Nikon F5, F100, N80?

Macro · Dec 28, 2003

Is there a big difference in the nikon f5 vs f100 besides price? What about the N80?

mattvillano · Dec 28, 2003

I'm not too familiar with the differences in the f5 and f100......I have an N80 and its obviously cheaper, its a pretty good camera from my perspective. It does have some small downfalls like a less durable plastic body and it can't take meter readings with non CPU lenses. Obviously if you don't care about money then go up to the f series but if your tight on cash give the N80 some consideration.

Macro · Dec 28, 2003

Well I wonder if its worth paying more for the f5 vs f100.... Does anyone have either of these cameras?

voodoocat · Dec 28, 2003

I don't think the F100 has a color matrix meter like the F5. It might also be a sturdier cam. I've heard you can drop the F5 from a building and it'll still work.

Another option if you don't need all the fancy bells and whistles is the N90. It is the entry level pro camera from Nikon.

motcon · Dec 29, 2003

voodoocat said:
I don't think the F100 has a color matrix meter like the F5. It might also be a sturdier cam. I've heard you can drop the F5 from a building and it'll still work.

i shoot an f100 - it most certainly has matrix metering.

you could just look it up for yourself, macro:

http://home.wanadoo.nl/pmj/camcompare.html

voodoocat · Dec 29, 2003

I'm talking about the color matrix meter. The one that analyzes the colors and adjusts the meter accordingly.

somewhere said:
The F5 comes with three new light meters. The familiar Nikon Matrix meter has undergone a transformation and is now a 3D color Matrix meter with a 1,005 pixels (they used to be called "segments"); the center-weighted meter has become the world's first variable size center-weighted meter; and the spot meter has grown to become five spot meters.

With 1,005 pixels in the Matrix meter's sensing array, the meter is designed to provide an enormous range of detection for brightness and contrast patterns; the pixels also measure RGB color, and thus take the color in a scene into account when making the exposure. The RGB sensors can also tell if fluorescent or tungsten light is in use. Adding color detection to the metering process gives the meter additional information for the most accurate scene identification. "In situations in which you'd normally have to compensate for color, the camera does it for you," said a Nikon spokesperson. "Taking into account light, distance and color, it's the most accurate automatic light meter ever created."

5th · Dec 31, 2003

I guess I am curious as to why one would need an internal color matrix meter. I mean, how many people are looking for a color meter, and an internal one trustworthy enough?

Also, there is a huge difference in the pricing between the F100/F5 and the N80. You could buy 4-5 N80 bodies for the price of one of the others.

voodoocat · Dec 31, 2003

I would venture to guess that the F5's color matrix meter is quite handy and most likely trustworthy. Especially since it's TTL you don't have to compensate for filters.

chris · Jan 5, 2004

They are all great cameras but differ in price and facilities.
I bought a F80 to replace an aged Minolta manual 35mm SLR system (it had given excellent service but was just worn out after over 20 years of use). The F80 was easy to use and has most of the facilities that I had used with the Minoltas - depth of field preview, multiple exposure, exposure comopensation etc. I was very happy with it until I had the chance to buy a second body and tried the F100 and F5. I decided on the F5 but it is a big heavy camera; the size and weight does not bother me, I have big hands and had been used to carrying a medium format camera around but if this is a problem then the F100 is probably more suitable.
It is hard to imagine any normal mishap that could stop an F5 working, just dropping it on the floor would probably only result in minor cosmetic damage and it can also withstand brief total immersion in water so there is no need to be concerned about it when out in bad weather. It has just about every function imaginable including mirror lock-up, built-in eyepiece blind, superb meter facilities, self-checking shutter etc.
The F100 appears to be a slightly 'cut down' version of the F5 with most of the facilities and performance in a smaller package.
The F80 is the lightweight of the three cameras - you definitely don't want to drop this one on the floor - but it performs very well and the metering system has never let me down. I use the F80 when I don't want the bulk and weight of the F5.
The F80 is about 20% of the cost of an F5 so you need to carefully consider what facilities and level of robustness you need and weigh these against the cost and convenience.

joseph · Jan 18, 2004

F5 is used by professionals in war zones, they will go on ticking an take the licking, that and some special features is what you pay for. For regular normal use my N80 never let me down, I knokced it about a bit too. The F100 you can knock about a bit more.

jv17 · Aug 7, 2008

joseph said:
F5 is used by professionals in war zones, they will go on ticking an take the licking, that and some special features is what you pay for. For regular normal use my N80 never let me down, I knokced it about a bit too. The F100 you can knock about a bit more.

well said I was about to say that..I made a research about this on the net..