Nikon N80 (F80) Video 1: Interface | Features, Buttons, Functions, Overview, Shooting Modes, & Dials

[@iggyzone]

That little button next to the lense mount is to tell the camera that you have locked the aperture ring in case you are using a lense with aperture ring. Otherwise you can't use shutter priority because the camera cannot set the aperture automatically. I hope I helped.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! That makes sense. That's definitely a big help.

[@eladbari]

Does the camera gives you an Error message in case you locked/didn't lock your lens aperture?

[@mateuszkolasinski4765]

I just inherited a Nikon N80 and found your videos explaining everything. They are amazing, informative and really help people new to analogs. I was waiting to switch from digital to film for so long and learning the basics was the step I needed to take:) Thank you so much!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@vedranr.glavina7667]

You have the most comprehensive tutorials. Congrats !

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@belgocanuck123]

Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for this video series on the N80! I bought one in September for 65 EUR and have been having a blast.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@dennisrowley6403]

I just bought this camera from a dude on facebook. Thank you for this series! You are quickly becoming my favorite content creator!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@lideresunidosmexico_]

That little springed thingie is there in order for the camera to know that you have put the lens in the smaller aperture value to work, if the sensor doesn't travel the FFE error appears. Its the same as the older aperture spring latch but it doesn't need to go through all the apertures in the lens because is just to assure you are in F.22.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@Deetroiter]

This was my first new camera I ever bought. I used to shoot a Minolta X700 and series 1 Canon F1 before this…so this camera was like a galaxy ahead in terms of technology and functions. I was so proud of this camera and took it everywhere with me.

[@DavidHancock]

Nice!

[@walterarroyo5220]

I just picked one up with a 50 mm AF F1.8 lens for $40 In mint condition looking forward to shooting with this camera

[@DavidHancock]

Nice!

[@96whitels]

great video! just pulled my N80 out of the closet during quarantine and excited to get back into film! Been a long time since I shot with this camera and refreshing myself.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@satriyo796]

That switch also engages with the aperture ring of AF (non G) lenses when set to minimum aperture. Maybe it's the way for the camera to ensure that lens is set to minimum aperture mechanically (because it has to control the aperture electronically). Whereas G lenses are always set to minimum aperture mechanically. A bit weird though, it's only my assumption, but I can't think another use of that switch for this camera.

[@DavidHancock]

That would make sense and it seems like a solid assumption to me. Thank you!

[@firoxlion]

@@DavidHancock Arseto is spot on, I have an f65 with 50mm 1.8D lens, which requires you to manually set and lock the aperture ring. When you put it in the locked position there's a little tab on the lens that engages the switch on the body. This way the camera knows it can control the aperture. If you don't lock the aperture ring the camera gives an error

[@DavidHancock]

@@firoxlion thank you!

[@grahamfast5860]

Great video! Thanks for sharing your insight on this camera. I in fact just picked one up the other day for $60 Canadian. This included a 30cm cable release and the AA battery grip. Sweet deal! Can't wait to stock up on film and get out shooting!

[@DavidHancock]

Nice! That's a great deal.

[@atroche1978]

I picked this camera up last month. Mounted my 50mm 1.8G and can't be happier with the image quality.

[@DavidHancock]

Nice! The Nikon 50mm 1.8 lenses have a long history of being fantastic.

[@noelhenderson3412]

When I mounted this lens on my f80, I receive a Err message. Any ideas?

[@42crazyguy]

Just bought one of these, thank you and Steinbeck for these awesome videos.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@kellyharris8970]

Thank you for the introduction videos! It’s been so helpful for me as I’m beginning to transition to film!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@restaurantattheendofthegalaxy]

Terrific video! I won an N80 in an auction with two other Nikon SLR cameras a few weeks ago and I’m excited to get started shooting on film. 😊

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and very nice! That's a great camera to start with.

[@cgoodm]

Great content, love that you share your knowledge on film cameras. I've learned so much from you. I recently picked up an N75 so all of this is suuuuper helpful for me! Cheers.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I'm glad to share my photography knowledge. It's a good hobby or profession and I'm always glad to know that these videos help people.

[@ldstirling]

I love my F80. I bought it to use my Nikon AF-S lenses from my digital camera while shooting film. I bought it for under $50 and it's in perfect condition. It does about 75% of what an F100 can do for about 25% of the cost. It's smaller, lighter, less rugged, and lacks weather sealing, but the F80 is a fabulous bargain and great performer. I actually use my F80 with back-button AF to shoot my kids' sports.

[@DavidHancock]

Nice! I definitely agree this is a great alternative to the F100, especially given the price difference.

[@ldstirling]

@@DavidHancock Although, I am not sure that the F80 has the same level of compatibility and metering support for manual focus AI and AIS Nikon lenses.

[@rkndmr7324]

This video was incredibly helpful, thank you

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@RobMadeo]

Great videos. I just pulled my N80 out of storage and needed a refresher!

[@DavidHancock]

Nice and thank you!

[@atroche1978]

You should make a video on how and when to use the 3 different metering modes of this camera.

[@DavidHancock]

I think that's in video 2.

[@sonnybedez7040]

Thanks to this I Decided to purchase a body since I have all the lenses from my dslr. Great video thank you.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@sperelli87]

Nice first video. Last year I wanted to get my first AF camera and I was hesitant between the F80 and the Dynax 5. Then I saw your video on the 5 and decided to go get it.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you! I'm not sure which I'd choose between the two. Maybe the 5 because it's lighter, but the N80 has some nice bells and whistles that the 5 lacks.

[@sperelli87]

@@DavidHancock The press-once press-again to cancel AF lock, spot meter, integrated flash and +1 -1 EV bracketing of the 5 really changed my way of shooting compared to 80s manual SLR. Unfortunately the finder turned blue on the sides so I stopped using the dynax 5. I got a Dynax 600si with grip to replace it and I am indeed very happy with it.

[@comfortablyblind6853]

That little switch is there to tell the camera that the lens is on F:22 so the camera can control aperture.

[@Robthevampire666]

Hi D, I have read that for some reason or other the light meter does not work with manual lenses which seems quite strange

[@DavidHancock]

IIRC, that's the way these were designed. A lot of the 90s cameras were made to force photographers to buy new lenses, and all the makers did that.

[@oldfilmguy9413]

excellent initial review. I bought one of these (and added a battery grip) after watching a Steve O'Nions video about a year ago. Great price on eBay, then found another one very inexpensive as well, and added a battery grip to that one as well. The thing I like about it most, or at least among other things (!) is that it allows me to use all but the newest F- Mount lenses (can't do anything with electronic focus lenses like the AF-P series). And the features come close to the modern digital cameras as you noted, so there is not a big leap when operating them alongside a digital camera. Cheers!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and I agree. This is a really nice camera and a great mix of digital interface and film use.

[@workisplayworkisplay]

Nice camera. I bought mine a few days ago because I wanted to try my newer Nikon G lenses with film camera and results are great. I just like this camera. Thanks for the video and keep going!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@obic4146]

Thanks for nice review. One simple question: can you take a picture with Nikon F80 if the camera is not focused on the object? Thanks in advance.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and you can, the focus will just be incorrect.

[@danc2014]

The camera will not take a photo if set on auto focus and cannot focus, / cap on, moving too fast, dark room. you can switch to manual focus and it will take bury photos .

[@aukanx]

Hi, i like your video soo much. But i dont know what lens to use, because y have a quantaray lens in this moment, and i need a nikon lens... What mount do you acept? Only F?

[@DavidHancock]

Any Nikon F mount autofocus lens, even a Quantaray, should work.

[@louiereynoso]

That button is a depth of field preview. Program or Shutter Priority it will stop the lens down to the calculated aperture to give a rough estimate of DoF viewing through the viewfinder.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@williamwheeler8232]

Can you retract the film on a n80 mid-roll without retracting the film lead so that you can reload the film at a later time? Thanks, Bill Wheeler

[@DavidHancock]

Oh boy, I don't recall. If I knew how to do it, Video 3 will discuss that.

[@expgretaillegacy]

I have a question. I have one of these that was working with FRESH BATTERIES, but then it suddenly depleted the batteries. What causes that sort of thing to happen?

[@DavidHancock]

Hmm. Could be the batteries were bad, or it could be the camera. There only way to find out is more batteries. If they drain again, it's the camera; if not, the batteries. Butt not all batteries are equal. If you get Duracell, they will be good. If you get the unknown brands off, for example, Amazon, they always are terrible. I've had many -- many -- unknown-brand Amazon-sold batteries die just because they were taken out of the package (used once, left on my desk a week, and magically dead). It's worth getting good batteries to verify the camera's condition.

[@expgretaillegacy]

@@DavidHancock well all i can say is that the batteries were some off-brand rechargeable. Idk if that would have anything to do with that or not

[@DavidHancock]

@@expgretaillegacy hmm. Not sure. I didn't realize they sold rechargeables for these cameras.

[@expgretaillegacy]

@@DavidHancock ahh. Well thanks anyways. Nice video btw!

[@ANDYSOUND1]

Good video! I bought mine from Japan on eBay just so I could get my hands on the F80”s” version, which besides the date imprint back (always off on mine), it adds a function to imprint the exposure data of each shot between frames. The font is really tiny but there if needed, so I order my film development uncut. One thing to keep in mind is, many of these from Japan have the annoying sticky rubber finish, common in cameras of this era. Other things I love about this camera: red-illuminated grid in the viewfinder, which can be activated or turned off through one of the custom functions. Also, it’s one of the few, if not the only one of its series, with an old style threaded shutter release button. Last but not least, the back door locks are plastic as in the F100, so care must be taken not to slam the door to close it, if you want it to last a long time. Looking forward the 2nd video!

[@DavidHancock]

Nice! I didn't know about the exposure printing. That's a fantastic feature.

[@garyrielly1955]

Yes my F80 the film door latches broke so I am on the hunt for another film door. I have also got a battery grip as well. Great little camera!

[@Robthevampire666]

If Steinbeck was a cat he would have just sat in front of you and demanded attention, good video going to watch the rest thinking of getting a N/F80 to replace my Minolta A7

[@aleahbloom]

is your dog named steenbeck like the editing machine?

[@DavidHancock]

He's named for the author John Steinbeck.

[@sonnybedez7040]

That pup looks to relaxed

[@DavidHancock]

He's pretty chill. :D

[@marcp.1752]

I do own the F80 since ca. 2002/3. I like it, although it does feel & shoot like a typical Nikon DSLR, not 35mm SLR. ;-) Coming from a FX-3 Super 2000 (89) and XD7, X-700...1st 35mm SLR was the Pentax MX 1987. I only wished for 11 AF points (like the F6) inside the F80/F100...well, one can dream, can't we? And the F80 is also missing a alu-magnesium body...but then, it would being more heavy...my 1st Nikon AF 35mm SLR was the F90, which i replaced with the F90x afterwards.

[@DavidHancock]

Nice!

[@vominator]

Also works with Ai and Ais lenses (manual focus)

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@vominator]

@@DavidHancock Oops I was half-wrong. I was thinking AF-S lenses... but N80 will "work" with manual Ai or Ais lenses, but won't meter, so you have to sunny 16 it. But works fine with AFS lenses, including the VR...

[@danc2014]

How do you meter with them? It will snap a picture but there is no exposure meter

[@mamiyapress]

I like the F80, I have it married to a MB16 and Nikkor 35-105 + Y filter.

[@DavidHancock]

Nice setup!

[@tonyhayes9827]

Hey David I think someone should start u a Kick-starter campaign for making a new film camera. What do you think? A simple one, available to the masses.

[@DavidHancock]

A few have tried but so far none have made it to market. Hardware is way harder to make than most people realize, from design up through manufacturing. The reason that most camera makers are fairly large is because it's not easy for a small group to make something like that happen.

[@tonyhayes9827]

@@DavidHancock yeah that's true. I might write to Pentax and Co. and ask them to do it.

[@12macevedo]

The only real reason I would get the F100 over this is that I can’t get the CR123 batteries to power the N80 where I live. The F100 takes AA batteries which are more readily available.

[@DavidHancock]

That's a good reason. I'd go with the F100 over the F80 for the same reason, but while I can get CR123 batteries easily I don't like using single-use batteries and being able to use rechargeable batteries will absolutely sway my buy decision on a camera.

[@lideresunidosmexico_]

I use the N80 with the MB-16 grip and I can use 4 AA batteries and it still is a compact camera.

[@Focal_Paradox]

Just imagine that, made from 2000 to 2009. These days, a digital camera will be out of date and superseded before the one year warranty expires.

[@DavidHancock]

Many of them, though some of the mid- and upper-tier digitals do have much longer production runs, like the Sony A7, A9, and A1 series bodies. I would put this in a tier similar to what the A7 fills today.

[@Focal_Paradox]

@@DavidHancock Merry Christmas! 🥳

[@andrecsaddict]

You don't show us clearly which are two buttons to rewind the film manually.. generally.. you could show at the screen the buttons with better way to understand.. i cannot see what you buttons u push

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and that's good feedback. I think the second video in this series may show that more clearly, but it's been a long time since I made these and I'm not 100% on my recollection.