How do I use an external flash on my D40X?

[reformedman]

I have an SB-80 that I'd like to use on my Nikon D40X on the hotshoe and I'd like to use it instead of the onboard flash. I'd like to turn off the flash on the D40X which I know how to do already, but I can't get the D40X to use TTL mode on my SB-80 the way it was meant to be used. All my attempts come out over exposed by about double. Just a blanket of white on all my pictures.

Is there a way to use the Sb-80 on the D40X correctly?

My camera manual does not speak specifically to this.

Thanks in advance.

[dsp]

Originally Posted by reformedman

I have an SB-80 that I'd like to use on my Nikon D40X on the hotshoe and I'd like to use it instead of the onboard flash. I'd like to turn off the flash on the D40X which I know how to do already, but I can't get the D40X to use TTL mode on my SB-80 the way it was meant to be used. All my attempts come out over exposed by about double. Just a blanket of white on all my pictures.

Is there a way to use the Sb-80 on the D40X correctly?

My camera manual does not speak specifically to this.

Thanks in advance.

I took a quick look at an online D40X manual and it says that the SB-80DX can only be used in non-TTL auto and manual mode.

[Not4wood]

So if what Dave says is true then you have to tone down the flash. Make a Better Bounce Card link here: ABetterBounceCard.com

and turn you controls on the Flash down. I am not familiar with your SB but you have to work it out. I use my old Vivitar 283, control the exposure output and use a Bounce Card. My Nikon D80 is set for Manual Exposure, and I set my ISO for about 200 on up. Set my flash Link Speed to about 30 of a second and try to keep my exposure to about 5.6 and then I test my Flash and play with the controls. Remember to keep your Camera Still for these longer exposures. This will let your ambient light in as well as the flash.

Or, just set your shutter speed to anything up to on my D80 sincs to 200 sec. Aperture to f:/5.6-8 and play with the power levels of your Flash to get the best skin tones.

[reformedman]

Thanks for the info Not4Wood. I will have to play with some Shutter speed and aperature and just memorize like the purists often do.
I didn't see the ttl info DSP, thank you for letting me know. Although, I'm not sure that the SB-80DX is the same as my SB-80, I will check this out.

Thanks so much for your help guys, I didn't expect such a quick response and they were both concise and helpful.

I'll be visiting more often.