Some New Equipment from Nikon including an F80

[msitaraman]

As noted in photo.net some new products from Nikon. The AF module and display of the F80 seem promising. Its synch speed does not :-(

 

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<a href=http://www.klt.co.jp/Nikon/Press_Release/index.html>http://www.klt.co.jp/Nikon/Press_Release/index.html</a>

[john_oconnell4]

Well, they got it almost right this time. It's basically an N/F8008

with better autofocus and something other than the Death Star

interface on the N70.

 

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Excellent things: grid screen on command, DOF preview, and if I'm not

mistaken, standard screw-in cable release.

 

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Suspicious but not necessarily bad things: "viewfinder image dims

when batteries are not installed" (?!).

 

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Things that suck: IR film advance detection (am I the only person who

shoots EIR?), 1/125 synch speed (Nikon still makes an all-mechanical

shutter that synchs at 1/250), no MLU of any kind.

 

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And no MLU will return to Nikon's amateur bodies very soon, it

seems. That new "VR" lens must have been delayed until this camera

could debut, because this lens's main (and I assume expensive)

feature works only with the four newest Nikon bodies -- the F5, F100,

F80, and D1.

 

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I'm about as happy as I expected with these moves by Nikon, I guess.

The F80 camera isn't going to suddenly become the camera I need --

I'll need an FM2N first -- but as long as the price isn't exorbidant

I'll be happy enough to get one eventually.

 

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Suggestions for new VR lenses, to get the ball rolling here: the

macro lenses would be handiest, followed by a fast prime -- 50/1.4 &

1/15 second, anyone? I'd be in clover... I'd need 150' of Tech Pan

and a bulk loader in a hurry!

[eric_chi]

When I first brought my N70, my only wish is it could have a DOF so I

can use my ND filter. When I first got my F100, my only wish is that

it could have a built-in flash so I don't need to carry an extra

flash. Now the dream comes true.

 

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Great to see the 80-400 VR too. I guess my wallet sinks. Hope the

Canon can come up more innovations to keep the Nikon humble and remain

competitive in prices.

 

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Eric.

[bobatkins]

Anyone know how the Nikon VR system works? They seem to have a mode

which stabilizes the image on film, but not in the viewfinder (to save

power). This isn't an option on the Canon system.

 

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The only way I can think of is that the VR only kicks in when the

shutter is fully depressed, but I'd have though that would introduce a

substantial lag time while the VR system kicks in.

[stanley_mcmanus]

According to the Nikon promotional info, something called moderate VR

kicks in when only film plan VR is used. Sounds like the VR system

is allowed to operate but no allowed to fully eliminate the

vibration. Sort of get things calculated and put in a bit of VR but

wait for the shutter to be depressed before fully reducing the

vibrations. I assume that when the shutter is depressed full VR

kicks in with a lag of some sort as the VR system finishes the job it

started. Again, I assume that a photographer would use full VR for a

moving subject or when timing the shutter is critical in order to

minimize any lag time. For static subjects that can be shot at

anytime, the moderate VR could be used. This is all speculation on

my part.

[walter_newton1]

Thing that sucks: No metering at all with non-CPU (Manual Focus)

lenses!

[scott_fairbairn]

the 80-400 VR lens only uses the TC14A which means no electrical

connection, so i imagine the VR doesn't work as well? Also i don't

think it is a silent wave motor. Basically means I need a third 1.4x

TC.........

[matthew_smith1]

I think the new lens is interesting because while it doesn't seem to

be an AF-S, it allows for simultaneous AF/MF. Perhaps this is going

to be the new wave of Nikon's second tier autofocus lenses?

[robert_landry]

I think this new lens is interesting because it hints at what is to

come from Nikon. While this particular lens will probably not see the

inside of my camera bag, it does indicate that Nikon is getting on the

bandwagon finally. More VR lenses to come? Well I'd imagine. As far as

the full time manual focusing in AF mode, from the picture I would

guess not (despite the wording in the PDF); it has the standard M-A

switch like the current non AF-S lenses. The reduced body

compatibility is a drawback though and the 'no metering' on the F80

with manual lenses is a big mistake. Luckily you can have most lenses

converted fairly cheaply or use your current body. As far as no AF

with converters, some might see it as a negative but IMO I can't see

putting any converter on a 5X zoom, let alone a f/5.6 lens.

[john_oconnell4]

No metering with AIS lenses: aaarrggg! So now all of us who prefer

our metal barrel & smooth helical lenses will have to have them

chipped if Nikon continues to go this way. And good luck getting

your 6mm/2.8 or 13/5.6 or 800/5.6 chipped.

 

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Nikon already lost one sale to me this way with the N60 (crappy

camera, but if it could have metered with all of my lenses, I'd have

bought one for my sister). May the FM2N & F3 outlive the F80!

[paul_wilson10]

Matthew, I don't think the lens will allow for simultaneous AF/MF.

The pictures seem to show an AF/MF ring on the lens, similar to the

non-AFS 80-200/2.8, 20-35 and other similar lenses.

 

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As for metering with a 6/2.8 or 13/5.6, I don't think many people will

be worried about this.

[terry_danks]

Hmmm . . . do I understand this correctly? Nikon has introduced a new

body that will not allow ANY metering whatsoever with my 800mm f5.6

IF-ED Nikkor? Or any of my other old MF Nikkors?

Hard to be too enthusiastic.

Even, my EOS-3 meters just fine in manual mode on the old Nikkors when

used with an adapter.

I don't quite understand precisely how the meter becomes totally

inoperative when an MF lens is mounted.

[geoffrey_s._kane2]

Terry, the body doesn't have the metering "tab" requied to know what

aperture has been set on the lens. So if the lens doesn't have a CPU

to convey this info electronically, you're SOL.<p>

Theoretically "stop-down" metering should be possible, I guess only

Nikon knows why they got rid of that feature as well. My guess is

they didn't want to kill F100 sales.

[david_cunningham5]

I noticed that on the Nikon Japan press release the camera is

designated as the F80 while on the Nikon USA page it is listed as the

N80.

[robert_landry]

Terry, I wouldn't worry about not being able to meter with the F80/N80

with MF Nikkors. I guess Nikon must feel that few F80 customers are

gonna have a stable of older MF Nikkors. Maybe their wrong, but I'm

certainly not buying an F80, so I guess it doesn't affect me. On the

other hand, my MF 600mm f/4 now has the metering CPU installed so I

wouldn't have to worry even if I did buy the F80 because I would get

full functionality. The thing to remember is that Nikon has probably

made a decision to lessen support for their MF lenses on anything but

their top tier cameras (cutting costs) and of course the

still-in-production FM2N and F3 cameras. So essentially, you may not

get full MF lens support on all bodies; I think we still have enough

bodies to choose from.

[eric_chi]

I'd guess the omission of MF lenses support is more to differentiate

expensive and very expensive Nikon camera bodies.

 

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Eric.

[geoffrey_s._kane2]

I'm not real happy with Nikon's decision not to include AI (non CPU)

metering with the N80. However, I've decided that it probably is not

that big of an issue for the following reasons:<p>

If I decide that I want an AF body I'm not too likely to get rid of my

F3 and FA.<br>

My MF lenses couldn't take advantage of all the neat new features of

the N80.

The AI metering isn't free so removing it will save money and reduce

maintenance (one less part to fail).<br>

There are more than 10 years worth of used AF lenses on the market (so

you're not stuck with new lenses).<br>

Many users with AF cameras don't own any manual focus lenses (I bet

most just have the cheap AF zoom that came with the camera).<p>

Now if Nikon decides to discontinue (and not provide replacements for)

the F3 and FM2n, I <b>will</b> get mad.

[david_cox]

If the N80 does not meter with manual focus lenses, what happens with

AF lenses that are used with non-AF teleconverters or with extension

tubes. If these are unusable with the N80, the camera will be of no

use to anyone but the rankest amateur.

[chuck]

Where did the information on incompatibility with AIS lens came

from? Nikon's brouchure indicates N80 has combined AI and CPU meter

coupling, same as F100, F5 and N90s.

[alan_gibson]

Chuck: the press-release <a

href="http://www.klt.co.jp/Nikon/Press_Release/f80.html">http://www.kl

t.co.jp/Nikon/Press_Release/f80.html</a> say the meter doesn't work

with non-CPU lenses. The lenses can be used, but only in manual.

[dennis_tsang2]

Please note that the weight of the F80 is just 515g(!), which is much lighter than F70 and even the cheap model like F60/F50/F401x. Is it prism-free or all plastic like some EOS models? I also concern about the country of assembly. Some people say that the quality of Tailand F601 is lower than that of the original Japan made F601(really?).

[geoffrey_s._kane2]

Regarding the viewfinder/prism, details seem to be tough to come by.

From the Nikon GmbH (Germany http://www.nikon.de) I found the

following in a PDF file about the F80: <i>Sucher: Feststehendes

Dachkantprisma mit Dioptrieneinstellung (-1,8 bis +0,8 dpt)</i><p>

Which roughly translates to: <i>Viewfinder: Fixed [roof]prism with

diopter adjustment from -1.8 to +0.8.</i><p>

My German isn't good enough to get a good translation of

<i>Dachkantprisma</i>. I know that Dach is roof and Prisma is prism.

but the kant has me pretty much baffled.<p>

I looked up the .PDF file for the F100 and found this: <i>Sucher:

Feststehender Dachkant-Prismensucher mit Dioptrieneinstellung (-3 bis

+1 dpt)</i>. They changed how they compounded the words (there's just

something about the German languange and compound words), but it seems

to be more or less the same.<p>

According to the specs listed, the F80 has an eyepoint of 17mm, a

coverage of 92% and a magnification of 0.71x to 0.75x with a 50mm lens

at infinity.<p>

If there are any native German speakers who can explain the difference

between "Dachkantprisma" and "Dachkant-Prismensucher" and if either of

these words really say that it is (or isn't) a real glass prism in

there I'd love to hear from them. BTW, the .PDF file can be found at:

<a

href="http://nikon.de/assets/pdf/F80.pdf">http://nikon.de/assets/pdf/F

80.pdf</a>.

[pete_dickson1]

A Dachkantprisma is a pentaprism. A Dachkanprismensucher is a

pentaprism finder. Given this, I don't think there's enough

information to know if there's a real glass prism in there.

[geoffrey_s._kane2]

Bob, there's some info on a VR patent that Nikon has at <a

href="http://patent.womplex.ibm.com/details?&pn=US05926656__&s_all=1">

http://patent.womplex.ibm.com/details?&pn=US05926656__&s_all=1</a>.<p>

Hope this helps.... Jeff

[louis_philippe_masse]

I find this discussion rather amusing:

 

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Before Nikon made the F90/N90 serie, everybody was complaining about

AF and said that Nikon isn't modern enough. Now, they got AF-S

lenses, VR lenses, a new midrange multizone AF body and everybody

complain that Nikon is too modern!

 

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I guess you cannot please everyone. :-)

 

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lp