Nikon F80 (N80) First Impressions | Days of Knight

[@slr7075]

The N80/F80 is the sweet spot of Nikon film cameras. Realistically priced, feature packed and it is one of the few Nikon film SLRs that can take modern AF-S lenses with full VR! I use mine with my digital D700.

[@AzrielKnight]

Awesome :)

[@paulconnors2078]

Amen to your description of the value of the N80/F80. I own 1 copy of each and love them, even in 2024.

[@photonfantastic]

I've been looking forward to this video, Azriel. I am really happy to learn that you like and are going to keep the camera! Bummer about the scratched negatives, however. It's not something I noticed, but I have to confess that I did not examine my negatives closely. I will take a good look and let you know. Keep shooting the grain elevators!

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks again Nathan, she is a beaut!

[@gemista]

Welcome back!

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Gem!

[@allensmithphotography]

Those piles are the clamps for holding the tracks to the ties.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks buddy :)

[@coarsecamerawork7453]

In the UK they were known as 'dogs'.

[@sushi_donut]

A gift well deserved, Azriel. 💯👍

[@AzrielKnight]

Hey, thanks so much!

[@Morinaka25]

Glad you liked it. I agree the batteries are the down side, but not uncommon for SLRs from this era. If you do want to use AA batteries with it, and don't mind the extra size you could get a Nikon MB-16 for the F80 which allows you to run it from 4x AA batteries; it's not ideal but it is a solution. I have one myself and it's pretty lightweight.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks for the tip. I don't think I want it any bigger though.

[@Gielon]

Rechargeable Rcr123 batteries could be an answer

[@jdebultra]

Glad to see you back. That F80 looks minty. Too bad about the scratch. Shutter sounded good.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thank you :)

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

Wow -- great control of the highlights in the areas of sky -- for such a bright and clear day, and without sacrificing the midtones. Great exposure and developing -- and you developed that roll in like 45 seconds (screentime) -- I'm going to send you all of my B&W to develop!!!! 🙂

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks very much :)

[@as616]

My N80 is my most-used SLR. They seem to be under-appreciated. I got my first one for $25 USD, then a couple years later, my second for $45. They are still in that $45 range.I think it will be a great backup to your F100.

[@AzrielKnight]

Let's hope they stay under rated Andy :)

[@marcp.1752]

@@AzrielKnight No more, because of your video, and many others, Azriel. ;-) It's slower (AF) than the F100, but i don't want to bring on the "big guns" aka F100 with fat zoom, and handling this half the day (photowalk) is something heavy, get's into your hands, too.

[@lightloving683]

The N80/F80 is such a sleeper of a camera. Makes for a great backup to any of pro, semi-pro bodies, specifically F100, F5, etc. Mounted with a 24-85mm VR lens, it’s been our travel companion for 2 decades.

[@AzrielKnight]

Wow, nice!

[@iansimpson9351]

Another great video. I would put another film through the camera to check if it scratches again as it could have been in the felt light trap in the film canister or already on the film. Still worth getting a CLA for peace of mind though.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Ian!

[@williamstroud5449]

0

[@rickyzagalo]

Hi Azriel, it's a pleasure to see you again. Great that the F80 suits your needs. A suggestion, get and attach a MB16 grip, and you will get the right holding for long zoom lenses and, 4 AA batteries, keeping the lightweight of the set. Best regards

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks fort he welcome back Ricardo. I'm not a fan of grips, tbh :)

[@eintotrefire]

Great video, as all your camera reviews! Would like to recommend the F90x (N90s), which some have dubbed the best kept secret of the film camera marketplace. It can be had for a song, and it has almost all of the features of the F80. In the Nikon hierarchy, it is of the generation before the F75 and F80, but in the more prosumer tier than those two. I had an F80 that i loved, and all the controls are so easy to find and use, but it felt a lttle too fragile and plasticky. I sold it for a F90x, which is significantly sturdier. Then I got another F90x body for backup. It does look more 80s-ish than the F100, and some of the controls are placed in a way that became better in the F80/100, but it handles beautifully and feels very good in the hand, and it can take a knock. So until a reasonably priced F100 comes my way, the F90x is highly recommended.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks for the tip!

[@davidedley2931]

This was good and enjoyable to watch and as far as your camera goes the Nikon N80/F80 are great to have. I have the same camera but with the battery grip that they made for them and it helps so much making it fit bigger hands and is just the right size so that both big and small lenses just work with it. I have a Nikon F5 that this is paired with and for a light weight body the N80/F80 is just a perfect all a rounder camera.

[@Arturo.H.M]

The two bad points of the F80 are: Not meter with manual lenses. The batteries drain even with the camera off. If you look through the viewfinder (camera off) with and without batteries, you will see that it’s brighter with batteries and it drain the batteries. So remember takeout the batteries always when you return to home.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks for the tip i'll check that out!

[@GregBodnar]

I've had an issue with metering with manual lenses as well, but I wasn't aware of the battery drain. Good to know.

[@b_wtangible_moments]

Fantastic Camera! Love the custom functions, I can change the AE-L/AF-L button to Focus instead of using the shutter release to do both, auto focus then take the shot. I find myself accidentally taking shots when I'm just checking the composition.

[@AzrielKnight]

Hey good to know!

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

If grain farming is going to continue -- what tech is replacing the grain elevators? How about some night/dusk shots with a really powerful speedlight illuminating from the side (might be a way to easily rig the external flash trigger)? Oh -- the N90s/F90x takes 4 AA batteries internal (one reason that it is like carrying a small child around!)....

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@georgelove767]

The battery pack model number is MB 16. It holds 4 AA batteries.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks George but I don't want the camera any bigger.

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Great stuff, thanks for the video! And DUDE! that looks like a new camera, congrats! Going out with my F4 tomorrow :)

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Randy :)

[@brendanmcdonnell8711]

Amazing video from a fellow Calgarian. I'm picking up a f80 to go along with my d90 and d3200 as well as taking the photography certificate at SAIT. Then on to photojournalism which will of course require the latest in tech (I'm thinking the ZF as I can maintain my lenses such as my sigma 50mm 1.4 across every iteration) Id love to twist your ear after my darkroom course! Keep up the good work sir!

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Brendan! I took a few of those courses at SAIT about ten years ago. They were fun!

[@georgelove767]

I recently discovered your channel and your F-80 review. I enjoyed it and I have a F-80. Fyi there is a external battery pack that screws into the bottom and uses 4AA batteries. I bought it immediately and it fits my average sized hand perfectly. Without it I find it a bit small. You might want to try it. I cannot remember the model number but I will try to find out and get back to you. Keep up the good work.

[@odukar2315]

You are right! The external battery pack is a must. Besides the advantage to use AA batteries the overall handling is better.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks guys. As mentioned to other people, I'm not a fan of grips. I prefer the size it already is :)

[@blacksheep6888]

I bought an F80 brand new in the year 2000 and its still like new. I also bought a brand new F60 but i gave it away it also was like new but i didnt like it it was to auto for me, plus it had no apature preview like the F80 has. As a bonus i also purchased a sunpack dedicated flash that zooms automatically on the F80., the flash works with the 28-70mm kit lense. Buy lithium ion rechargeable batteries, like i use, problem solved

[@CaTa_VT]

Don't know why but I had an N80 and never shot it. Hopefully the friend I gave it to likes it though. I recently picked up an F4 and N90s for $50 so I might dip into nikon lenses a bit more seriously this time. Not really sure where to start on F mount lenses though. So far the only one I know I want for sure is the 105mm F2.5 ai-s

[@AzrielKnight]

I hear good things about the N90. I may give it a whirl

[@CaTa_VT]

@@AzrielKnight I don't think it really has any advantages compared to the F80 aside from manual lens metering and a 1/8000th shutter. It's kind of a good alternative to the F4 though and way lighter.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks for the heads up. Might make for a good review anyhow.

[@rodzalez3549]

Amazing highlight Shots.

[@AzrielKnight]

Hey, thanks Rod :)

[@CAMERADACTYLCameras]

I wonder if you've ben thinking about the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher while you're shooting grain elevators and feeling monotonous about it. Great video as always, I've been looking forward to this one!

[@SinaFarhat]

Nice! The camera seems to have a good amount of features! Does Nikon still supply spare parts so that camera repair places can fix these electronic heavy models?

[@AzrielKnight]

Not sure to be honest.

[@SammySantiagoIrizarry]

Great video! Before sending the camera for CLA clean the presure plate and the inside of the camera. Probably dirt or sand made its way. I love my N80 and I was able to get rechargable CR123A. But no matter what it feel too much plastic. So I was a able to get a N90s and a N8008. Wow! They are big and heavy compare to the N80 but almost pro level. If the N80 does not work for you. Only another F100 will work as your perfect backup.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Sammy. I got the F80 back awhile ago and haven't had an issue since.

[@grahamfast5860]

I found an F80 in Edmonton for $60 last year with the AA battery grip. I also shoot with an F100, but recently prefer the F80 for its compactness. Did the date back come with yours?? I’ve been trying to find one…

[@MacPhotoGuy79]

Hello Adriel! I really liked your video about the Nikon N80! I was curios though, where did you send your N80 to for the CLA? I have some manual focus Canon FD mount cameras, and lenses I’d like to get CLA’d, but it’s soooo expensive, I want to find a really good place to send them to. I was wondering who you used, and if you have gotten the N80 back, and how you liked the service you received.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

I know that you sent the camera out for CLA -- but I wonder if the scratch is on the base side of the film -- from the data back (which you can replace with the standard back)? Or on the emulsion side from something on the film transport....?

[@AzrielKnight]

Not sure. But I have it back now. I need to test it but they cleaned out the back and put a couple rolls through, no scratches. I don't sleeve my work until after I scan to it's unlikely I did it after development.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

@@AzrielKnight -- Well, quick, shoot another roll with it!!! 🙂

[@curtgivens8943]

I'm currently using a pair of N70s and would like to move up. Will my lenses that I'm using work on the N80? I'm not really new to Nikon I just haven't dug that deeply into the line(s).

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

I have an F100 -- in a rather fragile state -- part of the fork that catches into the spool of the 35mm film canister is damaged (not unknown for the F100) and I have to be very careful if using the motor to rewind. But I also have an N90s (F90x) -- which is at least as big and bulky as the F100 -- and just about as full-featured. With decent Nikon FX AF lenses, the AF is pretty darned fast and accurate. I have a few F80s sitting around, but the "rubber" is so sticky I have not even messed with them....

[@39exposures]

nice pictures! thanks for the video

[@jacksamuelzs]

N80 has a feature that even the higher tier cameras (F90) lack. Back button focus.

[@AzrielKnight]

Hey good to know! Thank you :)

[@smkunder1]

I have not used film in years, but I have a desire to play with it again. I happen to have a N80 sitting in my closet. Wondering if vintage lenses can be used or do you recommend going for af lenses?

[@AzrielKnight]

I use all modern glass on my Nikons including the N80 but vintage will work as well.

[@allys537]

My F80s had a few issues, both livable, I had a rather severe light leak from the film ID window. I solved this issue with taping both sides off. I have the S model with shooting data imprinted between the frames, a valuable thing for me, but the date imprinting was all gibberish, with no readable date, it seems all the elements light up, no big deal I never imprint the date.

[@AzrielKnight]

Shooting data would be nice!

[@twodalec]

thinking of getting back into film, and was dismayed by the prices of "nostalgia" older cameras.. I found several videos recommending the f-100 and the f-80 nikons. Then I found this video. Next I found an f-80 in excellent condition with a 35-105 nikon lens for $125. Enoyed your careful way of selecting compositions.. also greetings from a fellow 'bertan. and a new subscriber.

[@ernestthomas9406]

like what do but I would like to see you review a Roleicord Vb

[@AzrielKnight]

I mostly review what I come across at thrift stores, but budget reasons.

[@andreasschroder7880]

I bought my F80 new back in 2002. In time I sold the lenses but I never got rid of the body. I reactivated it two years ago and recently I dried the F100, but I sent it back and I'm going to by another F80. The F100 is way too big for me now.

[@AzrielKnight]

I still love my f100 but wonder if I got the 80 first what would have happened.

[@ghettomist1575]

Where do you get your cameras cla’d? I need my Minolta CLA’d.

[@AzrielKnight]

Paramount Camera Repair

[@JulianaSantos-fy5wb]

Hey, i don't really know much about cameras but came across this one for a very good price... shall i pick it or a nikon d3100 for a couple hundreds more?

[@AzrielKnight]

Tough call, one is digital, the other is film. Depends what you want.

[@srfurley]

The F80 can take AA batteries if fitted with the external battery grip. Something that annoys me about Nikon, both film and digital, is that they lept changing the battery type when they brought out a new model.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks Stephen, I'm not a big fan of grips though :)

[@ldstirling]

Oh, oh, oh!!! I'm the one who said the F80 offered 75% of the performance of the F100 for 25% of the price. Azriel, did you get rid of your Honda Pilot?

[@AzrielKnight]

My Honda Civic died years ago. I had it for less than six months. Turned out to be leaking gas and was not worth the repair :( Unless you mean the truck (ridgeline)?

[@ldstirling]

@@AzrielKnight Yes. Sorry about that. I meant the Honda Ridgeline.

[@kodithebear]

One thing I really love is peeling paint. Right on! 😂

[@AzrielKnight]

It's the bees knees Paul :)

[@steveverhoef5667]

Who does the CLA for you?

[@AzrielKnight]

Paramount Camera Repair in Saskatoon.

[@richardsimms251]

Great video. Thanks. RS. Canada

[@marcp.1752]

I have two of these, but not using it. For the sake, both are extremely sticky as hell, that much, because the adheasive into the rubber grip is vanishing, that one simply can't hold that Body anymore. My F65, F75 never showed up that issue.

[@marcp.1752]

Update, one now is 99% clean, un-sticky, works flawlessly. The 2nd body, i can't get rid off all the stickyness, coming from a vaporizing adhaesive, which diffuses through the fake rubber onto the F80/N80 body. But as a backup body, small & portable, i like this SLR, shoot 4 rolls so far, and it does feel the same, as back into 2000-2001, when i've bought it. After many years into the drawer with new batteries, and cleanup, it still works flawlessly.

[@marcp.1752]

Update, 2nd F80 is not sticky, cleaned also, forgot to mention earlier.

[@minisla]

I find it very useful on a tight budget you can't get much more for your buck.. Still use other bodies as much

[@1989Goodspeed]

Briliant video! Man, I really have to get back into a (some sort of improvised) darkroom. Btw have a F-80 and it is a brilliant camera (apart from the semi special batteries, as you stated), if someone is invested in a Nikon F-mount DSLR and want to go into film the F-80, F-100 and F5 would be brilliant alternatives imo. Because they operate like DSLR´s… If it wasn’t for the overinflated prises. Seriously some of my cameras I am almost “afraid” of using since they have just exploded in price. Anyway cool images, I used to use Tetenal Unltrafin but I am thinking about getting Rodinal or Kodak HC-110 any thoughts? Anyway, again cool video!

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks for the comment, hope you make that darkroom. Thoughts on HC-110 are as follows: They changed the formula and now it's crap. It doesn't keep for nearly as long anymore and it a shell of its former self. Stick with Rodinal, D-76 or Xtol.

[@theamazinwaffleninja]

Where do you send your equipment to be serviced?

[@AzrielKnight]

www.paramountcamerarepair.com/

[@theamazinwaffleninja]

@@AzrielKnight thank you!

[@ravronin1025]

Battery grip mb-15 will solve your battery issue. Cheers. P

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks but i don't want a bigger camera.

[@ravronin1025]

@@AzrielKnight I hear you, but the grip does not add much weight or size. It makes the camera faster with added power and balances the body with bigger lenses. Cheers.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks for the info. I may give it some thought but i rarely use grips. Still appreciated.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

"Mosquito in my nose, let's try that again..." 🙂 The trials of being a photographer out in the field....

[@AzrielKnight]

lol, nature, amirite? ;)

[@tomislavmiletic_]

Hm, interesting... Nikon dropped their last film SLR (F6) just last year, right? It will be interesting to see how that will work for them. And to my knowledge the last company that will keep on producing SLR's is Pentax. A company dead in the water...

[@AzrielKnight]

The end of an era for sure.

[@italoamorim5990]

F90X, try that and fall in love! ;)

[@AzrielKnight]

lol, okay, I'll keep my eyes peeled :)

[@curiosity2314]

Well did the camera scratch the film? Defective film/cartridge? The path the film travels is very short, you have the guide and possibly the shutter, happened directly in the center, this should be traceable without spending money on sending this camera out for repair. You did not mention running more then the one roll with the defect. You have witness marks and they should be followed before a repair attempt. You do need to be careful around trains but you should not fear them. Investigate before a repair. Yeah drag out the magnifying glass, printer tech for 35 years. Part of photography *inherently* is DIY investigation. Trust me I'm not knocking you in the slightest, nudging into the technical paths of paper and film. 😀

[@boredgrass]

@ grain-elevator-sickness and finance or, grain elevators have Four dimensions: Width, length, hight and stories. I wonder what the people who work with, manage, or oversee grain elevators think about your work. Imagine someone has worked with them in different functions and, after 20 or 30 years got an oversight job! In other words someone who "grew up" with grain elevators! I have a feeling they would be very interested and, they would start to talk! If you manage to ask someone who has to watch how one after the other elevator falls victim to the demolition crane, perhaps that person might be willing to support your project with money AND provide you with phone numbers!

[@Blackmind0]

back in time i had nikon cams, also the f80, at this time new, but now after aging, the plastic goes that much sticky, not fine to touch...🫤