Nikon D80 Cameras Blog |

a friend has a Nikon D80 and the photos are amazing! the cheapest i found this camera was 349.00 at an online site "Photo Dynasty" don’t know if this a reputable site? also looking for something a little cheaper but comparable quality. any suggestions?

HI Mermaid. You won’t find a better camera cheaper than $349. If fact, that price seems utterly suspicious to me, as these cameras run significantly higher. If you are wanting a camera better or comparable to the D80 for less than $349. I would suggest you look for something used in good condition. Perhaps you could find a nice D100 that sold originally for over $1000.00. Hope that helps. Be careful with that $349.00 priced camera. Sounds like a Gray Market (one that has no USA warranty) to me.

I have 2 lens that work for my Nikon N65 (SLR) and was wondering if those will work on a Nikon D80 (Digital SLR).

I planned on getting a D60 with a lens for $750 but may get the D80 body only for $50 dollars more if I can use my old lens on it. Anyone know?

Yes, your lenses will meter and focus with the D80.

The N65 was an entry-level 35mm autofocus SLR from Nikon. If your lenses autofocus with the N65, they will also autofocus with the D80, which has the autofocus motor built into the body.

The D60 does not have the AF motor built in, so if you got that one, there’s a good chance that your older Nikon AF lenses would only work in manual focus on that camera.

So, to preserve your investment, I suggest getting the D80. Note though that you may not get as wide a view as you are used to. Not to fear though: many used 18-55mm lenses are on eBay for around $75.

Thanks, OMG. I’ll post two of my stock answers, since they seem to apply…

The February 2007 issue of Popular Photography has an article where they compared the top 10 MP DSLR’s. I took the scores and ranked the cameras similar to the way Formula 1 gives championship points. I just gave 5 for 1st place down to 1 for last place, splitting the difference when cameras tied in their catagories.

They evaluated Image Quality (giving this twice as much weight as anything else), Ease of Use, Control, and System Flexibility.

The final order and my scores are:

Nikon D80 – 17.5 points
- BEST in Image Quality, Control and System Flexibility
Canon Rebel XTi (400D) – 13.5 points
- Tied for best in System Flexibility
Pentax K10D – 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Samsung GX10 – 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Sony Alpha 100 – 7 points
- LAST in Image Quality, Ease of Use and System Flexibility."

Then again, this is the same magazine that put the Sony Alpha 100 dead last in this comparison named it the camera of the year in the previous issue! (In a follow-up to this seeming error, Pop Photo published the explanation that only the D80 and the Sony had been tested by the end-of-year deadline for choosing the Camera of the Year. Sony won on the strength of low price and built-in image stabilization. The other 3 that beat Sony in shoot-out were not tested until after the Camera of the Year was selected, because they were not yet available.)

Go to the original question and read the responses for more opinions.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiG00eHyd0oq5b.X7J.jiULzy6IX?qid=20070113133139AAHWJY0

If you want to get the "best" for the real world, consider the Nikon D200 or Canon 30D if you can afford it. For about $300-500 less, look at the results of the recent PopPhoto test and choose from that list according to your taste.

Personally, I use a Nikon D200 and would recommend it without hesitation to someone who has some knowledge of photography. For someone who wants the "best," but is starting with somewhat of an "entry level" knowledge base, I’d suggest the Nikon D80.

There are people out there who will state their preference for the Canon cameras and I will not argue with them. The Canon 30D and 400D are excellent cameras as well. You would have to visit a camera store or camera department and pick them up and see what you think.

This review is now available online at:

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10mp-dslr-shootout.html

Here’s another reference from outside the photographic press. Consumer reports compared the Nikon D80, Canon Rebel XTi and Sony Alpha. Personally, I’d say that the Nikon came out on top here, also. It beats the Sony in "noise-free ISO" with an acceptable rating at ISO 1600 (kind of optimistic, I think…) compared to the Sony’s ISO 400. It beats the Canon (in my opinion) by having a spot meter that the Canon does not offer.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/news-electronics-computers/november-2006/shootout-10-megapixel-digital-slr-cameras-11-06/overview/0611_digital-slr-shoot-out.htm

Here’s another comparison or interest:

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Canon-Rebel-XTi-vs-Nikon-D80-vs-Sony-Alpha-A100-Head-to-Head-to-Head-Digital-Camera-Review-.htm
[Note the navigation menu near the top of the review]

The next thing to consider is what lens to start with and where you go from there. If you are new to this, I’d say to just get the "kit" lens, which seems to be the 18-135 lens for the D80, and get started. Once you know where you really want to go with your photography, Nikon has an almost unlimited family of lenses to choose from.

~~~~~~~~~~

Comparing the Nikon D80 vs. Canon 400D/Rebel XTi

Check this page:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond80/page21.asp

The first thing I notice is that the Canon does not have a spot meter. I thought they added that in the XTi, but I guess past criticism was not heard at Canon.

The Nikon user-definable Auto-ISO is an interesting feature that lets you define a couple of parameters about what’s acceptable to you and what’s not. I don’t think this would be the tie-breaker, though, if you can’t decide between cameras.

The D80 has a pentaprism and the Canon uses mirrors. "They" say that mirrors are getting pretty good, but I would expect the pentaprism to be a brighter viewfinder.

The Nikon lets you do actual multiple exposures in the camera and some people think this is pretty cool.

Click "next" and move to page 22 and you’ll see some image comparisons. Click "next" a couple more times to see more direct comparisons on page 25. Click "next" a couple more times to see some noise level comparisons on page 27. It looks to me like the D80 has actually tamed the noise better than the XTi, but read the comments about image softness.

Click one more time and see that the D80 is clearly the winner in image sharpness.

Go on to the next page and read the conclusions.

You can go to the side-by-side at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos400d%2Cnikon_d80&show=all and also click on "Our in depth review" and "Read owner opinions" for each camera.

The last line in the Nikon D80 Review reads, "If you’re a more discerning photographer who can see the advantages offered by the ‘all round’ D80 you may well consider the extra money well spent."

The last line in the Canon 400D/XTi review reads, "Thanks to its blood line and low price the EOS 400D will no doubt be a huge success for Canon. However unlike the EOS 350D, for me it’s no longer the first or obvious choice, so before jumping on the bandwagon make sure you’ve weighed up the competition."

In other words, you’ve selected with the two best cameras in their price class. Canon is probably saving a little money using their CMOS sensor and this will bring them some market share. Whether the sensor and images are better or not is open to wild debate based on personal preferences. Whether one camera feels better in your hands might just be the determining factor. You have got to go to a real camera store and handle them both. I guess Costco, Circuit City or Best Buy would also have actual samples on display, but you may not get as much help from the staff.

As far as lens choice, I’d rather see you start with one decent lens instead of the kit lens, although Nikon’s kit lens (18-55) has actually tested pretty well. Canon’s new 18-55 Series II lens is okay, also. For Nikon, I like the Nikkor AF-S 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G ED DX. This costs about $300. I bought this for my wife on her D50 and liked it so much (for the money) that I bought it as a backup for one of my cameras. Nikon is now offering the D80 in a kit with a very nice 18-135 lens, although it does have a polycarbonate ("plastic") mount that might begin to wear if you buy additional lenses and change them often. For Canon, one of our best answerers (Panacea) recommends the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. This costs about $500, so there goes the $200 price difference.

Of course, you’ll need a decent memory card and I recommend a genuine Sandisk Ultra II (60X) or Extreme III (133X) of at least 1GB – preferable 2 GB – for either camera. Lexar is another excellent card supplier and they have the "Professional" 133X as well as the Platinum 80X to choose from. Both Lexar and Sandisk come with image recovery software and limited lifetime warranties.
…..
The February 2007 issue of Popular Photography has an article where they compared the top 10 MP DSLR’s, including the D80 and XTi. The Nikon D80 was BEST in Image Quality, Control and System Flexibility and the Canon Rebel XTi (400D) tied with the D80 for best in System Flexibility, but won no other categories.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10mp-dslr-shootout.html
…..
Here’s another reference from outside the photographic press. Consumer reports compared the Nikon D80, Canon Rebel XTi and Sony Alpha. Personally, I’d say that the Nikon came out on top here, also. It beats the Sony in "noise-free ISO" with an acceptable rating at ISO 1600 (kind of optimistic, I think…) compared to the Sony’s ISO 400. It beats the Canon (in my opinion) by having a spot meter that the Canon does not offer.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/news-electronics-computers/november-2006/shootout-10-megapixel-digital-slr-cameras-11-06/overview/0611_digital-slr-shoot-out.htm
…..
Nikon D80 vs. Canon Rebel XTi (400D) vs. Sony Alpha A100

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Canon-Rebel-XTi-vs-Nikon-D80-vs-Sony-Alpha-A100-Head-to-Head-to-Head-Digital-Camera-Review-.htm [Note the navigation menu near the top of the review]
…..

After reading reviews and specs on these two models I’m still trying to decide if it’s worth the extra $$ for the D200? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Thank you Teef. You and Monster, and Gary have already nailed it however. The image quality is identical and the biggest advantages of the D200 have been mentioned. I´ll just add one or two more…
* The D200 can meter with old AI(S) lenses.
* The control layout is geared towards tweaking important settings on the fly. On the top left of the body for example, the D80 has a dial for shooting modes. On the D200 there are no shooting modes – this space is reserved for buttons to set ISO, WB, and file size/ image quality. (You´ll rarely have to dive into the menu on the D200.)
* The D200´s better build quality also extends to the shutter – the D200´s is rated for 100.000 actuations vs. 50.000 on the D80. And the D200 has weather sealing. I don´t hesitate to take the camera out of the bag for a few shots in the middle of a downpour – I´d doubt I´d be as careless with a D80 (the lens I use also has weather sealing.) As for the metal vs. plastic body… like Teef says, the D80 is already pretty rugged but the D200 is practically bulletproof.
And I´m sure the D200 does a bunch of other stuff a fraction better too, but those differences will not justify the higher price. As mentioned, the biggies are better build quality and 5 FPS vs. 3. If you don´t need those 2 things, spend the price difference on lenses (or on something else completely.)

where is the best place to shop for a new nikon d80 and some lens? what will the price be compared to that offered on american internet sites like amazon?

Go down to Yongsan. There are a ton of camera shops there. You can either check out the main floor of the Space 9 building just outside the subway station. Or you can take a right, go through overpass, and check out the other smaller building or the buildings main street market area.

The first thing you should do is get a price quote for the camera and lens on www.auction.co.kr http://itempage.auction.co.kr/DetailView.aspx?ItemNo=A086099273&frm2=through
http://itempage.auction.co.kr/DetailView.aspx?ItemNo=A094352111&frm2=through

One tip about buying in Yongsan is you need to haggle with them. Find out how much you want to spend before hand and make that your top price. It will save you a few bucks. If possible print some price quotes and show it to the seller. In most cases they will at the very least match the price.

Also, don’t let the shop keeper try and tell you they are losing money. That’s a huge lie! Also, most merchants prefer cash over credit card. In most cases, if you pay with credit card DO NOT let them charge you a 10% processing fee.Koreans call it VAT. I call it bullsh!t. The fee is VISA charges is 3% and that fee is charged to the merchant not you! Last but not least, GET A RECEIPT and have the owner write the length of the warranty!!! Koreans have a habit of "forgetting" to write you one. Perhaps it is so they don’t have to repair it if it ever breaks down!

Be smart, take your time and don’t get ripped off!

I really like the way these things look and work and I would like one for my new d3000. Im not sure what to call it but here is a link to one on the Nikonusa.com site.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Batteries/25345/MB-D80-Multi-Power-Battery-Pack.html

I need to know which one to get that is compatible with my d3000. Are there any other brands that I should look at?

Thank you!

It’s a hand grip. It holds two batteries. I don’t know about Nikon, but for my camera (Canon), it allows me to use AA batteries too (for emergency).

It also allows you to take better portrait, because you can fire the camera with the button on the side instead.

And with a hand STRAP, you can be sure that the camera won’t fall out of your hand when you hold it.

http://www.facebook.com/friends/?mutual=&id=1445310293&sid=346a0f2808f412f1359b4e5af62dc186#/marketplace/listing.php?classified_id=37070848998

I believe it comes with the following
The D80 Body
Kit Lens
7-300 f/4 lens
Flash
NX software
2 high speed memory cards
2 camera Batteries
4 flash batteries
Charger for all batteries

He said he will go 900. I was wanting to know if this is a good deal, if not give me a website where there is a better one

In my opinion, $900 is not a good deal.
If you shop around, you can get a brand new D80 with guarantee, battery and charger for $550 at B&H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/449061-REG/Nikon_25412_D80_SLR_Digital_Camera.html – at eBay you get get used models below $400.

As for the extra accessories thrown in: The two lenses are not very good lenses. The tele is not even a Nikkor, I am not quite sure what it is, but most likely a very mediocre Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6. I see no point in getting these two lenses unless they are dirt cheap, but if these are the lenses you want, you should be able to get them both at eBay for less than $50 each. The flash looks like an aftermarket Quantaray 900WA, which I have heard nothing good about – you want a Nikon SB600 or better for the D80. Capture NX is old software – not recommended – get NX2 or Adobe Lightroom. Is the second battery a Nikon original? If it is, why is he not keeping it for the Nikon D300 he says he is getting? The D300 uses the same battery as the D80.

Note that the Nikon D300 uses the same accessories and software as the D80, so the reason he isn’t keeping those for his new camera is obvious – they’re (IMHO) mostly junk (except the Sandisk and Lexar memory cards).

I need to purchase a 35mm SLR. I own a Nikon D80 & Digital Lenses which can be used on film bodies, as well as film lenses for my Nikon digital. So the choice to go with Nikon film is an easy one. The choice for which camera to buy is not so easy.
I have my search narrowed down to 4 choices.
The Nikon F5, which will cost me $650/used/demo condition.
The Nikon F4s, which will cost me $400/used/excellent condition.
The Nikon F100, which will cost me $800/brand new and..
The Nikon FM-10, which will cost me $350/brand new with a lens included.
My only real requirements or preferences are a vertical grip/shutter release, a fast shutter, and a solid feel.
Weight is not a factor i consider. I own a tokina 1224 and a Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 so im used to heavier weighted cameras.
I know the F4s and F5 have vertical shutter releases built in, & the F100 has an optional grip accessory.
I want the best for the least of course. And is it bad to buy used from say Adorama, sight unseen?

I can vouch for the F4s as being solid .. I have had to use it as a defensive weapon and I can still use it to shoot like a wildman. Like my D200, it will use all my lenses, manual and autofocus.

The F100 is so much like my D100 or D200, it could be the same body.

From Ken Rockwell:

"The Nikon F100 is the second-best 35mm camera ever made.

Surprise! In 2004 Nikon introduced the F6, which is a little better but a lot more expensive. Get an F6 if money is no object, get a used F100 if you want the buy of the century. I wrote all these pages back around 2003, so read them in that context."

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/f100intro.htm

Is it worth me buying it with a 18-135 mm lens at £549.99? I need LIVE VIEW but as this one doesn’t have it, i need to know if there is another camera in the Nikon range with similar features at a similar price? Thanks and please don’t say the Nikon D90. It may be new but it isn’t as advanced, i’ve heard.
i knwo they’re awesome but i need live view. i wear glasses and contacts arn’t for me, i’ve tried them before so live view is important to me as glasses can be a pain when trying to look through the view finder.

D80 is a beautiful camera and has almost all the basic things needed. Most of the advances in D90 are related to image processing which is not such a big deal if you plan to post-process the photos yourself on your computer. Video feature in D90 is just another toy.

Go for the D80.

As for the live-view, you are approaching the problem in a wrong way. Get a D80. Most of the SLR’s (including this model) provide adjustment from -2 to +1 Diopters built into the eyepiece. If your correction falls outside this range, you can buy specific DK eyepieces to suit your spectacles.

Nikon D80
Nikon 18 – 135mm lens
photography

The SB-600 will be just fine.

If you want a more sophisticated flash, the choose the SB-800