Opteka IF-980 i-TTL Dedicated Auto-Focus Speedlight Flash with LCD Display for Nikon Z50, Z7, Z6, D6, D5, D4, D850, D810, D780, D750, D610, D500, D7500, D7200, D5600, D5500, D5300, D3500, D3400, D3300

This feature-rich i-TTL smart flash for Nikon cameras was exactly what I needed to take photos in a dimly lit room. (E-TTL is Canon's name for i-TTL.)At a fraction of the cost of the Nikon and other name brand flashes and it does everything I need and more!Going to have to study the YouTube videos some more to fully use the advanced features!! Some photos look like they are fully lit rooms so we'll have to figure out how to reduce the power on the flash to get the desired effect.You can buy less expensive flash units which look the same but the zoom is MANUEL and NOT automatic like this unit. Spend a couple extra bucks for the auto Focus Zoom so you can take better pictures effortlessly.The provided carrying case alone is worth the few extra bucks (vs manuel focus flash). Case is very handy so flash doesn't take up space in your camera bag. Don't need to get a larger bag.The carrying case has a large loop with Velcro on the flap so you can put it on your shoulder strap of the camera bag. It also has a small d-ring so you can use a small carabiner (of course not included) to attach it to belt loop or to camera bag.Like how the carrying case has storage for extra set of batteries and a place for the diffuser lens at the bottom. This saves lots of space in camera bag and keeps everything in one place. But I also can remove the carrying case and leave flash at home if I do not need it. And do not have to take out each of the parts and the spare batteries one by one out of the camera bag!I have priced similar flashes up to $130 and more here on Amazon and on other sites.The Zoom Focus automatically adjust via the hot shoe as you zoom your camera lens (to 300mm) with the limit of the flash.The built-in refractor lens helps to disperse the light without a diffuser but when the subject is close can still be slightly harsh even when angled. I haven't learned how to use partial power features yet and still experimenting with flash intensity using the control panel.Last night using both the built-in disperser lens and the diffuser cap took and great pictures at a social dance. Using my wide-angle adapter which is HD intensified the light so much that it look like it was a fully lit scene. Lesson learned.Will have to use the exposure on the camera to dim it down or I can just dim it in post since I am shooting in raw (and jpeg).The manual says use alkaline batteries but I use rechargeable EBL brand 2800 mAh nickel metal halide NiMh batteries and they work fine. Other brand of NiMh rechargeable batteries degrade quickly. EBL brand are highly rated by users.Also purchased a new high-speed nickel metal halide charger that charges via USB and a 20,000 mAh battery bank so I can recharge these batteries and my camera batteries in the field if needed.The Flash has a sync Port but you will have to buy a cable if you want to use the port but since this is made for Nikon it talks via the hot shoe on the camera. You only need the sync cord if you are mounting flash remotely.Also has a booster port so the flash Chargers more quickly. Had to research (not in instructions) but it's a NX adapter for the battery boost which is under the rubber cap with the word "photo" on it.Currently researching external batteries. According to the specifications at full power it takes 2.9 seconds to recharge without an external battery boost. Same as the more expensive flashes.2.9 seconds is very good, used to have a 35 mm SLR and the external Flash took about 5 Seconds to recharge was big and bulky.Some expensive external battery boosters claim recharge times of one second, have built-in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and higher Price Tag.Don't use the flash enough to justify they more expensive boosters so looking at the entry level boosters... which means more rechargeable batteries and maybe an additional charger because they take from 6 to 12 AA batteries. But the advantage of that is that when you have to replace the battery they're relatively inexpensive compared to custom Lithium-ion batteries which are expensive.I haven't used all the features and still learning how to use them. And all these features at a fraction of the price of what Nikon or other brands charge!I was thinking of getting a second Flash and some lighting so I could take some portraits.I can definitely recommend this Flash for the amateur or Advanced amateur looking for a feature-rich auto zoom Focus at a very affordable price.

New camera owner. Starting with basic and affordable flash, since love my Nikon 5600, but not the pop up flash.Looked at several generic you tube videos for using this type flash with Nikon 5600. Read included written instructions in the package. Functioned well.The initial results indoors, using both manual and auto modes, nice results, see photo. A nice soft background with detailed features of the subject.Remains to be seen how sturdy and reliable it will be over time. You get what you pay for🤔 I have not used with strobe mode, nor as slave. It is a bit heavy, so that remote or tabletop, etc might be helpful.

It does the job but it’s definitely kinda finicky trying to get it to turn on. Once it’s on it’s perfect!

Opteka IF-980 i-TTL for Nikon is very affordable (almost $500 less than the Nikon version). It self adjusts the width of the flash for the lens as long as you use Nikon lenses. It works in an automatic exposure method known as TTL or Through The Lens (metering) to adjust the amount of flash power it gives automatically. It also works very well in manual mode (you set the power output). I've got 500 fashion photos taken on one unit and it is flawless.

This is a great buy for the price and for the features of this flash! Protective Canvas Carrying Case is very well made and the zippers are not cheaply made. The adjustible of the head is full of f adjustability. The low light auto focusing is amazing it makes focusing on a subject better than using the internal camera autofocus assist. The flash works great off the camera as it does on the camera, opens up a wide range of possibilities.

I needed the speed light for a photo shoot I had planned but was going to reschedule because I expected the delivery date to be a week later. Before I was able to make the call, to my surprise the package arrived much much sooner. The price, product and delivery time were each above my expectations. Would definitely use this seller again.

TTL does not work on my Nikon Z6. It over exposes most of the time but gets it right one time out of 10 or 20. I tried all modes. Works Ok in manual. In adition, the flash head barely locks in place when it is rotated us. With any bump of shake, it flips all the way down.I urchased a flash from a different manufacturer and am returning this one.

Both original and replacement had the same issue where they'd not fire consistently, sometimes they'd miss 2-3 shots out of a burst, sometimes they don't fire in single-shot mode, and in some bursts they only fire for 10% of shots. This isn't the batteries or camera's fault as the same camera and different sets of batteries work perfectly with other speedlights, every time (Godox and Yongnuo), the same happens regardless of shutter speed. The flash on its own can fire bursts like in repeat mode, but just doesn't properly sync with the camera (Nikon DSLR, at just 5-7 FPS).For some types of photography, this makes it too unreliable to be used.