F80: Is it really that fragile from its looks?

[NitroTech]

Originally posted by Kit


Now you know. I've heard people saying that the cost of buying an air ticket and go camera shopping in HK or Singapore would still be cheaper than buying the stuff in Australia.

I think so too. I mean, a GOOD deal will see you getting the F100 down-under at A$2700 but over here you can get it for S$2000 nett (I assume it's without the MB-15). I think $700 can buy you an air ticket aye?

 

[Kit]

Originally posted by NitroTech


I think so too. I mean, a GOOD deal will see you getting the F100 down-under at A$2700 but over here you can get it for S$2000 nett (I assume it's without the MB-15). I think $700 can buy you an air ticket aye?

Yup without the MB-15. Air ticket is around 1k+. Depending on where you depart too I think.

 

[NitroTech]

Originally posted by Kit


Yup without the MB-15. Air ticket is around 1k+. Depending on where you depart too I think.

But i think stuff are even more expensive in the UK!! Just an example.... I saw an ad in a magazine(for a dealer in UK) and the Lowepro mini-trekker is retailing at 89 quid!!! That will be about S$240????

 

[aesthetic]

Originally posted by sriram
A friend of mine got the little joystick thingy at the back broken off after a month of use. Fortunately it was a new F80 and under warranty so it was repaired. So... you might want to get one with a warranty.

similiar problem with *some* of the F100's...

 

[ckiang]

Originally posted by aesthetic


similiar problem with *some* of the F100's...

Yeah, like my first F100. Got the problem within the 1st month. Got 1 to 1 replacement.

Regards
CK

 

[oceanxp]

something to add :

Here is a good site on the review :
http://www.bythom.com/nikon.htm

the authors has made a good comparsion between F5 and F100

take note F100 comes after F5 .. correct me if i am wrong ?

on personal notes, F100 is still pretty mysterious to me. As such whether F100, F5 or F80, it is the creativity skills that matters.

Whether good camera of bad camera, if your pictures are good, it is still a good camera !

 

[kongg]

Oceanxp.....after using the F100 for abt 10 mths, I can say that its a good camera. Except for the following shortcomings:-

1)Filmsy back, not magnesium alloy
2)Occasionally problematic AF selector joypad
3)No secondary command dial on the vertical Grip MB15. Unlike the Minolta VC7 for the Dynax 7.

 

[kingpin]

Agree that creativity of the individual is the main factor for good pictures. Good camera is only at best a very useful aid and tool. For example if u have full confidence in the exposure u can focus on the composition and the subject more. Enjoy good photo taking.

 

[Knighthunter]

:cry:
Arrgghh...my almost two months F80 got smear in the focusing screen after knock against the tripod due to unlocking ball head without holding the camera securely.
Everytime the center focusing is highlighted there is smear accros the screen like a hair line crack.

 

[kingpin]

Send in to Nikon and see if they could repair it and not charge u too much. Use the warranty.

 

[oceanxp]

Originally posted by kongg
Oceanxp.....after using the F100 for abt 10 mths, I can say that its a good camera. Except for the following shortcomings:-

1)Filmsy back, not magnesium alloy
2)Occasionally problematic AF selector joypad
3)No secondary command dial on the vertical Grip MB15. Unlike the Minolta VC7 for the Dynax 7.

i also find the 5 pt metering mark is smaller than f80. sometimes difficult to find focus...

 

[oceanxp]

Originally posted by kongg
Oceanxp.....after using the F100 for abt 10 mths, I can say that its a good camera. Except for the following shortcomings:-

1)Filmsy back, not magnesium alloy
2)Occasionally problematic AF selector joypad
3)No secondary command dial on the vertical Grip MB15. Unlike the Minolta VC7 for the Dynax 7.

i also find the 5 pt metering mark is smaller than f80. sometimes difficult to find focus...

 

[oceanxp]

Originally posted by kongg
Oceanxp.....after using the F100 for abt 10 mths, I can say that its a good camera. Except for the following shortcomings:-

1)Filmsy back, not magnesium alloy
2)Occasionally problematic AF selector joypad
3)No secondary command dial on the vertical Grip MB15. Unlike the Minolta VC7 for the Dynax 7.

i also find the 5 pt metering mark is smaller than f80. sometimes difficult to find focus...

 

[oceanxp]

Originally posted by kongg
Oceanxp.....after using the F100 for abt 10 mths, I can say that its a good camera. Except for the following shortcomings:-

1)Filmsy back, not magnesium alloy
2)Occasionally problematic AF selector joypad
3)No secondary command dial on the vertical Grip MB15. Unlike the Minolta VC7 for the Dynax 7.

i also find the 5 pt metering mark is smaller than f80. sometimes difficult to find focus...

 

[oceanxp]

Originally posted by kongg
Oceanxp.....after using the F100 for abt 10 mths, I can say that its a good camera. Except for the following shortcomings:-

1)Filmsy back, not magnesium alloy
2)Occasionally problematic AF selector joypad
3)No secondary command dial on the vertical Grip MB15. Unlike the Minolta VC7 for the Dynax 7.

i have problem looking at the focus point =P compared to f80, the focus point is smaller for F100 ...

 

[Klause]

Wah.. why repeat 5 times? We know it's small.. =p

 

[d7t3]

I use an F80. Bought for features vs price. It's not rock-solid, but it depends on what you mean by 'fragile'... When I bought it I didn't intend on subjecting it to any abuse... altho accidents do happen! I wouldn't really expect my F80 to survive something like my 'personal best' major accident:

I dropped an FM2 with 135/f2.8 Pentacon (East German lens) while running for a bus in Mongolia :cry: The camera worked till the last 2 days of the trip (in Beijing) when it locked up and died. The shutter had to be replaced. The lens however still works fine. Now that's cool

Unfortunately I haven't dropped cameras since then so I can't tell you how sturdy the F80 is...

 

[Ian]

Originally posted by oceanxp
something to add :

Here is a good site on the review :
http://www.bythom.com/nikon.htm

the authors has made a good comparsion between F5 and F100

take note F100 comes after F5 .. correct me if i am wrong ?

on personal notes, F100 is still pretty mysterious to me. As such whether F100, F5 or F80, it is the creativity skills that matters.

Whether good camera of bad camera, if your pictures are good, it is still a good camera !

There's other subtle differences not mentioned by Thom Hogan in his reviews, such as the materials used in the bodies, the F100 uses Magnesium alloy on top plate and bottom plate while the F5 has a full aluminum sub chassis and titanium pentaprism housing etc. Small details to be sure. However the crux from a professional photographers view point is the self diagnosing shutter in the F5 and it's superior metering system and it's ability to take bucket loads more abuse than the F100. The F4 like the f4s also balances better with long heavy lenses

With that said, the F80, F90x or F100 is more than enough camera for the average amateur as it's almost always possible to work around any body limitations in most cases.

 

[spider]

if $$$ no a problem, get F100 !
my frenz F70 spoilt after couple of years and now he decide to switch to FM2 why ? he said he dun want F80 but also can not afford F100, but stuck with his old lenses.........life's like that...

 

[oceanxp]

Originally posted by Ian


There's other subtle differences not mentioned by Thom Hogan in his reviews, such as the materials used in the bodies, the F100 uses Magnesium alloy on top plate and bottom plate while the F5 has a full aluminum sub chassis and titanium pentaprism housing etc. Small details to be sure. However the crux from a professional photographers view point is the self diagnosing shutter in the F5 and it's superior metering system and it's ability to take bucket loads more abuse than the F100. The F4 like the f4s also balances better with long heavy lenses

With that said, the F80, F90x or F100 is more than enough camera for the average amateur as it's almost always possible to work around any body limitations in most cases.

i dun understand .. what is difference between a Magnesium alloy and "full aluminum sub chassis and titanium pentaprism " ?