Nikon N80 (2000)

A mid-range 35mm film SLR introduced in 2000, known for its lightweight build and full feature set tailored to serious amateur photographers.

Overview

The Nikon N80, sold internationally as the F80, is a 35mm autofocus film SLR camera introduced by Nikon in February 2000. It replaced the N70 in Nikon's mid-range lineup and was designed for serious amateur photographers seeking professional-level features at a consumer price. The camera shares its body design with the later Nikon D100 DSLR, as well as the Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro and Kodak DCS-14n digital models. It is smaller, lighter, and less than half the price of the professional Nikon F100.

Specifications

Production years	Introduced in February 2000
Product type	Autofocus 35mm film SLR camera
Weight	515g (18.1 oz) without batteries
Top shutter speed	1/4000s
Flash sync speed	1/125s
Continuous shooting speed	2.5 fps
Durability rating	30,000 cycles (shutter rating)
Viewfinder frame coverage	92%
Metering modes	Three metering modes
Autofocus modes	Single Servo AF, Continuous Servo AF
Metering system	Matrix Metering with 10 segments
Film advance	Uses IR beam to measure film advance
Limitation	Cannot use infrared film due to IR film advance sensor

Design

The N80 features a plastic body and back with a metal mirror box and film rails for durability. It has two command dials (front and rear), a dedicated mode dial for P, S, A, and M exposure modes, and a rear AF sensor selector switch with lock. The top LCD is illuminated, and the viewfinder includes diopter adjustment and an optional grid display for level horizons. A built-in pop-up flash includes a focus assist light, and a professional threaded cable release socket is provided. The camera offers genuine depth-of-field preview in automatic modes but lacks mirror lock-up. It cannot meter or make auto exposures with manual focus (non-CPU) lenses.

Context

The N80 replaced the N70 as Nikon’s mid-range 35mm SLR and was positioned below the professional F100. It was praised for offering advanced features at a consumer price point, with one reviewer noting it was the best 35mm film camera for serious amateurs before the shift to digital. The Nikon D100, released in 2002, was based on the N80 body, as were the Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro and Kodak DCS-14n digital cameras. Internationally, the model was sold as the F80, with variants F80D (date imprint) and F80S (date and exposure data imprint).

Market

The N80 was priced at approximately $350 body-only in late 2004, with a $50 rebate bringing it to around $300. As of 2005, used units were valued at about $50. The optional MB-16 battery grip, which uses four AA batteries, retailed for around $75. Some users noted the battery indicator gives little warning before depletion, offering only 3–5 shots after dropping from "FULL." The plastic external controls may not withstand heavy abuse over time.