Nikon F100, N80 and B/W film

[PKR]

bgb--size and weight ARE an issue!!!
The F5 is SIGNIFICANTLY heavier when you carry it around all day.
A very big difference, expecially when you have a big zoom attached.
Even those straps that are supposed to absorb the weight don't help.
I'd suggest you try both for a few hours before you decide.
While the N80 can't top the F5 in autofocus or matrix metering--I'd suggest you'd find the N80 more than adequate for most purposes. Of course---YMMV and all that.
Paul

I second that Paul. I've had back trouble over the years from packing a lot of photo gear. I will no longer let a heavy camera hang from my neck. This includes an F3 (no motor). A single RF would be okay. Shoulders are alright for a short time. Doing this has really helped my back. I try to always travel light and with a minimal amount of gear - I find I get a lot more done and have a lot more energy for contorting my body for low angle and ladder-climbing, hanging out of a window kinda angles. If it were me, and the N80 would do what I needed, I would likely get more done with it, than with an F5. An F100 would be a fair compromise.

Many pros who used F4-F5s switched to the F100 for most use when it came out. Galen Rowell is a prime example. Think about having to carry 2 F5s with 5 or 6 lenses, and a bunch of film, batteries, and maybe a jacket, water etc. around for 8 or 10 hours. Most would switch to a pair of F100s (or 2 N80s) in a hart beat. If you have an assistant or two or and are working in a venue where the gear is stationary, like a baseball game or studio job; the weight is not an issue - then an F5 may be just fine. The spare batteries are in the charger next to the coffee and bagels.. and your assistant will grab them..

 

[pvdhaar]

Had an F80 with MB16 battery grip. Very capable package; with the exception of the already mentioned lack of metering with non-CPU lenses, every feature I could think of was in there. Traded it in on a Hexar-RF, but I should have kept it alongside the RF..

 

[Haigh]

I love my F100 but my legs don't get stronger with age and it is weighty. Wouldn't have been a problem ten years ago.

 

[besk]

Looking at all this... If I want
- AF
- Metering with AI/AIS lenses
- VR, and
- Works with G lenses

Then, my choices are very limited:
- F100 -or-
- F5, F6

N80, N65, and N75 come close, but won't meter AI/AIS lenses

And, for the OP, yes, the Nikon bodies are all great for B&W.

The N70 is a good choice. I think it works with G lenses. In addition, it is lightweight, relatively quiet and seems to have little camera shake from the mirror. I was surprised even comparing it to my Leica.

I was impressed.

 

[pvdhaar]

The N70 is a good choice. I think it works with G lenses. In addition, it is lightweight, relatively quiet and seems to have little camera shake from the mirror. I was surprised even comparing it to my Leica.

I was impressed.

The F70/N70 only supports G lenses in P and S mode, not in M or A. It also doesn't do VR..

 

[Steve M.]

The F80 is a great little camera w/ accurate metering, and one of the quietest shutters on any camera, SLR or rangefinder. Unfortunately, it has a dimish viewfinder. You certainly wouldn't want to use if for manual focus lenses.

I prefer the old N6006 and N8008s Nikons. Bought my 6006 for $7 as a backup to my KEH Exc N8008s that cost me all of $30. The 8008s is a better camera, especially since it takes cheap AA batteries. I regularly use mine w/ a Leica R lens on it. I would also recommend the Nikon AF 28 105 zoom lens. Not the fastest lens, but nice and sharp, and a useful zoom range.

Here's a couple of pics of my N8008s. With a 2.0 Summicron lens on it, the viewfinder is amazingly bright and very easy to focus. I love this camera.

 

[besk]

The F70/N70 only supports G lenses in P and S mode, not in M or A. It also doesn't do VR..

Thanks for the info.

What is VR?

 

[Paulbe]

VR=Vibration Reduction, Nikon's term for anti-shake in the lens.
Works well.
Paul

 

[PKR]

Thanks for the info.

What is VR?

Nikon VR is their Vibration Reduction system. It's built into the lenses that have VR rather than into the camera body. The Body needs the support electronics and firmware. The lenses will work on VR equipped cameras. In some cases, you can buy a lens (55-200 DX) with or without VR, saving a bit of weight and money. I personally think that VR is only important on longer lenses. In the case of some Zooms, you don't have a choice. The new 24-120 VR is said to be a great lens. I have the older non VR model and it's one I use a lot. Also, the older D series lenses have diaphragm adjustment rings, so they can be used with older cameras. The newer G lenses require a camera of N80 vintage, or newer, for F stop adjustment. If you're going to get Nikon gear, it would be a good idea to read about the system so you can buy wisely.