Nikon D80 purchasing advice

[batho_777]

We are looking to buy our first DSLR camera and have a limited budget. We have been looking at the older Nikon D80 with the 18-135mm lens.

Reviews are very complimetary about this camera. Is there anything i should be aware of before buying either second hand or new?
Can the LCD display on the rear be used for taking the photo and view the photo after its taken? From my understanding on some of the older models you cant view the photos on the LCD screen.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Steve

[IvorETower]

You cannot see the "photo" on the LCD before you take the photo, only afterwards. If you want "liveview" you will have to save up for a D5000 or D90
If buying new, be aware that the camera was discontinued around a year ago so it will be old stock; make sure that the battery will accept charging OK. The 18-135 lens isn't the world's best kit lens and although I bought my D80 with it, on balance I would have gone for the 18-70. If buying now, se if you can get a deal with the newer 18-105 VR lens (well, that's my opinion/advice anyway).
The most serious issues I have had with my D80 are to do with dramatically overexposed shots on a bright winter's day where for some reason, almost every shot was incorrectly exposed leaving me to do many hours of post-processing - I shoot in RAW + JPEG. Other than that, the D80 is a good, stable camera albeit superseded by later technology.

[batho_777]

You cannot see the "photo" on the LCD before you take the photo, only afterwards. If you want "liveview" you will have to save up for a D5000 or D90

Thanks for that. So the D90 has that facility?

[El_Sid]

The D80 predates 'Live View' cameras so no the rear screen cannot be used for taking pictures as you would with a compact.

The pictures can be reviewed on the rear screen however both immediately after taking and at any other time. Picture review options include slideshow options.

Specifications etc can be found here...

Enjoy your purchase.

Thanks for that. So the D90 has that facility?

Yep... and HD video too...

[turbulentwheat]

The most serious issues I have had with my D80 are to do with dramatically overexposed shots on a bright winter's day where for some reason, almost every shot was incorrectly exposed leaving me to do many hours of post-processing - I shoot in RAW + JPEG. Other than that, the D80 is a good, stable camera albeit superseded by later technology.

It's a very nifty camera and it's true about the overexposure. I was told it was a weakness or fault in something technical I couldnt remember but if you keep exposure compensation at 0.3 or 0.7 then it's a reliable camera and tough as old boots in construction despite it being plastic.

[Learning]

If you don't want video then the D80 is a very good choice.
If you want AF with older second hand lenses (without built in motors) then the D80 and current D90 can cope; the D3000 and D5000 cannot. At the right price an underused D80 should be a good choice. As far as the exposure problem is concerned then pay attention to the histogram until you get to know when the camera is likely to need a helping human bit of intuition. Even on the 'best' current machines the LCD does not always show whether the exposure is right. I would prefer a D90 compared to a D80. I would prefer a D80 to a D3000 anor D5000. That's easy to say because I use a D300 and prefer that to any of the previously mentioned. The D300 is also discontinued and might be a possibility but be aware that they were and are used by semi-pros doing weddings and also outdoor types who wanted something a bit rugged. I certainly wouldn't sell mine to a friend.

[IanBettson]

Hello

as a new person here i hope I am not jumping in where I shouldn't. If I am then please excuse me. I was interested in the comments about the D80 overexposing. I have had a D80 for about 18 months and it has a big problem that when I am shooting indoors using the built-in flash it produces some psychadelic pictures with mutlicoloured or extreme bright areas on some ahots. Some are like looking through a kaleidoscope, others are like blasting the scene with a white light. It happens with different lenses including the bundled 18 - 135 lens and my old 28 - 70 silent wave AF-s from my F100 days. i have never seen anything like it. At first I thought it was my error as i was on a learning curve with digital cameras so i didn't contact Nikon. Now i have contacted them and they want me to pay for it to be lokked at and reapaired. I wondered if people have experienced this or have thoughts on it. any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Ian Bettson

[IvorETower]

I've never has such colouring issues... sounds like a fault.. would be interested to see what Nikon say about it, if you do send it in to them

[ermintrude]

Sounds bad Do you have any examples you could post to show us?

[IanBettson]

Hi
Thanks for the reply. I would love to post some pictures here to show but I can't see how to do it. I've looked around the website without success. I'll keep looking.
Ian

[El_Sid]

How to post pictures...

[IanBettson]

Thank you for the help. I will try and get this done this evening.
Ian

[IanBettson]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/...1dc4d48d_m.jpg

[IanBettson]

I have posted the pictures in their own post/thread called "Faulty Nikon pictures. 3 photos". Nigel, thank you for your help with getting them uploaded. batho777 sorry for hijacking your post.
Ian

[IanBettson]

Hello
I started a new thread with the title : Faulty Nikon pictures. 3 photos

Please take a look and let me know what you think.

Thank you

Ian

[El_Sid]

Sorry for not replying sooner but I lost internet connection for a while... See the new thread for my thoughts.