In article <318616c5.2072534@news.nstn.ca>, jlambert@rtm.cdnsport.ca says...

>I am a long-time Minolta 9xi user who has recently been lent a Nikon
>801s (of course, without any manuals). The camera came with 3 manual
>focus lenses. From what I can gather, most of the electronic features
>of the camera will not work with manual focus lenses but I do have a
>couple questions.

AF, Matrix metering, Shutter priority, and Program will not work with
MF lenses, but everything else will.

>1. The electronic analogue display (which measures incoming
>light/aperture?) is constantly indicating " |||||||||||> " and will
>not zero out no matter how open I make the aperture. Is this because
>I'm using a manual focus lens or is there something perhaps wrong with
>the camera?

Try a lower shutter speed, a higher ambient-light level, and an ISO
of about 400 instead of DX (without a cartridge, it may default to
25 ASA). If these do not work, the camera has something wrong with it.

>2. Aside from setting the autofocus to manual and the
>shutter/aperture setting to M, is there anything else I should be
>aware of when shooting with a manual lens?

The camera can be used in Manual and Aperture priority exposure modes.
If the ISO is not set for DX, set the film speed. The nice thing about this camera is that the control buttons are clearly marked for purpose,
and pressing any button removes from the LCD all functions but the
one selected, and the only way to change its value is to rotate the
control wheel - simple, huh? (Actually, rewind is not too obvious -
press both red-colored buttons symultaneously to start rewind.)
Ignore the AF indicators in the VF when focusing, and use the
excellent, sharp viewing screen for focus.

>3. How does the 801s rate with the rest of the Nikon line? How old
>is it? It seems very rugged--how is the quality of this camera?

It is an excellent mid-line camera that is a good buy, sturdy,
and beloved by those of us who like great TTL flash control and good ambient-light metering, but still prefer manual cameras. The expensive N90s and the somewhat more limiting 6006 and N70 (no DOF preview, and lithium instead of AA batteries) are its only rivals.

>Thanks very much for taking the time to answer my questions.

You're welcome!
Hope This Helps