Flash light for D80

[lastboltnut]

Hi all,

I got 2 flashlights passed to me by my bro which were both meant for Nikon FM2. They are:

1. Sunpak B3600D.
2. Soligor TIF340 AF Zoom Flash.

Anyone here know if these flashlights are compatible with D80? I heard that older flashlight may have high voltage that may fry newer digital cam...

TIA!

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by lastboltnut Hi all, I got 2 flashlights passed to me by my bro which were both meant for Nikon FM2. They are: 1. Sunpak B3600D. 2. Soligor TIF340 AF Zoom Flash. Anyone here know if these flashlights are compatible with D80? I heard that older flashlight may have high voltage that may fry newer digital cam... TIA!

Both flash should be ok in terms of voltage. But you can only use them in the "auto" mode. So you'll need to set the aperture (and ISO) on both the camera and the flash to get a decent exposure.

[lastboltnut]

Thanks Isisaxon for the reply.....but I am still blur....Auto mode still must set? Like on my D80, if I use auto, can set aperture? Sorry for the question....I am new to using flash....btw, which of the 2 flashlight is better in your opinion har?

TIA!

Originally Posted by lsisaxon Both flash should be ok in terms of voltage. But you can only use them in the "auto" mode. So you'll need to set the aperture (and ISO) on both the camera and the flash to get a decent exposure.

[catchlights]

That is auto mode on flash, you need to set the ISO, and the aperture on the flash, AND select the correspond aperture setting (flash set at f5.6, so camera set at f5.6 too) on your camera, and remember to sett your camera speed not higher then sync speed, since the flash you are using are not dedicated flash for D80, can't perform TTL function.

which flash is good, I have no idea.

[zac08]

Originally Posted by lastboltnut Thanks Isisaxon for the reply.....but I am still blur....Auto mode still must set? Like on my D80, if I use auto, can set aperture? Sorry for the question....I am new to using flash....btw, which of the 2 flashlight is better in your opinion har? TIA!

He means to set the flash to auto mode. You should still be able to use your camera on Aperture priority mode.

[lastboltnut]

Yo catchlights,

Thanks for the explanation! Thanks!

Originally Posted by catchlights That is auto mode on flash, you need to set the ISO, and the aperture on the flash, AND select the correspond aperture setting (flash set at f5.6, so camera set at f5.6 too) on your camera, and remember to sett your camera speed not higher then sync speed, since the flash you are using are not dedicated flash for D80, can't perform TTL function. which flash is good, I have no idea.

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by zac08 He means to set the flash to auto mode. You should still be able to use your camera on Aperture priority mode.

Best to use manual mode on the body. Shutter speed at 1/200 or lower because the camera won't know that a flash is in use unless there is a dedicated shoe. Combination of aperture and ISO should be set such that ambient light does not overexpose. eg for indoors, ISO100, f/5.6 - f/8 should be good.

Set the corresposding ISO and aperture on the flash in auto mode. The flash will sense its own power and adjust correspondingly to give correct exposure at the combination.

For example, if you set the flash at ISO100 and f/8, you should get correct exposure if you set the body to ISO100 and aperture to f/8. If you set to f/11, you will get under by 1 stop and f/5.6 will give you over by 1 stop. The shutter speed doesn't matter because the flash duration is much shorter than the shutter duration. This is only true when the ambient light does not affect the exposure too much.

[lastboltnut]

Thanks zac!

Originally Posted by zac08 He means to set the flash to auto mode. You should still be able to use your camera on Aperture priority mode.

[lastboltnut]

Okie Isiszxon....will give it a try. Thanks again!

Originally Posted by lsisaxon Best to use manual mode on the body. Shutter speed at 1/200 or lower because the camera won't know that a flash is in use unless there is a dedicated shoe. Combination of aperture and ISO should be set such that ambient light does not overexpose. eg for indoors, ISO100, f/5.6 - f/8 should be good. Set the corresposding ISO and aperture on the flash in auto mode. The flash will sense its own power and adjust correspondingly to give correct exposure at the combination.

[lastboltnut]

Hi guys,

I have prob again....I finally figured out which pin to mask to make my Sunpak B3600D fire on the D80....but the exposure is not so right....I set the same ISO on the flash and the cam, set the flash to auto mode and selected the corrected focus distance and set my cam to aperture mode and follow the aperture size as recommended by the flash....however, when I shoot, the pic is very overexposed. Even when I switch the flash power from full all the way to 1/16, the exposure on the pic is the same. Can some1 advise, please?

Btw, if I bounce the flash on the roof or with the built in bounce card, the pic is perfectly ok.....can I say its normal for flash without iTTL to be overexposed? I dont think so right?

TIA!

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by lastboltnut Hi guys, I have prob again....I finally figured out which pin to mask to make my Sunpak B3600D fire on the D80....but the exposure is not so right....I set the same ISO on the flash and the cam, set the flash to auto mode and selected the corrected focus distance and set my cam to aperture mode and follow the aperture size as recommended by the flash....however, when I shoot, the pic is very overexposed. Even when I switch the flash power from full all the way to 1/16, the exposure on the pic is the same. Can some1 advise, please? Btw, if I bounce the flash on the roof or with the built in bounce card, the pic is perfectly ok.....can I say its normal for flash without iTTL to be overexposed? I dont think so right? TIA!

When you used the auto mode on the flash, did you set the corresponding aperture on the camera? In auto mode, you don't have to set the distance on the flash. It will detect the light by itself. Did something block the light sensor on the flash?

When you said you set the power on the flash to manual, did you set the switch to manual also?

Your flash power control kaput?

[ortega]

what is the shutter speed?
and lighting condition?

[lastboltnut]

Thanks for replying. The setting available on the flash are:

1. ISO setting (which will recommend a relevant f-stop)
2. Auto mode (3 setting for various distances, which will change the f-stop recommendation too) for example 0.7m-3.5m.
3. Flash output power (from full to 1/16 power). Or does this works only in manual mode?

After I set my flash to ISO100, Auto mode 0.7-3.5m, it recommended f8. So I set my cam to aperture mode, f8. The shutter is govern by my cam's flash shutter speed setting of 1/60s.

I didn't notice the flash sensor leh. May be I will check it out first.

Originally Posted by lsisaxon When you used the auto mode on the flash, did you set the corresponding aperture on the camera? In auto mode, you don't have to set the distance on the flash. It will detect the light by itself. Did something block the light sensor on the flash? When you said you set the power on the flash to manual, did you set the switch to manual also? Your flash power control kaput?

[lastboltnut]

The shutter speed was predetermined by cam's flashlight setting of 1/60s. The lighting is normal flourascent lighting in my living room, during 5-6pm yesterday. TIA

Originally Posted by ortega what is the shutter speed? and lighting condition?

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by lastboltnut Thanks for replying. The setting available on the flash are: 1. ISO setting (which will recommend a relevant f-stop) 2. Auto mode (3 setting for various distances, which will change the f-stop recommendation too) for example 0.7m-3.5m. 3. Flash output power (from full to 1/16 power). Or does this works only in manual mode? After I set my flash to ISO100, Auto mode 0.7-3.5m, it recommended f8. So I set my cam to aperture mode, f8. The shutter is govern by my cam's flash shutter speed setting of 1/60s. I didn't notice the flash sensor leh. May be I will check it out first.

1&2. Urm.. it should be the other way round lah. You choose the ISO and f-stop, then it tells you your operating range of distances.

3. Full to 1/16 only works if you use manual, then each power setting only give you a specific distance for the ISO and f-stop you set.

Can you show a picture of the front of the flash? I'm sure many of us would be able to show you where the sensor is.

[lastboltnut]

Oic. For me, since the obj is already at a fix distance, so I choose the mode base on the distant and set the aperture accordingly.....come to think about it, since the distance overlap quite a bit in the 3 auto mode, may be I can play with the aperture for the desired DOF more. Can also up the ISO when need to close the aperture....

Originally Posted by lsisaxon 1&2. Urm.. it should be the other way round lah. You choose the ISO and f-stop, then it tells you your operating range of distances.

Thanks. I just found the manual online....here. But I did exactly what it says in the auto mode....exposure is not right....I also see the sensor location in the manual liao....not blocked...may be spoiled?

Originally Posted by lsisaxon 3. Full to 1/16 only works if you use manual, then each power setting only give you a specific distance for the ISO and f-stop you set.

See the pic above, should be item 5 based on the manual...

Originally Posted by lsisaxon Can you show a picture of the front of the flash? I'm sure many of us would be able to show you where the sensor is.

Thanks for your patience.

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by lastboltnut Oic. For me, since the obj is already at a fix distance, so I choose the mode base on the distant and set the aperture accordingly.....come to think about it, since the distance overlap quite a bit in the 3 auto mode, may be I can play with the aperture for the desired DOF more. Can also up the ISO when need to close the aperture.... Thanks. I just found the manual online....here. But I did exactly what it says in the auto mode....exposure is not right....I also see the sensor location in the manual liao....not blocked...may be spoiled? See the pic above, should be item 5 based on the manual... Thanks for your patience.

Yes, item 5 is the sensor. Check to see if there's dirt covering the sensor. Otherwise, is there seems to be a switch at the side of the hotshoe? Is it a removeable shoe which can be changed for different systems? If so, since the sensor is on the shoe itself, can you remove it and clean the electrical contacts inside?

Can you perform the "To Verify Correct Auto Exposure" on page 5 of the manual first?

[lastboltnut]

Ok, I will try....actually I opened up the flash yesterday, trying to disconnect the wire leading to the pin I need to mask....so that I dun need to mask as the insulation tape always worn out when mounting and dismounting the flash. Will check the sensor again tonite if I have time. Thanks.

Originally Posted by lsisaxon Yes, item 5 is the sensor. Check to see if there's dirt covering the sensor. Otherwise, is there seems to be a switch at the side of the hotshoe? Is it a removeable shoe which can be changed for different systems? If so, since the sensor is on the shoe itself, can you remove it and clean the electrical contacts inside?

[lastboltnut]

By the way, if I use this flash on the cam and I have another SB600, can I use my D80 as a commander to fire the SB600 remotely with this Sunpak mounted on the hotshoe? If yes, then I can try CLS when I can borrow a SB600 from my friend.

[Scaglietti]

Originally Posted by lastboltnut By the way, if I use this flash on the cam and I have another SB600, can I use my D80 as a commander to fire the SB600 remotely with this Sunpak mounted on the hotshoe? If yes, then I can try CLS when I can borrow a SB600 from my friend.

No... you cannot do that. Only SB800 or SU800 can be used as a commander mounted on your D80 for the SB600.

BC