D80

[sonic freak]

I was just wondering if anybody has a D80 yet. Or shot with one... I know Nikon takes forever to stock their new stuff, but perhaps somebody who pre-ordered one has one by now. Wasn't it supposed to be September?

-MK

[bgundu]

The only thing I've heard through the grapevine is that the sensor works way better at higher ISO's than the D200.

[idvfilms]

From my understanding the D80 should be shipping by the middle/end of Sept. but Ken mentions he has his already (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d80.htm)

[zoostory]

My D80 shipped Sept 1st from Ritzcamera, with 18-135mm nikkor zoom lens. I have it sitting right next to me right now. I am at work and can't take any great pictures, it's dark in here, so I put the camera down on my desk, set the shutter to open for 20 seconds at ISO100 with F22. You'll not a little blur because items are too close to the lens, and I think I moved the camera slightly when I depressed the capture image button. Also, I had to compress the image in PS for the web. Not to mention, PS doesn't support the D80 NEF format, so this is just a JPEG.

Nevertheless, here you go:

[sonic freak]

zoo,

photo may be a tad too big.

do you like the camera body? a store manager said he thought they made it too much like the D50 (small).

thanks for the input.

[zoostory]

generally speaking, I wouldn't put a large photo up on a board like this, however, this being the D80 forum, I thought it best to toss up a larger image for starters just so people can get an idea of the size.

As for the body. I have to state, I am mostly a filmmaker, not a still photographer. I am quite familiar with cinematography and videography, but not still cameras. In the past I had an old school film Canon Rebel and this is slightly larger than that. The right hand grip is comforable, and the left hand pretty much has to hold on to the lens or top and bottom of the frame. I find it quite comforable, but I am also considering getting the portrait handle grip/battery attachment. It affixes to the bottom, gives me 2x the battery power, and makes the body about the size of a D200.

[sonic freak]

i hear ya.

I was just being slightly sarcastic cause it was so mammoth. but impressive.

i'm trying to decide between a 70s, 80 or D200.

Trying to make the right decision cause the 200 is a lot of dough. and you get a ton of camera with the 70s & the 80. and i may like the small size of the 80. i like to run and gun.

[TeleDan]

i'm trying to decide between a 70s, 80 or D200.

Trying to make the right decision cause the 200 is a lot of dough. and you get a ton of camera with the 70s & the 80. and i may like the small size of the 80. i like to run and gun.
I just got a D80 body. I saw a website somewhere that had visual outlines of the D50, D80, D200 and you could see the difference. I can't find it now. The D80 is probably closest to the D50 overall. The D80 has a deeper grip, I think. The D200 (and probably D70) is definitely wider. To my average hands, the D80 fits my right hand very nicely. After supporting a Nikon Ftn for 25 years with my left hand, it has to adjust a bit to the smaller body.

I had plans of getting a D200. I have some older AI lenses I'd like to use. However, for the $700 difference, I decided to get a D80 and put the difference towards a VR lens instead. From what I can see, the only features the D200 has over the D80 are support for AI lenses, 5fps vs 3fps, a sealed magnesium body, and uncompressed RAW files. I'd like a couple of those features but to me they don't justify the extra cash.

So far the D80 seems to be a fantastic camera. I've only used film SLRs along with a Coolpix 990. So having nearly all of the features of both and more all in one camera is just incredible to me. Can't wait to do some serious work with it.

-Dan

[idvfilms]

Sounds great, I'm waiting on my D80. I got a great deal on a used SB-800 from B&H so I am stoked the bad part is I'll get teh flash before the cam.

[Digigenic]

I saw a website somewhere that had visual outlines of the D50, D80, D200 and you could see the difference.
I found something similar on this page (http://www.dpreview.com/articles/canoneos400d/page4.asp)
Here's one of the images giving a good visual aid on how the D80, 400D, and a100 measure up on the grip.
There are some other interesting comparisons on the page as well, I particularly like how he does the hover over image changes between a camera and its predecessor.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/WICKEDPIXEL/photography/gripcompared.gif

[idvfilms]

Whew~! Got my D80 and I am pleased with it. I have shot a ton of pictures. I got my flash today. Here's a snapshot I took while using the SB-800 as a slave.
flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/idvfilms/244149292/)

[BLT]

Nice shot. Just asking, how much did you guys buy your cameras for? I'm toying between buying a used D70 or a brand new D80. Friend bought his for 1k (Body only). How much did you guys pay and where's a good place to buy from?