cbohan Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 First let me say that you guys are great! Only hours go by and I have a dozen insightful responses. I'm a photography student buying a Nikon SLR, but I'm stuck between buying a F100 and a N80. The N80 would fit my needs now and costs less. However, the F100 has room for growth at 3x the price of the N80. Thanks for your replies! You're making my life easier! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 You have gone from N65 to N80 to F100 in just a couple of days. What exactly is your budget? In the US, you should be able to get used F100's in very good conditions for below $400. If that is within your budget, IMO that is the best approach nowadays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbohan Posted February 13, 2006 Author Share Posted February 13, 2006 My budget is a credit card. It's all a matter of how much I want to pay back over the next few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tholte Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Like Shun said, get a like new F100 for around $400. One of the best film cameras for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc5066 Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Does it have to be film? If not, is there any reason you don't want a digital? Are you going to want a digital in a year or two? What do you want? What do you need it to do? How long before you want to upgrade to another camera? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Since Chris is a photography student, there is no easy and simple answer to this question. If the budget is limited, the N80 is certainly a good enough SLR and I would rather spend any extra money on lenses and film. Moreover, a DSLR could be in your near future. If so, I question whether it is a good idea to spend more money on a better film body. Perhaps your faculty is in a better position to answer this question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tri-x1 Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 No question as far as I'm concerned. If you ignore the advice that digital is the only way to go (there's always someone who throws that into a film question) go with the F100. At today's used prices the F100 isn't that much more expensive and if you get the N80 in a couple of months you will be reading up on all the things the F100 can to that the N80 can't do that you wish you could do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik_loza Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 F90x/ N90s? Great handling, fine with manual and AF lenses, dirt-cheap these days. As long as you don't have/ need any G-lenses, it is a great camera for about $150. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armando_roldan Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 get the F100 and cry once or cry each time you pick up the N80 because you was pinching pennies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilly_w Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 At first blush the N80 may seem like the ticket but then you're restricted to the more pricey AF G lenses that do not have an aperture ring. Given the price of very nice, used F100's I find the answer to be pretty simple...and have at the bargain deals on MF lenses! And w/out having to purchase the N80 battery pack (which is the MB-16; the N80 alone, no battery pack, requires the special, non-rechargeable and pricey CR-something-or-another) the F100 takes 4 AA's...get yourself some rechareables and fire-away as you well should being a photo student. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbohan Posted February 13, 2006 Author Share Posted February 13, 2006 I appreciate the feedback, whether it be encouragement or criticism. I've researched for a few weeks now. I found the N65 was a good deal, but left me no room to explore. The N80 was a step up, but still had limitations which could cause regrets down the road. The F100, although more expensive, has more capabilities and opportunity within. Two of my photography teachers recommended the F100 if I could afford it. I hesitated because I thought I couldn't afford it. But it's only money after all. The descision is pretty simple now. Thanks.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steakandale Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I'm an N80 user. It's a great camera and has all the features you need. I think the F100 (sometimes referred to as a baby F5) has a metal chasis, its an "F" so better sealing and moisture resistance. and faster autofocus. The N80 is NOT restricted to any lens type I shoot with 2.8D lenses and do not own a "G". If you are a student, buy the N80. If it falls into a toilet buy another one. If you are slapping it on a credit card, thats another life lesson only experience teaches you - lay off them darn things. Buy an N80 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melvin_bramley Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I have always considered the F/N 80 a compromise camera;mainly because of the viewfinder.The D70 is the same;a compromise camera.Purchase the F100 it's worth it.At present,used, prices quality film cameras can be had quite cheaply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee hamiel Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I'm going to go overboard here - Maybe consider an F3? Or an F4? lastly - a solid but not perfect F5? Just a thought I have not followed your threads that I know of as of late so maybe I'm missing something here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klix Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Not even close... take the hit now and get an F100. A lot better camera, plus a wider range of lens compatibility. Given all the manual focus lenses that are available in the used market, an F100 is the sweet spot in a used body right now. Go to KEH.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee hamiel Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Sorry I did not choose between the N80 & the F100 - I would go with the F100 if funds are not a problem; However - if buying an F100 precludes you from buying a good lens then I will suggest the N80. The N80 has selectable grid lines that may be helpful for learning from. Not sure about this with the F100. I would like some more background on needs/budget/manual or AF etc. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin_lee Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 If you want to spend $400, get a used F100. You will have no regrets with that camera other than the price. If you are on a budget, I would go for a used N90. For a super bargain ($50-$100) you might want to consider the N8008s. It has most of the N90 capabilities in a slightly smaller package at a slightly lower price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbohan Posted February 13, 2006 Author Share Posted February 13, 2006 I found a good deal on 2 nikkor lens: a 28-80mm and a 70-300mm. So I have these lenses to start with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harris_goldstein Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 If you are financing with a credit card and it's not a business expense, consider the total cost. Credit card interest rates will drive the cost up - perhaps making the F100 4-5x the cost of the N80. Personally, I think the N90s (used) is a camera whose capability far exceeds it's going price. And the "s" version allows you to use commonly available AA batteries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilly_w Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 In my previous note I made mention of the need for AF G type lenses...should have been 'N80 will meter w/ AF lenses only...will not meter w/ MF lenses'...sorry for the confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablito pistola Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Of course both are fine cameras but remember N80 is lighter and has that "amateur" pop up flash which can actually provide very useful fill-flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnw63 Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 N90s is about $150-$200 and is well reguarded. The F-100 is better and very well reguarded. I think you may be able to get one around $400. Will you get the benefits of the extra $200 before you start thinking about a digital camera ? How long will this camera be with you ? As a student, I would rather save the $200 for more lenses, since they can be used for most ANY Nikon and you'll probably have them longer than your first SLR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john schroeder Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Buy the N80 and spend the rest on lenses. The body just holds the film flat and keeps the dark inside. Other than the person holding the camera it's the lenses that take the photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo5 Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 If you haven't used an F100, get the N80. I have had both and both are great, but the F100 is probably the best AF film body Nikon ever made, for the dollar spent. I liked the N80 but the F100 is a gem. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbohan Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 I will be looking at DSLRs in 2 or 3 years, but I'm waiting for the prices to come down. For the next three years, a film SLR will be my source for photography. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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