lucasl_99
02-09-2007, 03:56 PM
NIKON D80 REVIEW by Lucas Landis
For those of us accustomed to Film SLRs and those that are venturing into the SLR world through this camera, the D80 looks like an intimidating tool. I began taking serious photos while in a college photography class. 11 years later, I still enjoy shooting, but the technology had passed me by. My first foray into digital was with a Fuji Finepix S5000. For a 3 megapixel camera, it held up pretty well, but in the end I missed the control I had with my film SLR, especially when it came to focal lengths; the Finepix is a glorified point and shoot with a fixed lens.
Eight months ago, my wife and I discovered we were pregnant. Of all the myriad emotions and thoughts that went through my head, one of them was, "I need a better camera to document the birth, no Point and Shoot would be acceptable for my Baby!"
After careful research and actual physical tests at more than one camera store, I chose the Nikon D80 over the Canon XTI Rebel which is in the same peer category.
First off, the D80 felt heavy like a rock. When I held both the XTI and D80 in both hands, the D80 gave me that, "I'm a totally serious camera because I weigh more than that one (points at Canon)." The canon's build quality just seemed inferior. Both have a 2.5" LCD Viewer on the rear, but I like that Nikon thought about it enough to include a protector for this essential screen. Besides protecting the screen from scratches and an accidental fall, it also protects against the smudges left by a greasy cheek.
I purchased a 50mm f/1.4 lens with the camera as opposed to the kit lenses offered, after all, my intent (and excuse to my wife) was that i needed the camera for the baby, THE BABY; and a 50mm is a great portrait lens. I intend to purchase other lenses in the near future because I'm aware of the reason I switched to a DSLR rather than a point and shoot, in the first place.
Once on the camera, I couldn't believe the quickness of the auto focus with it's 11 point system and the metering choices from matrix to spot with center weighted in between. The exposure, Aperture, shutter speed and ISO displayed in the viewfinder is a welcome site to those familiar with this feature in the 35mm SLRs along with the second LCD panel just behind the shutter button. I find I rely on this screen almost as much as the rear LCD as you can quickly digest the information given and it's easier to see than having to move the camera to view the back of it. I love the histogram optional view once the photo has been taken. It's here you can judge just how good a color mix you're getting which saves time in the post processing room.
I mentioned before how upon first look, the Nikon D80 can appear very daunting with all it's menus, double icon'd buttons, etc., but once you really get into the camera, all of these things are actually there to assist you in your initial foray into the dSLR world. Nikon helps us by creating pre-set exposure modes including standard "Sports" "Landscape" "Portrait" and "Macro", Program, AP, and SP, but also adds "Night Landscape" and "Night Portrait". When you dig deeper you'll notice that you can optimize various aspects of each exposure from sharpness to vividness, thus letting the camera do work that you'd normally spend great deals of time adjusting on your computer.
And if you get confused along the way, Nikon gives us a help button that delivers a small refresher of almost every function that the camera can perform.
With enough experimentation, time and practice, you'll be taking shots like a pro in no time.
Drawbacks, though few, still exist. Of main concern is the fact that Nikon has not given us any sort of dust control mechanism within the camera. This means careful attention must be paid when switching lenses. Though I haven't had to do it yet, I've heard processor cleaning can be a bit pricey. The XTI does offer dust control in camera. Another drawback, or at least whine that I have, is that Nikon is manufacturing lenses with Vibration Reduction. The complaint is, why couldn't they have done this in the camera as well? Perhaps due to proprietary demands, Nikon has elected to do this so that people will buy their lenses, it just seems as if this feature along with dust control would have sold even more D80s, even if you lose a bit of the proprietary Nikon Lens Factor.
With all this in mind, I'm perfectly satisfied with the camera as it offers me all the comforts of my 35mm SLR and yet gives me the instant gratification of digital. All in all this one's just right for my baby.
Review Rating: 9 out of 10
Sample Shots I've taken:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/135/357843067_be1512ac23_m.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/366683950_68081aa7ee_m.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/368562354_d482ba65dd_m.jpg
See more at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucaslandis/
For those of us accustomed to Film SLRs and those that are venturing into the SLR world through this camera, the D80 looks like an intimidating tool. I began taking serious photos while in a college photography class. 11 years later, I still enjoy shooting, but the technology had passed me by. My first foray into digital was with a Fuji Finepix S5000. For a 3 megapixel camera, it held up pretty well, but in the end I missed the control I had with my film SLR, especially when it came to focal lengths; the Finepix is a glorified point and shoot with a fixed lens.
Eight months ago, my wife and I discovered we were pregnant. Of all the myriad emotions and thoughts that went through my head, one of them was, "I need a better camera to document the birth, no Point and Shoot would be acceptable for my Baby!"
After careful research and actual physical tests at more than one camera store, I chose the Nikon D80 over the Canon XTI Rebel which is in the same peer category.
First off, the D80 felt heavy like a rock. When I held both the XTI and D80 in both hands, the D80 gave me that, "I'm a totally serious camera because I weigh more than that one (points at Canon)." The canon's build quality just seemed inferior. Both have a 2.5" LCD Viewer on the rear, but I like that Nikon thought about it enough to include a protector for this essential screen. Besides protecting the screen from scratches and an accidental fall, it also protects against the smudges left by a greasy cheek.
I purchased a 50mm f/1.4 lens with the camera as opposed to the kit lenses offered, after all, my intent (and excuse to my wife) was that i needed the camera for the baby, THE BABY; and a 50mm is a great portrait lens. I intend to purchase other lenses in the near future because I'm aware of the reason I switched to a DSLR rather than a point and shoot, in the first place.
Once on the camera, I couldn't believe the quickness of the auto focus with it's 11 point system and the metering choices from matrix to spot with center weighted in between. The exposure, Aperture, shutter speed and ISO displayed in the viewfinder is a welcome site to those familiar with this feature in the 35mm SLRs along with the second LCD panel just behind the shutter button. I find I rely on this screen almost as much as the rear LCD as you can quickly digest the information given and it's easier to see than having to move the camera to view the back of it. I love the histogram optional view once the photo has been taken. It's here you can judge just how good a color mix you're getting which saves time in the post processing room.
I mentioned before how upon first look, the Nikon D80 can appear very daunting with all it's menus, double icon'd buttons, etc., but once you really get into the camera, all of these things are actually there to assist you in your initial foray into the dSLR world. Nikon helps us by creating pre-set exposure modes including standard "Sports" "Landscape" "Portrait" and "Macro", Program, AP, and SP, but also adds "Night Landscape" and "Night Portrait". When you dig deeper you'll notice that you can optimize various aspects of each exposure from sharpness to vividness, thus letting the camera do work that you'd normally spend great deals of time adjusting on your computer.
And if you get confused along the way, Nikon gives us a help button that delivers a small refresher of almost every function that the camera can perform.
With enough experimentation, time and practice, you'll be taking shots like a pro in no time.
Drawbacks, though few, still exist. Of main concern is the fact that Nikon has not given us any sort of dust control mechanism within the camera. This means careful attention must be paid when switching lenses. Though I haven't had to do it yet, I've heard processor cleaning can be a bit pricey. The XTI does offer dust control in camera. Another drawback, or at least whine that I have, is that Nikon is manufacturing lenses with Vibration Reduction. The complaint is, why couldn't they have done this in the camera as well? Perhaps due to proprietary demands, Nikon has elected to do this so that people will buy their lenses, it just seems as if this feature along with dust control would have sold even more D80s, even if you lose a bit of the proprietary Nikon Lens Factor.
With all this in mind, I'm perfectly satisfied with the camera as it offers me all the comforts of my 35mm SLR and yet gives me the instant gratification of digital. All in all this one's just right for my baby.
Review Rating: 9 out of 10
Sample Shots I've taken:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/135/357843067_be1512ac23_m.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/366683950_68081aa7ee_m.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/368562354_d482ba65dd_m.jpg
See more at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucaslandis/