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07/07/2012 06:04:12 PM · #1 |
Of all the "perfect timing" in the world...right when I'm getting ready to take pictures of my brand new grandson born on July 5th...I have all these props that I've collected for the past 8 months or so....and my camera (Nikon D80) craps out....
I started having a problem with charging my batteries one charge ago. They are almost 5 years old...but after being cked out are fully charged. But when inserted into the camera it shows there isn't even enough "power" to power up the camera at all!!! The first time this happened...I just kept buggering with it until it finally powered up. (in out and back and forth on the charger) Well, this time (one charge later) it won't even power up. I don't think it's something I've done...either the battery charges or it doesn't...it's the camera. And I've NEVER dropped it EVER...
I took it to the camera shop. They inserted a brand new battery (later verified as a good one) and the same thing, won't power up...so he told me he thought it was an "electronic" issue (OH, YIPPY)
So the camera will be cked out this Monday what the technician thinks is the real problem is and if 1) it can be fixed in house 2) if it has to be sent out. Both senerios I'm looking at probably 4-6 wks to repair it. NOT to mention it will probably cost at least $200 or more to fix/repair.
Footnote: I'm leaving for the big vacation of the year - 1 wk at Lake Tahoe, 1 wk in Oregon (exploring) and I just can't be without my baby!!! I can't believe I even teared up at the counter when he said it would take 4-6 wks...gasp Time couldn't be worse.
So here are my questions: From the Nikon D80 what should I be looking at as good upgrade? I've gotten to fondle  MelonMusketeer's D7000, it's a beauty for sure. I don't think I want to go to a full-frame, they are huge in my hands, not to mention the $$. Plus I like nature/outdoor photography so I need speed. The camera shop said as a "estimate" of trade-in value I'm looking at under $200. And if the repair is much more than that I'll probably replace my body (wish it was really that easy).
The good news in this is that my daughter has a Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi, with three lenses: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. I can use them for the 10 day baby pictures (early photo's). NOW I only have to figure out how to use the darned thing...
Any advice would be appreciated.... |
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07/07/2012 06:08:34 PM · #2 |
Did you take a look at the battery charger? It may not be really charging the battery. I had a problem kind of like this.
I guess it might be time for an upgrade. But have you considered adding a pocket camera to your bag? The little point-and-shoot cameras have come a loooong way. Easy to carry while on travel, too. Have you read the thread on Micro 4/3? |
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07/07/2012 06:22:39 PM · #3 |
If I was in your situation, I would upgrade to the d7000 ($1100-ish). Maybe D90 ($850-ish).
Maybe you can find a good "eta: used" D7000 at a local camera shop.
Or B&H used, B&H used store link.
Message edited by author 2012-07-07 18:40:22. |
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07/07/2012 06:31:26 PM · #4 |
Sounds like a battery problem, not a camera problem. 5 years is a log time for a camera battery that gets recharged a lot. They lose capacity. They are, indeed, "fully charged, in the sense that they won't hold any more charge, but they aren't taking anywhere near as much charge on board as they did when new. Go to a camera store and check the camera with a fully-charged battery; I bet it's fine.
R. |
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07/07/2012 06:41:58 PM · #5 |
D80, D90, D200, D300 and D300s all use the same battery EN-EL3E. Beg borrow steal one or do the camera shop thing and ask to borrow one in shop and test. Might be all you are in for is a new Nikon battery or a generic one...failing all else I'd pick up another D80 for $300 or so as stop gap till you have researched the other models and not impulse buy. D7000 is a 4 'generation' improvement over the D80. (D90, D300, D300s came before the D7000)
ETA: D7000 uses a different battery than the previous 4. So if you have working batteries...a 2nd hand D80 might not be a bad idea as you can use IR, batteries, LCD cover etc from the old one and charger too!
Message edited by author 2012-07-07 18:49:02. |
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07/07/2012 06:42:19 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Sounds like a battery problem, not a camera problem. 5 years is a log time for a camera battery that gets recharged a lot. They lose capacity. They are, indeed, "fully charged, in the sense that they won't hold any more charge, but they aren't taking anywhere near as much charge on board as they did when new. Go to a camera store and check the camera with a fully-charged battery; I bet it's fine.
R. |
They (store) opened a brand new battery and tried it...same result
And that was what we were going to do - replace the batteries, then my husband put multi-meter on it (battery & charger), the batteries show full charge, the charger on the other hand was showing 4.5 (vs. 7.5)...so we thought that might be it...but when we put the new battery in no change. Tried to "re-set" but couldn't get enough power to do that...maybe the Tech get it to power up.
Message edited by author 2012-07-07 18:51:25. |
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07/07/2012 06:48:27 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by pixelpig:
Did you take a look at the battery charger? It may not be really charging the battery. I had a problem kind of like this.
I guess it might be time for an upgrade. But have you considered adding a pocket camera to your bag? The little point-and-shoot cameras have come a loooong way. Easy to carry while on travel, too. Have you read the thread on Micro 4/3? |
We did that (looked at the battery charger)....I've got a bad feeling about this...that it's just not worth it for me to put the $$ into the repair RIGHT NOW...I will keep the camera and eventually get it fixed for a back up...
but it seems that the camera's have come a long, long way in just 5 years. So maybe this is the time to upgrade...repair the other as back up eventually.
I just don't know much about what models do what...their numbering system is buggered as far as I'm concerned...
I think the D5100 is lower than my camera, but the D7000 is a really nice step up for me...I'm really not interested in full-frame right now...don't really do that kind of work (Portrait, Architectural), I do more nature, macro, landscape...you know things that "don't move"....per say...so I guess I have currently what is called a "crop camera"...I don't think a D90 is that much of a step up...but the D7000 is??? Am I right? |
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07/07/2012 06:50:25 PM · #8 |
| this is going to sound simple simon, but did you/the store charge the new battery? first time I bought a new battery I forgot/didn't know to. and thought I'd been had. |
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07/07/2012 06:52:09 PM · #9 |
| D80, D90, D300, D300S and D7000 have in-body focussing motors so if you have or want to buy "older" AF-D lenses they will AF. All the other models, D3000, D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100 DO NOT HAVE in body focussing motors and ONLY AF on AF-S lenses where the LENS has the focussing motor inside it. AF-D will work on the Dxxxx models and will meter but not AF (Auto-Focus). |
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07/07/2012 06:52:55 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by tnun:
this is going to sound simple simon, but did you/the store charge the new battery? first time I bought a new battery I forgot/didn't know to. and thought I'd been had. |
the put it (battery) into another Nikon body that was there and it fired up perfect...so...sorry...buzz (but thanks) (I'm getting punchy and shouldn't ... sorry) |
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07/07/2012 06:54:45 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by HarveyG:
D80, D90, D300, D300S and D7000 have in-body focussing motors so if you have or want to buy "older" AF-D lenses they will AF. All the other models, D3000, D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100 DO NOT HAVE in body focussing motors and ONLY AF on AF-S lenses where the LENS has the focussing motor inside it. AF-D will work on the Dxxxx models and will meter but not AF (Auto-Focus). |
I think all of my lens (see my list) will work with the D7000...Waddy and I have talked about it...
I have 2 Vivitar Manual ones...I think they will work...NOT as AF...but Manual
Can you look at my list of lens Harvey and see if you think they would all wk??? Please
Message edited by author 2012-07-07 18:55:22. |
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07/07/2012 06:58:41 PM · #12 |
You're showing some canon lenses and nikon lenses. What about switching to canon?
I don't know if it's still the case, but I went with canon originally (even though I really, really wanted nikon), because I got much more canon for the buck than with nikon. If your lenses won't work with the nikon you're looking at, might be time to start afresh.
(Not being cheeky, just a thought...)
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07/07/2012 07:01:40 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
You're showing some canon lenses and nikon lenses. What about switching to canon?
I don't know if it's still the case, but I went with canon originally (even though I really, really wanted nikon), because I got much more canon for the buck than with nikon. If your lenses won't work with the nikon you're looking at, might be time to start afresh.
(Not being cheeky, just a thought...) |
I have quite a bit in lens and they are all good (well, all but one), I know that my lens that I have will work with the D7000...not sure about my Vivitar 55mm - my favorite of all....it's totally manual |
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07/07/2012 07:12:53 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by Ja-9:
Originally posted by vawendy:
You're showing some canon lenses and nikon lenses. What about switching to canon?
I don't know if it's still the case, but I went with canon originally (even though I really, really wanted nikon), because I got much more canon for the buck than with nikon. If your lenses won't work with the nikon you're looking at, might be time to start afresh.
(Not being cheeky, just a thought...) |
I have quite a bit in lens and they are all good (well, all but one), I know that my lens that I have will work with the D7000...not sure about my Vivitar 55mm - my favorite of all....it's totally manual |
If it works with your D80, it should work with D7000 - autofocus might not work during live view autofocus or video recording, but it should be fine focusing when shooting through the viewfinder.
ETA: Just noticed you wrote its completely manual, don't see a reason why it will not work on 7000.
Message edited by author 2012-07-07 19:22:20. |
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07/07/2012 07:18:20 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by Ja-9:
Originally posted by vawendy:
You're showing some canon lenses and nikon lenses. What about switching to canon?
I don't know if it's still the case, but I went with canon originally (even though I really, really wanted nikon), because I got much more canon for the buck than with nikon. If your lenses won't work with the nikon you're looking at, might be time to start afresh.
(Not being cheeky, just a thought...) |
I have quite a bit in lens and they are all good (well, all but one), I know that my lens that I have will work with the D7000...not sure about my Vivitar 55mm - my favorite of all....it's totally manual |
That's what I figured, but thought it was worth asking.
Good luck with the repair -- but it seems like the repair time is excessive. Any other options? What about sending it to directly to nikon? Would that shorten the time.
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07/07/2012 07:20:33 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
Originally posted by Ja-9:
Originally posted by vawendy:
You're showing some canon lenses and nikon lenses. What about switching to canon?
I don't know if it's still the case, but I went with canon originally (even though I really, really wanted nikon), because I got much more canon for the buck than with nikon. If your lenses won't work with the nikon you're looking at, might be time to start afresh.
(Not being cheeky, just a thought...) |
I have quite a bit in lens and they are all good (well, all but one), I know that my lens that I have will work with the D7000...not sure about my Vivitar 55mm - my favorite of all....it's totally manual |
That's what I figured, but thought it was worth asking.
Good luck with the repair -- but it seems like the repair time is excessive. Any other options? What about sending it to directly to nikon? Would that shorten the time. |
I haven't explored a different repair avenue...yet I'll see what they say on Monday and make some decisions (HOPING they will "get to it" by then...sigh) |
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07/07/2012 07:21:14 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by vikas:
Originally posted by Ja-9:
Originally posted by vawendy:
You're showing some canon lenses and nikon lenses. What about switching to canon?
I don't know if it's still the case, but I went with canon originally (even though I really, really wanted nikon), because I got much more canon for the buck than with nikon. If your lenses won't work with the nikon you're looking at, might be time to start afresh.
(Not being cheeky, just a thought...) |
I have quite a bit in lens and they are all good (well, all but one), I know that my lens that I have will work with the D7000...not sure about my Vivitar 55mm - my favorite of all....it's totally manual |
If it works with your D80, it should work with D7000 - autofocus might not work during live view autofocus or video recording, but it should be fine focusing when shooting through the viewfinder. |
Vikas...how do you like the D7000...can you tell me what you had before and the pro/con's of it...please |
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07/07/2012 07:37:25 PM · #18 |
I had the D80, switched recently to D7000 (a month now)
Pros:
1) 6fps is pretty sweet if you are trying bird photography
2) feels faster in all aspects, acquiring focus, from pressing the release to taking the shot. Maybe its my D80 that has become slow.
3) Inbuilt time lapse is super amazing, no need for external intervalometer if you intend to do time-lapse
4) Noise performance is definitely a plus, now I don't mind bumping my ISO to 800.
5) I like the feature of being able to see my camera settings on the LCD now.
6) I do like the second dial for setting shutter release options
7) Two SD card slots is super nice
Cons:
1) Biggest con in D7000 it overexposes the shots in daylight. It is supposed to be something about Nikon identifying faces and keeping the exposure correct for exposing that (reading online), I much rather prefer dealing it myself. I see myself correcting exposures more often now!
2) Weight, D80 felt nice and small
3) Large file sizes (both a pro and con for me)
16MP, I feel is an overkill for me at the moment - file sizes are huge, hate dealing with that on my ancient computers. Although I do like the ability to be able to crop with the extra resolution and since the file sizes are huge I am inclined (or forced) to manage my files more efficiently. Raw files are close to 20MB.
Have you looked into a used D700? Now I feel I should have seen that before jumping the 7000 bandwagon.
ETA: Overall, I am happy but I would have been happy with anything new.
Message edited by author 2012-07-07 19:41:46. |
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07/07/2012 07:46:47 PM · #19 |
| Big vote for the d7000. I started with a D80, got a D90, then a D7000: D7000 was a huge upgrade over the D90, and even more so from the D80. Too many good features to list, but you will fall in love with the D7000. |
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07/07/2012 08:09:17 PM · #20 |
| I saw where another D80 user tried "holding down the two green buttons (+/- and AF)" and that temporarily brought the camera out of its funk. Not sure if it will work. |
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07/07/2012 08:10:53 PM · #21 |
I had the same problem with some of the batteries for my D80. The original Nikon battery still works like a charm. I bought two more from the local camera shop which were not Nikon but another brand of the same battery. I took them back twice and they (the dealer) kept checking them out and said they worked fine. Finally gave up kept them. The charger shows that they are charged and then when I put them in they only read about 3/4 charge (both of them). So, I just keep charging the old reliable. I too have been debating back and forth on a new camera, D7000 or D700. Can't seem to make up my mind. I, like you, shot a lot of wildlife, flowers, and anything but people, lol.
Don't know if this helps, but maybe it is the battery. |
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07/07/2012 09:32:58 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by JiaBob:
I saw where another D80 user tried "holding down the two green buttons (+/- and AF)" and that temporarily brought the camera out of its funk. Not sure if it will work. |
Tried this...nada... |
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07/07/2012 09:40:25 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by grahamgator:
I had the same problem with some of the batteries for my D80. The original Nikon battery still works like a charm. I bought two more from the local camera shop which were not Nikon but another brand of the same battery. I took them back twice and they (the dealer) kept checking them out and said they worked fine. Finally gave up kept them. The charger shows that they are charged and then when I put them in they only read about 3/4 charge (both of them). So, I just keep charging the old reliable. I too have been debating back and forth on a new camera, D7000 or D700. Can't seem to make up my mind. I, like you, shot a lot of wildlife, flowers, and anything but people, lol.
Don't know if this helps, but maybe it is the battery. |
mine were reading only 1/4 charged (but they are actually fully charged, according to the multi-reader (voltage meter). What we have found to be weird is that both batteries have been used...then charged and alternated equally...and they both die at the very same time...really...not
Ya, I like stationary things or things that I can "set-up" people are really, really hard for me...hat's off to those that make a living at it...but then I'm about to figure some things out with my grandson...(have to) |
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07/07/2012 09:43:08 PM · #24 |
the best news is that my husband has/is giving me the thumbs up to replace it if it can't be salvaged...not even a hesitation to NOT replace it...which means to me...he likes what I've been doing.
has anyone ever "traded-in" a camera...is it worth it (assuming we can get it up and running) |
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07/07/2012 10:02:24 PM · #25 |
As far as replacements... definitely consider the D90. It's not the newest, but it will be a great improvement over the D80. The screen alone will blow you away. It uses the same chip as the D300 I use, so I'm pretty familiar with how it behaves. It tends to overexpose reds and oranges but is great otherwise. You should be able to find one used very reasonably. KEH is a good used retailer and I trust their judgements on grading.
If the money isn't an issue, the D7000 would be good, but is quite a big jump. The 90 is much more similar, though still an improvement. |
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