Bought a Nikon N80

[colyn]

Picked one up off eBay so I could carry a film camera with my D200 and Nikkor lens.

Will manual AI lens work on this body?

Pros? Cons?

 

[Pablito]

This is a very, very capable camera. Has everything you'd want; AF, very good spot meter, motor. I can't remember if the manual ai lenses will work on it because I only used AF lenses on it (but that will be very easy to find out). Very light camera and easy to carry around. People laughed but I used these professionally for a while alongside Leicas (used w/a lenses on the Leicas and longer lenses on the N80). Of course the camera is largely plastic so it's not as durable or bulletproof as some of the heftier Nikon bodies. But they are so cheap now they are practically disposable. I still have two of them but when I consider what I'd get for them, I find it hard to think of selling...

 

[Keith]

Check this ... http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm#mid

 

[FA Limited]

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html

 

[Pickett Wilson]

The N80 won't meter with the older lenses. The N70 was the last one that would meter with AI lenses, I believe.

 

[ampguy]

Take care on the D200 with non AI lenses, I think the coupling ring of Non AI's can possibly interfere. That's the nice thing about the low end 40/60/90 is that they can take most all non AI's (though the manual states they aren't supported).

Of course, there is no metering on the lower end AI(s) lens, but focus confirmation works fine (green dot).

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I have the F80. I love the sounds it makes.... Anyway, just this evening, i was disappointed to find that my 50mm Series E does not meter on it. At all. I was hoping it would meter, at least, in manual mode, but you get nothing....

 

[colyn]

Take care on the D200 with non AI lenses, I think the coupling ring of Non AI's can possibly interfere. That's the nice thing about the low end 40/60/90 is that they can take most all non AI's (though the manual states they aren't supported).

Of course, there is no metering on the lower end AI(s) lens, but focus confirmation works fine (green dot).

The coupling ring does get in the way on the D200 when trying to mount a non-AI lens. I only use AI and AF lens on my D200.

 

[colyn]

Sounds like old fashioned metering when using my AI lens. But I do have several AF lens to use..

 

[bucks11]

My N80 is my favorite SLR in my lineup...

Which AF lenses do you own? My favorite to match with the N80 would be the 50/1.8. I borrowed a 50/1.4 from school but can't justify spending the extra $200 when compared to the 1.8. IMO.

 

[Frank Petronio]

The 50/1.8 AF is far better than the 50/1.4 AF so don't worry about it!

 

[Keith]

Can someone tell me how an N90s compares to an N80 in the real world ... I've read an online comparison somewhere but I'd like to hear from someone who has actually used both cameras!

 

[SolaresLarrave]

The Nikon F80 was my first AF SLR camera. I really liked mine... until I got my Leicas. But I went back to it often... until I got my F100. I still used it as a kind of backup... until I got my F5. Then, I just didn't use it at all and marveled at how really light and well made it is. Mine went with me to Colombia, Costa Rica and a number of places in the US.

As you must know already, it won't meter with non AF glass. However, it was known as the Baby F100 for a reason: very good metering, quick AF and reliable electronics. True, it's plastic, but it's still pretty tough plastic. I found mine tougher and heavier than the two silly little film cameras that Nikon put out later, the N55 and the N75.

Best thing: it takes a regular, conventional shutter release cable. Yep! Not a fancy, schmanzy Nikon piece, but your run-of-the-mill remote. That, my friend, is a touch of genius! 🙂

 

[colyn]

My N80 is my favorite SLR in my lineup...

Which AF lenses do you own? My favorite to match with the N80 would be the 50/1.8. I borrowed a 50/1.4 from school but can't justify spending the extra $200 when compared to the 1.8. IMO.

I have the 50mm f/1.8, 28-80mm, 35-70mm, 70-210mm, as well as a couple of digital lens and many AI manual lens..

 

[bucks11]

I have the 50mm f/1.8, 28-80mm, 35-70mm, 70-210mm, as well as a couple of digital lens and many AI manual lens..

Nice selection. Seems that my 50/1.8 is the only lens ever attached to my N80, a very good combination IMO.

 

[peterc]

Can someone tell me how an N90s compares to an N80 in the real world ... I've read an online comparison somewhere but I'd like to hear from someone who has actually used both cameras!

The N90s/F90x can use AI and AF lenses unlike the N80/F80 which can only meter with chipped lenses.
The N90s is also more of a system camera. Focusing screens can be changed, there are multifunction backs, faster frame rate with the optional battery pack, remote control options etc.
However, the N80 is newer and much lighter.
The choice comes down to what you want to use it for and what lenses you have. The N90s is more rugged, heavier and has more options. The N80 is lighter and also one of the quietest SLRs I've ever used.
If you want a smaller camera with much of the functionality of the N90s, the N8008s/F801s is a good choice.

 

[jarski]

Picked one up off eBay so I could carry a film camera with my D200 and Nikkor lens.

Will manual AI lens work on this body?

Pros? Cons?

perhaps size/weight would opt N90, but F100 these days is bargain of what its capable of. anyway, since you've the decision already, take most out of it. 🙂


edit: sry typo. OP mentioned N80.

 

[Chris101]

Vibration Reduction (VR) works with the N80 but not with the N90. I often use my 24-120vr lens on my N80, I think that makes for a perfect, one lens travel camera.

 

[Gaspar]

I have a F801. Big as a brick but cheap and it meters with all ai lenses. Also got it to complement my d200.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I prefer the N8008s (F801s) over the N90s. It is lighter and just feels better in my hands. I use mine with manual focus lenses only, and it's easy to focus with them. Great camera.