My impressions of the D80

[Tweek]

Well yesterday my D80 came from Ritz via FedEx 2-day, and today the 4GB RiTek memory card from Newegg came at 11am via UPS 3-day.

Communication with Ritz was excellent when I had to confirm my order (my card has fraud protection so I had to contact my bank and Ritz to finish order, since the purchase was expensive)

My initial impressions of the camera when I got it was the high level of build quality, buttons solid, kit lens pretty smooth and well built, flash mechanism very well put together, you can feel the level of quality in it if you slowly push it back down and hear it click (better then any Canon I've handled). The viewfinder and LCD screens are amazing. The viewfinder is a tiny tiny bit dark indoors but not enough to complain about. Menu layout is superb. It really does make the Canon XT/XTi feel and look like a toy.

Now on to what I think about the pictures and it's general performance. first off I really like the SD card door, I read that DC Resource didn't really like it, I think they nit pick too much cause its nice in my opinion (flimsy it is not) the RiTek memory card slid in with no problem and pops out easy, no formatting was required and the 4GB card works perfect. Out of curiosity and all the complaints I heard about hot and dead pixels on the D80 I had to first try it out myself to see if mine had any, with lens cap on at ISO 100 there are none, at ISO 1600 with 1/2 second shutter there is one near center, and one blue near the bottom left, am I going to complain about this? Are you freaking kidding heck no. Not even many cameras in this price are even useful at ISO 1600 let alone worry about 2 hot pixels. Secondly I checked the kit lens 18-135mm for CA and purple fringing and can't really notice any, there is a tiny tiny tiny! bit of CA really depending on where it's shot, but I've only noticed it on one picture and it wasn't extreme, plus again I've only used Auto settings so far. The kit lens motor is also surprisingly quiet, but I have a hard time getting the lens cap on when using the hood so i just take the hood off when it's being used to put the lens cap on.

The pictures that the kit lens produces are pretty sharp, a tad bit soft but I'm not going to expect 50mm F1.4 lens performance from a $300 7x zoom lens.

Continuous shooting is awesome, I dunno if it depends on the memory card or what, but Nikon states up to 24? or so pictures in the highest res and JPEG setting, but also they say "up to 100 frames" I'm able to get those 100 frames at 3fps on the highest JPEG setting. I read somewhere that those specs depend on the speed of the SD card. I'm using a "Pro" 150x card so that might help. Since the camera writes to the card and uses buffer at the same time to keep on saving frames.

There are a lot of things I need to learn about the camera having only used Canon EOS 35mm SLRs in the past, this is my first DSLR as explains why I was using Auto mode in the first place.

I'm very excited to see what kinda image I can produce once I get the hang of its capabilities and pop a 50mm F1.8 lens on there.

All and all I couldn't be more satisfied from a camera in this price range.

Here is a picture I shot outdoors, settings: auto, lens at 135mm, also it was cloudy and windy, I could barely keep my hands steady. http://www.0x3g3n.com/tweek/test%20pictures/DSC_0018.JPG

Here are 2 indoor shots. (again both on auto)
http://www.0x3g3n.com/tweek/test%20pictures/DSC_0009.JPG
http://www.0x3g3n.com/tweek/test%20pictures/DSC_0006.JPG

And just for fun I thought I'd try this (it's a 100w equivalent florescent bulb in the basement)
http://www.0x3g3n.com/tweek/test%20pictures/DSC_0004.jpg

[RichNY]

I realize that this was in auto mode and at the beginning of your playing curve with the camera but:

First picture- surprisingly shallow depth of field. Look how fuzzy the grass gets. Do you know what aperature the camera picked for this shot?

Picture of stereo components. The top pre-amp, the c162 is extremely blurry where it says "NAD and Stereo Preamplifier C 162". The input selection labels and the component under it are clear.

[Tweek]

First picture- surprisingly shallow depth of field. Look how fuzzy the grass gets. Do you know what aperature the camera picked for this shot?



Not really, I'm a newb and I don't mind admitting it. But no expert is an expert when they first start.

Are there some things I should know about taking pictures like that?

[Ray Schnoor]

From the exif data, the 1st photo was taken at ISO 100, 1/400s, f/5.3 and the 2nd photo was taken at ISO 100, 1/60s, f/5 with flash.

Ray.

[Tweek]

Those 2 hot pixels at ISO 1600 are gone.

[swgod98]

Those 2 hot pixels at ISO 1600 are gone.

I think most people's concern about hot pixels is under conditions where you're exposing for 5, 10, maybe 30 seconds. I had a few hot pixels at those exposures at ISO1600.

Realistically though, that is REALLY stretching the limits of these camera's...anyone taking images under those conditions are probably doing astronomy and should be getting a 20Da (or a cooled camera!) anyways.

[eduardofrances]

you are very intelligent!!!!!, most people buy a camera SLRs (all brands) with the kit lens, images come soft and they blame the camera! (as there are people who thinks that in Digital SLRs the sensor produces purple fringe... Purple fringe appears cause of poorly made lenses)

This lens specially has been very hitted by the reviews, too much softness, and that is a big mistake of nikon! they should had offered the camera with a lens like the NIkkor 18-70mm AF-S DX wich is very sharp and has a good price for the quality...

I am happy to see there are people (like you)that understand that the quality of the photos depends on the lens mounted!!! :) and that big zooms (7.5x and 10x) wont produce tack sharp images unless stopped down

If you arent happy with the Nikkor 18-135mm buy the Nikkor 18-70mm you will see a big improvement also remember to fiddle with the sharpening in the camera menu :D

enjoy your camera and use the 18-135mm as paperweight or sell it when you have a better lens :)

[Tweek]

you are very intelligent!!!!!, most people buy a camera SLRs (all brands) with the kit lens, images come soft and they blame the camera! (as there are people who thinks that in Digital SLRs the sensor produces purple fringe... Purple fringe appears cause of poorly made lenses)

This lens specially has been very hitted by the reviews, too much softness, and that is a big mistake of nikon! they should had offered the camera with a lens like the NIkkor 18-70mm AF-S DX wich is very sharp and has a good price for the quality...

I am happy to see there are people (like you)that understand that the quality of the photos depends on the lens mounted!!! :) and that big zooms (7.5x and 10x) wont produce tack sharp images unless stopped down

If you arent happy with the Nikkor 18-135mm buy the Nikkor 18-70mm you will see a big improvement also remember to fiddle with the sharpening in the camera menu :D

enjoy your camera and use the 18-135mm as paperweight or sell it when you have a better lens :)

Actually I was kinda thinking it was a mistake buying the 135mm kit lens over the 18-70mm, but I wonder how much I could get if I sold it.

[RichNY]

Not really, I'm a newb and I don't mind admitting it. But no expert is an expert when they first start.

Are there some things I should know about taking pictures like that?

I wasn't being critical of your ability, I was just saying that something was causing the picture to be out of focus in a certain spot on the equipment. I don't know whether it is related to what the camera was focusing on or the aperature, etc. Perhaps someone else will have a better idea what caused this.

[Tweek]

I wasn't being critical of your ability, I was just saying that something was causing the picture to be out of focus in a certain spot on the equipment. I don't know whether it is related to what the camera was focusing on or the aperature, etc. Perhaps someone else will have a better idea what caused this.

One thing that really confuses me on this camera is all the AF settings, in conjunction with it's 11 AF points, I can't seem to stop it from only focusing on one spot, unless I go into full manual and change the aperture to like 18 then the components are all nicely in focus. But then half the time the images just turn up a black blob cause exposure and white balance I don't know anything about. Ugh so confusing but I'm still glad I didn't get a Canon A series or SD and went the distance as to buy something that I can learn and make beautiful pictures with.

This is what I got with auto settings. http://www.0x3g3n.com/tweek/test%20pictures/DSC_0008.JPG
And this is what I got playing around with Aperture http://www.0x3g3n.com/tweek/test%20pictures/DSC_0015%20(Custom).JPG

The focus I got with just playing around is a lot better, maybe I should play around with settings some more heh

[Esoterra]

One thing that really confuses me on this camera is all the AF settings, in conjunction with it's 11 AF points, I can't seem to stop it from only focusing on one spot, unless I go into full manual and change the aperture to like 18 then the components are all nicely in focus. But then half the time the images just turn up a black blob cause exposure and white balance I don't know anything about. Ugh so confusing but I'm still glad I didn't get a Canon A series or SD and went the distance as to buy something that I can learn and make beautiful pictures with.

This is what I got with auto settings. http://www.0x3g3n.com/tweek/test%20pictures/DSC_0008.JPG
And this is what I got playing around with Aperture http://www.0x3g3n.com/tweek/test%20pictures/DSC_0015%20(Custom).JPG

The focus I got with just playing around is a lot better, maybe I should play around with settings some more heh

You can change the focus spots in the view finder... make sure that the LCD is not on, hold down the shutter release button half way to focus, then use the multi directional button on the back of your D80 to choose which focus point you want to use in the VF

[buruburu]

What you're seeing here is Depth of Field. On auto, the D80 most likely set the aperature to the widest it can go which decreases the depth of field, and increases the shutter speed. What you can do is 1, move futher away from your subject to increase the depth of field, or 2, stop down the lens like you did. Rather than going into manual mode, switch to A mode (Aperature priority), and adjust the aperature to a higher value with the front command wheel. Keeping it in A will let the camera adjust the shutter speed as neccessary. Keep in mind that stopping down will decrease the amount of light coming in, and to compensate, you're either need to increase the shutter speed which the camera will do for you in A mode, or increase the ISO.


One thing that really confuses me on this camera is all the AF settings, in conjunction with it's 11 AF points, I can't seem to stop it from only focusing on one spot, unless I go into full manual and change the aperture to like 18 then the components are all nicely in focus. But then half the time the images just turn up a black blob cause exposure and white balance I don't know anything about. Ugh so confusing but I'm still glad I didn't get a Canon A series or SD and went the distance as to buy something that I can learn and make beautiful pictures with.

This is what I got with auto settings. http://www.0x3g3n.com/tweek/test%20pictures/DSC_0008.JPG
And this is what I got playing around with Aperture http://www.0x3g3n.com/tweek/test%20pictures/DSC_0015%20(Custom).JPG

The focus I got with just playing around is a lot better, maybe I should play around with settings some more heh

[Tweek]

One thing I noticed that when I did Aperture Priority Mode, I dunno if I was doing it wrong, but if I did like a f stop of 18, it would set the shutter to like freaking 3 seconds. I could only get around that by going to fully manual to set both manually.

What was I doing wrong in A mode?

[buruburu]

One thing I noticed that when I did Aperture Priority Mode, I dunno if I was doing it wrong, but if I did like a f stop of 18, it would set the shutter to like freaking 3 seconds. I could only get around that by going to fully manual to set both manually.

What was I doing wrong in A mode?

Nope, you're not doing anything wrong. f/18 is very very stopped down. Especailly for an indoor shot. When you go from f/2.8 to f/5.6 you're essentially losing half of your light, and to compensate to get the correct exposure, you'll need to expose twice as long. This isn't exactly the correct numbers, but it helps illustrates. So let's say you need 1 second to properly expose at f/2.8, you'll need 2 for f/5.6, and now 4 for f/11. Plus one thing you have to consider is that diffraction starts occuring the further stopped down you are, which decreases image quality. Every lens has their optimal aperature setting for their best image quality. Just need to find out what it is for your lens.

[RichNY]

Tweek- Try this. With you camera in A mode go outside (where you have more light) and take a picture that has lots of depth.

Take the same picture starting with your largest f stop and then increasing by one stop each time. This will give you the best idea of the depth of field with each setting.

"What was I doing wrong in A mode?" Where you indoors or in a low light situation? When you have the f stop really high like 18 you are making the size of the aperature openning smaller. When you make it smaller it takes longer. If you were in bright sunlight and it took 3 seconds that would be a problem. In very low light it's the camera's way of asking you to buy a tripod :)

[Tweek]

I'm so glad I find a forum where people are helpful and nice, I was over on DP's forums and Nikonians forum, DP forums is just a bunch of people that have nothing better to do so all they do is make posts about the D50 or D70s VS the D80 and bash the D80 all day. And on Nikonians I got bashed cause I started the obvious when someone said the D80 has movie mode, saying it's not a camcorder its a DSLR.

[buruburu]

I'm so glad I find a forum where people are helpful and nice, I was over on DP's forums and Nikonians forum, DP forums is just a bunch of people that have nothing better to do so all they do is make posts about the D50 or D70s VS the D80 and bash the D80 all day. And on Nikonians I got bashed cause I started the obvious when someone said the D80 has movie mode, saying it's not a camcorder its a DSLR.

Sure the D80 has a movie mode... it's called firing off at 3fps. Sure it's jerky and no sound, but it's still a movie... :D

[RichNY]

Check out this book- it is very well written and will get you up to speed on a lot of the issues real fast. It's worth an afternoon ride to the bookstore to get it today- it's that good.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/explorer/0817463003/2/ref=pd_lpo_ase/104-3593019-9193547?ie=UTF8

[rawpaw18]

And on Nikonians I got bashed cause I stated the obvious when someone said the D80 has movie mode, saying it's not a camcorder its a DSLR.

I saw that, I found it odd that the lady has made a living in photography for 20 years and has just bought a D80 and the 18-200vr with apparently no research on what she was getting. I know if I am going to drop $2000, I better make sure I know what I am getting. Her question seemed as if it was set up for a joke. 20 years in the biz and she thinks that the D80 has a movie mode, very odd indeed.:confused:

[eduardofrances]

Actually I was kinda thinking it was a mistake buying the 135mm kit lens over the 18-70mm, but I wonder how much I could get if I sold it.

Well dont sweat it much, I have seen the images and there is a difference between the 18-135 and the 18-70 (sure winner there) but a little bit of Unsharp Mask should solve the problem, in the meantime save some bucks so you can buy the 18-70 in the future :)

The 18-135mm new is $399.95 bucks *at bhphotovideo.com* so you could easily ask for 370, 350 bucks, the Nikkor 18-70 runs for $319.95. but don't rush to sell your lens or you wont have anything to take photos with your new camera :)

[K1W1]

And on Nikonians I got bashed cause I started the obvious when someone aid the D80 has movie mode, saying it's not a camcorder its a DSLR.

I think that was because of the way you said it not what you said.
Generally I find the Nikonians forum to be really friendly and helpful like this one but I agree with you about DPReview.

[A.Crosby]

Check out this book- it is very well written and will get you up to speed on a lot of the issues real fast. It's worth an afternoon ride to the bookstore to get it today- it's that good.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/explorer/0817463003/2/ref=pd_lpo_ase/104-3593019-9193547?ie=UTF8

I have all three of this author's books!! Very easy read lots of examples, very nicely laid out books...I have to agree with RichNY well worth your while to pick up the book. :D :D

[RichNY]

I have all three of this author's books!! Very easy read lots of examples, very nicely laid out books...I have to agree with RichNY well worth your while to pick up the book. :D :D

Here's the 4th book. Amazon will be shipping this on September 22nd. :) I'll post my comments as soon as my copy comes in.

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Portraiture-Creative-People-Photography/dp/0817453911/sr=1-4/qid=1158721547/ref=sr_1_4/104-3593019-9193547?ie=UTF8&s=books

Since you've enjoyed Bryan's books as much as I have you'd probably also really enjoy his DVD. The DVD uses a lot of the same pictures as the books but it was really great seeing this incredible instructor
'teaching live' as opposed to only reading his words and viewing his pictures.

http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Picture-Bryan-Peterson/dp/B000DCP5YG/sr=1-1/qid=1158721815/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-3593019-9193547?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

[Riley]

do you know what the format of 'teaching live' is Rich
is it like those quicktime vids that around for other educational purposes ?

Riley

[A.Crosby]

Here's the 4th book. Amazon will be shipping this on September 22nd. :) I'll post my comments as soon as my copy comes in.

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Portraiture-Creative-People-Photography/dp/0817453911/sr=1-4/qid=1158721547/ref=sr_1_4/104-3593019-9193547?ie=UTF8&s=books

Since you've enjoyed Bryan's books as much as I have you'd probably also really enjoy his DVD. The DVD uses a lot of the same pictures as the books but it was really great seeing this incredible instructor
'teaching live' as opposed to only reading his words and viewing his pictures.

http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Picture-Bryan-Peterson/dp/B000DCP5YG/sr=1-1/qid=1158721815/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-3593019-9193547?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

Cool!!! I had no idea he had a DVD or another book out!! Thank you I will definately have to check that out...I don't know about anyone else but I always shy away from taking peoples pictures....I feel weird like I am invading their space. Although I did much better this pat weekend at taking people shots and a baby shower! I was pleased with the results, and that no one seemed to notice I was taking there picture!!!! :)

[RichNY]

do you know what the format of 'teaching live' is Rich
is it like those quicktime vids that around for other educational purposes ?

Riley

I'm not sure I understand your question about the format. It's like watching a movie, not quicktime vids.

[Riley]

RichNY

yes I didnt phrase it very well
but you got the idea, sounds like a great gift

Riley