Question on the N80

I have been searching for a replacement for a nikon that is now R.I.P, and I

had a few questions about the N80 and some other 35mm AF bodies. I have been

looking at the N8008/N8008S and some other AF bodies. But all I have is

manual focus lenses (and some good ones at that). So I need a body that will

allow me to use my MF lenses, and then later some AF lenses. I was able to

shoot with a N80 a few days ago, and was able to look at one today and focus

around with it. But both times I held the camera in my hand I tried to focus

and it seemed to never be able to fully focus. Is this just the way the

camera is or dose it have something to do with the connection between the body

and the lens? Also, dose the N80 even let me use my manual focus lenses? Any

suggestions would be exellent.

 

Thanks alot, Rob

It's a good camera, especially for the price, but focusing manually is not nearly as easy as it is with a good manual focus camera. And you will not be able to meter with your manual focus lenses.

Rob,

 

N80 will allow you to mount the old AI/AIS lens but you can only use it on manual mode. The exception is that TTL flash is still useable. There is a green focus assist light in the view finder that is very useful.

 

I would suggest you should look at an older body. If you are in US you may want to look at www.keh.com.

 

Regards

 

Haris

Rob, regretfully the N80 will not meter with AI/AIS lenses. While the lenses will mount and permit you to shoot, the lack of metering is an enormous drawback. The viewfinder isn't terribly conducive to manual focusing either. I'll put my last nickel on subsequent replies concurring with this recommendation: F100. They are going for *a song and a dance* used. The F100 will permit classic Center Weight and Spot Metering with your lenses and the viewfinder is a vast improvement over that of the N80; much more conducive to MF lenses.

Next to the viewfinder there is a diopter adjustment. If it was a little off it would explain why you could not fully focus the image in the viewfinder. If you want to use AIS lenses then get the F100.

I turned on a pole lamp. My D2H was in my hand. I saw a single

strand of spider silk passing close by the lamp. The brave little

critter dropped about 18 forom the ceiling. Why not? I

tired auto focusing on this single strand of back lit silk. The D2H

locked on immediately. I was suitably impressed. The N80 was

right there so I swapped lenses putting my 35~70/2.8D AF (best as

I can recall) and tried to focus with the N80. It could not find

the brightly back lit silk. I focused on edge of the lamps

reflector, same distance as the silk. I could not find the silk

in the N80 viewfinder.<br>

<br>

My vision is 20/15 to 20/20 corrected, depending on which glasses

Im wearing. I tune up the diopter settings on my cameras

with care. Im sorry the N80s viewfinder just doesnt

cut it. Maybe an after market focus screen would do the trick. As

shipped from the factory I cant abide it.<br>

<br>

My recommendations are the F5, F3, FM3a, FE2 or FM2n. All are

excellent thought the FE2 and FM2n will be the easiest provided

that the eye point isnt a problem for you. The order is

actually least to best. Not quite as good but still very

reasonable is the F100. In dim light the F100s back lit LCD

display dims so in that way its easier to use than the F5

which can glare in your eye. The weight of the F100 is just 861g

with four AA lithium batteries. With the F5 and F100 you simply

install your AI and AIS Nikkors and start shooting with center-weighted

or spot metering.<br>

<br>

Another test I ran was focusing on a figurine at about 4 feet.

Then I focused on a standard medical eyesight chart at the

standard 20 foot distance. The light source was a paltry, (1) one

watt LED head lamp. The D2H locked on directly, the F5

consistently went past the focus point, returned and locked on,

the N80 just hunted. The F100s performance would be very

much like the F5s.<br>

<br>

The SLRs primary interface with the photographer is its

viewfinder. The whole object of the SLR is for the photographer

to see what the lens sees. As far as Im concerned if the

viewfinder is not up to par the camera is not up to par. Later

you want AF. If you are going to buy an AF camera buy one that

delivers on the promise. The first camera that did that for me

was the F5. The F100 is very much the same. The F5 may track

moving subjects better, the F100 might be a trifle faster with

simple AF. The D2H is truly spectacular.<br>

<br>

My preference is the F5 but then I own the FE2(s), FM2n(s) and

the F100 so if I dont want to carry the weight or if I dont

what the presence of the F5 Ive got a choice.

Given the current price of the F100 I think it might be your best

choice. I certainly would consider less for myself.<br>

<br>

Best,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.

What was your old camera? What is your budget? Do you want AF lenses in the future?

Hey guys,

thanks alot for all the info. It was exactlly what I needed. To answer your question Ravi, yes I do wish to move on to AF lenses in the future. But the main thing I am looking at doing is to replace my old FE body with an AF body that will last my quit some time later. Thanks alot David, I had never really cosidered the F5 or really even the F100. But it sounds like those might be a better choices. I still can't figure out why both those N80's would not focus the right way. It was like it was swayed to the right or somehting. Oh well,

Thanks, Rob