The Nikon D80 is a 10 megapixel prosumer level SLR that incorporates much of the technology of the professional level D200, including a 10 megapixel sensor and easy access to changing ISO, white balance, shutter speed and aperture. The D80 has a polycarbonate body, making it lighter than the D200. The D80 was introduced in 2006, and Nikon discontinued in 2008, replacing it with the D90.
Layout
The D80 is designed to give you quick access to most controls without having to go into the menu system. On the top left side of the camera body is the Mode dial, for selecting a shooting mode. The dial has Auto, Program Auto, Aperture, Shutter, Manual, and digital scene modes, including Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Close Up, and Night Portrait. On the upper right side of the camera is a small LCD display that shows information on ISO, white balance, shutter speed, aperture setting, and exposure. Next to the small LCD are buttons that can be used to adjust frame rate (single shot, continuous, and self timer) and exposure; holding the button while rotating the main command dial, on the top right side of the back of the camera, changes the setting. The shutter button is also on the top right of the camera, near the front. Just underneath the shutter is a subcommand dial, which can be used for changing aperture settings when in full Manual mode.
The back of the camera has buttons that can be used to change ISO and white balance, as well as play and delete images.
Taking your first photos
Charge the battery and slide it into the battery compartment on the bottom of the camera. Slide an SD memory card into the memory card slot on the right side of the camera. Attach the neck strap to the camera. Remove the body cap and attach a lens to the camera by lining up the dot on the lens with the dot on the camera body, sliding the lens in and rotating it counterclockwise until you hear a click that indicates it is set. Turn the camera on and set the date and time when requested, using the arrow buttons and OK buttons on the back of the camera to change settings.
Rotate the Mode dial to Auto. Aim the camera at what you want to choose and adjust the focal length (zoom) by rotating the lens barrel. When you have the right zoom set, press the shutter button halfway to engage the autofocus. When the camera beeps and the autofocus is set, depress the shutter.
Picture settings
Press the Menu button to access the Picture Control settings. Here, you can change image quality, selecting NEF (RAW) for best quality, or various compression settings for JPEG images, from Fine to Low quality. You can also go to the Optimize Image menu to choose Black and White, Vivid color, Soft color, Normal color, More Vivid color, and Portrait. These settings also have submenus that let you further adjust the image quality to your personal choices.
Tags: back camera, right side, side camera, white balance, balance shutter, balance shutter speed