Nikon SB 80DX

[jeff chen]

Hi, sometime ago I recall reading a post/news announcing that soon, the Nikon CP 5700 will receive a firmware upgrade that will allow all the functions of the SB 80DX to be utilise with the 5700. Is that true?

I am asking because I have spoken to Nikon Singapore and they have said no and there are no immediate knowledge of this firmware upgrade.

I have recently sold my SB 50DX and am thinking of buying a new external flash. If most of the functions in the 80DX cannot be in sync with my 5700, then it would be a powerful but rather "dumb flash" for the money I will be paying.

Is there any alternative flash in the market that is almost as powerful as the 80DX but cost less and still compaitable with my Nikon 5700? Pse advise. Much appreciate the help.

Thanks.

 

[ckiang]

Originally posted by jeff chen
Hi, sometime ago I recall reading a post/news announcing that soon, the Nikon CP 5700 will receive a firmware upgrade that will allow all the functions of the SB 80DX to be utilise with the 5700. Is that true?

I am asking because I have spoken to Nikon Singapore and they have said no and there are no immediate knowledge of this firmware upgrade.

I have recently sold my SB 50DX and am thinking of buying a new external flash. If most of the functions in the 80DX cannot be in sync with my 5700, then it would be a powerful but rather "dumb flash" for the money I will be paying.

Is there any alternative flash in the market that is almost as powerful as the 80DX but cost less and still compaitable with my Nikon 5700? Pse advise. Much appreciate the help.

Thanks.

Get a used SB28/26/25. Or get one of those third party ones.

Regards
CK

 

[007]

you are lucky, they have some discussion in dpreview:

I asked Nikon for some clarification on using an SB-28 with the CP-5700 & I just thought I'd share their replay. FYI:

When an external Nikon Speedlight unit is used on a Coolpix camera the only functions that are supported are the triggering of the flash when the shutter is fired and the shut off of the flash when the proper illumination has been reached.

Nikon Speedlights should be set to "TTL" mode and the camera will communicate with the flash during exposure to control the amount of flash. Other features of the Coolpix or Speedlight, such as Red Eye Reduction, Power Head Zoom, AF Assist, etc are not supported. A "DX" model flash is not required for use on a Coolpix camera. The DX model flashes (SB-80DX, SB-50DX, etc.) are needed to use the D-TTL feature on Nikon Digital SLR cameras. Nikon Speedlights without the "TTL" mode should be used in the Flash "A" Auto mode.

Some Coolpix models can control the flash output level by using the camera's menus to change the "Variable Power" settings in the "Speedlight Options." This can be useful to lower the power of the flash in a fill-flash situation (outside in the sun to reduce shadows but not overpower the daylight).

To connect an external flash to the Coolpix 900s, 950, 990, 995 or 4500 use the AS-E900 adapter or the SK-E900 Adapter with flash bracket. These adapters will provide a standard hot-shoe as well as two additional three pin flash connectors. If a "PC" type connector is needed a Nikon AS-15 flash adapter can be used on the AS-E900.

To use an off-camera flash on cameras that have a built-in hot shoe (Coolpix 5000 and 5700) use the Nikon SC-17 TTL Remote Cord to move the flash up to 5 feet from the camera otherwise simply connect the flash directly to the camera's hot shoe.

There is no way to use an external flash on the following Nikon Coolpix cameras: Coolpix 100, 300, 600, 700, 775, 800, 880, 885, 2000, 2500, 3500, 4300.

Nikon recommends using only genuine Nikon Speedlights and accessories. The following Speedlights are recommended for use with the listed Nikon Coolpix cameras: SB22, SB22s, SB24, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB28DX, SB30, SB50DX and SB80DX.

Warning: Negative voltages or voltages over 250 V applied to the camera's sync terminal could not only prevent normal operation, but may damage the sync circuit of the camera or flash. When a third party flash is used on a Nikon Coolpix when the shutter is fired the flash will fire as well. The flash is not controlled in any other means by the camera.

--

 

[jeff chen]

Thanks CKiang and 007 for yr inputs.

I was thinking of 3rd party flash, but worry that it may damage my DC as Nikon puts it.

Maybe there are those out there who have been using 3rd party flashes with the 5700 and would like to share their experience with me regarding 3rd party flash.

Thanks.