Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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120 of 120 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is an Awesome DSLR!, 6 Jun 2008
It's about 15 years since I 'gave up' film SLRs...they were big, bulky and heavy and I didn't want to carry them around anymore. Like many, I flirted with a few compact cameras before working my way onto a few digital compacts (Sony, Canon etc).
Now at a different stage of my life (the kids are grown up!) it felt like the time to get back into SLRs once again.
To be honest, technology is now such that it's probably difficult to buy a bad DSLR...try some out...they all have fantastic features that put my old film camera to shame. I have however always hankered after a Nikon...cue the D80.
Initially somewhat daunted by the many features available on the D80, I have spent an enjoyable time getting back into SLR cameras again with the D80 - it's more compact than my old beasts and an awful lot more capable. If you're unsure, drop into 'Auto' mode initially and the camera will do everything for you, other than compose and zoom - you'll get good results this way. Natural curiosity however will soon have you exploring the Programme, Aperture and Shutter priority modes, plus the auto-bracketing, excellent exposure compensation modes and even in-camera editing facilities. Fancy everything in Manual mode?...not a problem, go for it.
When handling the D80 you will be impressed I'm sure by the feeling of quality and class - not 'plasticky' at all as some modern DSLRs tend to be. The 18-135 kit lens is very good and, again, feels solid and reliable.
The D80 has some very detailed and comprehensive in-camera menus. After a couple of days, they all make sense and you'll soon be whizzing through them. The key thing with the D80 though is that you have bought into the Nikon 'system' - an unrivaled collection of lenses and accessories, all oozing quality and class. Nothing is forever of course, especially in this disposable world, but I do tend to feel that the D80 is definitely a long(er) term investment.
Things to buy with the D80 at the same time...? A lens filter (67mm thread), a decent SD or SDHC card (I bought a 4Gb SDHC card) and a nice padded case/bag. After that, well, the Nikon world is your oyster!
A stunning camera - I'm delighted I bought it.
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202 of 208 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
So good it seems pointless to review it., 1 May 2007
It does seem pointless I feel to review this camera, as if you have got this far you've already read oodles of reviews in all the magazines and they will have said how fantastic this camera is. BUT if you are thinking about buying it online, now, without going into a shop as I did, then this really is the one for you. Ignore all the fantastic features, ignore the sensor robbed from its bigger expensive brother, ignore the 11 point focusing system, (or better the movable 11 point single focus) ignore the enormous crisp LCD, the bright well laid out top mounted display, the gorgeous crisp bright viewfinder, ignore all those well placed buttons. The simple fact is, if you are toying with this or the Canon equivalents (as most will be) then buy this for the glorious build quality, the weight and the way you wonder if the Nikon designers have the same sized hands as you (and anyone you pass this camera to) as its simply the best in build quality and ergonomics, the smaller Canons (350 & 400) just feel like plastic toys, and unless you have very small hands you'll find your last finger flailing around with no-where to go, whereas the bigger ones (20 & 30) are built like a brick outhouse, but sadly look and feel like a brick outhouse.
This is what it boils down to, on spec for £ they all run a photo-finish, on build and handling this ones has got them all well and truly licked.
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178 of 185 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I have a D80 and I say NEVER EVER doubt a Nikon !!, 15 Feb 2007
Nikon's advantage is that it has a long history of specializing in cameras and camera equipment therefore producing only the best in optics (Nikkor) and cameras (SLR,DSLR types). As you probably know, this mesmerising DSLR functions almost exactly like the Nikon D200, but at a lower price and it is much more attractive to those of us who don't have extremely deep pockets. The buttons and switches on the D80 are the only buttons you will ever need, and the camera feels very solid and comfortable when held. It is more comfortable to hold than any Canon (believe me I know). I particularly like how it has a certain weight, that in my opinion can help stabilize a shot and make one feel as if he/she is holding a serious piece of professional equipment (which the D80 is, in every way). The image quality is flawless, as per usual from Nikon. The 18-135 mm lens is a delicious bit of kit to start off with, offering very crisp and fresh looking photos. It gives the user a choice of wide angle and telephoto zooms (18mm being the wide, 135mm being the long or telephoto). One can opt for a macro lens or specialist wide angle lens later on once you have had at least 6 months experience with the kit lens. I recommend you play around with the A,P and S and M dials as much as possible and avoid shooting in Auto(shooting programs). There are so many configurations available with the in-camera processor, more than any other camera in this price range (32 I think). The viewfinder also tells you if you have locked focus and whether or not your exposure is perfect, with 11 focusing points (again more than any camera in this price range). What more do I have to say ? Order it now! I'd also recommend you purchase a circular polarizer, a UV filter (protection against the sun's harmful rays) and a good quality microfibre cloth to clean the lens (don't forget a bag for this awesome camera, preferably a Lowepro or Tamrac). Trust me, once you get out there and take your first couple of shots, you will fall in love with the D80.
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