Will Nikon SB-80DX flash be OK with S2

[Rolly Noel]

When I ordered my S2 yesterday I included the SB-80DX (the vendor's web page pointed to it). Looking at the S2 manual I download several weeks back, I see no mention of this flash in the table of Nikon Flash Units That Can Be Used (page 68).
Kindly allow me to rest assured.

[NYCFotog]

No problem...The S2,SB-80DX is a great match..Everything works as it should...Having used this combo for a few days...I can honestly say that I did the right thing... All of the "D" and "G" lens work...The 80Dx is pricey, but it does do the job very well...Once again, a good match...
Good shooting,
NYCFotog:D

[Bruce Tucker]

Im considering a matching flash fot the S2 as well.
Is the Fuji S2 also a good match with the Nikon SB 28 and the 28X ? Is there any advantage in using the 28X or the 80X over the standard SB 28 ?
Thanks

[ike]

I have a 80DX and a 50DX. The 50DX works so well I use it all the time, so, if cost is a concern...

:D

[JayG]

I have both the 28, and the 28DX... If I were to buy another flach, I would go for the SB-28. It works just the same as any of the DX's and cost a lot less. Just my thoughts.

I had to buy the SB-28DX to use with my old DCS760. The S2 is just great with any of the flashes. :D

Jay/Connecticut

[Bruce Tucker]

Jay,

Are you basically saying that with the S2 there is full feature/benefit compatibility with all the flash modes supported by the S2 with either the SB-28 and the SB-28DX. I also looked at the SB-DX. The 80 DX replaced the 28 DX although both sell for the same $379.00 at B&H. If I can get all the DX functionality that the S2 supports with an old SB-28 that I may be able to pick up used on e-bay then while Im waiting for my S2 to show up at my local dealer I'd might just go for that used SB-28 instead.

Thanks

Bruce

[JayG]

YES,YES,YES.... I am saying that the SB-28 works great with the S2.... In fact, you can call me at my studio and if need be, I can either send you an image from it or talk about it!

Please, if you don't want to believe me, rent one or find one to use!..... Heck, I'll sell my SB-28DX if the price was right! lol
860-643-6764:D

Jay

[Bruce Tucker]

Jay,

Thanks again for the reply. I do believe you. I just wanted to know for sure before I start hunting for a good used SB28.
I'm sure it will be a few weeks before my S2 arrives anyway.

I'm curious about what kinda shooting you do with your Fuji S2 and what you used before you got it. Im a part time freelance working out of my home and basically shooting whatever pays and I can get to on weekends or evenings. I did some PROMS and varsity sports for a Yearbook studio this past spring with 35mm film (Nikon N90s) and made a few bucks AT IT so I'm bitten with the bug to continue (ON MY OWN) but I wanna start doing at least some event work in digital.

I also own and use a medium format Bronica ETRS which I used for the PROMS. Im thinking about trying to do some HS or Military Re-Unions.

Once again your thoughts or anyone else's on this subject are greatfully appreciated.

Bruce :)

[JayG]

Bruce,
I'm using my S2 for Weddings. Prior to that I was using the DCS-760 and it just didn't have it for weddings. It was a great camera nad still is, however for Weddings, the S2 out prefoms it in every way. I also have and still use my Nikon equipment. Although, now that I have the S2 I can see a time when the F5 and F100 need to get dusted.


Jay

[Tom V]

****Since writing this post, I have learned that what I say in this post is incorrect. You can ignore this post, and skip on by. You may of course, use brief selections of the following text for editorial review or book jacket blurbs.********:rolleyes:



My understanding is that a DX flash will work great with either film or digital cameras, but the a digital camera will work best with the DX flash.

TTL metering is done off the film plane, either off the film, or off the shutter curtains, or both. Film surfaces, while they vary in color somewhat, more or less have the same kind of reflectivity. It is this reflectivity that the TTL sensors depend on to make a good exposure reading.

Ever look at the digital sensor in the Fuji S2? It looks like a disco on steroids. It looks like the surface of a CD on LSD. The diffraction, colors, shimmering quality is something else. It certainly doesn't have anything close to the same reflectivity of film surface.

Because of this, TTL metering with older, non-DX flashes cannot be accurate.

This is why Nikon came out with the DX speedlights. I am sure some people in some situations, with some types of subjects will not notice a difference. But I am sure that careful observation of the resulting exposures would reveal a certain level of inconsistancy that can only be remedied by use of a DX flash.

Other, non-TTL metering modes, manual, etc. would not be affected.

Maybe I read several articles wrong, understood several answers to my several questions wrong, and read the manuals wrong - but that is the way I understand it.

I would be wary of using a SB-28, SB-26, etc. on a digital camera. I would test test test before I was comfortable with it. (I have the SB-26 & -28).

[memobug]

Originally posted by Tom Voegeli
My understanding is that a DX flash will work great with either film or digital cameras, but the a digital camera will work best with the DX flash.
<STUFF DELETED>
Maybe I read several articles wrong, understood several answers to my several questions wrong, and read the manuals wrong - but that is the way I understand it.

I would be wary of using a SB-28, SB-26, etc. on a digital camera. I would test test test before I was comfortable with it. (I have the SB-26 & -28).

DX is for Nikon's D1 cameras. It works by a system of preflashes. If you could actually say it actually does work. It never really worked well for me and my D1.

All of the flashes you mentioned are fine on your S2 (you can see a complete list in the manual online (http://www.s2pro.com/downloads/file1_348.pdf) page 68

SB-28, 28DX, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 21B, 22s, 22, 20, 16B 15, 11, 14, and the 80, which probably didn't exist when the manual was printed.

Here's some explantion of the theory, and why you won't see any benefit in using a DX technology on your S2. The S2 manual also makes no distinction between SB-28 and 28DX in supported technology

http://www.paulsphoto.com/PDF/sb28dx.pdf

"The D1 has a shutter blade located in front of the CCD to allow monitoring of preflashes just before the exposure and even after the reflex mirror goes up."

So, if you already have a DX flash, by all means use it, but don't pay extra $$$ for an SB-28DX over an SB-28 because your S2 doesn't know the difference.

Regards,

Matt

[Tom V]

Matt,

I am glad you have corrected my erroneous statements and assumptions. I have read the manual and you are indeed correct. A -DX flash is NOT a requirement for full flash functionality on the S2. I guess all my incorrect information came about when the D1 first came out, and I had been assuming that what was true for the D1 was true for all digital cameras.:rolleyes:

Thank you.

Now everybody can ignore my earlier post. I shall go and flog myself now.

[jbfocus]

I bought the Nikon SB-80DX flash in hopes of getting better TTL results then with the Metz 54mz3 I had originally purchased when I bought the S2. I have to say I did not see any improvement when using the SB-80DX flash. I had felt that I would see a marked improvement since many had claimed that the TTL would be much more accurate with a Nikon flash. I was disappointed and still got blown out photos when I got close to the subject. I don't suffer from underexposure as many seem to. So I sent the Nikon flash back and will continue on with the Metz and perhaps a stofin when I approach a subject for a close up.

[Bruce Tucker]

Thanks for the replies.
I ended up purchasing an experienced Nikon SB-28 and it works flawlessly with my S2 as was predicted herein by several of my most esteemed Finepix S2 shipmates. I really love that built in fill flap too. I also use my old Sunpak 422D in TTL mode (used it extensively with my Nikon N90s) and its works quite well with the S2 as well. Im keeping that old strobe as a very reliable backup to the SB-28.
Happy Trails !

[jbfocus]

get with in 5 foot of a subject and unless you lower your flash output or modify it in some way your highlights will be over exposed to some degree. I used a pentax 645 for a number of years with a Metz 45cl4 and the TTL was so accurate that the faces were always perfectly exposed. It seems as if so many photographers are willing to either fib that there camera is dead on or they don't want to admit that yes they have to modify the flash in some way to avoid blown highlights.