N80 35mm SLR

by Gregg Hickman

A quick overview of the product line will give the first-time Nikon buyer a better understanding of the N80's position. The entire lineup of Nikon's 35mm SLR cameras starts with the N-65, the entry-level camera. The advanced amateur N70 was recently replaced by the N80. The oldest camera, and my bet is, the next to be replaced is the N90s. The newest professional camera is the F100, followed by the flagship of the line, the F5.

The Nikon N80 employs the same 10 segment 3D Matrix metering as the F100. The N80's Matrix system is more advanced and costs hundreds less than the much older and heavier built N90s and the N80 is a significant step up from the N65.

The ergonomics and balance of the N80 does not lend itself to the longer and front-heavy lenses, i.e.: 24-120mm, 28-105mm, 28-200mm and etc.). Thereby enters the extremely ergonomic battery grip, the MB-16 (Nikon, in their infinite wisdom, numbers everything just to make it confusing for us all.) The grip extends the body length to fill even the smallest hand eliminating the need for white knuckle griping of the camera. In doing so, the MB-16 reduces the amount of camera shake caused by such a tight grip. If you are planning on purchasing the N80 with any more than a fixed 50mm lens (which I have not seen a use for in years,) the MB-16 is not an accessory, it is a requirement! Like I said earlier, owning the N80 without the MB-16 is like going outside without your pants on!

The latest versions of most manufacturers cameras have gotten away from the center-only focus and have moved up to at least a five focusing zone viewfinder.

The N80 takes a giant stride in creativity in allowing the photographer to change the focus zone's location on the viewfinder by use of a five-position focus zone selector switch. It is perfectly located on the back of the camera where the right thumb rests and can be controlled at eye level without missing a beat! Finally, the subject does not have to be centered when the camera confirms focus. The N80 incorporates a convenient "Vari-Brite" Focus Area display system. Once you have selected a focus area, it is automatically superimposed in black in the viewfinder, and is momentarily illuminated in red when you focus on a dark colored or poorly lit subject.

Along with the moveable focus locator, the N80 is the first camera in Nikon's line to offer Spot Metering. Not only is it spot metering, the 4mm spot sensor moves with the focus locator. What more can you ask for when "subject only" metering is called for?

More of the N80's advantages are the eighteen user settable Custom Functions (marked "CSM" on the main mode select dial.) My favorite of the custom functions is a built in switch able grid screen. Nikon calls it in other cameras an "E" screen. This grid screen consists of five vertical and five horizontal lines. It is a tremendous asset when composing a beach, building or scenery shot by helping you keep things level. The vertical grid lines on the left and right end of the viewfinder are helpful in cropping for a 4x5, 8x10 or 16x20 print. It is also helpful in referring to it when applying the Rule of Thirds. Additional highlights of the CSM are quiet (or slow) film rewind for the wedding photographer, Continuous shutter operation in the multiple exposure mode, and settable Auto-Exposure Lock when you Focus Lock for the environmental portrait photographer.

As far as built-in Pop-Up flashes go the N80 has one. Whoopee! To me, a major reason to purchase an SLR is to improve your flash pictures. Too many people confuse the Pop-Up flash with a REAL flash. If it is all the flash you need, why is there an ISO Hot Shoe on top of the camera? Hopefully we are buying an SLR to take better pictures. To take better flash pictures requires a diffused light source well away from the lens. The N80 has more than enough high-end flash control built into the body. All we need to add is a real flash that is bounce capable and designed for use with the N80's system. Then we add a flash diffuser like the Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer (~$24.95.) The higher pivoting head flash like the SB-28 and the SB-50DX (more Nikon Numbering to befuddle us) that elevates the flash tube high enough to reduce red-eye. Adding a diffuser totally eliminates any chance of red-eye and softens the light creating more studio like lighting. There is nothing worse than a straight ahead flash picture that bleaches your subject white, and flattens any depth perception. The Pop-Up flash does have its purpose. It is useful as a daylight fill-flash to fill in deep shadows on a very close subject. It, like every other brand I have seen, does not have enough power to illuminate a typical scene by itself.

Finally a Nikon camera under $500.00 with a Depth of Field (DOF) preview button, GO PAPPA NIKON!!! For an added bonus we get a universal screw in cable release port and not the electronic port requiring the ~$100. Nikon Brand electronic cable release!

Are you buying more bells and whistles than you will use? Heck NO! If you can push the shutter release button without shaking the camera you can get a great picture almost every time with the N80. Typically, as you increase dollars spent in any camera line, most of the money goes towards increased exposure control. In other words, more bucks means less times the camera's automatic exposure system is fooled in adverse lighting situations. The "bells and whistles" are features that are relatively inexpensive for the manufacturer to add. The N80's Ten-segment 3D matrix meter is more than adequate for most pros and will keep most amateurs out of the frustration of the lousy picture zone. A word of caution I try to always extend: Remember when the magic box that holds the film has done it's magic, there is one thing between your subject and the film….IT IS THE LENS! Don't scrimp on the glass!

Once again, Nikon has a keeper here and the N80 is worth the investment to most anyone.