Nikon D80

[Suburbanmom]

I have the D50 and I bought the SB-800 a few months ago. It's a wonderful flash and I don't regret the somewhat high price. I bought it at a local camera shop, but it can be had for cheaper online.

 

[NostalgicDad]

With my D80 I use the SB-400. I find it great for practicality and convenience but if you are interested in more advanced features, the next one up would be the SB-600. The SB-800 is a beast of a flash in terms of features but will run you some serious bank. Well worth it if you need it, though.

Keep in mind that all problems with shots not being bright may not be solved just by adding a flash. Depending on the scenarios in which you are experiencing this problem, various settings (metering, ISO, shutter/aperture, etc.) might help you achieve what you are expecting to see in your photos.

 

[fitzperry]

I have the SB-600 for my D70. I did consider the SB-400 for its small size and lower price; its primary drawback IMO is the inability to bounce the flash when shooting in a vertical orientation.

I also concur with Nostalgic Dad that a flash might not be the answer to all your problems. The D70 is rather notorious for slightly underexposing images, but I don't know whether the same is true for the D80. Some people argue that this is intentional, as it is generally more easily corrected in post-processing than overexposure would be; therefore the idea is to err on the side of slight underexposure. Of course, that may all be hogwash.

You might check to be sure that you haven't inadvertently set exposure compensation to a negative value. The metering mode you've set (matrix, spot or center weighted) could also have something to do with it. For instance, if you're shooting a subject that is brightly backlit, using matrix metering will cause the subject to be underexposed.

Good luck!

 

[cajunrose]

I would go with the SB600. I have the 800 but the only reason I have that is for work...we need it there. If I were to buy a flash for personal use, it would be the 600. I wouldn't go with the 400 because you can't bounce it. That's the only way I use mine generally.

HTH
stephenie

 

[NostalgicDad]

I wouldn't go with the 400 because you can't bounce it. That's the only way I use mine generally.

HTH
stephenie

You can bounce the SB-400 as it has several adjustable positions. I almost always use it set at least 45 degrees or greater. But, as fitzperry mentioned, you cannot bounce it if shooting in a vertical orientation.

 

[cajunrose]

Ahhhh, I misunderstood why my friend sold hers and got the 600. I thought it was because it wouldn't bounce. I just asked her and she said it was too small for her D80 in her opinion. Thanks for clearing me up

 

[Gdad]

I would probably get a SB-600 since you can bounce the flash wherever you want to (off a ceiling or wall) in either orientation. Since you have a D80 you can also control the 600 remotely in commander mode.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I forgot to bring my manual. Can one of you tellme what the AF-A, AF-S, and AF-C means/does and which is best to use when? (I did read it in the manual a few weeks ago and forgot what I read.)

Also when shooting at night do you use Long Exposure NR or High Exposure NR or both?

And in AF-area in Custom settings, do you use Single Area or Dynamic Area? I almost always use Single area, but am wondering if that is the best to use?

I took a bunch of shots last night with Auto ISO, and they look (in camera) like they came out okay. It's hard to adjust the ISO since the LCD at the top of the camera doesn't light up. I've been using a lighter to illuminate it so I can see it at night when taking night photos. It's a bummer that Nikon didn't think to illuminate it or add a feature that allows us to illuminate it when we want/need to.

I didn't go to the park all day. I got sick on my first day of vacation. Luckily, my DR was able to call in an antibiotic presciption for me. We had only about 1/4 of the usual fireworks show last night, and then they cut it due to high winds. Now it's raining and the forecast is for heavy rains and there is even a Flash Flood Warning in effect. Bummer. I may upgrade to an AP so I can come back another time. We leave Monday so it's not looking good for me getting any great fireworks shots, but I thought I'd ask the above questions since I'm in the room at Hojos vegging out anyway.
Thanks all! Your photos inspire me to better and to learn more.
Aloha!
DSF

 

[NostalgicDad]

.

 

[NostalgicDad]

Hey DSF......Sorry to hear you're getting washed out at DL. As far as all the settings, here's the link to the D80 manual. I'm not the best at explaining all the differences between them so maybe the manual will be of more help than me or another D80 user can chime in. At places like DL, I typically just stay in AF-A since I don't really have to deal with moving subjects using AF-C.

Regarding night time shots, I always use long exposure NR. But, the high ISO NR setting I keep at normal. The D80 inherently handles it very well and there's not usually a need to overcompensate.

As far as the focus area setting, you should be fine with single. I usually use dynamic as that is just my preference. Again, reference the manual for a quicker and better explanation.

Now one you'll really be happy about.......the D80 DOES have a backlight on the LCD top display. If you turn the On/Off switch completely to the right (clockwise) as far as you can, it will illuminate for the specified amount of time in your settings. Custom setting #17 will allow you to set it to stay on for as long as the metering is active. In other words, pressing the shutter half way will activate it.

Good luck and feel better!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Hey DSF......Sorry to hear you're getting washed out at DL. As far as all the settings, here's the link to the D80 manual. I'm not the best at explaining all the differences between them so maybe the manual will be of more help than me or another D80 user can chime in. At places like DL, I typically just stay in AF-A since I don't really have to deal with moving subjects using AF-C.

Regarding night time shots, I always use long exposure NR. But, the high ISO NR setting I keep at normal. The D80 inherently handles it very well and there's not usually a need to overcompensate.

As far as the focus area setting, you should be fine with single. I usually use dynamic as that is just my preference. Again, reference the manual for a quicker and better explanation.

Now one you'll really be happy about.......the D80 DOES have a backlight on the LCD top display. If you turn the On/Off switch completely to the right (clockwise) as far as you can, it will illuminate for the specified amount of time in your settings. Custom setting #17 will allow you to set it to stay on for as long as the metering is active. In other words, pressing the shutter half way will activate it.

Good luck and feel better!

Thanks NostalgicDad! You're a life saver. I didn't even think to look up the online manual! DUH. I am so glad the LCD lights up!

 

[ddisney333]

Hi all, I am looking for a new lens for my Nikon D80. I have the kit lens 18-55 and 100-300. I want a lens that fits in between these two. That way I wont have to take the smaller one. We are going to Disney in Aug. and I hoping to have the lens before that. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[YEKCIM]

Depending on your budget, I'd suggest either the 55-200vr or 70-300vr.

~YEKCIM

 

[Groucho]

You might also consider a lens like the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. You'll still have a gap, but you'll have a lens that is faster and sharper than your kit lens... though you'll lose a little bit on the wide end.

Disney is very dark and you will want the fastest lens that you can find.

 

[Furgus]

You might also consider a lens like the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. You'll still have a gap, but you'll have a lens that is faster and sharper than your kit lens... though you'll lose a little bit on the wide end.

Disney is very dark and you will want the fastest lens that you can find.

I just got that lens for my D50 and it is incredible. Sharper then my 50mm f/1.8.

 

[fitzperry]

I just got that lens for my D50 and it is incredible. Sharper then my 50mm f/1.8.

Glad you like it. It's a great value, IMO. I've been very happy with mine and haven't had the 50mm on my camera since I got it.

 

[My2Girls66]

What about an 18-135 or even 18-200mm? You may not have to carry anything else around the parks with an 18-200. My main lens is an 18-135mm on my D50- I use it primarily.

 

[handicap18]

What about an 18-135 or even 18-200mm? You may not have to carry anything else around the parks with an 18-200. My main lens is an 18-135mm on my D50- I use it primarily.

Me too. Though I do have to send mine in to be fixed (something I did, not a fault with the lens).

Overall I love the 18-135. Excellent IQ and very good focal range. Doesn't have the wide aperture through the range, but you have to sacrafice something.

 

[joellyn23]

I have a Tamron 28-80mm, 70-300mm and just picked up a Sigma 170-500mm to take ourdoor soccer photos.

However, I'm hoping to add yet another lens for those late afternoon games where my current 70-300mm lens can't seem to handle. In addition, I'd love to have a lens that can take some good indoor soccer/basketball shots.

Do you have any suggestions? I'd like to stay under $800....but would love to be closer to $500, if possible.

Thanks.

 

[handicap18]

What settings are you using now?

For what your asking for it seems as though you might need a lens with at least an f/2.8 aperture. Nikon has the 80-200 f/2.8 at around $900 and the 70-200 f/2.8 VR for $1700. Sigma's 70-200 f/2.8 is around $800. I believe Sigma makes a 100-300 f/4, but is $1000 and we wont even mention the price of Nikon's 200-400 f/4.

You could add a 1.4 teleconverter to the Nikon or Sigma 70-200 to have a 98-280mm lens but you'd lose 1 stop and be at f/4. But the 70-200 f/2.8 would be good for indoor sports.

For other indoor shots you might consider a prime. 85mm f/1.8 at under $400 is a very good and fast lens.