Optional Flash Units (Speedlights)
The accessory shoe allows SB-series Speedlights , including the SB-800, 600, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, 23, 22S, and 29S to be mounted directly on the camera without a sync cable. It is equipped with a safety lock for Speedlights with a locking pin, such as the SB- 800 and SB-600. Before attaching an optional flash unit, remove the accessory shoe cover. The built-in flash will not fire when an optional Speedlight is attached.
When used with compatible flash units such as the optional SB-800 and SB-600 Speedlights or SB-R200 wireless remote Speedlight, the D80 supports the advanced Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS), including i-TTL flash control (
141), FV lock (locks flash level;
92), and Auto FP High-Speed Sync (synchronizes the flash and shutter at high shutter speeds). With the built-in flash in commander mode, the D80 can be used to control remote SB-800, SB-600, and SB-R200 flash units. See the Speedlight manual for details.
SB-800 and SB-600 Speedlights
These high-performance Speedlights have Guide Numbers of 38/125 and 30/98 respectively (m/ft, 35-mm zoom head position, ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F). The flash head can be rotated through 90 ° above the horizontal, 180 ° left, and 90 ° right for bounce-flash or close-up pho- tography. The SB-800 can be rotated 7 ° below the horizontal. Auto power zoom (24–105
mmand 24–85 mm, respectively) ensures that the illuminating angle is adjusted in accord with lens focal length. The built-in wide panel can be used for an angle of 14 mm (the SB-800 also supports 17 mm). An illuminator is included to assist in adjusting settings in the dark.
Use Only Nikon Flash Accessories
Use only Nikon Speedlights. Negative voltages or voltages over 250 V applied to the accessory shoe could not only prevent normal operation, but damage the sync circuitry of the camera or flash. Before using a Nikon Speedlight not listed in this section, contact a Nikon-authorized service representative for more information.
Guide Number
To calculate the range of the flash at an ISO sensitivity of 100, divide the Guide Number by the aperture. For example, the built-in flash has a Guide Number of 13 m or 42 ft. (ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F); its range at an aperture of f/5.6 is 13 ÷ 5.6 or about 2.3 meters (or in feet,42 ÷ 5.6 = about 7.5 ft). With Guide Numbers of 38 and 30, the SB-800 and SB-600 respectively have ranges of about 6.8 and 5.4 meters (22.3 and 17.5 feet) at f/5.6 (35-mm zoom head position).
The AS-15 Accessory Shoe Adapter
When the AS-15 accessory shoe adapter (available separately) is mounted on the camera accessory shoe, flash accessories can be connected via a sync cable.
