Autofocus Speedlight SB-80DX SB-80DX (En) Instruction Manual En Foreword Thank you for purchasing the Nikon Speedlight SB-80DX. To get the most out of your Speedlight, please read this instruction manual thoroughly before use. n (p. xx) indicates the reference page. Main features and functions of the SB-80DX · The SB-80DX is a high-performance Speedlight having a guide number of 38/125 (at the 35mm zoom-head position, ISO 100, m/ft., 20°C/68°F). According to the camera/lens combination used with the SB-80DX, you can perform various types of TTL auto flash (p. 35), Non-TTL auto flash (p. 40), and Manual flash (p. 44). When used with Nikon Digital SLRs cameras, D-TTL auto flash (p. 35) and AA (Auto Aperture) flash (p. 42) can be performed. · Automatic power zoom changes the zoom-head position continuously to match the lens focal length (incompatible with some cameras and lenses, see p. 24). The built-in wide-flash adapter increases the angle of coverage to match a 14mm/17mm lens (p. 25). · Flash head tilts up to 90° or down to ­7°, and rotates horizontally 180° to the left and 90° to the right, enabling bounce flash (p. 66) or close-up photography (p. 70). · Use of the provided Nikon Diffusion Dome in combination with the built-in wide-flash adapter (p. 69) in bounce flash (p.66) or close-up photography (p.70) diffuses the light from the flash to soften shadows and creates wellbalanced, more natural-looking pictures. · Wireless multiple flash photography (p. 82) is also possible. · For operation in dim light, an illuminator for the LCD panel is provided (p. 10). · Custom settings are provided to set values, or activate or cancel functions that are not necessary to set each time (p. 12). Note · The Nikon N90s, N90, N70, N60, N55, N50, N8008, N8008s, PRONEA 6i, N6006, N6000, N5005, N4004, and N4004s are sold exclusively in the U.S.A. · The Nikon N80-Series, N65-Series are sold exclusively in the U.S.A. and Central and South America. · The Nikon N2020 and N2000 are sold exclusively in the U.S.A and Canada. 2 Tips on using the Speedlight Take trial shots Preparation Take trial shots before shooting at important occasions like weddings or graduations. Have Nikon spot-check your Speedlight regularly Nikon recommends that you have your Speedlight serviced by an authorized dealer or service center at least once every two years. Using your Speedlight correctly The Nikon Speedlight SB-80DX's performance has been optimized for use with Nikon brand cameras/accessories including lenses. Camera/accessories made by other manufacturers may not meet Nikon's criteria for specifications, and nonconforming cameras/accessories could damage the SB-80DX's components. Nikon cannot guarantee the SB-80DX's performance when used with non-Nikon products. Supplied accessories Nikon Diffusion Dome SW-10H (p. 69) Soft Case SS-80 3 Camera groups and available flash modes In this manual, Nikon SLR cameras are divided into eight groups (I to VII, and Digital SLRs) unless otherwise noted. First consult the camera group table to see which group your camera belongs to. Then as you read the manual, you will find specific information on how to use the SB-80DX with your particular camera. TTL auto flash (p. 35) Group Camera name 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash MultiSensor Balanced Fill-Flash CenterMatrix Standard Weighted Balanced Fill-Flash/Spot TTL flash Fill-Flash Fill-Flash ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ 2 1 I II III IV V VI VII F5, F100, F90X/ N90s, F90-Series/ N90, F80-Series/ N80-Series, F70-Series/ N70 F4-Series, F65-Series/N65-Series, F-801s/ N8008s, F-801/N8008, Pronea 600i/6i F-601/N6006, F-601M/N6000 F60-Series/N60, F50-Series/N50, F-401x/N5005 F-501/N2020, F-401s/N4004s, F-401/N4004, F-301/N2000 FM3A, FA, FE2, FG, Nikonos V, F3-Series (with the AS-17) New FM2, FM10, FE10, F3-Series, F55/N55 ­ Digital D1-Series, D100 SLRs 1 2 3 4 5 6 Center-Weighted Fill-Flash/Spot Fill-Flash is not possible with the Pronea 600i/6i. Programmed TTL Auto Flash is set. TTL auto flash mode for Nikon Digital SLRs. Possible only when a non-CPU lens is attached. Repeating Flash is not possible with the F3-Series (using the AS-17). FP High-Speed Flash sync is not possible with F80-Series/N80-Series and F70-Series/N70 cameras. 4 D-TTL auto flash3 (p. 35) 3D Non-TTL Multi-Sensor CenterStandard Multi-Sensor Balanced TTL flash Auto Flash Balanced Fill-Flash for Weighted (p. 40) Fill-Flash for for Fill-Flash for Digital SLRs Digital SLRs Digital SLRs Digital SLRs ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ 4 Manual mode Auto Aperture Flash (p. 42) Manual Flash (p. 46) FP Repeating High-Speed Group Flash Flash sync (p. 48) (p. 51) 6 ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ 5 I II III IV V VI VII Digital SLRs ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ The SB-80DX's available flash modes vary, depending on the cameras and lenses in use or the camera's exposure mode and metering system. Refer to "Detailed operation" (p. 33) and your camera's instruction manual. : Available ­ : Not available 5 Contents Preparation Foreword........................................................................2 Tips on using the Speedlight .........................................3 Camera groups and available flash modes ...................4 Speedlight parts.............................................................8 LCD panel....................................................................10 Control buttons ...........................................................11 Custom settings ...........................................................12 Lenses .........................................................................14 Basic operation 1 Installing batteries.....................................................16 2 Test firing..................................................................18 3 Attach the SB-80DX to the camera and adjust the flash head. ..........................................................20 4 Setting the ISO sensitivity.........................................22 5 Adjusting the zoom-head position ............................24 6 Setting the camera's exposure mode and metering system .......................................................26 7 Setting the SB-80DX's flash mode ...........................28 8 Compose the picture and shoot with flash .....................30 Using the SB-80DX with the COOLPIX .......................32 Detailed operation SB-80DX available flash modes ..................................34 TTL/D-TTL auto flash mode.........................................35 Usable cameras compatible with the TTL/D-TTL auto flash mode ........................................................36 Non-TTL auto flash mode ............................................40 Auto Aperture flash mode ............................................42 Manual mode ...............................................................44 Notes on continuous flash shooting.............................53 Checking the correct exposure before shooting ..........54 6 Advanced operation Exposure compensation and flash output level compensation...................................................56 The flash shooting distance range with zoom lenses having a variable aperture ..............................59 Slow-sync flash mode/Red-eye reduction control........60 Rear-curtain sync and Modeling illumination ..............61 Autofocus flash operation in dim light ..........................62 Preparation This section provides preliminary information on using the SB-80DX. Basic operation Basic procedures to take simple, well-balanced flash photographs in the TTL/D-TTL auto flash mode. Detailed operation A variety of flash modes available with the SB-80DX are provided. Technical operation/ Effective Speedlight placement Bounce flash operation ...............................................66 Close-up flash operation..............................................70 Multiple flash operation................................................74 Multiple flash shooting using cords..............................76 System chart for TTL multiple flash .............................80 Wireless multiple flash shooting ..................................82 Advanced operation Advanced information on each function of the SB-80DX is provided. Reference information Optional accessories ...................................................92 Tips on Speedlight care ...............................................95 Notes on batteries........................................................96 Troubleshooting ...........................................................97 Specifications.............................................................100 Index ..........................................................................104 Technical operation/Effective Speedlight placement Bounce, close-up, multiple flash, and their recommended positions are described. Reference information Troubleshooting, Speedlight care, etc. are described in this section. 7 Speedlight parts 1 2 7 8 9 3 4 10 11 12 13 14 1 Control button quick reference (p. 12) Easy reference chart for two-button operations and custom settings 2 Flash head (p. 68) Can be tilted up to 90° or down to ­7°, and rotated horizontally 180° to the left and 90° to the right. 3 Flash head tilting/rotating lock release button (p. 20) 4 Battery chamber lid (p. 16) 5 Built-in bounce card (p. 69) Creates a highlight in the subject's eyes in bounce flash photography. 6 Built-in wide-flash adapter (p. 72) Increases the angle of coverage to match a 14mm or 17mm lens. 7 Red-eye reduction lamp (p. 60) Lights up to prevent red-eye from occurring. 8 AF-assist illuminator (p. 62) Automatically turns on for autofocus operation when the light is dim. 9 External power source terminal (p. 94) Allows connection of a power cord to the SB-80DX's external power source terminal (supplied with a cover). 10 Light sensor window for Non-TTL auto flash (p. 40) Senses reflected light from the subject in Non-TTL auto or Auto Aperture flash mode. 11 Light sensor window for wireless slave flash (p. 82) Senses light from the master flash unit in wireless multiple flash operation. 12 Mount pin For cameras featuring a safety lock system. 13 Hot-shoe contacts 14 Mounting foot 5 6 8 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 15 Flash head tilting angle scale (p. 68) 16 Modeling illuminator button (p. 61) Press to fire flash repeatedly to check the illumination and the shadows cast on the subject before taking pictures. Wireless slave flash cancel button (p. 85) The SB-80DX will not fire, while this button is pressed. 17 Flash head rotating angle scale (p. 68) 18 Terminal cover 19 TTL multiple flash terminal (p. 78) Connects the SB-80DX to the slave flash unit(s) in TTL multiple flash operation. 20 Sync terminal (p. 79) Connects the SB-80DX to the sync terminal of the slave flash unit(s) in other than TTL multiple flash operations. 21 LCD panel (p. 10) 22 Control buttons (p. 11) 23 Ready-light Lights up when the SB-80DX is fully recycled and ready to fire. Blinks after the SB-80DX fires at its maximum output in various auto flash modes, indicating that the light may be insufficient. 24 Mounting foot lock lever (p. 20) 21 9 Preparation LCD panel For reference, all indications are displayed in the illustration. 1 2 3 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Red-eye reduction (p. 60) Sound monitor (p. 89) Wireless flash (p. 84) Zoom-head position (p. 24) Underbar (p. 21) Aperture (p. 40) Flash output level (p. 46) Exposure compensation (p. 58) Underexposure (p. 31) Flash output level compensation value (p. 58)/Underexposure value (p. 31) Flash shooting distance range (p. 28) ft (feet) (p. 13) LCD panel illuminator (p. 13) m (meters) (p. 13) Standby function (p. 19) AF-assist illuminator (p. 62) 4 5 6 7 8 1 Flash mode (pp. 34-51) DE Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash with TTL Multi Sensor CDE Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash with TTL Multi Sensor for Digital SLRs DF Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash, Center-Weighted Fill-Flash/Spot Fill-Flash CDF Center-Weighted Fill-Flash for Digital SLRs D Standard TTL Flash, Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash, Center-Weighted Fill-Flash/Spot Fill-Flash CD Standard TTL Flash for Digital SLRs A Non-TTL Auto Flash B Auto Aperture Flash G Manual Flash GH Repeating Flash GK FP High-Speed Flash sync 2 ISO sensitivity (p. 22), No. of repeating flashes/Frequency (p. 48) 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 About the LCD panel · Because of the directional characteristics of the liquid crystal, the LCD is difficult to read when viewed diagonally from above; however, the display can be seen clearly from a somewhat lower angle. · The LCD panel display tends to be darker at high temperatures (approx. 60°C/140°F). When the temperature returns to normal (20°C/68°F), the display also returns to normal. · The LCD's response time tends to slow down at low temp ...