the Professional ... Read review
Filter Size: 77mm80-400 f4.5-5.61.VR operation offers the equivalent of using a shutter ... more
speed 3 stops faster (eight times) faster* 2.Vibration Reduction for the viewfinder is cancellable to conserve battery power 3.Panning is automatically detected 4.Three ED glass elements ensure superior optical performance 5.Nine bladed rounded diaphragm
The 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED now allows you to shoot at shutter speeds once reserved for ... more
tripod use. Nikon VR is equivalent of using a shutter speed 3 f-stops faster, allowing sharper images to be more easily produced in low light and at slower shutter speeds. For even higher performance, the lens can automatically detect when the photographer is panning with a subject. Other features include two VR modes (one for viewfinder and image plane and one for image plane only, which conserves battery power and reduces possibility of eyestrain), a built-in A/M switch for changes from auto to manual focus and a focus range limiter.
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
The 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED now allows you to shoot at shutter speeds once reserved for ... more
tripod use. Nikon VR is equivalent of using a shutter speed 3 f-stops faster, allowing sharper images to be more easily produced in low light and at slower shutter speeds. For even higher performance, the lens can automatically detect when the photographer is panning with a subject. Other features include two VR modes (one for viewfinder and image plane and one for image plane only, which conserves battery power and reduces possibility of eyestrain), a built-in A/M switch for changes from auto to manual focus and a focus range limiter.
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
For Nikon F80 Connected to the tripod socket on the F80 base, it accepts four AA batteries ... more
(alkaline, lithium, NiCd or Ni-MH). Increases the number of shots per set of batteries, for more consistent performance even at low temperatures. Has a tripod socket on the bottom of the unit. *Acts as an alternate power source and does not include a second shutter release for vertical work.
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
(+) Fold out LCD screen, Image Stabilization, Zuiko lens quality, Picture quality, Flash options (-) Noise in low light, Too many buttons, Badly laid out, Too many gimmicks
Advantages: Lightweight and Easy to use piece of Craftsmanship Disadvantages: Perhaps not a durable as previous models
Nikon have expertise in camera manufacture and development that is not really comparable to other makes. They have developed their own metering systems and methods that others have just copied. The F80 continues this tradition and it really is a magnificent camera for both the Professional and the Non-Professional.
Lets talk about ergonomics later and start with what this camera can do to take pictures - the reason for buying it! ...for those that have used Nikon SLR's before. Even if you haven't its use is intuitive and buttons right where your hands are when holding the camera, so you don't have to keep taking it away from your eye to change a setting.
The camera is reliable, much more so than any digital equivalent. The batteries last long and although these cameras have more electronic functions than their ancestors, this doesn't reduce the reliability. more
Nikon have expertise in camera manufacture and development that is not really comparable to other makes. They have developed their own metering systems and methods that others have just copied. The F80 continues this tradition and it really is a magnificent camera for both the Professional and the Non-Professional.
Lets talk about ergonomics later and start with what this camera can do to take pictures - the reason for buying it!
Firstly, any image quality you get from this camera is far superior to any digital camera if you are comparing two photographs taken by the same photographer, even if they are using the best digital camera available. Film is better because digital camera do not yet have the right number of pixels or quality of pixels at an affordable price. Having said that the quality of the image depends on the film you use and of course on the ability of the photographer to read the situation. But if you want the best possible chance, you cannot go wrong with this camera. The 3D Matrix Metering allows you complete control over your shot, either in totally automatic mode or with some level of manual control you are getting excellent information about the composition from the in-house meter. This means that you have the right information to take excellent photos.
If you want more control then all you need is there from you, right down to overriding the metering system, to use something you might prefer from previous models or from experience in using this model. Whatever happens, this camera is unlikely to fail you. Even if you know little about photography, you can have this camera in totally automatic mode and still get great shots! This is an everyman camera and a pro camera all rolled into one! Its a camera you can learn with and a camera you can master - nothing short of a great Christmas present.
The level of control you have is entirely down to you. You can just point and shoot with autofocus, autometering and autoflash if you will. Or you can have control over shutter speed, aperture, focussing and metering. This is done with the easy to use rotator knob settings of P (totally Automatic), S (Shutter Priority), A (Aperture Priority) and M (totally Manual). There are 3 settings for Metering, which are Spot, Centre-Weighted and Full. These allow for absolute control when necessary. There are also 3 settings for Focussing - 2 are autofocus (1 Basic and the other Continuous for moving objects) and the final one is manual.
This has already shown that the range of features is diverse, and they are also of high quality.
It is also extremely easy to use, especially for those that have used Nikon SLR's before. Even if you haven't its use is intuitive and buttons right where your hands are when holding the camera, so you don't have to keep taking it away from your eye to change a setting.
The camera is reliable, much more so than any digital equivalent. The batteries last long and although these cameras have more electronic functions than their ancestors, this doesn't reduce the reliability.
The size of the camera is important for functionality and ease of use and this is the right size for most hands. It is also extremely light, even with long lenses because of its construction. Some might argue that this lightweight makes it less durable, and this is true - but the benefit of ease of use outweighs this issue by some way.
Nikon cameras are very compatible with other photographic equipment. They support all 35mm films, all Canon and Sigma lenses are made to fit it, as are most items for its accessory shoe. But Nikon branded accessories will always function better - it was made for them!
The instuction manual is comprehensive and even gives tips on shooting in difficult circumstances - I keep mine with me at all times just in case.
The camera is quite expensive, but good value for money - you get what you pay for here. The F80 is a great piece of kit.
Conclusion
Pro or Amateur this is a great camera for all needs. It lets you take the photographs you want to take and not be disappointed. There is easy userbility for the amateur and control for the professional who demands it. There is no point spending more on this thinking you might get a better camera. Although brands like Canon have come a long way in the last few years, they still can't match this.
Advantages: Quality camera, excellent range of accessories Disadvantages: Quite pricey (oh go on, treat yourself!)
...I finally decided on the Nikon F80. It is slightly more expensive than your average SLR (single lens reflex) camera, but with all the extra features, I think it is worth splashing out. Here are some of them.
The camera
When you first pick up the F80 you think it’s quite weighty, but when you consider how heavy SLR’s used to be it really is quite light at only 515g. It feels good to hold, some of the newer SLR’s in the same price bracket feel a ... ...not have to buy genuine Nikon lens, which can be quite costly (but excellent quality). The camera comes with a 28-80mm Nikkor lens (unless you buy just the camera body or a different package).
Dimensions (W x H x D): 141.5 x 98.5 x 71 mm or 5.6 x 3.9 x 2.8 inches.
The F80 weighs 515g without batteries. It takes two 3V CR123A lithium batteries, but you can get a battery pack for it – MB16. The camera displays how much power is left in the batteries ...
lou074 13.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nikon F 80
Advantages: Really well featured, superb exposure Disadvantages: AF struggles with larger lenses
Nikon never seemed to be able to make a decent mid-range AF camera. You could buy a camera with a good feature set (F601) but the AF was poor and the motordrive painful to hear. The F70 improved the AF and was quieter but alienated buyers with it's quirky control panel (actually really simple but once people had decided it was complicated that was it). The F401 was an awful camera and the F50 very awkward to use. The F60 was short of features and ... ...only reason to buy a Nikon was the lenses and the very accurate exposure meters.
Then they made the F80. Oh boy.
Nikon must have listened to a lot of people before designing this camera. It has 5 AF sensors, the centre one being "cross ranged" - meaning it can detect horizontal lines as well as the vertical lines standard sensors need. Not only this but they can be selected by a Nintendo style joypad on the back of the camera, or the camera can ...
DaveHarden 16.01.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nikon F 80
Advantages: durable, reliable, big viewfinder, fast. Disadvantages: 1/125th flash sync, does not meter with manual nikon lenses.
...how good a film SLR Nikon could make these days. The only time I messed up is when I was using a flash gun for fill-in on portraits, however I think this was my bad because I just put the third party flash gun on the camera and started shooting portraits with no diffuser thinking the camera would just get it right, but of course without using flash exposure compensation or slow sync the camera has tried to use the flash to provide as much of the ... ...also a good buy for Nikon Digital SLR owner who has never tried film before or want to benefit from a larger view finder, try cross Processing ECT. And of course an ideal camera for students. Unfortunately it will not meter with manual focus Nikon lenses, I have not Idea why but that does stop me from being able to use a lot of older cheaper glass, so if you want to use older glass get a light meter or an F90x. ...
AJUK 04.03.2009 (05.03.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nikon F 80
Advantages: High quality optics, good range of features Disadvantages: Built in flash
...good quality mid-range SLR. The Nikon F80 did everything I hoped for. I did not have a fortune to spend but wanted something as good as possible for the price. It was important for me to have optimum creativity as I like fine art and abstract photography.
At £379 (including lens) the Nikon is fabulous. With several different metering options, it is fully capable of tackling all lighting conditions. The autofocus is made possible in low lighting ... ...lens which is the expected Nikon quality.
The noly thing I do not like about this camera is the built in flash, which transformed otherwise decent images into poorly lit snapshots. The range of the flash is quite limited and I much prefer using my seperate flashgun on the hotshoe.
Overall though, I love this camera. It is, in my opinion, the best around for this price. ...
trixynoland 02.07.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nikon F 80
...with this brand spanking new Nikon F80 and rediscovered my passion and interest in Photography.
The quality of optics on this camera is very much in line with the Nikon reputation and is comparable with some more expensive models.
The plethora of modes and features for focussing, exposure, aperture control making this a very flexible camera. In the program mode you have a very easy to use "point and click" camera which is ideal for snapping on ... ...with superior quality results this is chap to go for. I tested it against the Canon EOS and found that the Nikon just edged it.
If NIKON are good enough for NASA to use them on the moon then they are good enough for my holiday in Italy. ...
Grebe 06.03.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Nikon F 80
Picture Quality
Range & Quality of Feat...
Ease of Use
Overall Look & Design
Value for Money
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Advantages: Pro spec for less than $1000 Disadvantages: slow flash sync
If you ever owned the NikonF80 you will be at home with the FUJI S2 pro
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Advantages: Full SLR functionality Disadvantages: A bit heavy
I got bitten by the digital bug when I bought a Fuji Finepix S602. I had been using Nikon film SLRs for the past twenty years or so. Suddenly I stopped using film and used my S602 almost exclusively. However, I really missed the interchangeable lens facilities that my Nikon film SLRs provided.
Then I found out that Fuji were offering what was essentially a digital NikonF80, their S2 Pro. I use NikonF80s for film, so it seemed a good idea to use one for digital too. So I bought the Fuji Finepix S2 Pro.
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simple and intuitive - much like the Canons. Nikon have realised this and he latest F60s and F80s reflect that. The newer models handle much more like the Canons, and they are all the better for it. ...
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