exposure issues

[MRCPix]

whenever I use my flash SB800 I don't seem to have any control of shutter speed and that really bothers me. I like maintaining a shallow depth of feild and the shutter is set at 1/60's
and I was wondering if there is a way around this or am I just at the mercy of the flash?

[srwatters]

Perhaps use shutter priority or switch to manual mode. If you want to use faster shutter speeds, set the Auto FP mode on both the SB-800 and camera body (does the D80 have this?).

In manual mode, you will need to watch the back of the SB for under/over exposure. The flash will attempt to get you the right exposure, but you have control of the camera settings. It should show EV+ or EV- if it can't adjust within the needed range for a proper exposure given your aperture and distance to the subject. (notice the shutter speed is mostly ignored except when above the sync speed, then the auto FP mode takes over and pulses the strobe to make sure you don't get a curtain in the image).

At least that's how I think it works.

[MRCPix]

Scott I am starting to think that the the camera got switched to manual mode which would explain the problem. Is there a way I can go in and look at the exif and see if that is what happened? I have lightroom and I shoot everying in NEF format so I can recover them mostly, but it is frustrating I usually always get the exposure right.
and yes I was using a - ev because at 0 it was to bright and no it isn't all my pics so that leads me to believe that I some how switched the mode from A to M.

[srwatters]

Yes. The mode is listed in the EXIF.

I know using any good viewer you can see the metering and operating mode.

[MRCPix]

thanks Scott