 Juliette` Colpa-Thomas |
Question About the Nikon N80 I recently purchased a Nikon N80. I'm a little (OK, a lot) intimidated with it. I'm finding that I'm having problems focusing and taking an exposure. Let's say I'm standing in front of my subject, say 1 foot away. When I press the shutter, the camera goes back and forth (or rather the lens) for some reason and doesn't let me take the picture. What am I doing wrong? I hope I've made sense of the situation.
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Andy |
Check your lens' minimum focusing distance. Usually it's about 3 feet and beyond. If you set your focus in manual, it will let you take the shot even though the subject is out of focus. Hope this helps.
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Juliette` Colpa-Thomas |
Helps a lot. Thanks Andy!
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Shauna Linde |
Hi there- I too have a Nikon N80 and I found it quite intimidating when I first got it. I have found the manual to be EXTREMELY helpful though. I started out following the instructions for your basic "point and shoot" that were at the beginning and then slowly delved into the manual and special functions. I noticed though that if you have the camera set to auto focus (which is what your camera is trying to do when the lens appears to be moving back and forth), sometimes it has trouble getting and keeping a picture in focus (depending on the distance from the subject and how many items are in the picture at various distances). That's why it won't let you take the picture- it's still trying to focus. Switch to manual focus (turn around and look at the front of the camera, its on the lower right side of the lens) and you can see if you can get it in focus that way.
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Kerry Drager |
Hi Julie: It's nice "seeing" you on the general BP site! Andy and Shauna have already shared some excellent advice - in fact, my thoughts exactly. But I just wanted to add that I also own an N80 ... and have found it to be such a terrific camera! The N80 compares very favorably with Nikon's longtime top-of-the-line film camera, the F5. The two cameras share many of the same features (though not all, of course) ... but the N80 checks in at such a far lower price and at a far lower weight. Keep sticking with it, Julie - i.e., shooting, experimenting, reading the manual, perhaps asking further questions, and then repeating the process - and you'll soon find your N80 comfort level rapidly rising to a high level! Kerry
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Juliette` Colpa-Thomas |
Thank you, Shauna and Kerry! I told myself that I would go out and take a roll or two with the N80 (I also have a Nikon N65, which I am very comfortable with but now want to get comfortable with the N80) but didn't get the chance. It makes sense that it's a distance issue. At the time of taking (or trying) the picture I was right on top of the subject. I will follow everyone's advice this evening. Thanks again.
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Tom Kwan |
N80(F80) is a good camera. But my advice is never drop it on ground. Last year in my trip to New Zealand, a sudden break of the van, both my two cameras - N100 and N80 (I often bring along 2 cameras : one for negative, one for low speed slide) dropped on the floor. The three months new N80 (F80) broaken, because the body is made of plastic, it was so damaged that I can only rely on the unharmed F100 for the rest of the trip and missed many good shot. Till now I still regret that I should bring the FM2 instead of N80.
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Troy Branch |
The problem you described is called "seeking". It is most directly related to your autofocus systems dependance on light (or more specifically contrast) to bring your subject matter into focus. The lens has a lot to do with this. I bet you the lens minimum aperture is f3.5. The smaller the number the more light the AF system has to focus with. A faster lens would not have this seeking problem. Faster lenses are significally more exspensive though. You made a good choice with the N80. Now save up an get yourself a faster lens. It will free you up to take better available light photos as well as focus better. www.troybphotography.com
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Juliette` Colpa-Thomas |
Thanks, Troy for your helpful insight.
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Anand S |
Hi there, I own an F80 (N80 equivalent) its a fantastic camera sharing most of the features of F100. Most of what I wanted to say are covered in the above thread. In addition pls do the following: 1. Ensure that the distance between the camera and the subject is greater than or equal to the minimum focusing distance of the lens (check with your lens user manual/spec sheet). 2. AF can work well only when there is ample light. If light is not sufficient there enable the Auto Focus Guide light (just below the shutter release button). This may be of some help but not totally realiable esp if its pitch dark. So trust your eyes and focus manually you can atleast save on the battery consumption. Yup repeatedly using Autofocus drains the battery faster since it has to drive the AF motor of the lens. 3. This point some how got missed out so pls note N80 has three focusing modes unlike your N65 which has only two manual and Automatic. The three modes are Manual, Automatic and Continues servo (this mode is meant for shooting moving objects like flying birds) the adjustments for this are exactly positioned in the same place where it is for N65 its like a three way switch so ensure that its in autofocus and not continues servo mode. 4. This is another point that got missed out. N80 has five point auto focus. The autofocus will be the sharpest depending on the area selected so ensure that you had selected AF point nearest to the suject. 5. There is a custom setting (check your manual) which says that unless the focus is confirmed the shutter shouldn't be released. If that setting is turned on turn it off. The risk is that even if your subject is not in focus and you press the shutter release button hard, it will take the picture. The advantage is when your AF does not work correctly due to low light but if you are sure that the picture is sharp you will get the picture. This is made available to give the user the option of customising the camera as per their shooting style. Hope this helps. Happy Shooting. Anand
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Juliette` Colpa-Thomas |
Thanks, Anand!
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