Autofocus Speedlight
SB-80DX
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Instruction Manual
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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 well-
balanced, 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.
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Tips on using the Speedlight
Take trial shots
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
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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
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
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)
VII
New FM2, FM10, FE10, F3-Series, F55/N55
Digital
SLRs
D1-Series, D100
3D
Multi-Sensor
Balanced
Fill-Flash
Multi-
Sensor
Balanced
Fill-Flash
Matrix
Balanced
Fill-Flash
앪
앪
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앪
앪
앪
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Center-
Weighted
Fill-Flash/Spot
Fill-Flash
앪
앪 ∗1
앪
앪
앪 ∗2
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–
–
Standard
TTL flash
앪
앪
앪
–
앪
앪
–
–
∗1 Center-Weighted Fill-Flash/Spot Fill-Flash is not possible with the Pronea 600i/6i.
∗2 Programmed TTL Auto Flash is set.
∗3 TTL auto flash mode for Nikon Digital SLRs.
∗4 Possible only when a non-CPU lens is attached.
∗5 Repeating Flash is not possible with the F3-Series (using the AS-17).
∗6 FP High-Speed Flash sync is not possible with F80-Series/N80-Series and F70-Series/N70 cameras.
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D-TTL auto flash∗3 (p. 35)
3D
Multi-Sensor
Balanced
Fill-Flash for
Digital SLRs
Multi-Sensor
Balanced
Fill-Flash for
Digital SLRs
Center-
Weighted
Fill-Flash for
Digital SLRs
Standard
TTL flash
for
Digital SLRs
Non-TTL
Auto Flash
(p. 40)
Auto
Aperture
Flash
(p. 42)
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–
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
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–
–
–
–
–
–
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪 ∗4
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪
앪 ∗5
앪
앪
Manual mode
Manual
Flash
(p. 46)
Repeating
Flash
(p. 48)
FP
High-Speed
Flash sync
(p. 51)
앪 ∗6
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–
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앪
Group
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.
앪 : Available
– : Not available
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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
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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
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
Reference information
Optional accessories ...................................................92
Tips on Speedlight care ...............................................95
Notes on batteries........................................................96
Troubleshooting ...........................................................97
Specifications.............................................................100
Index ..........................................................................104
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.
Advanced operation
Advanced information on
each function of the SB-80DX
is provided.
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.
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Speedlight parts
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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
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