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Nikon F80


Compact and well made
Another camera that wasn't on my plans to buy but it was for £20 and I thought that I should go ahead and buy it anyway. It is a well sought after camera for the Nikonians and I thought I could shoot a few films and see how I feel about it.

The F80 came out on the beginning of the digital era, so it probably it did not receive the attention it really deserved although it has become more popular as a model in the second hand market. As with all Nikons of that era, it too suffers from the sticky back syndrome although my sample is not that bad really.

First impressions are really good. Compact and lightweight, fits nicely in my hands. Viewfinder is a bit small and not as crisp as the F90x. The user interface on this camera is excellent. Dials and switches to change into different functions, no more those push and rotate interface of the previous models, well done for having it so well thought out. Another plus with this camera is that you will not
Sticky back has attracted loads of dust
find any unnecessary features such as subject-based programmes and the likes. Another good thing about this camera is that functions are not hidden away a la F65 where you cannot have access to them other than via different shooting modes – with the F80 you can change the metering mode, AF points or drive speed independently of the programme mode you are using.

But all my positive initial impressions where shuttered once I switched the camera on and tried to focus with the AF 28-70 f/3.5-4.5 on. The AF is just slow. Things are a bit better with the AF 50f/1.8 but nothing impressive. Actually, the F4s is just as quick at focusing the 50mm and much faster in focusing the zoom lens. Now, both these lenses are screwdriver lenses, the F80 might be doing better with G type lenses but with the above mentioned ones, this camera is as fast as the Nikon F65. Really disappointed with it. On the positive side, vibrations and noise levels are almost non existing – making this camera one of the most silent cameras I ever used. 


3 Nikons. F4s, F80 and F90x
Nikon F90x Vs Nikon F80

Ok, so let's see how those two cameras compare.
Build Quality: The F90x is a big and heavy camera. Loads of metal in it. The Nikon F80 is just pure plastic.
AF Speed: With the screwdriver lenses that I own, the F90x trashes the F80 in every possible respect. The F80 has selectable AF points though.
Viewfinder: The F90x has a massive, bright and crisp viewfinder. The viewfinder of the F80 does not come anywhere near. The F80 has an advantage though: It can project a grid that aids with composition (accessible via CF)
Light metering: Suburb in both cameras.
User interface: The F80 has a beautiful user interface, has everything you need and nothing you don't. The F90x allows exposure compensation in 1/3 stop. The F80 only in half stops.
Film Drive: F80: 2.5 fps. F90x: 5fps
Size/weight: The F90x is a much bigger and heavier camera.
Noise: The F80 is a silent camera. The F90x sounds like an artillery canon.
Shutter speed Range: F90x: Up to 1/8000 – F80: Up to 1/4000.
Compatibility: F80 if you have modern lenses, F90x if you have older Nikkors


Summary
The F80 is an interesting camera. It represents years of development – eventually Nikon offered a camera with a great set of features, in a compact and well made body. Everything is well thought out in this camera except from the AF which feels slow with older screwdriver lenses.
This camera is quite well sought after in the second hand market and rightly so. But if you don't mind the size and weight of the older F90x then I would say that the F90x represents a better value for money camera.
This of course does not mean that the F80 is not a great little camera – far from it. It has a plethora of features, a compact size and can accept VR lenses. I would say, if the price is right, get one. Me personally, I would stick with the good, old F90x.
Recommended.

Lasting impressions

I am currently (Dec 2019) on my third F80, a silver one this time, that I got on a charity shop event for £5.
I haven't changed my mind regarding this camera: silent, small and lightweight but with a slower AF comparing to the F90x. In good daylight the AF performance is very good. Moving subjects seem to trouble it though, and comparing it to the F90X or the F5 (I know, unfair...) there is a slight shutter lag.
Despite this criticism, the F80 is a very likable little camera. It will never bother you walking around with it and the light meter is always spot on. Sticky back was very easily cleaned with pre-injection swabs, I can't believe I used baby wipes to clean the previous ones. With these swabs it cleans so easily.
I got this camera cheap and the cosmetic condition is not great so there is no point in selling it - so it probably stays waiting for its turn to shoot a film.

Comments

  1. Unknown24 September 2016 at 02:50

    thanks for nice review. I love bot f90 and F80.
    F80 has AE bracketing and multiple exposure while if you want bracket of multi exposure in F90 / F90x you have to pay more and buy some extra accessories. I have already F90, but I want to buy a F80 just cause of BKT and Multiple exposure. the other reason I want to buy F80 while already I've F90 is my lenses are all G.

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  2. deafburglar20 May 2017 at 14:45

    I was given a Nikkor 1.8/50 D by a friend who upgraded to the G model, so I got both a F90x and a F80 to keep one after shooting the lens with both. Although the two cameras feel very different and the F90x is clearly the more "pro" model, I chose to keep the F80 due to smaller size and weight, slightly better interface, much lower noise levels, ME and BKT capabilities and many customization options. Re the AF speed, once the F80 is set to single AF mode (like the F90X has) I found the F80 to be much faster, more accurate and much less noisy than the F90x, so I was surprised that you declared the F90x a winner in that department, perhaps your observations are correct when the F80 is set to multi-AF mode. The only thing that I found the F90x superior to the F80 from a user's point of view is the ability to use old Nikkors (irrelevant for me as I don't have any), the larger viewfinder (but I found the one on the F80 very satisfactory, esp. with the grid option) and the use of cheap AA batteries instead of expensive CR123 required for the F80. The 1/8000s top speed and the difference in fps speed may be important for pros, but not for most users. Having said all that, I think that the two cameras were aimed at different consumer groups when each was released, so a direct comparison may not really be really appropriate, the F90 should be compared to the F100.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Panagiotis Giannakis20 May 2017 at 22:35

      Hi Deafburglar,

      I compare these two cameras in terms of value for money, long after their production seized, the F80 is more expensive on the second market.
      I got this camera from a camera shop, clearance on old gear, it was in excellent condition. A few months later i found another F80 in a car boot sale for about the same money. With the 50 f/1.8 and single focusing point, the speed was about the same for both cameras - the biggest disappointment came when i put on the 28-70 f/3.5-4.5 which is by no means a heavy screw-driven zoom lens. The F80 was slow - the F90 has clearly a bigger motor to rotate it. The 10 years old F4 with the first generation AF module was faster with that lens - for me it was a case of selling it since it fetches good money online.

      Delete

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