Written by Amy Elizabeth
I bought my first Nikon N80 35mm film camera (also known as the Nikon f80) in 2017 as a cheap, lightweight film camera to throw in my backpack and take anywhere with me.
By that time my Nikon F100 was a staple in my rotation, and I wanted to find a model with similar features to add to my collection.
The Nikon N80 is significantly lighter than the Nikon F100 and comes with almost just as many features. I ended up loving my N80 so much that I bought a backup a year later.
At the time I paid around $25 for each of my copies, and although prices have risen, you can easily get one for under $100 at KEH Camera or eBay, making this camera a great one if you want to dabble in film for the first time and already have Nikon AF-S lenses.
Find the Nikon N80 at KEH Camera or on eBay.
Because when I purchased the N80 I had already fallen in love with my Nikon F100 and was looking for a similar 35mm SLR film camera to it, I base my thoughts in this article around their similarities and differences.
If you’re a Nikon shooter and want a more “modern” SLR, the Nikon F100 is a no-brainer. Everything else I purchase just ends up being compared to it.
I’ll go over more of my thoughts in this article, but here’s the info you probably came here for: I highly recommend any Nikon shooter run out and get one to add to your collection.
And if you want to read more about the Nikon F100, check out this article here.
Similarities Between Nikon’s N80 and F100
The Nikon N80 has a lot of similarities to the Nikon F100, including 5 focus points, great matrix metering, ability to change ISO, P, A, S, and M settings if you like the options of having more auto-exposure abilities, single image, burst, hot shoe, multiple exposure, self-timer, front and rear dials, and fits AF-S lenses.
The N80 also gets a sticky back, just like the F100.
As a note: The meter on my Nikons is so good that I don’t travel with a light meter, I just use a zone system with the meter as a jumping off point. I only use a handheld when I’m using these cameras with a strobe.
For me, the above similarities were more than enough for me to be sold on this camera.
The features I was looking for was ability to fit my AF-S lenses, multiple exposure, and 5 focus points for the ability to quickly focus when need-be.
The Nikon N80 truly delivers.
Differences Between the Nikon N80 and the Nikon F100
Now, that I’ve talked about many of the similarities between the Nikon N80 and Nikon F100, let’s talk about some differences.
Focusing System
The main difference is that the Nikon N80 comes with a focus-assist light that will illuminate in low-light conditions to help the camera find focus.
That could be seen as a plus over the Nikon F100, which doesn’t have this light, but it’s really just a compensation for the fact that the N80 struggles a bit to find focus and definitely has a slower auto-focus system than its F100 counterpart.
The lag time in difficult lighting conditions (low light, backlight) is slightly annoying and sometimes if the backlight is strong enough, the Nikon N80 can’t find focus at all, whereas my F100 would nail it even in those lighting conditions.
Flash and Shutter Speed Differences
For those who use flash, note that the sync speed of the Nikon N80 is 1/125, whereas the Nikon F100 is 1/250.
This has never bothered me, because when I use a strobe, I often go 1/60 or slower, but it is a difference to keep in mind if you need a faster sync speed.
Similarly, the top shutter speed of the N80 is 1/4000, which is half that of the Nikon F100’s top at 1/8000.
Do I notice this difference? No. I cannot think of a single moment I have ever been bummed that I couldn’t go faster than 1/4000 of a second. I don’t even think I recognized it had a slower top speed than the F100 until I started writing this article and intentionally looked. ?
But I also know my messy, inexact style of photography finds these differences a non-issue, whereas someone who likes to meter exactly could lament the slower top shutter speed.
Batteries
The Nikon N80 takes two CR123A batteries, which is not as cheap and easy to come by as the 4 AA batteries the Nikon F100 takes, but I also find the batteries in the N80 last quite a bit longer, which is a huge plus.
Unfortunately, just like my F100, when the battery indicator reads half-empty, you know you’re only a few shots away from a fully drained battery. For that reason, I always enter client sessions with backup batteries at hand.
Threaded Cable Release
One difference between the two cameras that could be seen as a plus or minus is that the Nikon N80 has a threaded cable release. The F100 doesn’t.
You read that right: the F100 doesn’t have a threaded cable release. How did that get missed on a professional camera? Unsure.
But the Nikon F100 does have a 10-pin connector, making it capable of accepting remote triggers, whereas the N80 does not.
If you’re a long exposure photographer, the threaded cable release is a huge bonus. If you’re a self-portrait photographer, the remote capabilities are where it’s at.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, I love having two Nikon N80s in my collection.
The lightweight body makes it easy to throw in a bag and not feel like I’m giving up on features. I even take a Nikon N80 to client sessions; I keep a Nikon F100 on one hip and an N80 on the other.
I’d love it if by this point I’ve convinced you to add a Nikon N80 to your camera collection. But if you’re still on the fence about purchasing one, drop your questions below!
Thank you so much, Amy! Amy is a regular contributor here at Shoot It With Film, and you can check out her other articles here, including FAQs for developing your own film and Arista EDU Ultra 100 B&W Film Review!
To see more of Amy’s work, be sure to visit her on her website and Instagram!
Leave your questions about the Nikon N80 35mm film camera below in the comments, and you can pick one up for yourself at KEH Camera or on eBay.
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Blog Comments
Alex
July 22, 2022 at 11:17 am
I got the F80, and I absolutely love it. Easy to throw in the bag, grab a few snaps of friends, families, pets, whatever, then back in it goes. Super straightforward, and it pairs up with excellent glass!
Amy Elizabeth
July 25, 2022 at 5:35 pm
Hi Alex! Thanks for stopping by! I totally agree with everything you said! Cheers!
Frank
July 23, 2022 at 7:53 am
Comparing the two cameras which one is better with manual lenses and focus confirmation?
Thanks
FW
Amy Elizabeth
July 25, 2022 at 6:37 pm
Hi Frank! They both act similarly with non AI-S lenses. They will mount, but the meter won’t work. Nevertheless, you can use these older lenses on both cameras.
As for focus confirmation, it works similarly with both as well. Once the camera has found focus, a confirmation dot appears in the viewfinder to the left of the settings area. The F100 definitely has an easier time finding focus quickly though!
I hope this helps!
Boris
November 16, 2022 at 6:22 am
Elizabeth, neither on F80, nor on F100 you can’t Mount non AI lens. You will destroy the AI coupling on camera mount.
F100 will meter with Ai(s) lenses, F80 wouldn’t.
Maria
September 5, 2022 at 4:58 pm
Great article, I just got one and can’t wait to use it! Can you comment on the built flash on the F80, how does it work, how good/bad is it?
Amy Elizabeth
January 22, 2023 at 9:47 pm
Hi Maria! I have only used the flash once, to be honest. But it did the trick. I like that I can front curtain or rear curtain sync it for different slow shutter effects! But it’s definitely a “flash-y” vibe. So think point and shoot, harsh flash, kinda thing.
Marc
October 10, 2022 at 5:00 am
Hi own also both. The F100 feels much better, more rugged into your hands – it’s the better SLR, for real.
But the F80/N80 is a fine, cost effective solution, a bit less performance, albeit worlds cheaper.
Amy Elizabeth
January 22, 2023 at 9:45 pm
Hi Marc! The F100 definitely feels more rugged. The beauty of film cameras is that the body has no actual determination of the quality of the image; that’s solely the job of the lens. So I always tell people to go with the camera that feeeeeels right. Because the intuitive nature of photography is all about what feels good in the hands. Just like how poetry is supposed to feel good in the mouth.
That being said, sometimes I need the heftiness of the F100 and sometimes I need a lighter alternative. But we all get to have our own preferences. I love that about art. Thanks for popping by!
S Silverstein
November 1, 2022 at 9:26 am
Short of using alcohol to remove the sticky rubber compound completely, give the N80 a light wipedown with denatured alcohol and a lint free cloth, then generously apply automotive rubber protectant.
After about two months or so of drying in the air, the stickiness goes away. I’ve done this successfully with N80’s, N65s, D50’s and other models that developed the “spray on rubber” plague.
Amy Elizabeth
January 22, 2023 at 9:43 pm
Oh good tip! I mean, if I’m honest, I’m not good at having nice things, but if I feel motivated I will definitely give this a go!
Russ Torres
February 13, 2023 at 10:45 pm
I used the same method on my N80, and it works like a charm. Sonax Rubber Protectant “GummiPfleger” is what I used. No more stickiness!
Ed
January 20, 2023 at 12:06 am
I just saw your article in my Google News feed. Long live film. I just bought an N 80 last year. I used it a few times and will learn how to use it more. The reason I have not really used it is because I have so many Cameras. I have cameras that are my go to and use them often because of familiarity. I priced the f100. Expensive. Now I have a question. Is the Err message common with Nikon auto focus cameras? My N90s had it and a friend said he found it would need to be repaired when that happens. So I stopped using it. Now my N90 the same thing happened. I posted the same question on Photo.net and and the responses said No. I tried what they said. It did not work. So I left it alone. I recently turned it on and the Err message disappeared. Is there a sure fire way to remedy the Err message if and when it happens again? Does the N80 get an Err message?
Steve Horne
April 5, 2023 at 11:59 am
Well written article. And while I seldom shoot film any more I do still have my F100 available with several AF-S lenses. And back in the day, I sold my N80 to help pay for the F100. I shot hundreds of rolls of film on each camera. I believe the F100 is superior in every way except the lighter weight which you point out. One item you did not mention is the wonky interface on the N80. It took me a long time to adjust to that interface. And Nikon wisely abandoned it on any future cameras. It was unique and perhaps forward thinking once you got used to it. But confusing to everyone else. Nevertheless, the N80 takes great photos.
John
May 25, 2023 at 7:14 am
I found rechargeable CR123 batteries that work great in my N80 cameras.
Bill
June 15, 2024 at 5:03 am
Enjoyed reading your review. Do you know if the F80 is compatible with 3rd party lenses like the Tamron 24-70. Especially with regard to Vibration Reduction (or VC on Tamron.) Thank you.
shootitwithfilm
June 15, 2024 at 2:07 pm
Hi Bill! The F80 should be compatible with any of the Tamron F-mount AF lens.
Martin Hong
September 13, 2024 at 7:52 am
Hey Amy! Great article. Just wondering if the F80 or f100 would be compatible with Tamaron Adaptall 28-70mm lens? Also if I shot with that same lens on the Minolta x-700 vs the f80/100, would there be a noticeable difference in quality?
Thabks!
Laura Arabian
November 10, 2024 at 7:48 am
Love the review, I am an older photographer who is interested in parring down all of gear and I’ve been researching the F80 to have alongside of yes you heard a Nikon DSLR. For consideration of weight and how I shoot now.