Nikon N80 and N90(s)

[colyn]

Been stuck indoors due to the cold constant rain so I did a bit of googling and am a bit surprised at what I found.

The N90(s) which came out in 1992 seems to be more popular than the N80 which is a newer model having been introduced in 2000.

I've used both and the N90 just feels "old style" to me.

Can somebody give a few pro's and con's of each model??

 

[SolaresLarrave]

After the F5 came the F100, which was soon known as the Baby F5. Then, after the F100 came the N80 (also known as F80 overseas); soon afterwards, it was also called the Baby F100.

I don't know about the N90, but the N80 was Camera of the Year at some point, and also could take older glass. Problems with that: didn't meter, didn't do AF (of course, they were manual focus). However, one could use them in this camera. It also had a very tough polycarbonate body that made it nicely strong, but not heavy. Since it had the same layout and control style of the F5 and F100, it always seemed like the first step in a logical progression. At least, that was my case; my very first AF SLR was an F80 (grey model of the N80), followed by the F100 and closed with the F5. All the later AF bodies had a similar control layout, which was later transferred to the digital bodies.

Granted, the AF motor in the F100 and F5 was far better, but when you compare the light body and reliability of the N80 with other bodies... it wasn't too bad. Mine went out with me under rain and snow, and it always came back ready for more adventures.

Hope this helps! 🙂

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Let me add that only once or twice in my life I held an F90 (same as N90?) body in my hands... and couldn't make heads or tails out of it. I must admit that I'm very partial to the stuff that came AFTER this camera rather than WITH it. In fact, I really don't know whether you could use G lenses on it, because it doesn't seem to have two control wheels (like the F5 and F100... and N80). Hence, a bunch of fairly new lenses could not be used with it. I imagine you can use AIS glass... but, again, probably with an external meter or sunny-16 only.

 

[colyn]

Thanks
I owned a N80 several years ago and liked it a lot but when I tried the N90 it felt cheap to me even though it did a good job..

I'm thinking about getting another N80. The D lens and AF-S lens are both fine lens and work on the N80..

The F100 was a dud in my opinion since it had a thin plastic rewind fork. Mine broke twice before I finally got rid of it.

 

[Austintatious]

If it matters to you, the top shutter speed on a N80 is 4000. The N90s is 8000. Another difference is the N80 can take an old fashioned cable release , the N90 is eletronic release. I have the N80 and really like it.

 

[JP Owens]

The N90s (not the N90) is a fine camera. Works great. Fast. Accurate metering. Amazing how cheap they go for these days.

 

[J enea]

I have both, got the N90 from my dad and bought 2 N80s off craigs list both like new for only $20 each. I never use the 90. seems like trying to program an old VCR. but the results from it are very good. But I prefer the N80. just seems to let me take better pictures and doesn't get in my way the way the 90 does. You cant get much lighter than an N80 and a 50mm 1.8d lens when I need a light auto focus system.

The N80 also has one of the smoothest mirrors I have used in a nikon camera. I have taken many usable pictures at 1/30 with a 50mm lens. if it breaks, no big deal just get another one as they are so cheap. but same goes for an N90. at the price they are selling for, just get both. I have seen many n90's with sticky backs selling for $10 each. 20 minutes with some rubbing alcohol and its fixed. again, just get both.

 

[nobbylon]

F100 rewind forks were replaced by Nikon for the updated version. All the F100's I had used the newer flat bladed fork instead of the pointed early type.
The F90x was a great camera but as mentioned earlier feels old and clunky.
F100's can be bought so cheaply now that I'm picking another up for sea holidays.

 

[Mablo]

F80 is so inexpensive and widely available that I can't see any reason not to own one. Add a 50mm/1.8 AF-D and you have a perfect small and light setup for €150 or so.

 

[nobbylon]

F80 is so inexpensive and widely available that I can't see any reason not to own one. Add a 50mm/1.8 AF-D and you have a perfect small and light setup for €150 or so.

F100's can be had now for 70-100 euro and 50 1.8 Af's for 50!
I prefer the round eyepiece Nikons as you can attach a DK17m magnifier and get an awesome viewfinder.

 

[Freakscene]

In fact, I really don't know whether you could use G lenses on it, because it doesn't seem to have two control wheels (like the F5 and F100... and N80). Hence, a bunch of fairly new lenses could not be used with it.

G lenses work in P and S modes. There is no way to control the aperture.

I imagine you can use AIS glass... but, again, probably with an external meter or sunny-16 only.

Ai and AiS glass operate the focus confirmation and can be used in M and A modes. You lose matrix metering. Ai-P lenses give you everything apart from autofocus.

I still have 2 N90s cameras that shot so much film it's scarcely believable. The shutters were rated to 150,000 cycles but both of mine have done way more than that and still work fine.

I agree with Nobbylon that an F100 makes a lot more sense; it does everything an N90s can do better, including the really functional aspects for use: viewfinder brightness, size, clarity and perception of focus, AF speed and accuracy, ergonomics and control continuity with the dSLRs. There is a place for the F80 because it is so compact, light and, more than anything, it's about the quietest SLR you can get.

Marty

 

[farlymac]

I thought my N90s was going south on me, so I bought an F100 to replace it. Wish I'd done that much earlier..

PF

 

[colyn]

In the end I have decided to get a N80 as a carry camera when I want something lighter than my Nikon F or F2. I also like the D autofocus lens and if I recall the G lens will also work..

 

[nobbylon]

As chance would have it I picked up a late F100 complete with MB-15 for €75 euro today. It's mint! I can't believe these cameras are worth so little. I would like the standard battery holder to be able to use it without the MB-15 though.

 

[ABrosig]

Had a couple of N90S back in the day, both bought new, and the camera was a work horse. I'd disagree that it felt cheap. As a working photojournalist, they were my main cameras for several years. My only complaint with the N90s was the ttl flash metering. In a word, it sucked! Nikon really dropped the ball on that particular feature. If memory serves, it was the first body featuring TTL flash. Ended up selling one body and buying the F100, which I still have and use, having sold the other N90s several years ago. Nikon definitely redeemed itself with the F100 as far as flash metering went. But, for general, multi-purpose work, the N90s was a sweet camera. Not too heavy, even with the extended battery compartment which featured a vertical release button. All in all, a great camera. But, I really can't compare to the N80 as the only time I ever held one was in a camera store.

 

[sevo]

If memory serves, it was the first body featuring TTL flash.

No. The F3 already had some basic TTL flash (with arguably limited fill flash capability). The FA was the first Nikon to have TTL flash integrated into matrix metering - followed by the F4 as the first pro model.

 

[John Bragg]

F90X ( UK version of N90s) is a great camera and available very cheaply especially ones with sticky back syndrome. This can be cured easily and is worth the effort involved. I also have an F100 and it is an awesome camera with all the features you could want. It was mint condition apart from sticky back but I went to town with the isopropyl alcohol and cured that as well. I prefer it to the F90x in that it has back button focussing, a feature that transforms a camera for me. So handy for portrature, focus once and shoot away.

 

[colyn]

F100 rewind forks were replaced by Nikon for the updated version. All the F100's I had used the newer flat bladed fork instead of the pointed early type.
The F90x was a great camera but as mentioned earlier feels old and clunky.
F100's can be bought so cheaply now that I'm picking another up for sea holidays.

I've been looking at some of the F100's on eBay and so far the ones who have responded to my question say it has the older fork. If I can find one with the newer flat fork at a reasonable price I may give it a go..

I did see one with the newer fork but his BIN price is $699.99.. 😱

 

[nobbylon]

I've been looking at some of the F100's on eBay and so far the ones who have responded to my question say it has the older fork. If I can find one with the newer flat fork at a reasonable price I may give it a go..

I did see one with the newer fork but his BIN price is $699.99.. 😱

Ebay prices seem to be dreamland to me. This one I picked up today is serial 224xxxx and has the later fork. It's been owned by an amateur photographer since nov 2006 and seen little use since he bought his D80! There are 2 advertised near me for 100 euro, one with battery pack, one without. I've had 3 F100's before this and only one had a problem. The last one I sold went for €130 boxed and was perfect. That was over 2 years ago and prices have dropped more. I did look on Ebay but the sellers are dreaming with those prices.

 

[lxmike]

stumbled on to this thread, funny enough have been shooting with my dad's F90X this afternoon, up until today have not used a nikon slr for many years, the F90X is a great camera (and available these days for silly prices), but the weight came as a shock to me, l had forgotton how heavy these beasts are compared to my Fujis