Nikon D80 Digital Camera User Manual


 
For every aspiring photographer
High performance that satises
all shooting styles
• 10.2 effective megapixel CCD image sensor
• Advanced image processing engine
• Improved 11-area AF system
• 0.18 sec. start-up and short release time lag
• 2.5-inch LCD with wide viewing angle
• Large, bright 0.94x viewnder
• Nikon D-SLR build quality and ne ergonomic design
• D-Lighting, Filters effects and a wide range of
image enhancement options
Two photographers, Italy and the D80
Photographers from different elds share their impressions
after shooting with the D80 on a trip to Italy.
“The D80 is a perfect camera for every aspiring photographer
and fully capable of satisfying the most demanding.”
Hien Lam Duc
“The camera provided satisfying results
that were sharp and clear.” Yves Paternoster
Yves Paternoster
Born in France, Yves studied
photography in Amsterdam
and began working as a
freelance photographer.
Currently living in Amsterdam,
Yves focuses primarily on
commercial photography.
Cinque Terre
Hien Lam Duc
Born in Laos, Hien emigrated
to France at the age of 16.
He began his career as a
photojournalist with a series
on the Mekong River. Hien
now lives in Paris and
photographs around the
world, with par tic ular
concentration on Laos.
2
3
About shooting in Italy - -
H (Hien): Iʼve long dreamed of shooting in
Venice. As a photojournalist, I always strive to
convey the moment just as I see it with my own
eyes. This demands a great amount of footwork
to get acquainted with the location, and the time
to establish a rapport with the locals. Shooting
early in the morning with the D80 left an immediate
impression on me. There was limited light, and
that was comprised of a mixture of natural and
articial light. A lm camera in such a situation
requires complicated use of lters, whereas the
D80 was able to achieve accurate white balance
and metering under mixed light sources and
produce beautiful results.
Y (Yves): I believe shooting in the cafe allowed
me to clearly express my feelings about
the location. I am always exploring how best to
express myself based on the inspiration I draw
from the actual scene. And for me, the light is the
inspiration. I like to control the light in each shot,
which of course includes capturing the mood
of the natural light, while at times also taking
advantage of reected light or using ashes. The
D80 produced images just as I envisioned them,
performing perfectly throughout the trip.
Images from the D80 are of the highest quality,
and I can edit them freely after the shot. The D80
can even perform in-camera editing, which only
adds to the creative possibilities and makes
digital easier and more enjoyable for everyone.
First impressions of shooting with
the D80 - -
H: All functions respond immediately. The camera
is ready to shoot the instant I turn it on, shutter
response is excellent, and autofocus is fast and
precise. Speed is of the essence to my style of
photography. Thatʼs why the remarkable speed
of the D80 captured my attention right away.
Anyone who takes photos understands the
desire to capture precious moments the instant
they unfold, and the need for a camera with the
speed and precision to be always ready to shoot.
Y: I was also impressed by the speed and
efciency of operation. The placement and size
of buttons and controls makes them easy to
use. I also nd the menus easy to understand,
and intuitive to use. The solid feel of the camera
body belies its compact size, it was easy to carry
around and simple to use from the very beginning.
H:I use the LCD monitor to conrm what I just
shot and nd the D80ʼs 2.5-inch monitor very easy
to view. The display is bright, colors are excellent,
and the high resolution is a practical benet.
I found this combination even helps me conrm
sharpness. The playback and preview features
are also easy to operate. You can zoom in or out
using a single button, and itʼs easy to return to a
full-frame view. Thereʼs no doubt that the ease of
operation and quality of display makes the LCD
monitor a useful tool, not only for checking shots
and settings, but also for communicating with the
people that Iʼm photographing.
About the 10.2 megapixel images - -
Y: Skin tones really come out great. They are
accurately reproduced, even when shooting in
soft light, or people with darker complexions.
Iʼm also pleased with how sharp and clear shots
came out, even when shooting with little light with
which to work.
H: Even when shooting from the gondola in bright
sunlight, the reds in my subject, the blue sky, and
the black of the gondola were all accurately
reproduced. I used the Landscape mode of the
Digi-Vari Programs for this shot, and the outstanding
quality of the contrast, color reproduction and
smooth transitions all caught my eye. Thereʼs no
doubt that the D80ʼs automatic settings can deliver
satisfying results. With automatic settings like
this, anyone can take professional-quality photos.
Impressions after completing the
shoot - -
H: I was particularly taken with the quality of
response, the ease of manual control, and the
exibility of settings and functions. Autofocus
also delivered the precision Iʼve come to expect
of Nikon SLR cameras. The viewnder provides a
clear view, and itʼs easy to change focus points to
match the shot.
I shot with the D80 the same way I use my lm
bodies, and I felt completely comfortable doing so.
The D80 is a performer that transcends distinctions
between lm and digital cameras.
Y: One of the advantages of digital is in how it
smoothes the photographic process. You can
change settings at any time on a digital camera
that are the equivalent of changing the type
of lm. A good example of this is the ability to
change sensitivity. Digital is also more efcient
than lm. You canʼt conrm what youʼve shot with
lm until after developing the lm, whereas digital
allows you to accurately conrm whatever you
want as you shoot. This point really struck me as I
shot with the D80.
H: It sounds as though we agree that the D80 is a
perfect camera for every aspiring photographer,
as well as one that is capable of satisfying both
a photojournalist such as me, and a commercial
photographer such as yourself.
Venice
Portono
Cortina dʼAmpezzo