Nikon - N80 35mm Film SLR Camera with Nikon 28-80 G AF Lens

by Nikon

Product Details

• ASIN: B00012BVQ4
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,434 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
  • #78 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Film Cameras
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 18, 2003

Product Description

Nikon - N80 SLR Camera with Nikon 28-80 G AF Lens

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great camera for the film fans, June 10, 2006

By 

dorel_c (SPRING, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nikon - N80 35mm Film SLR Camera with Nikon 28-80 G AF Lens (Electronics)

I have used different cameras, from manual Russian cameras, to state of the art point-and-shoot. I have even fiddled with digital cameras, and considered switching to digital. Well, I decided to stick to film for now, so I bought the Nikon N-80 (known in Europe as Nikon F-80, same camera with minimal software differences).
This is a very good camera, which adapts to every kind of user.

Occasional users: You can set it to automatic mode, in which case you have a very expensive point-and-shoot camera (even though I don't know why would one buy this camera to use in auto mode only). For people with little experience the camera's many controls might be intimidating, and the included manual provides help only for people that know quite a bit about cameras. Also, the flash has to be popped opened manually in order to work, which many people would forget (like I do sometimes). Perhaps, for ocassional users, it would be better to stick to a point-and-shot camera designed for point-and-shot.

Advanced amateur photographers and hobbyists will get the most out of it. Think of a professional camera similar to F-100, without the proffessional price tag. They will have all the customizations offered. I love the simplicity of exposure controls. You can switch by turning a thumb-wheel between pairs of speed-diaphragm while keeping an optimum exposure (in auto mode). In addition, a good option is continuous or single shot metering mode, which comes handy in action situations. For situations when timing is important, the controls are so well placed that once you get used to them, you can change all the settings without even taking the camera from your eyes.
If you are a professional, you already know about this camera and about the F-100 line, which might be better for you in some situations (even though in 90% of the cases this camera would be more than enough).
Things that might need improvement:
In dark places, the focus is somewhat slow (even if the "illuminator lamp" is used), and if your subject moves, you might have a problem focusing fast enough in auto mode. I lost some pictures in the beginning, until I learned to circumvent this issue by switching to continuous focus, or even to manual focus. I think that any other camera in this class would have the same troubles in similar situations.
All things considered, I love this camera and I wish I had more time (and money) to play with it.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great kit for amateurs, photography students, or pros!, January 21, 2004

By 

book_review_grrl "book_review_grrl" (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nikon - N80 35mm Film SLR Camera with Nikon 28-80 G AF Lens (Electronics)

I love this camera! I am a photography student and freelance photographer, and this camera is amazing. It offers top-of-the-line features at a price a student can afford. It offers all-manual options that are perfect for student work - but also has the latest and greatest automated features. For example, Dynamic Autofocusing allows you to capture photos of moving subjects, even in continuous mode, all in focus. And, this particular kit comes with a Nikkor lens that goes from a wide-angle 28mm, to a normal 50mm, through to an 80mm telephoto for portrait work. A very affordable set up, and all at Nikon/Nikkor quality. I'd definitely recommend it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great canera!, September 20, 2010

By 

Will - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nikon - N80 35mm Film SLR Camera with Nikon 28-80 G AF Lens (Electronics)

The Nikon N80 has everything you want for its price. Each feature that the camera offers is easily accessed and can help you make the perfect image. The lighting meter, which can be seen in the viewfinder, is very sensitive and accurate, which also will be very helpful, espeially in full manual. The colors are perfectly saturated, even on cheap CVS brand film. It's fast, easy to use, and fun to shoot. All you need is a little background research and not much money. The downsides are that the camera is mostly plastic, which if you want a more professional feeling camera, could lead to a problem. The most apparent problem however, is the slow flash sync of 1/125 of a second. But for me, I rarely use my flash, so it shouldn't prove as an issue. All in all, Nikon really outdid themselves on this camera. If you enjoy a fast and easy camera for great images, but this camera!