At the moment Nikon D80 is an outdated camera, but many amateur and professional photographers continue to use it. The camera was released in the fall of 2006, but is still popular, this is due to the huge set of useful functions and its trouble-free operation. The camera usually comes with one of 3 lenses
- Nikkor AF-S DX 18-135 / 3.5-5.6 G IF-EDthat was announced with the camera
- Nikkor 18-70mm f3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX, one of the best station wagons
- Nikon AF-S DX 18-55 F3.5-5.6G, a pretty whale lens.
Nikon D80 body
Advantages of the device to which you should pay attention:
- An excellent viewfinder, more than its predecessors, but still does not provide 100% coverage.
- Optional liquid crystal display. This is not a relic of the past, but a convenient thing that allows you to quickly configure the necessary little things and save battery in contrast to the large main display. Also, there is a backlight mode, which is very easily turned on by the on / off button of the camera.
- Focusing drive. He is "engine"In common people or" screwdriver "- will work with all lenses from Nikon that have autofocus. This will significantly expand the range of possible optics and save some money. The motor turns focus pretty quickly on my Nikkor 50mm F1.8 D.
- Matrix in 10MP, type of CCD sensor, working with different cameras, I can say that CCD has sometimes more pleasant colors than CMOS. Also about 10MP - today it is not much and not a little. Don't chase megapixels at all, even professional full-frame cameras Nikon D3, Nikon D700, Nikon D3s have 12MP. I advise my article Battle of Megapixels.
- Many focus points (areas) (total 11 zones), as much as in the newer Nikon D90 or old semi-professional Nikon D200This is a really useful feature when taking pictures. After 3 focus points on Nikon D40, 11 points on the D80 are just a huge amount.
- The custom menu, it would seem a trifle, but you can customize the menu for yourself. I usually put out there ISO control functions, the built-in flash mode, battery power and shooting modes (portrait, standard).
- Great battery, same as in nikon d200, d300(s) D90, D700 making it easy to change batteries between cameras. On average, the battery can withstand 1000 to 1500 frames, depending on the lens and shooting method.
- FP Flash Sync Modeallowing you to shoot with an external flash with shutter speed up to 1/4000. An indispensable function, how to use, read in my article "how to take pictures with flash during the day»
- External flash control mode. An indispensable feature - allows you to remotely control external flash units at a distance in i-TTL mode. SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900 и SB-910 Ideal for such control. It is enough to switch the built-in flash to the control mode (C - Comand Mode) and set the synchronization settings.
- A programmable button on which you can hang a number of functions, I personally set it to focus modes - by point, auto, dynamic zone.
- A separate button for bracketing will always allow you to simplify the setup and selection of the frame with a successful exposure. By the way, there is an opportunity bracketing by BB and by flash.
Disadvantages:
- Joystick (multi selector) without central button - quite unusual for our time. This slightly reduces the ergonomics of the camera. Even on small Nikon D40 the joystick has a central OK button. In the D80, the "OK" button is taken out separately and to press it, you need to move your fingers from one place to another.
- Metering does not work exposure with manual lenses, a rather inconvenient thing if you, for example, use Soviet optics. And any manual optics from Nikon will work only in manual mode - this means that the camera cannot measure exposure with lenses that do not have a chip.
- The camera does not show as fast a reaction as we would like it to be (although this does not apply to the shooting process itself). There is no info button. The overall reaction speed (menu, switching modes) as in Nikon D40. But then, navigation on the secondary display is just great.
- Not necessary and not programmable button for viewing depth of field. On the cropped matrix, it does not really allow you to peer into the DOF (DOF). It would be better if the company spent on such a pleasant trifle as vibrational cleaning of the matrix or increased the shutter speed to 1/8000.
- On my copy, after 20.000 frames, the gum on the rear panel began to peel off - most Nikon's problem. It is solved by repeated gluing, and sometimes by complete removal from the camera. After 128.000 frames on the camera, the frame counter turns off and starts counting in the opposite direction. But the mileage of over 100.000 on my copy only says that the camera is really very high quality.
At the moment this is Nikon's cheapest and most practical DSLR APS-C camera, which will allow you to get almost all the necessary functions of a professional camera. At the moment, there are practically no new cameras on sale, but in the secondary market you can find a huge offer of Nikon D80. If the functionality is very important at work for minimal funds, then the Nikon D80 is the best option.
Nikon D80 rear view
A brief comparison with a relative Nikon D90:
Nikon D80 has a basic ISO of 100, against Nikon D90 with his lo1. I Nikon D90 the maximum ISO is raised by one step, which is 6400. The Nikon D80 has a 2,5 inch screen with 230 thousand pixels, versus 3 inch with 920.000 pixels D90. And of course, D90 there is a Live View mode and video shooting. Nikon D90 also wins in terms of speed - 4.5 fps versus 3 fps. Otherwise, the cameras are very similar. I do not recommend upgrading from Nikon D80 to Nikon D90, D300, D300s without emergency. If you go already, then on Nikon D7000 or full frame Nikon D700 and others like that.
Here link to the archive with the originals - 586 MB, 73 photos in .NEF format (RAW) from the Nikon D80 camera.
Brief comparison with ancestor Nikon D200:
Nikon D80 same matrix as semi-professional camera Nikon D200. The only difference is the matrix kit, Nikon D200 it is double, which allows you to do 5 frames per second, while the Nikon D80 is single, which allows you to do only 3 frames per second. In general, they say that the matrices are different. The picture quality is very, very similar, I used a long time Nikon D200 and D80. Also, Nikon D200 has dust and moisture protection, it has more functionality, can work with manual lenses of the type AI-S, the shutter speed is half as fast as the Nikon D80 - 1/8000c versus 1/4000c. Also, the Nikon D200 has a 1,005 sensor, versus 420 for the Nikon D80. Nikon D80 uses SD cards, against big ones CF from Nikon D200. Well, the ergonomics are different. With Nikon D80 you will get the same picture as Nikon D200. When choosing between Nikon D80 and Nikon D200, the decisive factor was the battery life, which runs out very quickly on the two hundred. I do not recommend upgrading from Nikon D80 to Nikon D200.
Nikon D70(s), in my humble opinion, to compare is not practical due to the large difference in functionality. From D70 he took his classic design.
Sample photos on Nikon D80
All photos in this review without treatment. Size reduced to 2 or 3 MP and data from EXIF.
Features and recommendations for the use of Nikon D80:
The camera can very accurately show the number of spent frames for each battery and show the battery charge level with an accuracy of one percent. By the way, the battery is the same as the Nikon D90, D700, D200, D300, D300s, it’s convenient for me to change batteries between my D90 and D80 cameras.
Tips:
- I advise you to program a function button to select the focus mode, this will help you quickly switch between automatic and spot focus mode. Also turn off high ISO and long shutter noise reduction functions, since they greatly reduce the number of frames in the buffer, there are about three of them. With disabled features you can achieve 6 frames in RAW in the buffer.
- I use Nikon D80 and 32GB Class 10 without any problems SD HC memory card, this means that the camera works adequately with new memory cards, so you don’t have to worry about the age and compatibility of the camera.
- Since this is still a DX camera, I do not advise buying expensive DX lenses for it, then you still have to switch to a full frame. Well, if the DX format is fine, then Nikon 35mm F1.8, Nikon 55-200 and classic Nikon 50mm f / 1.8D AF Nikkor will be a great addition to the camera for little money.
Prices for modern Nikon cameras in popular stores can look at this link.
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Conclusions:
Nikon D80 - an obsolete miracle of camera manufacturing with great functionality. Suitable for both amateurs and professionals. Recommended as a budget option for any need.
I advise you to look at the page recommendations for choosing an amateur Nikon camera.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Arkady, your reviews are very deep and useful, God bless you. Tell me, I have Nikon D80 + Nikkor 50 mm 1.8d, I want to switch to the full Ikadr Kenon 5d first + 50mm 1.8II. What I win or lose, I rent a little weddings, I love portrait and reportage. Is it possible to shoot 5d at high ISO and do without a flash? They say that the 5d preview is also noisy and fifty kenon is also much worse than nikkor.
Here is an interesting comparison of the parameters of the Nikon D80 Canon 5D http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_5D-vs-Nikon_D80
Thank you very much. A really interesting comparison. You can find out what you currently have in the photo arsenal.
Yes you can, this http://wedding-photographer.tv/gallerys/photoset-10/idkfa-all-camera.html (at the beginning of 2013)
Arkady, please tell me, is there any sense in exchanging a D50 camera for a D80 ?? Are there any fundamental differences ??
There are differences, how important these differences are for you - it's up to you. The review indicates the strengths / weaknesses of the D80.
Hello. I'm a newbie. I have a tamron 17-50 2.8 with a stabilizer. I want to learn to take pictures .. What to take? It's already 2013 in the yard. On ebay I see both d80 and d90. Will d80 be enough for me to start? And then it is quite ancient (well, or, to put it more precisely, from a series that have not been produced for a long time, unlike d90, for example).
To learn - d80 will be just right.
Greetings. I master 80, tell me when installing a lens with a motor, do I need to disconnect a screwdriver? This is the AF-M lever. Move to position M.
No, it’s not necessary, otherwise auto focus will disappear.
Arkady, good evening. Thank you for the reviews. Could you share my thoughts on how the camera works at high ISOs? Now I'm studying on the D40, everything is fine, but I want to grow and an inexpensive version of the D80 has appeared, now in thought. Help with a bright thought. Respectfully.
D80 does not work well at high ISOs.
Greetings. You wrote that 80 does not work well with high ISO, what are the maximum ISOs that, in your opinion, are acceptable for shooting D80?
I try not to set it higher than ISO 400.
Good afternoon to the owners of D80, Arkady, you especially :)….
I got myself such a carcass, took it from behind the glass in the AF-50 / 1,8D kit (I also have D5000) ... ... ... read the instructions, read this topic, nowhere did I find how to make the date and time be printed on the photo ... in d5000 it is simple , installed and that's it .... I feel that there is somewhere, but I can't find it ... or maybe there is no such function and I am in vain suffering ???
There is no such function on the D80.
Thank you, but I'm suffering :)
Arkady, in one of your dialogs, one of the photographers wrote that he bought a camera at one of the foreign auctions of used photographic equipment, did not record then, but now I can not find it. You probably know, tell me please (not ebay, for sure).
Given that I have 100.000 comments on my site, I can’t remember.
Hello, Arkady. I think to take d80 or d90 from the hands. What to do if you want a manual lens. In my city, right now, Jupiter 37a is being sold. So I already want it) On the other hand, do you advise neither the d200 nor the d300 for a beginner (What should I do? Do not bother about Soviet optics?
Yes, don't bother. If you need to, just buy Lushnikov's dandelion later.
Thank you so much. And in general, for everything that you write and do, thank you!
Arkady, tell me please.
Need a camera to shoot dancing (tango) in not very well-lit rooms.
Soap dish canon A620 can not cope, ISO is not enough and the shutter speed is long, the movements are smeared.
Is D80 suitable for this and with which optics (so that a pair of the whole dancers and / or portrait gets into the frame).
Will there be a fundamental difference, take D80 or D90 - I will take it with mileage, prices differ by about 1500 UAH.
Cost is generally critical. But if anything, you can wait, dig up on the lens.
Good afternoon. I have been the happy owner of D5 for 50 years, mileage about 25000, now they have offered 80 with mileage of about 2000, does it make sense to change? I got used to 50, everything suits me in principle, but…. Tell me.
Litter for errors I write from the phone.
The question is cleared. Exchanged :-). As long as the impressions are good (although I remember D50 already). The only thing ... because something is wrong in the hand, I can't understand 50 was a little less or a little more than 80?
Hello! I can't understand about the liveview function ... Is it possible to view already taken photos (result) on the display in its absence? Please write, very important! Thanks in advance!
Good afternoon Arkady, you don’t know when reflashing (during repair) in the service center, is the frame counter that we look in EXIF programs reset? Took a used D80 but it hurts a run of 500 frames is alarming? Although the condition is excellent. The numbering (name) of files in the camera itself shows 9200.
As for resetting the software - I don't know, I know for sure that when the shutter is replaced, the counter is reset to zero. And yet, in D80, after 125,000 frames, the counter can go crazy and count backwards or whatever.
And also Arkady, I want to clarify: the instructions say that the synchronization support is 1/200 and by default in all modes for both internal and external flash (Metz AF48-1) 1/60 is set, can this somehow be changed except for the “ S ”? In creative modes, when using Metz, the photos are often underexposed, and in automatic modes, they are normal, what could be the reason? Thanks.
This is such a feature, in fact, the shutter speed with the built-in flash and with external ones without FP mode can range from 1/60 to 1/200, I have a separate article on this - https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/08/fotoxitrosti-chast-8/
Please tell me the best of Nikon's cropped inexpensive line for shooting at high ISO 800-1000, what to stop at? it would be nice if one of the old models wasn’t expensive to buy at a flea market. there is a new d3100 on hand but it doesn’t correspond to the tasks at all, it’s not very functional, the skinton is terrible, noisy and not clear on the ISO 800. This is the first DSLR and I have to learn from mistakes, I regret that I got this camera. I hope you help with choosing a camera =)
The best of the inexpensive is not available :) either old and noisy, but cheap - or expensive and less noisy. Low-noise option for little money - maybe a second-hand Canon 5D.
say є sorry that you think for Nikon D70 ?? what budget assets can I choose ??
Not a bad camera, the lens is like that - https://radojuva.com.ua/2013/03/obzor-nikon-18-70mm-af-s-ed-dx/
Arkady, I use the Nikon D3100 + 18-55 camera, I got the choice between exchanging the Nikon D80 + 18-135 used. What do you think is worth? or is it better to have a new objective? which one?
say є sorry that you think for Nikon D70 ?? what budget assets can I choose ??
But what about focusing accuracy? On my D80 I am constantly faced with the fact that the focus is always “somewhere nearby”. Moreover, that en AF lenses, that AF-S. If you look at the reviews on the Internet, then this problem is not new; for the most part, it is solved by using only the central focus point (as the most accurate), followed by re-framing. From my own experience, I can say that the percentage of getting into focus is much higher. Even at 50 f / 1.8 with very little depth of field.
Is it possible to improve autofocus performance in any way?
And one more question. Now, I'm retraining myself to shoot with focusing only on the center point. How do I use Burst now? In AF-S mode, the camera will not let me take a series of shots until it makes sure that the subject is in focus at the selected point (and it is not in focus - we reframed). In AF-C mode, focus confirmation is not required, but the camera automatically focuses on the subject that is in the selected focus point, which, in general, gives us the same problem.
So, it turns out that there will be no serial shooting if we shoot with focus on the center point and rescaling?
Hello, advise pliz. I have Nikon D80, but I’m thinking of changing it either to 7000 or to Kenon 600-650. Is the game worth the candle? I'm not a pro, I shoot mainly for myself, well, sometimes I put the most successful shots on the Internet. In general, it attracts macro, but it can be done with ultrasounds, and it also turns out very well.
It depends on what you don't like about the D80. D7000 will definitely be better to shoot in poor lighting conditions, and perhaps it’s a little more convenient to operate. Oh yes, another video.
thank you, but in general I like everything))), I thought about a more modern model. but nikon or kenon ... not decided yet
are kind
What is the difference between d90 and d80) thanks!
The difference is described in the paragraph “Brief comparison with the Nikon D90 relative:” in this review.
Arkady hello!
I am tormented with the choice between canon d50 and nikon d80, what do you recommend !?
which of these will show a sharper picture !?
Arkady, I am aiming at a more professional camera, I can’t make a choice: D200 or D80? What can I say?