Nikon N80 35mm SLR Film Camera (Body Only)

The N80 fits nicely between the N55, N65, N75 cameras and the F100, F1 cameras. The F100 and F1 (as well as the D100 and D1) are geared for the professional photographer and provide quality and features only an experienced amateur or pro could notice. Those cameras are definitely not appropriate as first cameras unless you are serious and just have money to burn. The N55 and N65 are geared toward the casual consumer that wants more quality than a point and shoot offers, but likely doesn't really know or care much about photography. These cameras provide "easy" to use features including some that are simply annoying for the serious photographer. The N80 operates in a very similar manner to the F100, F1, D100 and D1 and it makes the transition to these cameras down the road much easier when the time is right. The N80 also provides 10 segment metering, selectable auto focus regions, composition guides (awesome!) and it opens up features of the more advanced Nikon lenses. Overall the N80's build quality feels better than its smaller counter parts as well.

Who is this camera for:

The serious amateur and student photographer, especially those wishing to move up in the Nikon line in the future.

Also, make sure you get a great lens too, I'd highly recommend the Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S Zoom as a first lens.


About the best SLR I've ever owned   May 28, 2006
Brian Baker (Santa Clarita, CA)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful

I've been a serious amateur and occassional professional photographer for over 40 years. My experience spans the early SLR entries up to the present.

I've also been a long-time Nikon groupie. In my opinion, they manufacture the best equipment of this type available, though in recent years the quality provided by a few of the tops seems to be closing the gap. By that I mean Canon specifically.

That having been said, I'm the type of photographer that drags around a select few lenses and a couple of bodies so I can mix and match lenses and films.

Speaking of which (films): I am not technology-averse. I love the idea of digital. I shoot home movies direct to DVD on Sony equipment. I also scan my 35MM negs/prints using the Canon 9950F (an excellent print scanner) or Nikon 5000ED Coolscan (the best slide/neg scanner)to digital files for further action in Photoshop.

HOWEVER, that being said, I still shoot my stills in 35MM film.

Several reasons: Current digital camera bodies simply do not afford the flexibility in speed, sensitivity, or versatility that film does.

I HATE the fact that the CMOS sensors effectively double the focal length of all my lenses (with currently only one exception, by Canon, I think).

I'm recording my images to the only currently available archival medium: film. Yes, I know bytes and bits are supposedly archival. But 50 years from now, is your DVD still going to be readable by any then-current technology? Remember Beta? Or 8 track tapes?

However, Daguerre's and Matthew Brady's prints
(both from the 19th Century) still will be. As will mine -- and yours if you shoot in film.

That having been said, a few years back, as I decided my eyes no longer afforded me the luxury of manual focus and I decided to go for the auto-focus capabilities now available, I stuck with Nikon and bought my first N-80.

I am so happy I did! This camera is simply outstanding in every way, affording you the ability to use it as a simple point-and-shoot if you wish (due to its extremely fast and sharp system coupled with the Matrix Metering system, and on-board pop-up flash), as well as the option to take direct control over every aspect of the creative photo process with intuitive and easy-to-use systems.

I liked it so much that a couple of years later I bought a second as a backup and system enhancer (meaning two loaded bodies with different lens/film combinations).

An additional benefit is that as the current fad seems to be toward digital bodies, N-80 prices have gone down significantly.

An interesting phenomenon that merits a quick observation: in order to get the same quality of resolution available with a good film/camera body/lens combination as far as cropping or enlargment capability goes, you have to spend in the neighborhood of $3000 to $4000 for a body-only camera, and you're STILL limited as to the duplication of film sensitivity. Try duplicating a 3000ASA film speed on a digital camera. Good luck! You'll be blasted by "noise" on the image; what we used to call "grain" for film, i.e. a loss of resolution and sharpness.

I'm finally making the move up to my next big camera purchase. Guess what? It's a Nikon F-5. Another film body. What does that tell you?

Buy this camera! It's great!



A Great Step Up SLR at a Great Price.   October 9, 2004
Jennifer A. Kern (Ozone Park, NY United States)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

As a serious student photographer who worked with old metal bodied all manual SLRs I thought the transition to an automatic camera would be difficult. Too many cameras on the market are made of cheap, lightweight plastic that feels like it's going to crumble in my hands. I like a camera that has weight to it, but won't require a visit to the chiropractor after a day of shooting. The N80 is great for this. It has a very solid construction, and a comfortable, weighted feel in my hands. The grips on both sides are well sized and well placed and I feel that I have optimal control at all times.

The thing that sold me on this camera over similar models was its ease of use. As someone who never wants to read an instruction manaul, but still wants to use the bells and whistles, this was a great camera. The controls are the most intuitive I've seen on any camera of its kind, whether you're on your way to becoming a professional, or you're just starting out, the combination of versatility and ease of use is perfect.

It's extemely self explanatory to change from automatic/program mode, to aperture priority, to shutter priority. Its also easy to use the timer and the multiple exposure controls. bracketing, similarly is easier. I've had the camera ofr 6 months and enver needed to consult the instruction book, hopwever there are many features I can explore in the book if I so choose.

The focusing is about the same as you get for most cameras in this price range. The focus lock works very well, as do the zones. The on;y problem is focusing in low light conditions, but this is typical of these cameras.

Overall, I've found this camera to be a perfect blend of great price, great variety of accessories, utter ease of use, and bells and whistles for the serious student or amateur or aspiring professional.


A Wonderful Film Camera   November 15, 2006
Timothy Kearney (Hull, MA United States)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

I have been a Nikon user for nearly ten years. My first Nikon was a used N70 and I loved it. It wasn't until after I read a review that I learned it was supposed to be confusing, somewhat difficult to master, and not quite up to Nikon's standards. I loved the results and loved my Nikon camera. When the N70 needed repairs and the cost was prohibitive, I purchased its replacement, the Nikon N80 which in all likelihood will be my last film camera (I've just purchased the Nikon D70S).

The N80 has the best features of the N70: an automatic mode and programs for portrait, landscape, night shots, action shots, and close up, settings that allow for manual focus and the ability to set specific apertures and shutter speeds, bracketing, and red eye reduction. It has more features than the N60, but works in a similar manner omitting some of the dials of the N70 that seemed to confuse many people who were used to earlier Nikon models. It's a light weight camera with an excellent. The features are easy too master and it allows a person to take sophisticated and creative photographs. It's also sturdy and I hope to use it for many years to come.

My guess is that some people reading this review may be asking should I invest $300 for a film camera when I could also purchase a digital SLR camera for just a bit more. Digital is the wave of the future and the future is now, there's no question about that, and as I mentioned I own a digital camera. I believe that a film camera teaches a person to be a more careful photographer. I see a lot of people take lousy digital shots figuring they can be erased and miss great shots. While it is true that with digital the results can be seen, the screen is awfully small and until the images are downloaded and viewed on eth computer, what appears to be a great shot may in fact be junk. Film cameras teach the photographer to carefully frame a photograph if for no other reason than film costs money. Photography is also supposed to be fun, and seeing the results of film whether it be prints or slides can be fun. Also even though Photoshop can create a black and white portrait for a digital shot, nothing will ever beat the darkroom experience. Most serious amateurs and professionals I know use both digital and film and I'm assuming that for the foreseeable future I'll be using digital for candid shots and film for scenics, landscapes, and nature shots. If you are serious about taking good photographs and are looking for a film camera, the Nikon N80 is an excellent choice. It is reasonably priced for what it offers, is easy to use, and allows for the opportunity to take great photographs. To me, it's well worth the investment.



Back From Digital   December 1, 2004
Digital Photographer (Brooklyn, NY)
20 out of 24 found this review helpful

I have had several digital cameras, including the Nikon 8700, I feel that digital is still got a way to go, they are wonderful, yet can be very tiring, printing gobs of prints for friends and family is tiring , tedious and expensive.
The cameras unless using some exotic means still cannot focus well in low light, also dont like taking pictures at a place and the whole world standing over my shoulder.
Soooo, happily back to film with the N80 and a Nikon 28-100 Nikon that I bought in a kit.
Its so great to be back in film, now I can get some control back.
As far as the N 80, it really is beautiful done and highly intuitive to use, well made, features are wonderful, a joy to own and use. I made the right move, know that now, shot a few roles of Kodak Color 200, results were so good, if I still want to get lazy, can have the photo processor put the shots on a disc, havnt done it yet, enjoying the prints too much, think I,ll run out and get some Echtekchrome. Photography is an important component for me in my life, the N80 is bringing it all back in a slick very competent manner and I completely enjoy it.