Nikon N80/F80

Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile
Review: This is a useful manual for the N80, even if the text is imperfect. Unfortunately, the publisher merely released a new printing in May 2001, not a new edition and therefore missed a chance to correct the errors that the other reviewers on here have previously mentioned. The reviewers who suspect that some of the technical information was extrapolated from Nikon's F100 camera are clearly right. Not only does the text occasionally describe functions unique to the F100 and not present on the N80, but also on page 179 the author forgot to switch the text and inadvertently calls the N80 camera a F100! That being said, the book has redeeming qualities. I disagree with the reviewer who felt that the Nikon Manual was perfectly adequate. Although the manual supplied by the manufacturer is fairly complete, I was still left with some questions after reading it. Perhaps this is because the whole autofocus SLR concept is new to me. If you are used to more traditional SLR's, this is a whole new ballgame. Comparing this Nikon to my 20-year-old Nikon is like comparing a computer word processor to a typewriter. This manual helped bridge the culture shock for me. And despite some inaccuracies, I have learned some useful information from this manual. One of the better speedlights for this camera is the Nikon SB-28, which is available as the older SB-28 or the newer, more expensive SB-28DX. However, the improvements in the SB-28DX can only be used if one is using the Nikon D-1, not the N80. Sparing me the unnecessary expense of buying the DX model of the speedlight more than paid for the purchase price of the book. And I picked up some other helpful tips as well. The book is useful, but flawed. Its small enough to tuck into your camera bag and for most of us, it probably has something to teach about this complex and wonderful camera.