Its homeliness stems more from the existence of a distinct division upon the timeline of classic cameras, with incredible designs occupying the space before this divide and classless, uninspired designs populating the period after. After all, for the period in which it was made the N8008 is quite ordinary looking. Is this something over which to find fault in the camera? I’m not so sure. There’s nothing about the camera’s physical attributes to elevate it over its more beautiful predecessors (the gorgeous and compact FM, FE, etc., for example), but in the same breath there’s nothing here to repulse the average onlooker. Its looks aren’t especially offensive, it’s just that they’re not especially appealing either. But this isn’t so bad heavy, long-lived machines are preferable to broken lightweights.Īesthetically the N8008 is pretty boring. Add the required four AA batteries and things become wrist-achingly dense. At close to 700g, it’s nearly as heavy as the Nikon D810 full-frame DSLR. The metal construction of the main body means that the camera is pretty damn heavy. While this reliability is great, it comes with a price. Though it’s heavily reliant on electronics and consists of an astounding number of parts, the camera has proven itself a reliable workhorse, and there’s every reason to believe this now 20-something-year-old camera will still be firing long into the future. Strong construction has given the N8008/F-801 a reputation for longevity and durability. It was made to last, had outstanding specs, and positioned Nikon to challenge Canon in the arena of autofocus SLR cameras (this being Nikon’s second, and best AF SLR). During this period it was Nikon’s top-of-the-line 35mm SLR camera for photo enthusiasts, nestling just under the professional-grade F4 in the Nikon lineup. The N8008/F-801 was developed in the late 1980s and released in 1988. Like some of the best products ever made, the N8008 is excellent at nothing, but good at everything. It gives everything I love about shooting film while allowing me to relax and shoot in a way that’s totally natural for those of us who grew up shooting plastic-fantastic DSLRs. This classic 35mm film camera is in practice one of the more modern machines I’ve tested. The Nikon N8008 (called the F801 in certain markets) is just such a camera. So it can be refreshing when I get my hands on a camera that proffers the joys of a classic camera (involvement in the process, thrill of anticipation, sense of timelessness) with some added creature comforts. I love old cameras, but occasionally the continual compromise makes me pine for a camera that’s, if not mindlessly automatic, at least a little less demanding. Sometimes your camera lacks auto-focus, other times it’s got no light meter, or maybe your camera can’t auto-expose.
Shooting classic cameras often brings compromise.
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