Translate your passion for photography into images that you'll be proud of with the Nikon N80 35mm SLR. It's a camera that inspires confidence because it gives photographers features and technology built from decades of expertise in the professional arena--Razor-sharp autofocus, comprehensive exposure controls and even a built-in Speedlight. The N80 is the Nikon 35mm SLR you've been waiting for.
Field-Proven AF System The ability to react instinctively is the key to capturing award-winning pictures. Thanks to the N80's 5-Area Autofocus system, you can select the focus mode that best suits the scene and your needs. It features a Multi-Cam 900 Sensor with five focus detection areas for wide coverage in both horizontal and vertical formats. Additional features include Focus Tracking with Lock-On to focus continuously on a moving subject, Vari-Brite Focus Area Display for at-a-glance focus confirmation, and built-in AF-Assist Illuminator so you're never completely in the dark.
Four Exposure Modes for Maximum Control Programmed Auto Exposure mode (P) provides the quickest and simplest exposure control option because the N80 chooses both shutter speed and aperture. Plus a Flexible Program feature lets you shift the camera-set shutter speed and aperture combination set by the N80. The Shutter Priority Auto Exposure mode (S) is the best choice when you want to stop action in its tracks or intentionally blur movement for creative effect. You set the shutter speed from 30 full seconds to 1/4,000 sec. and the N80's microcomputer automatically selects the correct aperture. Set the N80 for Aperture Priority Auto Exposure (A) when you want to control depth of field. After selecting the aperture, the camera sets the precise shutter speed within its range of 30 to 1/4,000 sec. You can also opt to set the shutter speed and aperture yourself using the N80s Manual mode (M).
Built-in Speedlight Lets You Control the Light The N80's powerful built-in Speedlight makes it easier for you to explore the creative use of flash photography. Its powerful flash provides wide illumination to cover the field with a 28mm lens. Moreover, this built-in flash offers many of the creative flash photography features and technologies that Nikon photographers have been enjoying with an accessory unit attached to some of our top-of-the-line SLR cameras.
AF Nikkor Lenses Like all Nikon SLRs, the N80 features the Nikon F-lens mount, which gives photographers access to the cast lineup of Nikkor lenses, including many non-AF Nikkor lenses. When an AF Nikkor lens is attached, the N80 automatically determines which one it is and makes the necessary adjustments for optimal performance.
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.
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