Nikon F801
Encyclopedia
Nikon
, also known as just Nikon, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include cameras, binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments, and the steppers used in the photolithography steps of semiconductor fabrication, of which...
F-801 (sold as the N8008 in the US market) is a 35mm SLR
Single-lens reflex camera
A single-lens reflex camera is a camera that typically uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system that permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly...
of the late 1980s, and one of the first Nikon cameras with autofocus. Although its autofocus mechanism is slow in comparison to modern standards, it was an improvement on Nikon's first attempt at an autofocus SLR
Single-lens reflex camera
A single-lens reflex camera is a camera that typically uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system that permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly...
- the F-501
Nikon F501
The Nikon F-501 was the first successful autofocus SLR camera sold by the Nikon Corporation beginning in 1986. A nearly identical, albeit manual focus version, called the Nikon F-301 was also available...
(N2020 in North America), and proved to be typically Nikon in its reliability and durability.
Features
Despite being designated in the number range usually reserved for amateur cameras (indicated by the F- or N prefix), the F-801 was built to a high standard and incorporated a number of 'professional' features:- A Depth of Field preview button allows temporary stopping down to the shooting aperture to check DOF.
- A Multiple Exposure facility allows up to nine shots within one frame.
- A unique 'two shot' self timer. This allowed a second shot to be taken by the self timer a couple of seconds after the first, giving a more 'relaxed' and unposed picture.
- Fully programmed automatic exposure, Aperture priorityAperture priorityAperture priority, often abbreviated A or Av on a camera mode dial, is a setting on some cameras that allows the user to choose a specific aperture value while the camera selects a shutter speed to match. The camera will ensure proper exposure...
, Shutter priorityShutter priorityShutter priority refers to a setting on some cameras that allows the user to choose a specific shutter speed while the camera adjusts the aperture to ensure correct exposure...
and fully manual exposure control. - 30-second to 1/8000-second shutter speedShutter speedIn photography, shutter speed is a common term used to discuss exposure time, the effective length of time a camera's shutter is open....
range with bulb mode. - Film-speed setting from DX codeDX encodingDX encoding is an ANSI and I3A standard, originally introduced by Kodak in March 1983, for marking 135 and APS photographic film and film cartridges...
or by manual override (ISO 6 to 6400). - 1/250-sec. flash synchronisation.
- Evaluative 2D Matrix and 75% Centre-Weighted Average metering modes.
- Compatibility with the Nikon Multi-Control Back MF-21, allowing freeze-focus, data imprinting, and automatic exposure bracketing.
Compatibility
Nikon F4
The Nikon F4 was a 35mm autofocus single lens reflex film camera, first introduced in 1988 as the next generation in Nikon's line of F series professional cameras...
, the F-801 is broadly compatible with most Nikon AI and AF F
Nikon F
The Nikon F camera, introduced in 1959, was Nikon's first SLR camera. It was one of the most advanced cameras of its day. Although most of its concepts had already been introduced elsewhere, it was the first camera to combine them all in one camera. It was produced until October 1973 and was...
-mount lenses, though some features are unavailable depending on the lens type. All features are available when used with AF-type lenses. Non-CPU (AI and AI-S) lenses are supported, but only Manual and Aperture-Priority exposure programs are available, using centre-weighted metering. Autofocus is not supported with AF-I and AF-S lenses, and Vibration Reduction (VR) is not available regardless of the lens. Newer G-type lenses are usable with the Program and Shutter-Priority exposure programs (though it is possible to use them in Manual or Shutter-Priority programs, but only at minimum aperture).
The F-801 continued the trend established by earlier Nikon cameras such as the F-301/N2000 and F-501/N2020 in not being provided with an ISO-standard cable release socket. Instead, all remote interaction with the camera is carried out via the two-pin remote terminal on the front of the body. One can use an ISO cable release with the body by purchasing a Terminal Release MR-3 and fitting it to the remote terminal.
Despite the camera's complexity (900 parts, two microcomputers, and eight ICs), both the F-801 (N8008) and its successor the F-801s (N8008s) enjoy an enviable reputation for extremely reliable performance and durability, a weak point of many mid-level AF SLR cameras.
Related models
The F-801 provided a semi-professional autofocus successor to the manual-focus Nikon FE2Nikon FE2
The Nikon FE2 is an advanced semi-professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single lens reflex camera. It was manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K. K. in Japan from 1983 to 1987...
SLR, which had been manufactured until 1987. The success of the F-801 led to an updated version of this camera in 1990, which was designated the F-801S/N8008S. It had improved autofocus performance and incorporated a spot meter, but retained the original model's reputation for reliability.
During the 1990s, the F-801s sat at the top of the company's consumer range of autofocus cameras, which also included the F-401
Nikon F401
The Nikon F-401 was a beginner's level, autofocus, 35mm, single-lens reflex film camera built by Nikon and introduced in 1987. The camera represented one of Nikon's first endeavours into consumer-based autofocus, as a follow-up to their first autofocus SLR in 1986, the Nikon F-501...
and F-601
Nikon F601
The Nikon F-601, otherwise known as the Nikon N6006, is a 35mm single-lens reflex film camera that was produced by Nikon starting in 1991...
. More advanced and expensive professional autofocus SLRs included the Nikon F90
Nikon F90
The Nikon F90 is a 35mm SLR camera manufactured between 1992 and 2001 and replaced the earlier Nikon F801 . At the time of its release it was noted for its fast autofocus speed compared to previous Nikon models, which had lagged behind competitor Canon's...
and Nikon F4
Nikon F4
The Nikon F4 was a 35mm autofocus single lens reflex film camera, first introduced in 1988 as the next generation in Nikon's line of F series professional cameras...
.