Is it just me? Nikon D80 extremely tempting...

I'm just wondering if anyone else is tempted by the Nikon D80. I currently have the Fuji S3 Pro, and actually sold my D70s to get it because I was unhappy with the "Nikon Colors". I am extremely happy with the DR and Colors from the Fuji S3, but would love to have a faster, RAW friendly camera that doesn't break the bank.

I have been looking through Flickr and the D80 samples, and I can't believe what I'm seeing. Great colors, and skin tones. Has anyone here been able to do a comparison with the S3? DR will undoubtedly be superior on the S3, but if my eyes aren't going funny, Nikon has made leaps and bounds in IQ, over the D70. So much so, that I'm actually thinking of purchasing the Nikon D80 if my initial impressions are correct. I would love to hear input from fellow Fuji shooters, especially if you've handled the D80.

Thanks,
Marco.

It IS tempting. It sure got a good review on here. I'm going to hold off just a little longer to see if any of these S4/S5 rumors have any substance. Actually, I want the D80 with the Fuji sensor. Wouldn't it be nice if someday they made all these sensors interchangable?? Even better... imagine one standard lens bayonet mount, and interchangable sensors. Canon L glass on a Nikon D2X body, with a full frame Fuji sensor. Now THAT would be sweet.

I have the S3 too, and yes, it is a bit tempting. It's so inexpensive and seems to produce a nice picture. TEMPTED, but still waiting to see what Fujifilm announces. I think DSLR's are just becoming so much more affordable that each one that we see surprises us with the features compared to the price. Fun times we're in!

Paul

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http://www.okpablo.com

I own a D80 and have been using it in weddings now for three weeks. It is a very nice camera indeed, especially for available light shooting where the limits of hand holdability are being challenged. The only flaw in image quality has been the poor performance in white balance in open shade under a canopy of trees. It does, by the way, do better than the S3 under those conditions but it is not what I consider acceptable. It has two flaws that are not menioned in Phil's report. The image only stays on for 4 seconds after it displays on the LCd screen but that has become almost a non problem now that I am used to it. The second is the histogram that forces you to use a small set of 4 histograms rather than just one big one like the D2X.

I particularly like that is is small, light and very responsive. It ain't no D200 but for available light at iso 1600, it is a lot better than the D200.

The D80 must be good...

The Oly and Minolta die-hards are out in force on the boards hating on the D80. With all the new cameras out, the wars on the boards are going to get pretty heated for the next few months.

I hope Fuji adds something soon!!!

What do you think of the DR Walter, from what I see in Phil's review samples it is poor at best and even more surprising he says nothing about it in his conclusion. (I have yet to read the whole review)

Best regards, Ed

--
http://www.pbase.com/lightrover

Walter S Matthews said:

I own a D80 and have been using it in weddings now for three weeks.

Click to expand...

Walter S Matthews said:

The only flaw in image quality has been the poor performance in
white balance in open shade under a canopy of trees. It does, by
the way, do better than the S3 under those conditions but it is not
what I consider acceptable.

Click to expand...

What do you consider acceptable? If it does any better than the S3 I think it is not a problem. I'm used to it and do consider it part of the postprocessing of the RAW image.

I am tempted too to buy a D80, but wait until Photokina to see what Fuji has to offer and at -important!- what price level. I'm fed up with paying maximum prices for equipment that will be outdated in a year. If it meets my standards, I'll do with it.

As a pro in wedding and portraiture I don't need a D200. The main difference seems to be it is weather resistant -I don't have to cope with these- and faster in RAW -but 6 images will do- , but the colour of the D80 seems to be better. So it will be the D80 within a few months, unless Fuji comes up with something wonderful.

Leen Koper
http://www.fotografieleenkoper.nl

DR is not much to speak of. Better than the S2 or any other DSLR I have except for the Kodak or of course the S3. For outside shooting in the sun I have been using the medium size, about a 6 MP image I think, and giving it a -.7 EV for exposure and that lets me keep the dress most of the time.

I don't usually use any flash with my D80, unless it gets dark like at the reception and I have been using it almost as a point and shoot in that it is so light, very responsive and very fast.

This evening I shot about 500 shots with it and used the Nikon 35mm F2.0 lens the whole time. The room where the wedding and reception were held was very well lit with sunshine from lots of windows before sunset so I just had the camera and, like I did a long long time ago before zoom lenses came into their own, I zoomed in and out, yup, literally zoomed in and zoomed out with my body, three steps in and three back covers a lot of zoom range, rather than twisting a lens. When it got dark I put a flash on the camera and kept the 35mm and I am delighted with the shots I was able to get. I have been having more and more trouble with my lower back and often have to stand in a corner and bend over to let the muscles relax and I have found that the more weight I carry in my hands, the worse it gets. I can pack the weight on my belt and it doesn't seem to bother me but lifting and carrying a heavy camera sets off muscle spasems. The time that I spent with the D80 today was enough to give me complete relief from the back pain and for that reason alone, I am delighted. It's my personal problem but it is nice to have such a light rig that can take absolutely beautiful pictures.

My scale for dynamic range, always in JPG, in cameras is as follows--

5D~D2X~S2

Leen Koper ABIPP ARPS QEP said:

What do you consider acceptable? If it does any better than the S3 I > think it is not a problem. I'm used to it and do consider it part of the > postprocessing of the RAW image.

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First, I have not shot anything with RAW. I am waiting for Adobe to come out with a converter, and perhaps the latest Adobe download will already do it but I have been remiss in looking for it.

I am also used to the S3 in the shade and have a standard way of dealing with it but I would rather not have to. Although the D80 is better than the S3 for color in deep shade, it does not eliminate the need to do something extra in post to your deep shade shots. However it is a lot more consistent and that's perhaps the most important consideration. I think the D80 is better because the Nikon AWB is better in the shade and its hard for me to imagine any camera being worse than the S3 in the shade.

I was a D80 a week ago and i find it a very impressive bit of kit, i have the S3 a D200 and D50 as well but at the moment i am only using the D80, IMHO the IQ is better than any of the others with the contrast out of the camera and noise being better than the D200 and the focus is the best that i have seen on any DSLR the link was taken with 30mm/1.4 Sigma at 1.4 400 iso.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93722648@N00/244749180/

We must have the same problem!

The muscles in my lower back were badly ripped from an encounter with a bus. Holding my D200 up to my face for any time puts me in spasm. I have a Sony ultrazoom, the H5 for the times when I can no longer life the D200. D80 may be a better solution.
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=~ AAK - http://www.aakatz.com
=~ Author of the H-Series White Paper
=~ http://www.aakatz.com/h1whitepaper

I've managed to achieve excellent color reproduction with my good old d70. Yes, it's a challenge but it can be accomplished. There may be issues with the camera but what about the man or woman behind it.

White/Grey balance

monitor calibration

photoshop calibration if that's what you use.

Doing the above will at least improve your image and color quality. But the other half is up to you.
--
derekdigital

Photodj,

I wasn't suggesting that good color is not obtainable with the D70. I'm not big on post-processing, so I like camera's that get me close to what I want the final product to look like, without much fuss. This is why I now shoot with the S3. Regardless, I was just trying to get confirmation if whether my observations were correct in that the D80 has more pleasing skin tones and colors out of the camera than previous Nikon models.

Regards,
Marco.

Walter I'm still surprised that you rate the D80 over the D50, I have the later and do'nt think the D50 is all that bad at DR? allthough difinetely less then the S3, but from Phill's samples I like the D80 shots less for DR. Or am I missing something? (are you gaining a lot by under exposing .7ev?) I vallue your opinion since I am tempted to exchange the D50 for the D80 since it offers so much more then the D50........ But I worry about "losing" DR over the D50. I will however wait for the Fuji news before making a decission but I expect it to be to expensive for me for now ( bought to much new glass lately). Thanks Walter.

Best regards, Ed

Walter S Matthews said:

My scale for dynamic range, always in JPG, in cameras is as follows--

5D~D2X~S2

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/lightrover

It has become more tempting now we know what is the S5 like. A D80 (or D200) will be the camera to have enough resolving power to do large groups etc.

Leen Koper
http://www.fotografieleenkoper.nl

photodj said:

I've managed to achieve excellent color reproduction with my good
old d70.

Click to expand...

hi photodj, do like to share how you've adjusted your D70? interested
thx & regards, eric

If you check my posts, I shoot the D80 at the medium detector size, i.e. at about 6 MP when I need DR from the D80. I agree with you that at the full 10 MP mode of operation the DR of the D80 is less than the DR of the D50.

Thank you Walter maybe I should start saving for the S5 and save the S3 for backup 2nd cam.

Best regards, Ed

--
http://www.pbase.com/lightrover

From the perspective of an ameteur S2 photographer who takes photos a lot of bonnie wee beasties, it is tempting, especially as i would like the extra resolution, faster AF and bigger viewfinder. The S5 is attractive but is a long way off being released and lacks the resolution I was hoping for. With my present work schedule i cannae imagine being able to afford an S5 or a D200 for a while so this may well provide a good filler until my next "professional" level purchase.

I will wait until I see some more results and until I have more money before I finally decide.
--
Gehyra -the lizard that sticks
http://www.pbase.com/gehyra