Features

• Lens Construction -13 elements in 9 groups (1 ED)
• Picture Angle -30°20'-8°10'
• Minimum Focus Distance -5 feet
• Maximum Reproduction Ratio (Macro Setting) -1 - 3.9
• Attachment / Filter Size -62mm

Features

• Accepts 77mm filters
• HB-7 lens hood
• Wt. 45.9 oz.
• Dim. 3.4 x 7.4

Reviews (3)

Sharp and fast, heavy and slow
This is a top-notch lens, tack sharp and fast (f/2.8) across it's entire zoom range. The built-in tripod collar will save a lot of stress on your camera mount, you'll see why when you lift this sucker - it feels like a brick. On the downside, auto-focusing can be a little slow. If you have an older camera body with an underpowered auto-focus motor it may not be able to keep up with a fast moving target. My N90s can handle it pretty well, but I don't do many action shots. If you shoot sports or other fast action, you should consider the AF-S version. It's internal motor eases the load on the camera and improves focus speed, but make sure you're body can use AF-S lenses.

If you're a casual photographer who generally uses fast film, this lens is probably overkill. If you're very serious and shoot slow film, it will help you squeeze out every stop possible. The wide aperture is also great for minimizing depth of field, very useful if you shoot through wire at the zoo and for isolating subjects against a busy background (think great portraits). If you do get it, do yourself a favor and get a good monopod, your arms will thank you! I can't stress enough that this thing is *HEAVY*!

The best Christmas present I ever received.
This camera takes the most amazing photos. They are clear and crisp. No graininess when I enlarge to any size. I also have the Zoom lens Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6D with auto-focus. It is great!! I have taken the most amazing photos at concerts ( just make sure cameras are allowed) The photos came out like I was right up on stage!! I love this camera. It is easy to use, and once you feel comfortable with manual adjustments, they are easy as well.
I obviously am not a professional and have never taken classes in photograpy and I am amazed at the beatiful photos I have been able to take.
This is one camera you don't want to be without.

Just got back from a Bulls game: excellent close-ups of Pippen, you can even see a drop of sweat falling from his chin. So clear!!!

A pro oriented lens.
I used 80~200mm AFD ED Nikkor lens for the past four years on my Nikon F5 and FM2.One of the best lenses Nikkor has made, and may be the best among other brands of its range.I can enlarge its photos up to 28X18.5 inch and may be larger with V-good to excellent results.Its ED(Extra Low Dispersion)element/?s is/?are working perfectly.The only drowback of this lens is its weight specially when used with a heavey wieghted camera body. ... Read more

Features

• Kit includes Nikon N55 SLR Body, Nikon 28-80mm/f-3.5 to 5.6 zoom lens, 2 CR2 Batteries, Carry Strap
• Selection of exposure modes including Programmed, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority,and Manual
• 3-Point Automatic and Manual Focus modes
• 3D-Matrix metering system
• Built-in, Speedlight Electronic-Flash

Reviews (7)

Super Camera
I've owned 2 previous SLR's, an Olympus and a Canon Rebel. Both of these cameras produced great photos. The Nikon N55 has surpassed every expectation. An instruction book is finally written in plain english. I did a lot of research and believe me the N55 is worth more than its retail price. The photos produced in the auto modes are exceptional. I was willing to invest as much as $500 in an SLR, but after researching I found that no camera was worth the additional money. The cost-benefit of the N55 is tremendous. I can't express how happy I am with this camera.

I recommend this camera.
It's easy to use. It's light weight. It takes great pictures too! At first,I was disappointed because of the plastic body, but I later enjoyed the fact that this is a light weight camera. I also enjoy the automatic focusing and the easy film loading. The 55N has a built in flash that pops up automatically when the light is not sufficient or if extra light is needed to soften a picture. I would recommend the additonal purchase of a "circular polaring filter" because it greatly enhances your photos. You can find one on Amazon. This is a sofisticated camera that is easy to use and has made me a better photographer. I highly recommend this camera.

Nikon N55
I have a digital camera I love to pieces. And now that I've mastered that I thought I'd try an SLR camera. The camera has a auto mode on it for beginners and as you learn more you can try other things, like shutter speed, apature settings and all kinds of new things. You can even do multiple exposure to create pictures that look like ghost like images. Also it's 28-80 mm. lens, unlike most of your camera's- like Canon which is 35-80 mm. And it's light and is easy to use! I'd recommend this for anyone looking into buying an SLR camera.

Nikon Quality at a Great Price!
Just when I thought that Nikon did not have a camera to compete with the Canon Rebel 2000, I discovered the N-55. This is a camera that compares favorably with the Canon, even in price. It has that famous Nikon "feel" and smooth operation that Nikon users have enjoyed for years. The auto-focus lens works smoothly, and the pictures are great. This camera is very affordable as well as easy to use. I don't think you can go wrong with either camera, they are both comparably priced and both give good performance. It comes down to personal preference for either Nikon or Canon.

It's awesome and it's a Nikon!
I have owned two other 35mm SLR cameras. The first was a Nikon FM (fully manual camera) and the second was a Cannon Rebel E (similar to the Nikon N55, in terms of features). I loved the Nikon FM camera and have always wanted to return to a Nikon product. After I lost my Canon, I switched to Nikon again.

This is a great camera. It's light and the most compact 35mm SLR camera I have seen. One can choose between fully manual mode (great for complete creative control) or fully automated mode (for the point and shoot crowd). The N55 also has shutter-priority and aperature priority modes as well as special settings for close-up shots, landscape shots, and sports shots--to name a few.

It is a very versatile camera, focuses sharply and quickly, and is a great-looking SLR. I get compliments on the pictures I take with it, but would recommend Kodak film only! ... Read more

Features

• Minimizes image blur, in effect providing the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed 3 stop (8 times) faster
• Presents a natural viewfinder image even during VR operation
• Automatically detects when the photographer pans
• Perfect for candid, portrait, sports and news photography
• Optical design incorporates 5 ED glass elements for superior optical performance throughout the zoom range

Features

• The world's first constant f/2.8 3.2x zoom lens developed exclusively for use with NIKON DX Format
• Coverage from a wide angle of 79 degrees to a narrow angle of 28 degrees (equivalent to 25.5mm to 85.5mm in 35mm format)
• Ideal for architecture, landscape, group shots and portraits
• DX design enables a combination of wider angle-of-view with optical characteristics optimized for NIKON digital SLR camera sensor, and allows smaller lens diameter, lighter weight and optimal image quality from edge to edge
• 3 extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements for minimized chromatic aberration, enhanced resolution and superior contrast

Features

• Compact 3.8X zoom covers portrait to wide view (76' at 18mm to 22 50' at 70mm)
• Optimized DX lens design is compatible with every Nikon D-Series digital SLR cameras
• Three Nikon ED glass elements, plus aspheric element for low distortion and minimized chromatic aberration
• Exclusive Silent Wave Motor for high-speed auto-focusing with accuracy and super-quiet operation

Features

• True TTL Classic 60/40 Center Weighted metering helps determine proper exposure
• Manual or DX ISO Film settings
• New Hybrid Shutter Control System
• Uses Nikon F Mount Lenses - A lens is not included with this camera and must be purchased separately
• TTL Flash Metering System - Super fast 1/4,000 second to 1 second plus Bulb

Reviews (3)

Professional, easy to use and fun
I love this camera, I've been using Nikon FM10 for years, it was a great camera, the only problem was with its view finder, it was so dark that I couldn't use it properly in dim light and this made it hard to focus. For a camera with the same quality but a clear view finder, I went for Nikon FM3A. Now am able to have same quality pictures using manual options for more creativity and am able to focus clearly. I recommend this camera for professionals as well as beginners who want to take creative photography depending on manual options.

Go digital
I bought my FM3a with high hopes. It had the Nikon name and reputation. At close to $600 this is not a cheap camera to buy but functions at a very low level of operation. My biggest complaint is that you can not see the light meter in dim light or at narrow aperture openings. It is also invisible if you are using a zoom. You can only take pictures in well lit areas. I expected much more from Nikon but this camera is a terrible let down.

I want my Canon F-1 back.

Back to the future...
Is everyone you know buying a digital camera? I have decided to go against the trend, and bought a FM3A. A light-weight and nearly manual camera. Why Nikon? After having used Canon for 20 years I decided to make the switch because I wanted better built quality. Something that lasts.

This baby has nearly all the pro features you are looking for in a camera. Built-in light meter, TTL flash, DX ISO, 1/4000 to 1 second, plus B. I usually choose the semi-automatic mode; by setting the aperture manually, then allowing the camera to set the shutter speed automatically.

As such, this camera is perfect for landscape photography. If you are like nature, and enjoy bush-walking or mountaineering, this Nikon is great. It only weighs 570g. This means that you can get away with using a light-weight tripod - if you don't mount big glass (a heavy telephoto lens). And it does not take much space. Good for travelling as well.

The only feature I sometimes miss is mirror lock-up. Without mirror lock-up, camera shake can cause problems at slower shutter speeds. But you can get around this issue by using the self-timer (causing the mirror to flip up before the shot is taken). A spot light-meter would have been nice, but you can still take spot readings by using a longer lens (or by zooming in).

The good thing about this film camera is that it provides me with the best of both worlds. I have the quality (and cheap price!) of film, the convenience of (slide) projection, but I can still scan the images into the computer if I need them digitally. And I can use the same set of lenses, should I decide to buy a digital body one day.

This is a simple to use semi-automatic camera - yet you can get find accessories for it (Nikon and third party) - including a motor-drive and flash.

Classic camera. I love it. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Features

• The AFZoom-Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5DD is compact in size , but big on performance
• It's close-focusing to 1/2 life-size makes it great for close-ups, nature and wildlife photography
• Accepts 62mm filters
• Weight - 19.0 oz.
• Dimensions - 2.8 x 3.5.

Reviews (1)

practical lens
I purchased this lens shortly after getting my first SLR camera. While it came with a 28-80mm lens, I found that I wanted something that was faster and that had a little more throw on the long end of things.

I've had this lens now for about nine months, and it rarely leaves my camera body. The optics are great, the build is far better than what comes in an SLR kit these days. The only suggestion I can give to a buyer is to get a top of the line UV filter, because otherwise, you will notice degradation of the image quality.

This Nikon lens is built well. It has a nice heavy feel that will make you feel better about spending the money on it. I know I love mine. I only wish that Nikon offered a version of this lens with a constant (fast) aperture. ... Read more

Features

• True TTL Classic 60/40 Center Weighted metering helps determine proper exposure
• Manual or DX ISO Film settings
• New Hybrid Shutter Control System
• Uses Nikon and Nikon Mount Lenses - A lens is not included with this camera and must be purchased separately
• TTL Flash Metering System -Super fast 1/4,000 second to 1 second plus Bulb

Reviews (3)

Chrome and Black Leather
I just bought one of these used, but in great condition. What a joy to hold and use! Light, fast, responsive, but not a toy for ones who like "idiot proof" cameras. A peerless image making tool for those who know what they want and can still multiply & divide by 2.... I wear glasses, and the finder presents no problems. Standard PC connector for studio use, and cable release for time exposures. NO SHUTTER LAG! If you can see it and hit the button, the moment is captured on film for the ages. Add an MD12 motordrive, Vivitar 285 flash and you've got a set-up that will do anything. This rugged and substantial camera will go anywhere. Best of all, no batteries are needed for basic operation. Cons? I don't have two of them! Get a 50mm F1.8 lens with it and skip the cheap zoom. You'll see what photography was meant to be.

Best new camera of its type
If you are looking for a camera without all the whizbang circuitry and computerizations that take the challenge out of setting up a camera, you have two choices. The first is to take your chances in the used market. The second choice is the Nikon FM3a.

The FM3a is a completely mechanical camera with only the most basic electronics built in. DX sensors make forgetting to reset the film settings a thing of the past. The Aperture Priority shutter setting allows the you to let the camera do the heavy work of deciding the shutter speed. And the center-weighted TTL metering makes an external light meter redundant.

Forget all those niceties. You are looking for a camera that will take you back to the beginning, back to a time when you enjoyed the fiddling and fondling of cameras. You don't want the automations, and with this camera, you don't need to think about them. The film ISO settings can be changed manually to allow pushing and pulling of film. The shutter speed can be set manually from 8 seconds down to 1/4000th of a second. And the focusing and aperture setting is ALL manual.

If you like having complete control over a camera, this is the one for you. It won't give you spot metering or auto-focus or 'portrait' mode and 'landscape' mode. But it will give you the tools to craft the photos you want, the way you want.

It's not a digital wonder. Thank heavens.

That said, there are a few things Nikon could have done better. They could have put in a mirror lockup to keep the camera steadier. They could have made the exposure compensation dial easier to use (get rid of that button, Nikon!). And they could have made the light meter easier to see in the dark. But these things are niggling inconsistencies at worst.

The camera works well and is excellent at what it does. The rest, as they say, is up to you.

Back to the future...
Is everyone you know buying a digital camera? I have decided to go against the trend, and bought a FM3A. A light-weight and nearly manual camera. Why Nikon? After having used Canon for 20 years I decided to make the switch because I wanted better built quality. Something that lasts.

This baby has nearly all the pro features you are looking for in a camera. Built-in light meter, TTL flash, DX ISO, 1/4000 to 1 second, plus B. I usually choose the semi-automatic mode; by setting the aperture manually, then allowing the camera to set the shutter speed automatically.

As such, this camera is perfect for landscape photography. If you are like nature, and enjoy bush-walking or mountaineering, this Nikon is great. It only weighs 570g. This means that you can get away with using a light-weight tripod - if you don't mount big glass (a heavy telephoto lens). And it does not take much space. Good for travelling as well.

The only feature I sometimes miss is mirror lock-up. Without mirror lock-up, camera shake can cause problems at slower shutter speeds. But you can get around this issue by using the self-timer (causing the mirror to flip up before the shot is taken). A spot light-meter would have been nice, but you can still take spot readings by using a longer lens (or by zooming in).

The good thing about this film camera is that it provides me with the best of both worlds. I have the quality (and cheap price!) of film, the convenience of (slide) projection, but I can still scan the images into the computer if I need them digitally. And I can use the same set of lenses, should I decide to buy a digital body one day.

This is a simple to use semi-automatic camera - yet you can get find accessories for it (Nikon and third party) - including a motor-drive and flash.

Classic camera. I love it. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Features

• Fisheye 16mm
• F/2.8
• D-type lens
• Auto focus

Features

• 60mm
• F/2.8
• D-Type lens
• Uses 62mm filiter

Features

• Rounded 7-blade aperture diaphragm
• One aspherical lens element
• G technology lets the user control aperture selection through the camera body
• Filter Size -62mm
• F-Stop Range -3.5-5.6 to 22

Features

• In this kit, the FM10 body is fitted with Nikon's 35mm to 70mm lens
• Full manual control
• Selectable shutter speeds up to 1/2000th of 1 second
• 'B' Setting
• Depth of field Preview

Reviews (3)

What is wrong with it? NOTHING!
I bought this camera brand new and I have to that it is a great camera. I needed a new 35mm fully manual but didn't feel like spending a fortune. I read the specs on the camera and bought it. It is one hell of a work horse. Anyone who bashes this camera has not used it.

The Newest Incarnation of Nikon's Veritable Classic.
The FM series of cameras from Nikon has a long and distinguished history. The FM10 is a totally manual camera with through the lens center weighted metering. The beauty of the manual system is that you have a complete range of shutter speeds if the batteries fail. Additionally, you get to set the camera settings how you want to without trying to out think and out smart the auto programming that most cameras have now. In other words, you get to take the picture; not the camera. The FM10 is a sturdy camera that has one of the widest ranges of lenses available to it. There is not a lens that you can think of that can not be found for this camera. Beginners or professionals: anyone that wants to be a photographer and not just a button pusher should get this camera.

The Little Camera that Could
Most of the reviews I've read about this camera say it's cheap, not up to Nikon's standards, and made out of horrible plastic.

They're very wrong. The camera's lighter than most manual cameras I've held, but it feels very sturdy. The lens it comes with is just fine for students and beginners, and I'll hold on to it even though I plan on getting a fixed 50mm Nikon lens very soon. Still, for the price, you can't beat it!

If you've read other reviews about how cheap this camera feels and you're weary, all I can say is go to a camera store and hold it. If you want something much more rugged you'll pay a lot more money. If you want something to start shooting with then get this camera. It'll also help you start building a good Nikon kit so if you decide to upgrade bodies later you won't have to repurchase all your lenses.

Great clarity, great quality ... Read more

Features

• Multi-CAM 900 Sensor ? 5 focus detection areas offer broad horizontal and vertical coverage
• 3 AF Area Modes -Dynamic AF - Center Subject Priority Dynamic AF - and Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF
• Auto Servo AF locks on the subject, whether stationary or in motion, with unique overlap servo method and NIKON Lock-On technology
• AF sensors work with every AF Nikkor lens, regardless of maximum aperture
• 25-segment 3D Matrix Matering employs sophisticated algorithms and a database of more than 30K scenes of actual shooting data

Reviews (12)

Very good - but make sure you're comfortable with size
It is essentially a facelift job on Nikon N65 (marketed outside US as F65), and all the good things that can be said about N65 apply to this product, too: it's reliable, it's capable of fully-manual operation (although this can be a little fiddly and N75 will feel more natural in automatic or semi-automatic mode).

Quality of pictures, for the price, is stunning, and in the line-up of entry-to-medium level SLRs this is definitely the one to choose (for example, auto-focus speed beats Canon equivalent hands down; Canon Rebel 300 - marketed outside US as Canon EOS 300 - also looks decidedly like a cheap compact camera with a big lens on top).

For many, many users (including myself) it will provide all the advanced functions that they will ever want. Pricier "professional" cameras like N80 are of course more robust and may have a few extra features or even faster AF, but the difference in price will be so significant that you will have to be a heavy user to make a more expensive camera pay for itself.

The only reservation about N75 is the size: Nikon tried to make this camera as small as possible, which makes it more agreeable for delicate hands (or so they think). For someone like me, a person with bigger paws, it does not feel right - it is just not chunky enough to provide a good grip: a lightweight camera it might be, but still it is no compact thing which you could put in your shirt pocket. This is an important consideration: all the good features will bring you no joy if you feel awkward holding the camera in your hands.

One great camera
This camera is amazing. I've been using one for about 5 months and I'm amazed at the high quality pictures I've gotten. The camera has a lot of advanced features that allow even someone new to SLR photography to take excellent pictures. The camera also includes 4 priority modes which allow you to develope even more as a better photographer.

The lens that comes with the camera is a 28-80mm f3.3-5.6 Nikkor. This is a good all around lens. I used it for the first three months solo before getting a 70-300mm lens. I still use the 28-80 a lot, but if you plan on continuing taking pictures, then you should get a bigger telephoto lens.

The camera is very easy to use and if you get one, experiment with all the functions on the camera. You will most likely be very happy with the results.

Great Camera f
This is a great camera for amateurs because it has Nikon quality at a great price. Please don't think cheap piece of crap, though. Its zoom isn't great but thats why it's for amateurs. Note: NOT FOR BEGINNERS FOR THAT A SIMPLE POINT AND SHOOT WILL DO. It's easy to load and to use. And has a dicent flash syncro of 1/90. I also reccomend a Quantaray Filter to replace the lense cap becuse after a while the lense cap get extremely annoying.

Need to know something about the N75
I now own a N60 which does not work with an external flash, I would like to know before purchasing this one if the external flash would work with it.

Excellent, economical SLR
I love my Nikon N75 - it's by far the best camera I've ever owned. I've had it for several months now, and have taken the best pictures of my life with it. A great first SLR, due to the ability to leave it in fully automatic mode at first, and then start using the expanded features as you learn.

I mainly wanted to write this review to debunk the 'error' a previous reviewer was complaining about. They really should read the owner's manual... The 'film not loaded error icon' that they are talking about is used in two ways on this camera. If when you first load the film, something goes wrong, this will blink to indicate the film was not loaded correctly. The second use is as a 'low-film' indicator. When you're looking through the viewfinder, this light will blink when you hit 5 exposures left. It's obviously meant to let you know you're getting close to the end of your film, so you don't miss that 'perfect shot' due to running our of film. The fact that the reviewer went through several of these cameras, and never figured this out astounds me. I've never had to contact Nikon support, but I would hope that the support person I got would be a little more knowledgeable than the people she talked too...

Overall, if you're looking to get started with an SLR, you can't go wrong with this camera. I would, however, suggest that you visit your local Ritz (or equivilent camera shop) to hold onto the camera, and compare it to a few others. I was all set to buy a Canon Rebel Ti, based soley on reviews - until I went to the shop. It just felt wrong in my hands, where the Nikon felt perfect. It's all a matter of personal preferrence, so you'll want to make sure you're getting the right one.

I've also been pretty hard on this camera since I got it (Ritz has an optional replacement warranty, so I've not been too worried) - including getting it soaked on a boat trip. It's kept on going through everything I've thrown at it - very durable.

Pros:

-Can be used as a point-and-shoot when needed (or while learning)
-Has the ability to control every aspect of the picture taking process.
-Great built in flash
-Amazing 25 point 3D metering system
-Controls are all easily accesible while holding the camera
-In my opinion, it just feels sturdier and more comfortable in your hand than the Canon Rebel Ti - Canon's equivilant camera

Cons:
-Being an SLR, it's a little on the big side. It is, however, lighter than you might expect. Basically, you have to be making the commitment to carrying it around with you. For this, I'd highly recommend one of the lowepro bags - they're about the smallest you can get for this type of camera. ... Read more

Features

• DX-Nikkor reduces the diameter of the lens' image circle, allowing a range of lenses with practical size and excellent performance
• DX-Nikkor lenses offer compact and lightweight design, fast aperture and fast autofocus via NIKON's Silent Wave Motor design
• 180 degree diagonal angle-of-view
• Close range focusing up to a near 5.5 inches
• Innnovative Close Range Correction ( CRC ) technology ensures consistently crisp, sharp images

Reviews (1)

Wonderful Lens
I bought this for my Nikon d70 and I barely take it off the body. I nkow it is a special application lens but it really versitile. Can be converted to standard wide angle with Nikon Capture software, this works well , but obviously you lose some of the image, not least the funky effect. I feel like i am zooming out a mile with this lens. Very very pleased. Expensive, but a lot of very nicely made glass and you will use it for years. ... Read more

Features

• The N80 is a sophisticated SLR camera body that's designed for excellent performance with flexibility to meet virtually all of your photographic needs. Whether you choose automatic, manual or assisted modes, the N80 offers outstanding results
• 10-segment 3D, Center and Spot metering for auto and manual exposure modes
• Nikon advanced focusing in auto and manual modes
• Uses all Nikon F Lenses (AF Series for autofocus capabilities) - Lens is not included
• Comprehensive viewfinder information

Reviews (5)

Good, but......
I've used Nikon equipment for well over 20 years and this is my fourth Nikon body. It's also my first Nikon auto focus/auto exposure body.

Frankly, the only reason that I bought this camera is my deteriorating middle-aged eyesight. Focusing with my FM series bodies has become dfficult in all but the brightest situations.

The features that this camera offers are excellent. The auto focus works well enough although it hunts in situations where the lighting isn't optimal. Like many owners, I've turned off the annoying auto focus aid light so I really can't complain much.

By the way, the weakest auto focus performance is with the very lenses that Nikon pushes with this model....the variable aperture zooms. I have no difficulty with my primes but with my 28-105 zoom the N80 hunts for focus quite a bit.

Speaking of lenses. Don't fall into the trap of getting an N80 as a "kit" with the Nikkor 28-80 zoom (or, worse yet, some other brand). Not that the Nikkor 28-80 is all that bad, but if you're serious enough about photography to want the N80 you're probably better off putting the money towards a better piece of glass.

I won't suggest getting the "pro" Nikkor zooms. They cost a fortune and weigh a ton. However, you won't go wrong with either the 28-105 or the new 28-85 AF-S.

My favorite lenses (and the reason why I've used Nikons for all these years) are the primes. Put together a kit consisting of the 24mm 2.8, 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 and you'll be ready for most anything. If you need something longer, there are a load of options from primes to the really great (and expensive) Nikkor 80-200 zoom.

The exposure modes are versatile and metering is as accurate as you can get short of spending [...]on an F5. In other words, more than sufficient for all but the most demanding user.

The rinky-dink onboard flash works better than it has any right to. Very accurate as a fill flash. As with all on-camera flashes, one risks red eye. Still, for a built-in, it's a pleasant surprise.

I have to take exception with Nikon for printing a manual that's mostly gibberish. No worse than its competition I suppose but can't they explain the auto-focus options in less than a million words? I figured it all out...no thanks to the manual.

Maybe I'm old fashioned about these things, but why are today's SLR's so complicated? Who really needs all these different modes and overides and compensations and.......well you get the idea.

Although I knew this when I bought the N80, I'm very disappointed in not being able to meter with any of my Nikkor manual focus lenses. Would it really have brought the price up that much to add such a feature? Like many Nikon users, I have/had a collection of older lenses that I'd like to be able to use. I've sold quite a few and replaced them with AF models but it's like having ones pocket picked.

Many have complained about the polycarbonate bodies of todays cameras and the poor construction of the lenses. Having cut my teeth on metal cameras, I really have no complaint about the build quality of the N80. I can't imagine anyone but a pro actually wearing one out. [...]

Handling is excellent (as I've come to expect from Nikon) and battery life is pretty good as well. I'm not a big flash user
so YMMV.

The bottom line is that I'm pretty much satisfied with all aspects of this camera. I just wish that Nikon had taken its existing customer base into account and designed the camera to meter with the AI and AIS lenses. I guess that customer loyalty means very little to companies these days.

EDITED: Sorry to say I just sold this camera and the 28-105 Nikkor zoom lens. They simply don't suit my style of photography. Having to re-set several controls and check the cheat sheet each time I want to make a small adjustment is just ridiculous....at least for me.

I just bought a used Leica M6 and 50mm Summicron that are much simpler to use and give me better results under most conditions. These old eyes of mine love the bright viewfinder and I'm getting perfect focusing under much dimmer lighting than I ever could with an SLR.

Nothing against the N80 (I'm keeping my other Nikon gear) but it's just not for me.

The perfect camera for the serious amateur
Photography has been a hobby of mine for nearly ten years now. Having shot on a lot of Minolta and Canon I can say that Nikon equipment is sufficiently superior to its competition unless you are in need of fast auto focus (i.e. for sports) where Canon tends to rule. However, in nearly every other arena in the 35mm SLR world Nikon is at the top of the list. From build and lens quality, to controls and light meters Nikon beats out the competition. So if you are already sold on buying a Nikon (which you should be) the N80 is a great pick for the serious amateur or beginner, but probably a little bit too high on the food chain for the casual photographer.

The N80 fits nicely between the N55, N65, N75 cameras and the F100, F1 cameras. The F100 and F1 (as well as the D100 and D1) are geared for the professional photographer and provide quality and features only an experienced amateur or pro could notice. Those cameras are definitely not appropriate as first cameras unless you are serious and just have money to burn. The N55 and N65 are geared toward the casual consumer that wants more quality than a point and shoot offers, but likely doesn't really know or care much about photography. These cameras provide "easy" to use features including some that are simply annoying for the serious photographer. The N80 operates in a very similar manner to the F100, F1, D100 and D1 and it makes the transition to these cameras down the road much easier when the time is right. The N80 also provides 10 segment metering, selectable auto focus regions, composition guides (awesome!) and it opens up features of the more advanced Nikon lenses. Overall the N80's build quality feels better than its smaller counter parts as well.

Who is this camera for:

The serious amateur and student photographer, especially those wishing to move up in the Nikon line in the future.

Also, make sure you get a great lens too, I'd highly recommend the Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S Zoom as a first lens.

Nikon N80 all the camera most people need...
In the world of traditional film SLRs most amature photographers either underbuy or more likely overbuy. The N80 as Goldylocks once said is just right! The sophisticated features and performance will please all but the working professional photog. The simplicicty of design and ease of use make it a perfect SLR for those who seek an upgrade to point and shoot. The vast array of Nikon and and other lens makers offerings for this body make it enormously attractive as skills and or needs expand. Should the point come that the N80 owner sees value in moving to a semi-pro F100 or a full pro F5 the lens that have been bought will make the transition happily. All a point to be made for those who see a digital SLR in their future. The Nikon AF lenses fully apply to the well reviewed D100, D1x, and newest D1H.
As a performer the camera is a gem. The focusing and metering systems are very effective and well exceed the performance of pro cameras made just whithin the last few years. Auto focus is fast and well aided by the built in low light feature. The built in speedlight works very effectively for most indoor applications and reasonably well as an outdoor fill light.
All considered there are few offerings in the market today that will please the user as well as the N80.

very very good..........
I was using a minolta X300, and decided it was time for an upgrade, after trying out some camera's in the shop, i decided on the Nikon N80...now i have only ran 3 films through it but am finding the autofocus a little tedious, once focused on something i only have to move it slightly and it focuses on something else in the viewfinder, although it does have another focus mode as yet untried and autofocus lock which i havn't tried out yet, if this fails then i will be shooting in manual focus mode. The other gripe i have with it is some of the controls are small and difficult to use, and virtually impossible with gloves on. i am using Tamron lenses with the body and am getting very sharp pictures.
The autofilm loading is a blessing compared to doing it myself and autorewind which is really fast, because of the autofilm advance i am finding i am using film really quickly, and thats without the autowinder at 2.5 frames per second, i just don't realise how many pictures i am taking as it winds on automatically.
I guess to sum this body up i would say if you are looking for an autofocus camera with a few bells and whistles to play with, then this is a very good choice, i am an amateur with NO experience with autofocus, so i have a lot to learn as yet, but am very happy with my choice and looking forward to finding out all it has to offer, bear in mind i have just come from a camera with which i had to do everything myself and i think i'm just a little confused at all the automated features now available to me

not worth it
interesting - there used to be at least a dozen reviews of this camera on this site, but they seem to have been removed.

I bought this camera, found it too complicated and difficult to use, with tiny controls that were very inconvenient and hard to maneuver. I constantly had to have the instruction booklet with me. I ended up trading the N80 to a camera shop for a very good lens.

Maybe some people think that autofocus is worth the trouble, but I didn't.

Here's the main point. Nikon cameras are wonderful because the lenses are so good. I think new photographers make a very big mistake if they spend a lot of money on a Nikon camera body, and then buy a cheap lens to go with it.

My recommendation is this: Buy the cheapest Nikon camera body you can find, and then save your money for the best lenses. It's the lens that's capturing the image, not the body ... Read more

Features

• 38mm-90mm (2.5x) zoom lens ensures sharp, clear pictures
• Macro/Close Up focuses to wihin 12 inches
• Real image zoom viewfinder for easier viewing
• Built-in 10 second self timer
• 5-mode built-in flash

Reviews (9)

fuzzy pictures
I have to say right up front this camera takes fuzzy pictures! we cannot figure out why! If we eliminate using the zoom that reduces the fuzzy pictures but we still get 2 or 3 in the roll. I recently took a picture of my daughter smiling for the first time and was so excited about gettting the film developed. Of course, there were 2 pictures fuzzy and one was the pic of my daughter smiling. I was mortified. I do not recommend this camera at all and am shopping for a new one. I did look up on the internet and not often but i did find another person with the same problem. I would have taken the camera back but it did not start this problem until 4 or 5 months into use!

Good, Economical Camera
If you still want a film camera and don't want to break the bank, this camera is a perfect candidate. Probably the best feature of this Nikon camera that even Nikon's literature won't tell you is the design. No I'm not talking about the way it looks, but rather where things are located. For once a camera maker has located the flash in correct proximity to the lense! Compare this camera to the others when you are in the store (or even online for that matter). The flash is located farther away from the lense than on pretty much all the other makes and models I've looked at. Why is this important you ask? This is one of the few cameras I tried in my quest for a new camera that did not produce garish red-eye. I didn't even need to use the mostly gimmicky red-eye reducing feature to get good pictures. I maybe get one picture per roll that exibits noticeable red-eye... and my house has poor lighting to boot. If the flash on a camera is located far enough away from the lense you don't have the red-eye problem so prevalent in the increasingly tiny cameras you see nowadays. Kudos Nikon! You got it right! Watch... they'll discontinue this design next week or something. Also, the majority of pictures I took were very clear, exhibiting as much, and in some photos, more detail than some of the more expensive, feature laden cameras I tried. I tried Pentax, Olympus, and Canon's new U line. The only issue I have with this camera is the shutter speed (1/200th of a second). If your subject moves quickly, which kids often do... expect some blurred photos. But all the portrait-type shots I took, where the subject was still, were very clear and detailed. Photos taken between 4 to 8 feet were excellent. Photos taken further away or using the zoom extended to max are good, but I wouldn't say excellent, they do appear a little grainy and sometimes out of focus, but I noticed graininess when using the zoom on ALL the little point-n-shoots I tried. Also when using this camera, there is a little circle in the viewfinder used to lock the focus on the subject. This is very accurate, or shall I say touchy, because you need to place the circle EXACTLY on what you want to be in focus. If you place the circle on the subject's shirt, the shirt may be crystal clear, but the person's face a tad out of focus. This is a perfect camera for taking head-n-shoulder group or individual portrait shots. For the price you pay for this, it takes very capable pictures and you don't have to stress about red-eye, mainly because it is built right. I would give this camera 4 stars because of the slower shutter speed, but because it's one of the few cameras I've come across where the lense and flash are laid out correctly, combined with the value pricing, I give it 5 stars.

Kevin
This camera is a great buy. The timer function is great for when you want everyone in the picture and there is no stranger around to take it. I have taken many family pictures this way. All pictures seem to turn out great despite our lack of photography knowledge. I liked ours so much, I bought one for my mom and she finally gave up her disposable camera addiction. The result is that she too gets great pictures. Some cameras have too many bells and whistles and some not enough...this one is just right.

Viewfinder Not Worth a Second Look
I purchased this product online without a test drive. My bad!! The viewfinder is in an awkward location and causes painful eye strain when shooting multiple times. Picture quality is poor. I am shopping for a replacement.....

Don't believe the description
I bought this camera on line relying on the description which stated that the battery was included. I had some events which I wanted to take pictures of immediately and felt that having the battery included would allow me to take immediate pictures, and also felt that not having to buy a new battery (or two) would increase the value of this purchase. When I received the camera it did not have a battery, I did report it to the customer service but its been two weeks with no satisfaction. It seems like a good camera, but I'm returning it as "missing a part." ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Effortlessly take photographs of sweeping mountain ranges and close-ups of flowers with Nikon's 130 35mm camera. Weighing only 6.7 ounces, the compact 130 gives you a wide range of shooting options with its 3.4x (38-130mm) zoom lens. The passive autofocus system lets you effortlessly take sharp photos without taking you out of the moment. The built-in, pop-up flash illuminates clearly with five modes of operation, and the red-eye reduction feature always comes in handy. The viewfinder has easy frame marks to help you center your image properly, and the diopter adjustment makes viewing easy for every user.

The panorama mode creates wide photos for that special creative touch. Film operation is fully automatic, including film loading, frame advance, rewind, and midroll rewind to make operations a snap. With the built-in quartz date function you can print the time and date onto the pictures you take. Also, the 10-second self-timer is perfect for those group photos. The sliding cover prevents damage to the lens when you are not using it. ... Read more

Features

• The world’s smallest and lightest 35mm compact camera with sliding lens cover and 3.4x zoom
• 38mm-130mm (3.4x) Nikon Zoom lens, featuring exclusive Nikon ED glass lens technology for incredibly sharp photographs
• Up to 628-step, wide-area passive Autofocus system ensures focusing accuracy for great pictures
• Real-image zoom viewfinder with diopter adjustment for easier viewing
• Built-in Pop-up flash features 5-mode operation; quartz date allows you to imprint the date/time

Reviews (11)

Update on this camera
Ok, I took this camera to Key West and Mexico and found that the quality of my photos were "OK" meaning they weren't exceptional like my old Nikon Zoom Touch. The pictures weren't as clear as Nikon quality is. Even though I had used the HD Kodak film. I'm still on my regular role of Kodak 400 film, so I will update again. Usually with high end cameras you get high quality photos and crisp pictures but not with Kodak HD film in this camera. The pictures were grainy and not sharp quality, but... it might be the film I used on my trip so you'll have to wait for and update.

Very fuzzy closeups!!!
I bought this camera for my daughter for her baby shower and am very disappointed. It is not up to par for the Nikon name. Point and shoot quality very nice, BUT any close shots taken were very fuzzy!!! Not good when shooting pictures of a newborn baby! Every roll developed had poor quality pictures of her.

Not Satisfied
My Canon Sure Shot was the best camera I ever had. After a few years, the flash wouldnt recharge. I purchased the Nikon based on the new lenses claiming high clearity. I havent seen the clearity. Delays from the focus feature is another disappointment. If given the choice again, I would purchase the Canon Sure Shot and pay the difference.

Great, compact, point and shoot
I tried the Pentax 130, the Canon 115u, an Olympus Stylus 120 all with the same result... a trip back to the store with a camera to return. The Pentax took great pictures, but had horrendous red-eye issues. The Canon had red-eye issues and the pictures seemed dark and underexposed. The Olympus Stylus was nice, did not have red-eye problems, but too many of the photos came out fuzzy and seemed slightly out of focus. And to be fair I developed the photos from all of the above at the same place. Since I liked the Olympus, but wasn't pleased with the results, I bought the Nikon Lite Touch 130, which has a similar body style to the Olympus with the sliding front cover and pop-up flash. The pictures I took with the Nikon Lite Touch 130 were very clear and in focus, had minimal to no red-eye, and were the most color-accurate of any of the cameras I tried. The photos I took with the zoom also turned out great. Note: using zoom over about 90mm on distant subjects will probably produce somewhat grainier photos unless you use a tripod and at least 800 speed film. The main reason I like a higher zoom is so you can zoom in on a subject which is fairly close and in focus, while at the same time achieving a blurred background effect. Also, to be fair all these little point and shoot cameras have a fairly long delay before the picture is taken for two reasons: ONE - It takes a moment for the camera to focus on the subject, and TWO - if you use the red eye reducer at all, it takes another moment for the red eye reducer to activate before the picture snaps. I am a perfectionist and know what I want to see. I'm finally seeing it with this camera. The Nikon Lite Touch line is a little more spendy than comparable brands, but well worth the money in my opinion. I would highly recommend any of the Nikon line, particularily the Lite Touch 130 and Lite Touch 150, for their superb optics, focusing cababilities, and accurate color matching.

Great Shots!
As I have always trusted Nikon. This is the best camera that I have owned since my other Nikon Zoom Touch 400 got to big to carry around. I hated to give up my old camera but this one was the smallest and less bukier camera that I have. I even had to hunt down a Nikon case for it, since no one on the web had the right case for this model. I also searched for the remote that was optional and it wasn't cheap ($25) so I said, "don't really need it". I am a litte concerned about the way cameras are being designed, I don't like the sliding cover as you know things wear out in time. So I am keeping my old camera for back up. Because the sliding cover shuts it on/off, what happens when it wears out. It's hard to find a dependable camera out there with the features and quality that are supposed to be in the camera. I love Nikon but I think the quality of camera is being ignored. ... Read more