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Nikon SB-800 User's Manual

1. Nikon DC Unit SD 7 Nikon High Performance Power Bracket Unit Battery Pack SD 8A SK 6 Specifications A i Min number of External power Min recycling Battery type required g flashes recyclin source y YP aq time approx time approx g DC Unit SD 7 C type alkaline manganese x 6 2 5 sec 350 times 2 5 30 sec AA type alkaline manganese x 6 2 5 sec 320 times 2 5 30 sec High AA type NiCd 1000mAh x6 2 sec 190 times 2 30 sec Performance Battery Pack AA type Nickel x 6 2 5 sec 380 times 2 30 sec SD 8A 2 AA type Ni MH 2000mA x 6 2 sec 300 times 2 30 sec AA type lithium x 6y 3 5 sec 310 times 3 5 30 sec AA type alkaline manganese x 4 3 sec 230 times 3 30 sec Power Bracket AA type ICd 1000mAh x 4 2 5 sec 150 imes 2 5 30 sec Unit SK 6 AA type Nickel x 4 3 sec 280 times 3 30 sec AA type Ni MH 2000mA x 4 2 5 sec 230 times 2 5 30 sec AA type lithium x 4 3 5 sec 260 times 3 5 30 sec 1 With AA type alkaline manganese batteries in the SB 800 2 With the same type of batteries in both the external power source and the SB 800 3 When fired at an interval of 120 seconds e The above data may vary due to variations in performance or whether fresh or old batteries are used e In rare cases when firing the modeling illuminator with the SD 8A or SK 6 attached the SB 800 may be powered by its own batteries and the external power source does not
2. Recalling the underexposure value in the TTL auto Ge flash mode Press the and buttons simultaneously to recall the underexposure value p 33 Resetting the settings one Gnor Press the GED and TD buttons simultaneously for approx 2 sec to reset all settings including the custom settings except the distance unit selected in m ft to their default values Button lock Gor GEN Press the and buttons simultaneously to lock the functions of the control buttons except the ONOF Modeling illuminator and FLASH buttons to avoid accidental malfunction Press the buttons again to release the lock Control button quick reference Custom Senings Procedures for Custom settings recalling the TOX 2sec a underexposure value in the TTL auto flash meN mode resetting all settings to their default zen NOF Gel values and the button lock are shown in the RESET Control button quick reference chart on the Be Gan Gis back of the built in bounce card Icons on the LCD panel Icons on the LCD panel show the status of the operations set These icons vary depending on the settings the combination of camera lens and the exposure mode li Icons with a single flash unit TTUBLIFP BZA EV 150200 STBYAUTO 40 6 4 0 m zoom 28mnF11 Auto Aperture flash In addition to Non TTL auto Icons when a camera compatible A flash see below t
3. 0 5 4 in meters f stop 6 6 1 6 approx 4 in feet Therefore you should use at least f 4 or an even smaller aperture such as f 5 6 or 8 When shooting subjects closer than 0 6m 2 ft With the SB 800 attached to the camera sufficient illumination of the subject cannot be obtained In this case use optional TTL Remote Cord as shown below e In EU Bu flash operation where Monitor he SB 800 off camera by attaching the Preflashes are fired when the SB 800 is used with D G type CPU lenses you may not be able to get the correct exposure because distance information from the lens is used In this case position the camera A and the SB 800 B at equal distances from the subject e For F5 cameras with the High Magnification Finder DW 30 or DW 31 or F4 cameras with the High Magnification Finder DW 20 or DW 21 use the optional TTL Remote Cord SC 24 instead of the SC 17 Advanced operations 105 106 Flash shooting in the 1 300 TTL High Speed Flash sync mode F5 only e The farthest flash shooting distance cannot be read on the SB 800 s LCD panel In this case use the guide number table and equation for calculating this distance according to each zoom head position D farthest flash shooting distance Guide number f stop aperture Guide number m ft in the 1 300 TTL High Speed Flash sync mode ISO Zoom head position mm sensitivity 1 x2 14 1
4. Represents the settings of the flash mode and flash output level compensation value of the master unit in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode p 78 REMOTE Wireless remote In the wireless multiple flash mode the SB 800 is set as a remote flash unit which fires in sync with the master flash unit p 72 Group A B C CLS Represents the settings of the flash mode and flash output level compensation value of the remote flash unit s in Group A B C in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode p 78 Sound monitor on When the SB 800 is set as a remote flash unit you can monitor its operation by listening to the beeping sound p 89 Channel CLS Represents the communication channel number through which the master and remote flash units exchange data in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode p 78 D Sound monitor canceled Beeping sound is off p 89 lE Highlighted items MTTL 1 3 cH 1 a A TIL 0 of ami B C Fil amp zon 28mm CLS Creative Lighting System p 5 Highlighted items indicate that they can be set or changed The highlighted items return to normal after 8 seconds unless an adjustment is made Preparation 15 16 Lenses and non CPU Nikkor lenses n this manual Nikkor lenses are divided into two types CPU Nikkor lenses CPU Nikkor lenses G type Nikkor D type Nikkor Non G D type AF Nikkor except for A
5. Upto5 Upto10 Upto30 Up to 40 Up to 40 Ni MH SK 6 Alkaline manganese Lithium Upto5 Upto10 Upto 20 Up to 40 Up to 40 NiCd Nuva Up to5 Upto 10 Upto30 Up to 40 Up to 40 e With fresh batteries of the same type in both the SB 800 and optional Nikon SD 8A or Power Bracket Unit SK 6 e Refer to table Maximum number of repeating flashes per frame on page 48 when performing Repeating flash 51 52 Checking the correct exposure before shooting You can determine whether the subject will receive the correct exposure by test firing the SB 800 before actually taking the picture in TTL auto flash Auto Aperture and Non TTL auto flash operations e In manual flash mode checking the correct exposure cannot be performed by test firing li TTL auto flash mode Press the SB 800 s button until Auto Aperture flash or Non TTL auto flash appears on the LCD panel Set the same aperture on the SB 800 as set in the TTL auto flash mode Press the shutter release button slightly then press the FLASH button to fire the flash If the ready light blinks after firing this indicates the light may have been insufficient for correct exposure In this case set a wider aperture on the camera or lens or move closer to the subject Ii Auto Aperture flash Make the necessary settings on the SB 800 and camera press the shutter release button slightly then press the FLASH button to fire the flash If the ready l
6. e When the flash has fired at its maximum output and underexposure may have occurred the ready light on the SB 800 blinks for approx 3 sec To compensate use a wider aperture or move closer to the subject and reshoot 99 100 Bounce flash operation IE Setting the aperture In bounce flash there is a light loss of 2 3 stops when compared with normal flash photography Therefore you should use a wider aperture When the flash head is adjusted to other than the horizontal front position the flash shooting distance range indicator on the SB 800 disappears To ensure correct exposure first confirm the flash shooting distance range and aperture with the flash head in the normal position Next set this aperture on the camera then adjust the flash head to the appropriate bounce position e In Non TTL auto flash operation set the same aperture on the SB 8 li Setting the flash head As shown in the illustrations tilt or rotate the SB 800 s flash h 00 ead by holding down the flash head tilting rotating lock release button and adjusting the flash head to match the shooing environment or your creative preferences Flash head tilting and rotating The SB 800 s flash head tilts up and rotates horizontally 180 to the right reflecting surface Choosing the reflecting surface In color photography select white or highly reflective surfaces to bounce the light o
7. 0 6 2 6 0 8 2 8 0 6 3 4 0 8 4 0 06 4 5 06 48 0 65 0 2 I 2 0 37 2 0 4 6 2 0 5 2 2 0 5 8 2 0 8 7 2 0 9 3 20 11 2 0 13 20 15 2 0 16 2 0 17 321901461 4111 8 0 6 0 8 0 6 1 0 0 6 1 1 0 6 1 2 0 6 1 8 0 6 2 0 0 6 2 4 0 6 2 8 0 6 3 2 0 6 3 4 0 6 3 6 2 0 2 6 2 0 3 3 2 0 3 7 2 0 4 1 2 0 6 2 2 0 6 6 2 0 7 8 2 0 9 3 2 0 10 2 0 11 2 0 12 ao loo lagli 106077 10 6 0 7 0 8 0 8 0 8 1 3 0 6 1 4 0 8 1 7 0 6 2 0 06 22 0 6 24 06 2 5 2 0 2 3 2 0 2 6 2 0 2 9 2 0 4 4 2 0 4 6 2 0 5 5 2 0 6 6 2 0 7 4 2 0 7 8 2 0 8 3 32 22 16 z _ _ 6 0 9 0 6 1 0 0 6 1 2 0 6 1 4 0 6 1 6 0 6 1 7 0 6 1 8 2 0 3 1 2 0 3 3 2 0 3 9 2 0 4 6 2 0 5 2 2 0 5 5 2 0 5 8 1 With the Nikon Diffusion Dome attached and the wide flash adapter in place 2 With the Nikon Diffusion Dome attached 3 With the wide flash adapter in place For example for an ISO sensitivity of 100 with the zoom head position adjusted to 35mm and the subject at a distance of 5m 16 4 ft selecting an aperture of f 2 to f 5 6 from the table gives the correct exposure Flash shooting distance range m ft Detailed operation 39 40 Non TTL auto flash mode Non TTL auto flash The SB 800 s built in sensor measures the flash illumination reflected from the subject automatically controlling the SB 800 s light output to give the correct exposure This allows you to make exposure com
8. 50 7 85 105 mint 425 41 1652 17 56 19 62 3098 32 105 38 125 44 144 50 164 53 174 56 184 mi2 8 829 11 3137 12 89 13 4 44 21 2 70 22 6174 26 9188 31 102 35 4 116 37 5 123 40 131 M14 6321 8 026 85 28 95 31 15 0149 1652 1962 22 72 25 82 265 87 28 92 mie 4 4 4 5 719 6 0 0 67 22 10 685 11 3137 13 444 15 651 17 7 58 18 7 61 19 8165 mite 3 110 4 013 43 14 486 75 25 8026 95 31 11196 125 41 133 44 14 46 M132 227 289 soto 34 11 53 17 6020 7 22 7 8726 8 8 29 94 31 9 9182 M164 105 207 217 248 3712 aos 48 16 55 8 e321 66 22 7 0123 M1128 1 1 4 14 15 1 7 6 26 85 28 9 34 11 3 9 3 44 14 4715 4 9 16 1 With the Nikon Diffusion Dome attached and the wide flash adapter in place 2 With the Nikon Diffusion Dome attached 3 With the wide flash adapter in place To calculate the correct aperture Calculate the correct aperture by using this equation and the guide number table according to the ISO sensitivity flash output level and zoom head position that are set f stop aperture Guide number GN x ISO sensitivity factor Shooting distance m ft e Set the same aperture on both the SB 800 and the camera or lens To calculate the guide number Calculate the guide number by using this equation according to the shooting distanc
9. a Control buttons being locked Control buttons except the ON OFF Modeling illuminator and FLASH buttons are locked p 12 Red eye reduction Red eye reduction control is activated p 58 ISO sensitivity Represents the ISO sensitivity value p 24 I50 H LCD panel illuminator Tr Pressing any control button turns on the LCD pane illuminator p 119 El Flash output level compensation Represents the flash output level compensation value p 56 A Underexposure Indicates the un value showing derexposure hat the light might be insufficient in the TTL auto flash mode p 33 Beyond the flash shooting 9 a distance range The subject is beyond the flash shooting distance range the closest available distance gt the farthest available distance p 30 STBY Standby duration Represents the ime before the standby function is activated p 67 I Icons with multiple flash units M TTL 0 3 cH 142 5 A TTL 0 7 pE B Ces Pea Fld wh zoom 85mm Icons in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode Wireless master In the wireless multiple flash mode the SB 800 is used as the master flash unit connected to the camera p 72 2 Wireless remote In the wireless multiple flash mode the SB 800 is set as a remote flash unit which fires in sync with the master flash unit p 72 M Master CLS
10. operate This is not a malfunction Reference information 114 Tips on Speedlight care A WARNING Never use thinner benzene or other active agents for cleaning the Speedlight as this may damage the Speedlight or cause it to catch on fire Using these agents may also impair your health Iii Cleaning e Use a blower brush to remove dirt and dust from the SB 800 and clean it with a soft clean cloth After using the SB 800 near saltwater wipe the flash unit with a soft clean cloth moistened slightly with plain water to remove the salt then dry it using a dry cloth e On rare occasions the LCD may turn on or turn dark due to static electricity This is not a malfunction The display will soon return to normal e Do not drop the SB 800 or hit it against a hard surface as this may damage its precision mechanisms Do not apply strong pressure to the LCD panel Iii Storage e Store the SB 800 in a cool dry place to prevent malfunctions due to high humidity as well as the growth of mold or mildew e Keep the SB 800 away from chemicals such as camphor or naphthalene Avoid exposing the SB 800 to magnetic waves from TVs or radios e Do not use or leave the SB 800 in locations subject to high temperatures such as those encountered near a heater or stove as this may cause damage e When not using the SB 800 for more than two weeks be sure to remove the batteries to prevent malfunctions due to battery leakage Take the
11. output level compensation Remote flash unit B SB 800 M 1 16 flash output level n Remote flash unit B Remote flash unit A A For more details regarding the above example see the separate booklet Enter the exciting world of Nikon s Creative Lighting System with the SB 800 EAVES 1 Set the camera s exposure mode to Aperture EO Priority Auto A Ja crem So l Set the wireless flash mode of the on camera SB 800 to MASTER using Custom Settings p 67 Rei REMOTE 5U 4 Press the button on the master flash unit to highlight M then press the button to choose TU Press the button on the master flash unit to set the flash output compensation value to 0 3 C zoom 28mm Press the button on the master flash unit to highlight A then press the button to set the flash mode to on the remote flash unit A Likewise press the button on the master flash unit to set the flash output level compensation value to 0 3 on the remote flash unit A Advanced operations 82 Flash shooting in Advanced Wireless Lighting F8 C zoom 28mm OFF MASTER MASTER REMOTE J KEMUTE ki GROUP zoom 28mm Aec Press the button on the master flash unit to highlight B then press the button to set the flash mode to M on the remote flash uni
12. p 62 Canceling flash firing p 62 Other functions 67 68 Custom settings li Setting Custom functions 4g fai 166 308 N Lock ON R 0 lo rast ADY Press the button for approx 2 sec to display the Custom settings mode Press the or button and 9 or button on the Multi Selector to choose the desired custom functions to be set then press the button Press the or button to highlight the preferred setting e Press the 9 or D button to adjust the LCD panel brightness Press the button for approx 2 sec or press the button to return to the normal setting mode Iii Details on Custom settings Bold default setting ISO sensitivity p 24 S The available ISO sensitivity range is ISO 3 to 8000 Pressing the or 2000 button increases or decrease the value in increments of 1 3 step Pressing the or button continuously increases or decreases the value quickly e 100 Wireless flash mode p 72 R Setting the flash mode in wireless multiple flash photography e OFF Canceled e MASTER Master flash unit in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode e MASTER RPT Master flash unit in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode in Repeating flash e REMOTE Remote flash unit in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode e SU
13. 21 2 0 22 21 23 3 3212211611118 15 6 0 6 1 1 0 6 1 4 0 6 1 6 0 6 1 8 0 6 2 6 0 6 2 8 0 6 3 4 0 6 4 0 0 6 4 5 0 6 4 8 0 6 5 0 if 2 0 3 7 2 0 4 6 2 0 5 2 2 0 5 8 2 0 8 7 2 0 9 3 2 0 11 2 0 13 2 0 15 2 0 16 20 17 30 146 111 8 0 6 0 8 0 6 1 0 0 6 1 1 10 6 1 2 0 6 1 8 0 6 2 0 0 6 2 4 0 6 2 8 0 6 3 2 0 6 3 4 0 6 3 6 E 2 0 2 6 2 0 3 3 2 0 3 7 2 0 4 1 2 0 6 2 2 0 6 6 2 0 7 8 2 0 9 3 2 0 10 2 0 11 2 0 12 30 99 46144 _ 0 6 0 7 0 6 0 7 0 6 0 8 0 6 1 3 0 6 1 4 0 6 1 7 0 6 2 0 0 6 2 2 0 6 2 4 0 6 2 5 2 0 2 3 2 0 2 6 2 0 2 9 2 0 4 4 2 0 4 6 2 0 5 5 2 0 6 6 2 0 7 4 2 0 7 8 2 0 8 3 32 29 16 7 _ a E 6 0 9 0 6 1 0 0 6 1 2 0 6 1 4 0 6 1 6 0 6 1 7 0 6 1 8 2 0 3 1 2 0 3 3 2 0 3 9 2 0 4 6 2 0 5 2 2 0 5 5 2 0 5 8 1 With the Nikon Diffusion Dome attached and the wide flash adapter in place 2 With the Nikon Diffusion Dome attached 3 With the wide flash adapter in place e For example for an ISO sensitivity of 100 with the zoom head position adjusted to 35mm and the subject at a distance of 5m 16 4 ft selecting apertures from f 2 to f 5 6 from the table will give the correct exposure To set the aperture on Zoom Nikkor lenses having variable maximum apertures refer to The flash shooting distance range with zoom lenses having a variable aperture p 57 Detailed operat
14. 4 SU 4 type wireless flash mode Sound monitor in the wireless flash mode p 89 When the SB 800 is used as a wireless remote flash unit you can activate or cancel the sound monitor function e ON Sound on e OFF Sound off Non TTL auto flash mode p 38 Setting the Non TTL auto flash mode e AA Auto Aperture flash e A Non TTL auto flash Standby function p 21 Adjusting the time before the standby function is activated e AUTO With a camera body that is compatible with TTL auto flash p 8 the SB 800 turns off when the camera s exposure meter turns off e 40 40 sec e 80 80 sec e 160 160 sec e 300 300 sec e Standby function canceled Other functions 69 Custom settings Selecting the distance unit of measure m ft Setting the distance unit of measure on the LCD panel to either meters m or feet ft e m meters e ft feet Power zoom function p 26 M Setting to activate or cancel the power zoom function which adjusts the 2CM zoom head position automatically e OFF Activated e ON Canceled Power zoom function using the built in wide flash adapter Nikon Diffusion Dome p 27 Setting to activate or cancel the power zoom function using the built in wide flash adapter Nikon Diffusion Dome The same is true when using the built in wide flash adapter When set to ON the zoom head position display is framed e OFF Cance
15. 67 e By default FIRE is set to ON Other functions For cameras having a built in Speedlight e Even when the camera s AF Assist Illuminator is set to activate the SB 800 s Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator is given priority and the camera s AF Assist Illuminator does not light up However the camera s AF Assist Illuminator lights up only when the SB 800 s Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator is canceled With F80 Series N80 Series F75 Series N75 Series and F65 Series N65 Series cameras the camera s AF Assist Illuminator lights up when the SB 800 s Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator is canceled To cancel the camera s AF Assist Illuminator cancel it on the camera For details refer to your camera s instruction manual With F60 Series N60 cameras the camera s AF Assist Illuminator lights up while shooting at full output manual For details refer to your camera s instruction manual Using the SB 800 off camera When using the SB 800 off camera with the TTL Remote Cord SC 29 autofocus flash photography in dim light is possible because the SC 29 features an AF assist illuminator function p 111 63 64 Using the Quick Recycling Battery Pack SD 800 Use the provided quick recycling battery pack to install five batteries to shorten the recycling time p 19 e With the SD 800 attached be sure to use five batteries e Be sure to replace all five batteries including the one in this pack and WAR
16. I Speedlight and camera placement Set up the camera master flash unit and remote flash units as shown in the figure below Be sure to direct the light sensor window of Group C the remote flash unit toward the master flash Less than approx 5m 16 ft lt Less than approx y 10m 33 ft ie O Within T Du Master flash unit Group B pay 3 8 w mao 2 Less than approx 5m 16 ft r ott N Group A Notes on flash shooting in Advanced Wireless Lighting e The effective shooting distance between the master and remote flash unit is 7m 23 ft or less s that are within e Be sure to place all remote flash uni M Setting up the master and e In most cases position the remote fi remote flash he same group together units ash uni s closer to the subject than the camera so that light from the master flash unit can reach the ligh unit s This is particularly necessary when holding a e Data communication cannot be performed properly i master unit and remote flash units Take care not to let light from the remote flash unit enter indirectly in TTL auto flash mode Also prevent light light sensor in Non TTL auto flash mode Otherwise obtained if too much light from other remote flash units enters the unit correct operation may be impossible in Advanced Wireless Lighting should be limited to three Use the provided Speedlight Stand AS 19 Be sure to perform test firing
17. In autofocus operation the SB 800 emits AF Assist illumination over a much wider area as compared to existing Speedlights This enables you to perform autofocus photography in dim light even when you change the camera s focus area with cameras supporting this function p 62 See your equivalent camera s instruction manual for details on the Creative Lighting System Foreword Iii Notes e Default Functions and flash modes preset when shipped from the factory are referred to as Default settings in this manual e CLS Hereafter Nikon s new Speedlight system Creative Lighting System is abbreviated CLS ll Marks used in this manual e Denotes important points to prevent malfunction or shooting failure e K Useful points that should be remembered for better usage of the SB 800 e J Provides convenient reference information when using the SB 800 lE Supplied accessories ff s Quick Recycling Battery Pack Speedlight Stand Nikon Diffusion Dome SD 800 AS 19 SW 10H Colored Gel Filter Set SJ 800 Soft Case SS 800 FL G1 TN A1 Tips on using the Speedlight Take trial shots Make trial shots before photographing important occasions like weddings or graduations Have Nikon spot check your Speedlight regularly Nikon recommends that you have your Speedlight serviced by an authorized dealer or service center at least once every two years Using your Speedlight correctly The Nikon Speedligh
18. S mode By selecting a slower shutter speed the proper exposure for the background can be achieved e The camera selects the correct aperture For details see your camera s instruction manual However set the shutter speed on the camera after confirming that the automatically controlled aperture will provide an appropriate shooting distance range for your subject Refer to Flash shooting distance range in the TTL auto flash mode p 31 If you set a shutter speed faster than the flash sync speed the camera automatically shifts to its fastest sync speed when the SB 800 is turned on except in the Auto FP High Speed sync mode p 60 Basic operation In Aperture Priority Auto exposure A mode By selecting the aperture you can control depth of field and the flash shooting distance range e The camera selects the correct shutter speed For detains see your camera s instruction manual e To determine the aperture refer to the Guide number p 43 and Flash shooting distance range in the TTL auto flash modes p 31 In Manual exposure M mode By selecting the shutter speed and aperture you can control the exposure of the background the depth of field and the flash shooting distance range e If you set a shutter speed faster than the flash sync speed the camera automatically shifts to its fastest sync speed when the SB 800 is turned on This is true of all cameras except mechanical shutter cameras and when
19. SB 800 fires a series of imperceptible Monitor Preflashes just before the flash fires to obtain information on the subject in these cases 1 when the SB 800 is used with cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Group with a CPU lens and the flash mode is set to TTL auto flash and 2 when the SB 800 is used with cameras compatible with CLS with a CPU lens and the flash mode is set to Auto Aperture flash Monitor Preflashes are fired instantaneously and cannot be differentiated from the main flash but appears on the LCD panel using a single flash unit However for cameras in Group Monitor Preflashes are not fired when the SB 800 s flash head is adjusted to other than the horizontal front or down to 7 position or the camera s flash sync mode is set to Rear curtain sync even when appears on the LCD panel TTL auto flash mode I TTL auto flash In this mode the flash illumination that is reflected back from the subject is detected by the camera s TTL auto flash sensor and the camera automatically controls the flash output level to give the correct exposure Automatic Balanced Fill Flash Press the button to display MTU on the LCD panel and Automatic Balanced Fill Flash is performed The flash output level is automatically adjusted for a well balanced exposure of the main subject and background While oo Balanced Fill Flash no appears with cameras in Groups Ill
20. after setting up all flash units sensor of the remote flash remote flash unit in your hand there is an obstacle between the he camera lens directly or rom entering the master flash unit s he correct exposure cannot be There is no limit to the number of remote flash units that can be used together However ight sensor of the master flash Practically the number of remote flash units for one group or stable placement of the remote flash units p 20 li Using the Speedlight Stand Use the provided Speedlight Stand AS 19 for stable placement of the remote flash units e You can also use the stand for setting up your Nikon Speedlight when using it as a remote flash unit in multiple flash shooting using cords p 90 Speedlight mounting shoes for the SB 15 and SB 27 Speedlight mounting shoe for all Speedlights except the SB 15 and SB 27 Tripod socket Setup example using the SB 27 Attachment to the Speedlight Stand 1 Attach the SB 800 to the Speedlight Stand in the same way that you attach it to the camera s accessory shoe The same is true when detaching it from the camera To prevent the remote flash units from firing accidentally e Do not leave the power of the remote flash units on Otherwise ambient electric noise due to a discharge of static electricity etc may trigger them accidentally e f you are holding the remote flash unit in your hand press the Modeling i
21. and flash output level COMPEMSALON Acnsrsecesern e lecnevtiaers sah anes tary 54 56 Flash shooting distance range with zoom lenses having a variable aperture oo cece eeeeneeeee 57 Slow sync flash mode Red eye reduction control and Rear curtain SYNC oo eee eeseeeeeeeneesseesneeseeeesnes Auto FP High Speed Sync mode ad Flash Value Lock FV LOCK essre scesroeni aiana iin Autofocus flash operation in dim light 62 63 Using the Quick Recycling Battery Pack SDHBOO enn a maa 64 65 Checking the illumination before actually taking the picture Modeling illuminator 66 CUSTOM FUNCTIONS eee ececeeeeteeneeeeettentettteeeettens 67 Custom Settings 2 0 ceceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeteeeeeteeeeeeeaes 68 70 e Advanced operationS s nsenssunennrnnrnnnrnnrnnnnnnnnnn nn Overview of multiple flash operation Wireless multiple flash shooting ee Flash shooting in Advanced Wireless Lighting 76 83 SU 4 type wireless multiple flash shooting 84 88 Confirming wireless multiple flash operation using the ready light or the beeping sound 89 Multiple flash shooting using Cords 90 93 System chart for TTL multiple flash shooting USING CONS cries ssspcndivisciasessaazasdtenvneesobeceuerdinepe 94 95 Flash shooting with digital SLRs cameras using colored gel filters 96 97 lt Bounce flash operation 98 101 Close up flash op
22. before taking pictures Wireless remote flash cancel button p 75 The SB 800 will not fire while this button is pressed 18 Flash head rotating angle scale p 100 19 Terminal cover 20 TTL multiple flash terminal p 92 Connects the SB 800 to the remote flash unit s in TTL multiple flash operation using cords Preparation 22 23 24 25 21 Sync terminal p 93 Connects the SB 800 to the sync terminal of the remote flash unit s in other than TTL multiple flash operation using cords 22 LCD panel p 119 23 Control buttons p 12 24 Ready light Lights up when the SB 800 is fully recycled and ready to fire Blinks after the SB 800 fires at its maximum output in various auto flash modes indicating that the light may be insufficient 25 Mounting foot lock lever p 22 11 Control buttons re button button EL Press 0 increase or decrease the values of the 1 W highlighted items button Orea Press for approx 0 3 sec to turn the power on and off Multi Selector button Press to select the items to be set The selected item is highlighted and can be changed using the and buttons FLASH button Press for approx 2 sec to display the Custom Press to test fire the flash p 20 settings mode p 68 L MODD button button wide button tele Press to set the flash mode p 30 Press to change the zoom head position p 26
23. even if you change the aperture or composition or zoom the lens in and out e Available with cameras compatible with CLS You cannot set the FV Lock function on the SB 800 directly Set it on the camera e Available flash modes are i TTL Auto Aperture flash and Non TTL auto flash Other functions 61 62 Autofocus flash operation in dim light When the light is too dim for normal autofocus operation the SB 800 s Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator enables you to perform autofocus flash photography In dim light the Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator turns on automatically when the camera s shutter release button is lightly pressed if an AF lens is mounted and the camera s focus mode is set to S Single Servo AF with focus priority AF or A The effective shooting distance with the Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator is approx 1m to 10m 3 3 to 33 ft with a 50mm f 1 8 lens or less depending on the lens in use Use lens focal length 24mm to 105mm 35 to 105mm for F 501 N2020 cameras Use the center focus area in your camera s viewfinder when using the wide area sits y eas Nikon Lios AF Assist Illuminator For cameras compatible with CLS The SB 800 s Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator supports the dynamic area AF system of cameras compatible with CLS With a D2H camera for example A total of 11 focus areas are usable at lens focal lengths of 35mm t
24. flash operations Exposure compensation is performed by intentionally modifying the correct aperture e In the Non TTL auto flash mode the correct exposure can be obtained when the same aperture is set on the camera as that set on the SB 800 Therefore to make exposure compensation vary the aperture set on the camera while retaining the aperture set on the SB 800 or vice versa In the Manual flash mode calculate the proper aperture for the correct exposure from the guide number and the shooting distance p 43 Then use a larger or smaller aperture on the camera to make exposure compensation As a basic guide set a wider aperture on the camera or lens to make the main subject brighter or a smaller aperture to make it darker ii Making exposure compensation for the main subject only In TTL auto flash mode and Auto Aperture flash operation Making exposure compensation for a flash illuminated main subject without affecting the background exposure by adjusting the SB 800 s flash output level is called flash output level compensation p 56 e This compensation can only be performed with cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups to III In Manual flash mode Making exposure compensation for only the flash illuminated subject by intentionally modifying the SB 800 s flash output level M1 1 to M1 128 e For cameras in all groups ii Making exposure compensation for the background on
25. mH TTL A M CPU except G type non CPU lens FA im P A M CPU except G type non CPU lens FE2 ai TTL A M CPU except G type non CPU lens FG im P A M CPU except G type non CPU lens Nikonos V E TTL A M CPU except G type non CPU lens t vi F3 Series mm TTL A M CPU except G type non CPU lens 1 Standard TTL Flash is not possible if the shutter speed is set to M250 or B bulb for the FA FE2 and M90 for the FG and Nikonos V cameras 2 An optional sync cord for land use is required 3 Optional TTL Unit Coupler AS 17 is required Optional accessories Iii Accessories for multiple flash TTL Remote Cord SC 29 28 17 approx 1 5m or 4 9 ft TTL Remote Cord SC 24 approx 1 5m or 4 9 ft TTL Remote Cords SC 29 SC 28 SC 17 SC 24 provide TTL auto flash operation when the SB 800 is used off camera Their flash shoes come with one tripod socket and two TTL multiple flash terminals The TTL Remote Cord SC 24 is for use with F5 cameras mounted with a High Magnification Finder DW 30 or DW 31 or F4 cameras having a High Magnification Finder DW 20 or DW 21 The SC 29 features an AF assist illuminator function The SC 29 is not equipped with a TTL multiple flash terminal TTL Multi Flash Sync Cord SC 26 18 approx 1 5 m or 4 9 ft TTL Multi Flash Sync Cord SC 27 19 approx 3 m or 9 8 ft Multi Flash Sync Cords SC 18 SC 19 SC 26
26. off to conserve battery power it goes into the standby mode n the standby mode the 5TB indicator appears on the LCD panel When in the standby mode the SB 800 turns back on again when the SB 800 s or FLASH button is pressed or the shutter release button is lightly pressed when using a camera body that is compatible with TTL auto flash p 8 n the Wireless flash mode the standby function activates in approx 40 seconds default setting when the SB 800 is used as the master flash unit However the standby unction does not work regardless of the SB 800 s setting when the Speedlight is used as a remote flash unit p 73 f the ready light does not come on in approx 60 seconds after turning the power on or after the flash has fired the SB 800 enters the standby mode regardless of the SB 800 s setting To avoid accidental firing or a malfunction when carrying the SB 800 in your camera bag press the button to turn the flash unit off and make sure the STB indicator disappears Adjusting the time before the SB 800 goes into the standby mode Adjust this duration using Custom settings p 67 Basic operation 21 22 3 Attach the SB 800 to the camera and 1 Make sure the SB 800 and the camera body are turned off 2 Rotate the mounting foot lock lever to the left slide the SB 800 s mounting foot into the camera s accessory shoe and turn the lock lever to the right 3 Hold down the f
27. power zoom function while using the built in wide flash adapter or Nikon Diffusion Dome go to the Custom settings Power zoom function using the built in wide flash adapter Nikon Diffusion Dome p 67 Generally when using a 14mm or 17mm lens the distance between the camera and subject differs much from the center of the frame to the periphery so the peripheral area might not be sufficiently lit in some cases The same is true when using the Nikon Diffusion Dome 27 28 6 Setting the camera s exposure mode and Set the camera s exposure mode to Programmed Auto P e f Programmed Auto P cannot be set select another exposure mode See the opposite page Set the camera s metering system to Matrix Metering amp e If Matrix Metering cannot be set select Center Weighted Metering Exposure mode and metering system The camera s available exposure mode and metering system vary depending on the cameras and lenses in use or the SB 800 s flash modes For details refer to Detailed operation p 35 TTL auto flash modes available with the SB 800 p 108 and your camera s instruction manual e In the Programmed Auto P mode the shutter speed is automatically set to the camera s sync shutter speed except in the Auto FP High Speed sync mode p 60 metering system Exposure modes other than Programmed Auto exposure P In Shutter Priority Auto exposure
28. the aperture for ISO 1600 or 1 3 larger than F 401 N4004 and F 301 N2000 ISO 25 to ISO 400 for the F 401s N4004s and F 401 N4004 Basic operation 31 32 8 Compose the picture and shoot with flash 1 Confirm the camera s sync mode e For normal flash photography use the camera s Front curtain sync mode Compose the picture confirm that the ready light on the SB 800 s LCD panel or in the camera s viewfinder is on then shoot M Set the camera s flash sync mode to Front curtain sync With cameras featuring a Rear curtain sync flash mode make sure the camera s flash sync mode is set to Front curtain sync e For other flash sync modes refer to Slow sync flash p 58 Red eye reduction with slow sync flash mode p 58 or Rear curtain sync p 59 e Refer to the camera s instruction manual for details on the flash sync mode M If the ready light blinks after shooting the light might be insufficient for correct exposure In the TTL auto and Non TTL auto flash modes when the flash has fired at its maximum output and underexposure may have occurred the ready lights on the SB 800 and in the camera s viewfinder blink for approx 3 sec Depending on the camera in use the ready light on the SB 800 or in the camera s viewfinder lights up To compensate use a wider aperture or move closer to the subject and reshoot Display of the amount of underexp
29. the quick recycling battery pack lock switch then keep sliding the pack to detach Other functions 66 Checking the illumination before actually taking the picture Modeling iluminator Press the Modeling illuminator button and the flash fires repeatedly at a reduced flash output level This is useful for checking the illumination and the shadows cast on the subject before actually taking the picture e The flash fires as a Modeling illuminator for a maximum of approx 3 sec while the Modeling illuminator button is pressed e This function operates only after the ready light comes on I Modeling illuminator with cameras attached When the Modeling illuminator button on the SB 800 or the one on the compatible camera is pressed the Modeling illuminator fires For details see your camera s instruction manual I Modeling illuminator in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode p 76 Available with cameras compatible with CLS When the Modeling illuminator button on the master flash unit is pressed the Modeling illuminator of the highlighted master unit or grouped remote flash units fire e If the master flash unit and grouped remote flash units are not highlighted the Modeling illuminator of the master flash unit only fires except when the master flash unit s flash firing is set to canceled When the Modeling illuminator button on the camera is pressed the Modeling illuminator of the master flash unit and a
30. the settings Button lock Built in wide Allows SB 800 to be used with 14mm or 17mm lens flash adapter Dimensions Approx 70 5 x 129 5 x 93 0mm 2 8 x 5 1 x 3 7 in WxHxD Weight Approx 350g 12 3 oz without batteries Accessories Quick Recycling Battery Pack SD 800 Speedlight Stand supplied AS 19 Colored Gel Filter Set SU 800 Nikon Diffusion Dome SW 10H External power source terminal cap Soft Case SS 800 These performance specifications are applicable when fresh batteries are used at normal temperatures 20 C 68 F Specifications and design are subject to change without notice Reference information 123 124 Index e Refer to the Speedlight parts and their functions p 10 and Icons on the LCD panel p 13 for each part name and display indications O button 12 AF ILL ONLY Accessories Advanced Wireless Lighting 05 76 Aperture priority auto exposure A 29 Auto Aperture flash Auto FP High Speed sync Automatic Balanced Fill Flash Batteries sree a can 18 115 Beyond the flash shooting distance range warning Bounce flash operation Built in wide flash adapter 104 Button HOCK Seann aa 12 CLS 5 COOLPIX CPU Nikkor lenses Camera groups Canceling flash firing Channel Close up flash operation Colored gel filters Communication channel Compatible with CLS Continuous flash sh
31. 0 e The ISO sensitivity range may become narrower depending on the cameras in use For details see your camera instruction manual e The flash shooting distance range on the SB 800 s LCD panel varies depending on the ISO sensitivity Therefore be sure to set the ISO sensitivity correctly Digital data communication with the SB 800 When the SB 800 is used with cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups to Il digital data communication is performed The camera automatically sends the ISO sensitivity to the SB 800 With a CPU lens the aperture and focal length are automatically set on the SB 800 Notes on setting the Speedlight s ISO sensitivity n the TTL auto flash mode and Manual flash mode except Distance priority manual GNI flash there is no direct connection between setting the ISO sensitivity on the Speedlight and controlling the flash output level Setting the SO sensitivity is for correctly displaying the flash shooting distance range or the shooting distance indication on the Speedlight s LCD panel n the Non TTL auto flash mode Auto Aperture flash AAl Non TTL auto flash AJ and Distance priority manual IGN flash operation the correct exposure can be obtained by setting the camera s ISO sensitivity on the Speedlight because the Speedlight controls the flash output For cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups and Il th
32. 1 lt 1 2 1 64 2 3 1 64 1 3 The numbers in parentheses represent the adjustable flash output level in 1 3 steps except between 1 1 and 1 2 Therefore 1 32 1 3 and 1 64 2 3 represent the same flash output level To extend the flash shooting distance choose a flash output level close to M1 1 47 Set the same aperture on your camera or lens that is set on the SB 800 e With cameras in Groups III to VII Cc 2 7 Confirm that the ready light comes on g then shoot ne 2 T D a a Manual mode Repeating RPT flash In Repeating flash operation the SB 800 fires repeatedly during a single exposure creating stroboscopic multiple exposure effects This operation is useful when shooting fast moving subjects e In this operation RPT appears on the LCD panel e Be sure to use fresh or fully charged batteries and allow enough time for the flash to recycle between each repeating flash session Also it is recommended to use a tripod to prevent camera flash shake because slower shutter speeds are used Setting the flash output level the frequency Hz and the number of repeating flashes per frame Frequency Hz represents the number of times the flash fires per second The actual number of repeating flashes per frame becomes lower than the one set as the shutter speed increases or the number of flashes per second decreases because the Speedlight fires during a single exposure Referring to the table
33. 16 0 6 5 3 2 0 19 0 6 6 3 2 0 21 6 6 7 2 0 22 0 6 o vN Sa 0 6 1 1 0 6 1 4 0 6 1 6 0 6 1 8 0 6 2 6 32 22 16 11 8 56 2 0 3 7 2 0 4 6 2 0 5 2 2 0 5 8 2 0 8 7 0 6 2 8 2 0 9 3 0 6 3 4 2 0 11 0 6 4 0 2 0 13 0 6 4 5 2 0 15 6 4 8 2 0 16 0 6 5 0 0 6 0 8 0 6 1 0 0 6 1 1 0 6 1 2 0 6 1 8 32 22 16 11 8 2 0 2 6 2 0 3 3 2 0 3 7 2 0 4 1 2 0 6 2 0 6 2 0 2 0 6 6 0 6 2 4 2 0 7 8 0 6 2 8 2 0 9 3 0 6 3 2 2 0 10 6 3 4 2 0 11 0 6 3 6 _ 1 0 6 0 7 0 6 0 7 0 6 0 8 0 6 1 3 32 22 16 11 2 0 2 3 2 0 2 6 2 0 2 9 2 0 4 4 0 6 1 4 2 0 4 6 0 6 1 7 2 0 5 5 0 6 2 0 2 0 6 6 0 6 2 2 2 0 7 4 6 2 4 2 0 7 8 0 6 2 5 2 0 8 3 6 0 9 82 22 16 7 2031 0 6 1 0 2 0 3 3 0 6 1 2 2 0 3 9 0 6 1 4 2 0 4 6 0 6 1 6 2 0 5 2 6 1 7 2 0 5 5 0 6 1 8 2 0 5 8 4 2 3 4 5 With the Nikon Diffusion Dome attached With the wide flash adapter in place the aperture for ISO 800 Programmed TTL Auto Flash with the F 501 N2020 F 401s N4040s With the Nikon Diffusion Dome attached and the wide lash adapter in place TTL auto flash operation is not possible at this ISO sensitivity For Flash shooting distance range m ft SO 1000 use an aperture 2 3 of an f stop smaller than
34. 7 24 28 35 50 70 85 105 25 2 58 340 35 11 3 541 1 5548 6 20 7 23 8 26 9 30 95 31 10 33 50 3642 4 314 546 5 16 7 8 26 8 5 28 9 932 11 4 37 12 8 42 13 5 44 14 2 47 100 516 6 20 7 23 7 23 11 36 12 39 14 46 16 52 18 59 19 62 20 66 200 7 23 8 4 28 9 8 32 9 8 32 15 4 51 16 8 55 19 6 64 22 4 73 25 2 83 26 6 87 28 92 400 10 33 12 39 14 46 14 46 22 72 24 79 28 92 32 105 36 118 38 125 40 800 14 46 16 8 55 19 6 64 19 6 64 30 8 101 33 6 1 10 39 2 129 44 8 147 50 4 165 53 2 174 56 1 With the Nikon Diffusion Dome attached and the wide flash adapter in place 2 With the Nikon Diffusion Dome attached 3 With the wide flash adapter in place e For example when shooting with an ISO sensitivity of 100 at a 35mm zoom head position and an aperture of 5 6 D 14 5 6 f stop 2 5 in meters farthest flash shooting distance D 46 5 6 f stop 8 2 in feet farthest flash shooting distance Reference information Optional accessories Troubleshooting Speedlight care Specifications etc are presented here 108 TTL auto flash modes available with the SB 800 The available types of TTL auto flash vary depending on the camera lens exposure mode metering system in use The followi SB 800 s TTL mode indicators and the correspondi ng tables show the ng
35. 8 Set the camera s exposure mode to Aperture Priority Auto A or Manual M Set up all Speedlights as the master and remote flash units Set the wireless flash mode of all SB 800 s used as the master and remote flash units to SU 4 Press the button on the remote flash unit to activate the M manual mode Set the flash mode of the master flash unit to Manual flash Confirm the aperture and flash shooting distance as in normal Manual flash shooting then shoot e See page 46 for more information on Manual flash Advanced operations 87 88 SU 4 type wireless multiple flash shooting Adjusting the flash output level of the remote flash units in the M manual mode Adjusting the flash output level manually Use the following equation to determine the proper manual flash output level of the remote flash unit depending on your creative preferences GN F xD where GN is the guide number of the remote flash unit in meters feet F is the lens aperture in use and D is the distance between the remote flash unit and the subject in meters feet For example with the SB 800 s zoom head position adjusted to 28mm when using an ISO sensitivity of 100 if a lens aperture F of f 4 is used and the subject distance D is 2m 6 6 ft away then shooting a subject at a distance of 2m 6 6 ft and a lens aperture of f 4 then GN in meters 4 x 2 8 GN in feet 4 x 6 6 approx 26 Therefore to get t
36. Close up flash operation Setting the built in wide flash adapter and adjusting the zoom head position 4m 150200 06 2 in zow 14mm STBYAUTO AF ILL 3 ors mo GENO Ge ZE Ii Setting the aperture Slowly pull out the wide flash adapter all the way and position it over the flash head Then slide the bounce card back into place inside the flash head Press the or button to adjust the zoom head position to 14mm or 17mm e When the wide flash adapter is set on the flash head the power zoom function becomes inactive and the zoom head position is adjusted to 14mm or 17mm To adjust the zoom head position automatically using the power zoom function go to the Custom settings Power zoom function using the built in wide flash adapter Nikon Diffusion Dome p 67 e To slide the wide flash adapter back into place lift it and push it into the flash head as far as it will go Calculate the aperture by using this equation and table To ensure the correct exposure use an aperture smaller than the one obtained from the equation ISO sensitivity 50 100 200 400 800 1000 Coefficient m ft 1 4 4 6 2 66 2 66 4 13 4 13 56 18 56 18 f stop Coefficient Flash to subject distance For example at an ISO sensitivity of 100 with a subject 0 5m 1 6 ft away and the wide flash adapter in place the suggested aperture is f stop 2
37. F Nikkor for the F3AF Al P Nikkor Non CPU Nikkor lenses Al S Nikkor Al Nikkor Series E etc CPU lenses CPU lenses have CPU contacts G type Nikkor lenses G type Nikkor lenses send distance information to the camera body but do not have an aperture ring Therefore set the aperture on the camera body With some cameras the usable exposure mode is limited For more details refer to the lens instruction manual D type Nikkor lenses D type Nikkor lenses send distance information to the camera body Set the aperture either on the lens aperture ring or on the camera body For more details refer to the lens instruction manual Basic operation In this section basic procedures are illustrated so that you can easily perform flash photography in the TTL auto flash mode You can easily perform flash photography by following Steps 1 8 on the left hand pages In this section basic procedures are described when a CPU lens is mounted on cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups to II The SB 800 s available functions and the LCD display vary depending on other camera lens combinations CLS Creative Lighting System p 5 18 1 installing the batteries Slide open the battery chamber lid in the direction of the arrow 2 Install the batteries following the and marks as shown Al
38. F100 F9O0X N90s F90 Series N90 l F80 Series N80 Series F75 Series O O 75 Series F70 Series N70 F4 Series F65 Series N65 Series II F 801s N8008s F 801 N8008 O O Pronea 600i 6i iii F 601 N6006 F 601m N6000 ERS ae F60 Series N60 F50 Series N50 x4 y F 401x N5005 o j O O v F 501 N2020 F 401s N4004s p E F 401 N4004 F 301 N2000 O yI FM3A FA FE2 FG Nikonos V F3 Series with the AS 17 el aa aS ee ew FM2 FM10 FE10 F3 Series vil F55 Series N55 Series 1 BO Balanced Fill Flash This always appears together with MTU p 37 2 Wireless multiple flash in the i TTL mode is possible 3 TTL mode is not possible 4 While performing Balanced Fill Flash no icon appears 5 Repeating flash is not possible with the F3 Series using the AS 17 O Available Not available Non TTL auto flash mode p 38 Manual mode p 42 Wireless multiple flash IGN Advanced Distance M RPT Wireless SU 4 type Auto Non TTL priority Manual Repeating Lighting master flash Aperture flash auto flash manual flash flash p 84 flash p 76 x2 3 O O O O O x3 O O O O O E O O O O O O O O O Q O O O 7 O O O O O O O O O O f O O O O E O k5 ae O O O O O gt O O O O a O The SB 800 s available flash modes vary depending on the cameras and lenses in use or the camera s exposure mode and metering system For more details refer to Detai
39. IL P S A M CPU lens except for G type m TTL A M Non CPU lens m TIL P S A M CPU lens except for G type ii TTL A M 9 Non CPU lens 1 Only MTU appears on the SB 800 s LCD panel Matrix Balanced Fill Flash or Center Weighted Fill Flash Spot Fill Flash is selected when appears on the camera s LCD panel Ili 2 Center Weighted Metering is automatically set when the exposure mode is set to M F 601M m TTL P S tO CPU lens N6000 ro E TTL P S 6 CPU lens E TTL A M Non CPU lens imi TTL P S T CPU lens E TTL A M o Non CPU lens 1 Only appears on the SB 800 s LCD panel Matrix Balanced Fill Flash or Center Weighted Fill Flash Spot Fill Flash is selected when appears on the camera s LCD panel F60 Series N60 ETU TTL P S A tO CPU lens IV___ F50 Series N50 fT TT Li M o CPU non CPU lens F 401x N5005 F 501 N2020 ETD nis P 9 CPU non CPU lens F 301 N2000 ff TTL A M CPU non CPU lens 1 Matrix Balanced Fill Flash is set 2 Center Weighted Fill Flash Spot Fill Flash is set 3 Programmed TTL Auto Flash is set 4 G type Nikkor lenses cannot be used Nikkor lenses v for F3AF usable 5 Al S Al Series E lenses only usable F 401s N4004s ETO TTL P S CPU lens F 401 N4004 TTD TIL A M CPU lens m TTL M Non CPU lens 1 Center Weighted Metering is automatically set when the exposure mode is set to M 2 Programmed TTL Auto Flash is set FM3A
40. Master flash unit he following five flash modes are available ETU i TTL mode AA AA Auto Aperture flash Non TTL auto flash M Manual flash RPT Repeating flash Flash canceled Set the flash mode of the remote flash units on the master ash unit he flash mode can be set independently on the master flash unit and for each group of remote flash units Flash output level compensation Master flash unit Flash output level compensation values of the remote flash units can also be set on the master flash unit The flash output evel compensation values can be set independently on the master flash unit and for each group of remote flash units Communication Master and remote flash Select one of the four available channels channel units Be sure to set the same channel number for both the master lash unit and remote flash units Group name Remote flash units A maximum of 3 groups A B C 1 Auto Aperture flash is automatically set when a CPU lens is mounted on cameras compatible with CLS However Non TTL auto flash is set when a non CPU lens is mounted or on TTL auto flash is selected using Custom settings 2 If Repeating fl ash has been set on the master flash unit either the Repeating flash mode or Flash canceled mode can be set on the remote flash units 3 If a photographer uses the same type of wireless remote flash setup near you your remote flash units
41. Multi Sensor Balanced Fill Flash for Digital SLRs is set F5 EBL we P S A M CPU lens D G type F100 UBL P S A M CPU lens except for D G type UBu A M Non CPU lens m P S A M CPU lens m A M Non CPU lens l F90X N90s TUB we P S A M CPU lens D G type F90 Series Bu a P S A M CPU lens except for D G type N90 MBD AM Non CPU lens Fo Series m TIL P S A M CPU lens fu TIL A M Non CPU lens 1 The A and M exposure modes cannot be used with a G type lens 2 3D Multi Sensor Balanced Fill Flash is set 3 Multi Sensor Balanced Fill Flash is set Camera Camera TTL mode CurrentTTL Exposure Metering Lens Group mode display mode system F80 Series MBO iil re P S AIM CPU lens D G type Ne0 Series TATIEL te PISA CPU lens Non D G type AF fu TTL P S A M CPU lens ait TTL M Non CPU lens l F75 Series MBL P S A CPU lens D G type N75 Series TBL P S A CPU lens Non D G type AF ait P S A M CPU lens m TTL M o Non CPU lens 1 The camera s exposure meter cannot be used Set the aperture using the lens aperture ring 2 3D Multi Sensor Balanced Fill Flash is set 3 Multi Sensor Balanced Fill Flash is set F4 Series TUL MEA P S A M amp 3 CPU lens EBL Fal A M to Non CPU
42. NING the four inside the SB 800 with fresh ones at the same time e Do not mix battery brands or types or use old with new batteries Otherwise the batteries may leak corrosive liquids become hot or explode e This battery pack cannot be attached to the Power Bracket Unit SK 6 A Notes on using the Quick Recycling Battery Pack SD 800 Battery chamber lid attachment index Quick recycling battery pack lock switch Iii Attaching the quick recycling battery pack 1 Slide open the battery chamber lid in the direction of the arrow and remove it Install the batteries following the and marks as shown 3 Open the quick recycling battery pack s battery chamber lid then install an extra battery in the N Quick Recycling Battery Pack following the SS and marks 4 Insert the battery chamber lid in the groove at the top of the quick recycling battery pack 5 Align the battery chamber lid attachment indexes then attach the battery chamber lid to the quick recycling battery pack by sliding it into place while pressing down 6 Align the index on the quick recycling battery pack with the battery chamber lid attachment index then attach the quick recycling battery pack by sliding it into place e Slide the quick recycling battery pack until the quick recycling battery pack lock switch click stops Iii Detaching the quick recycling battery pack Open
43. Nikon Autofocus Speedlight SB 8 00 Nikon SPEEDLIGHT SB 800 Instruction Manual CE Contents Preparation SS OLEWOMGl EEA EE SAER E vend tvs cust E E YTS 4 6 Tips on using the Speedlight eeceeeeseeeeeeeeneeteees 7 Camera groups and available flash modes ceee 8 9 Speedlight parts and their functions 00 0 0 eee 10 11 Control buttons SIeons Onithe LCD panel 13 15 LENSES vercose aii oneal ra nea Gia nea gi 16 e Basic operation 17 1 Installing the batteries oe 18 19 2 Test firing Confirming the exposure 20 21 3 Attach the SB 800 to the camera and adjust theTlash had cassseq minam en ae a 22 23 4 Setting the ISO sensitivity 24 25 5 Adjust the zoom head position eree 26 27 6 Setting the camera s exposure mode and meteringisSysteM eia rises ee diet ditto 28 29 7 Setting the SB 800 s flash mode 30 31 8 Compose the picture and shoot with flash 82 33 Using the SB 800 with the COOLPIX s es 34 e Detailed Operation cccscesecssssseesteesseessessseeseeeseeeees SB 800 s available flash modes X PTE AUTO MASH ModE esinen na ere bee Non TTL auto flash mode anenee eerde gt Manual Moder fc ical ia an e Notes on continuous flash SHOOtING ccececeeeeteeteeenes 51 Checking the correct exposure before shooting 52 Other fUnCtiON arra a ee aen eaaa a aG eaa 53 Exposure compensation
44. Press the button on the master flash unit to highlight the channel number then press the or button to set the channel number IIE Setting a group and channel number on the remote flash units Pe zod 28mm Press the button on the remote flash unit to highlight the channel number then press the or button to set the channel number e Be sure to choose the same channel number as set on the master flash unit Press the button on the remote flash unit to highlight the group then press the or button to set the group e For remote flash units where the flash mode and flash output level compensation values are to be set identically place these flash units into the same group Advanced operations 79 80 Flash shooting in Advanced Wireless Lighting llf Examples of flash shooting in Advanced Wireless Lighting Wireless multiple flash three flash units On camera single flash The master flash unit M illuminates the subject while the light from the remote flash unit A is bounced off the ceiling to illuminate the background and create a more natural looking picture Remote flash unit B is used with a colored gel filter to create the warmth feeling of a fireplace Shooting data e Camera D2H e Focal length 25mm Master flash unit M SB 800 FTD 1 3 flash output level compensation e Remote flash unit A SB 800 FTD 1 3 flash
45. SB 800 can be used with Speedlights compatible with the TTL auto flash mode to perform multiple flash shooting using cords e Use of the SB 50DX and SB 23 as remote flash units is not recommended because the standby function cannot be canceled Speedlights SB 11 SB 14 SB 140 and SB 21B cannot be used with the F 401 N4004 or F 401s N4004s as either master or remote flash units There is no limitation in usable cameras With cameras compatible with CLS and digital SLRs not compatible with CLS Manual lash operation only is possible li The maximum number of flash units to be connected using cords e Up to five units including the master flash unit can be used for multiple flash photography at a total cable length of 10m 33 ft e Make sure the combined total of the coefficients in the table below for all flash units used together does not exceed 20 at 20 C 68 F or 13 at 40 C 104 F e If it exceeds these figures you may not be able to take a second shot after the first one n this case turn off the power of all flash units and reduce the total number of flash units connected Speedlight Coefficient SB 800 SB 80DX SB 50DX SB 30 SB 29 SB 29s SB 28 SB 28DX 1 SB 27 SB 26 SB 25 SB 24 SB 22s SB 14 SB 11 SB 140 SB 23 SB 21 SB 17 SB 16 SB 15 4 SB 22 6 SB 20 9 ii Notes on multiple flash shooting using cords Be sure to see the instruction manuals of your cameras Speedlights an
46. SB 800 out once a month insert the batteries and fire the unit several times to reform the capacitor When the SB 800 is stored together with a desiccant change the desiccant occasionally since it does not absorb moisture effectively after a while Operating location An extreme temperature change can cause condensation inside the SB 800 When taking the SB 800 to a very hot place from a very cold place or vice versa place it inside an airtight container such as plastic bag Leave it inside for a while then expose the SB 800 gradually to the outside temperature Avoid exposing the SB 800 to strong magnetism or radio waves from TVs or high voltage power transmission towers as this may cause it to malfunction Notes on batteries li Usable batteries Use four or five AA type batteries 1 5V or lower of any of the following types e High power manganese batteries are not recommended e Using the Quick Recycling Battery Pack SD 800 p 64 or an external power source p 113 increases the number of flashes and provides faster recycling times Alkaline manganese 1 5V Nickel 1 5V batteries Non rechargeable Never attempt to charge these batteries in a battery charger Otherwise they may explode Lithium 1 5V batteries Non rechargeable Never attempt to charge these batteries in a battery charger Otherwise they may explode e Depending on battery specifications when these batteries become hot the safety ci
47. SC 27 are useful for connecting the SB 800 to the multiple flash terminal of the SC 17 or AS 10 for TTL multiple flash operation TTL Multi Flash Adapter AS 10 Use the Multi Flash Adapter AS 10 when connecting more than three flash units together for TTL multiple flash operation or if the remote flash units are not equipped with multiple flash terminals The AS 10 comes with one tripod socket and three TTL multiple flash terminals Sync Cord SC 11 approx 25 cm or 9 8 in Sync Cord SC 15 approx 1 m or 3 3 ft Sync Cords SC 11 and SC 15 are handy when you want to use the SB 800 off camera or for use with cameras not having accessory shoes These cords also allow you to perform multiple flash operation in the Manual mode Sync Terminal Adapter AS 15 The Sync Terminal Adapter AS 15 is necessary when connecting the SB 800 to cameras not having a sync terminal Wireless Slave Flash Controller SU 4 Useful for multiple flash photography the SU 4 features a built in movable light sensor and an accessory shoe for attachment of a remote flash unit The SU 4 s light sensor not only triggers the remote unit to fire in sync with the master unit but controls the flash duration of the remote unit to provide wireless TTL Non TTL or Manual operation Reference information 111 Optional accessories or ofS TTL Flash Unit Coupler AS 17 for F3 Series cameras Dedicated adapter for F3 Series came
48. SSasS SSs l SB 14 l SB 11 SB 140 I I I 1 I 1 I 1 SC 18 26 18 26 n ASQ SC 19 27 C 19 27 SB 15 SB 20 SB 21B SB 22 SB 22s SB 2r SB 30 3m an z I SB 28 SB 29 29s ki I SB 16B SB 24 SB 25 SB 26 28DX SB 29 2 SB 80DX SB i I I I I I I SC 18 26 SC 19 27 fl Using SC 18 26 or SC 19 27 up to five flash units can be used for multiple flash photography at a total cable length of 10m 33 ft Advanced operations Flash shooting with digital SLRs cameras using Supplied with the SB 800 the Colored Gel Filter Set SJ 800 includes two filters the FL G1 for taking flash pictures under fluorescent light and the TN A1 for use with incandescent tungsten light e Colored Gel Filter Set SU 1 is also available as an option p 112 l Using colored gel filters with digital cameras Purpose Gel filter Adjust the camera s white balance to Balances the color of light from FL G1 Fluorescent the flash to match that of fluorescent light Balances the color of light from TN A1 Incandescent the flash to match that of incandescent or tungsten light Creates interesting effects by Optional color gel Flash changing the light from the filters flash to a different color Balancing light from the flash With digital cameras if you shoot flash pict
49. aline manganese Ready light Lights up when the SB 800 is recycled and ready to fire Blinks for 3 sec when flash fires at its maximum output indicating light may have been insufficient in TTL Auto Flash Auto Aperture AA Flash and Non TTL Auto Flash Al operations Flash 1 1050 sec at M 1 1 full output duration 1 1100 sec at M 1 2 output approx 1 2700 sec at M 1 4 output 1 5900 sec at M 1 8 output 1 10900 sec at M 1 16 output 1 17800 sec at M 1 32 output 1 32300 sec at M 1 64 output 1 41600 sec at M 1 128 output Mounting foot lock lever Provides secure attachment of SB 800 to camera s accessory shoe using locking plate and mount pin to prevent accidental detachment Flash output level compensation 3 0 to 3 0 EV in increments of 1 3 steps in the TTL auto lash Auto Aperture flash modes and Distance priority manual flash Custom By pressing the and or W buttons the following settings custom settings are possible ISO sensitivity Wireless flash auto Sound monitor in the wireless flash mode Non TTL auto lash Standby function Selecting the distance unit m ft Canceling power zoom function Power zoom function using he built in wide flash adapter Nikon Diffusion Dome LCD panel illuminator Brightness of the LCD panel AF assist illuminator and canceling flash firing Other Recalling the underexposure value in the TTL auto flash mode functions Resetting
50. anceled while the SB 50DX s standby duration is prolonged to approx one hour when they are set to the wireless remote flash mode e Set the angle of coverage of the remote flash units wider than the picture angle so that the subject will receive sufficient illumination even when the angle of the flash head is off axis from the subject In Advanced Wireless Lighting the zoom head position is automatically set to 24mm except when the Nikon Diffusion Dome is attached Remember the closer the subject the wider the angle of coverage required e The brightness of the flash illumination is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the flash unit and the subject For example if the distance between Speedlight A and the subject is 1m 3 3 ft and Speedlight B is 2m 6 6 ft the combined brightness of the two Speedlights will be A B 1 2 1 4 in meters or 3 3 6 6 approx 11 44 in feet Therefore the illumination provided by Speedlight A is four times or two steps brighter than that provided by Speedlight B To ensure good results it s recommended to make test shots before shooting important events Be sure to read the instruction manuals of your camera and Speedlight s before use Advanced operations 73 74 Wireless multiple flash shooting Read the following when setting up the SB 800 as a remote flash unit in the Advanced Wireless Lighting and SU 4 type wireless multiple flash modes
51. and IV e TU BL indicates i TTL Automatic Balanced Fill Flash in the i TTL mode Standard TTL flash Press the button to display on the LCD panel and Standard TTL flash is performed The main subject is correctly exposed regardless of the background brightness This is useful when you want to highlight the main subject indicates Standard i TTL flash in the i TTL mode Standard TTL flash for Digital SLRs in the D TTL mode and Standard TTL flash in the TTL film based mode Notes on TTL mode indicators Comparison tables are provided on pages 108 110 to show the SB 800 s TTL mode indicators and the corresponding ones used in the current Speedlight instruction manuals e For details on shooting procedures in the TTL auto flash mode refer to Basic operation p 17 Flash shooting in the 1 300 TTL High Speed Flash sync mode F5 only The farthest flash shooting distance cannot be read on the SB 800 s LCD panel In this case use the guide number table and equation p 106 for calculating this distance according to each zoom head position Detailed operation 37 38 Non TTL auto flash mode Auto Aperture flash The SB 800 s built in sensor measures the flash illumination reflected from the subject and controls the flash output in combination with data automatically transmitted from the camera and lens to the SB 800 including the ISO sensitivity value and exposure c
52. and flash shooting distance just as in TTL flash shooting then shoot e Refer to page 17 for TTL flash shooting e Flash operation can be confirmed by the ready light or the beeping sound p 89 Advanced operations i A 83 j 84 SU 4 type wireless multiple flash shooting SU 4 type wireless multiple flash can be performed in two ways 1 In the A auto mode in which the wireless remote flash units start and stop firing in sync with the master Speedlight and 2 in the M manual mode in which the wireless remote flash units only start firing in sync with the master Speedlight e Speedlights featuring wireless multiple flash capability can be used either as the master or remote flash unit Speedlights compatible with TTL auto flash can be used as the master flash unit The optional Wireless Slave Flash Controller SU 4 is necessary when you want to use these Speedlights as remote flash units The one exception is the SB 23 e The camera s built in Speedlight can also be used as a master flash unit e There is no limitation in usable cameras Iii Setting the SB 800 to SU 4 type wireless multiple flash To perform SU 4 type wireless multiple flash set the wireless flash mode to SU 4 using Custom settings p 67 Master flash and remote flash units e First set the SB 800 s wireless multiple flash mode to SU 4 using the Custom settings then attach the SB 800 to the camera The indicator e_ appea
53. ase or decrease the distance values e The usable distance range is 0 3m to 20m 1 to 65 6 ft and varies depending on the ISO sensitivity GN a Ta Set the aperture 2 2 2 5 oom e For cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not y compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups and II with CPU lenses set the SB 800 s aperture on the camera You cannot set the aperture on the SB 800 directly For other camera lens combinations press the button to highlight the aperture display then press the or button to increase or decrease the aperture value 5 Set the aperture that appears on the SB 800 s LCD panel on the lens or camera e With cameras in Groups III to VII l ZooM Samnro EA J ras ae O L Y Lock 6 Confirm that the ready light is on then shoot Detailed operation l Distance values that can be entered when performing Distance priority manual G flash operation m ft 0 3 1 0 4 1 3 0 5 1 6 0 6 2 0 7 2 3 0 8 2 6 0 9 3 1 0 3 3 1 3 4 3 1 4 4 6 1 6 5 2 1 8 5 9 2 0 6 6 2 2 7 2 2 5 8 2 2 8 9 2 3 1 10 2 3 5 11 5 4 0 13 1 4 5 14 8 5 0 16 4 5 6 18 4 6 3 20 7 7 1 23 3 8 0 26 2 9 0 29 6 10 32 8 11 36 0 13 42 7 14 45 9 16 52 5 18 59 1 20 65 6 e Choose an appropriate flash shooting distance from the table above If a desirable distance value is not found in the ta
54. ash units only start firing in sync with the master flash unit e The maximum shooting distance of the SB 800 s light sensor is approx 40m 131 ft e The flash output level can be set from M1 1 to M1 128 Advanced operations 85 86 SU 4 type wireless multiple flash shooting ii Wireless multiple flash shooting in the auto mode 46 ane pts Tos F zoom 24mmF8 Set the camera s exposure mode to Aperture Priority Auto A or Manual M Set up all Speedlights as the master and remote flash units Set the wireless flash mode of all SB 800 s used as master and remote flash units to SU 4 Press the button on the remote flash unit to activate the mode Set the flash mode of the master flash unit to the mode e With Nikon digital SLRs not compatible with CLS set the flash mode to Auto Aperture or Non TTL auto flash Confirm the aperture and flash shooting distance as in normal TTL auto flash photography then shoot See page 17 for more information on the TTL auto flash mode See pages 38 and 40 concerning use of Auto Aperture or Non TTL auto flash with digital SLRs not compatible with CLS Flash operation can be confirmed by the ready light or the beeping sound p 89 li Wireless multiple flash shooting in the M manual mode S P REMOTE M zoom 24mm STBYAUTO AF ILL zoom 4 4mmF
55. atically fires Repeating flash at faster shutter speeds RPT The SB 800 fires repeatedly exceeding the camera s sync during a single exposure shutter speed p 60 creating stroboscopic multiple exposure effects p 48 CLS Creative Lighting System p 5 Preparation 13 14 Icons on the LCD panel wx Compatible with CLS CLS The SB 800 is connected to cameras compatible with CLS p 8 Z0OO i Power zoom function The zoom head position is automatically adjusted to match the lens focal length p 26 HF ILL The wide area AF assist illuminator is activated The wide area AF assist illuminator comes on p 62 pa Manual zoom head position ZOOM setting You can adjust the zoom head position manually p 26 MO AF ILL The wide area AF assist illuminator is canceled The wide area AF assist illuminator does not come on p 62 xpi Canceling the power zoom 2OOmM function The power zoom is canceled and the zoom head position can only be adjusted manually p 26 AF ILLOMLY Flash firing canceled The SB 800 does not fire but the wide area AF assist illuminator still comes on p 62 Power zoom function using MM the built in wide flash adapter With the built in wide flash adapter attached the zoom head position can automatically be adjusted p 67 The same is true when the built in wide flash adapter is broken off accidentally p 117
56. b e range as shown in the tab e be Ow anges in Non TTL auto flash operation ISO sensitivity Zoom head position mm 1600 800 400 200 100 50 251 1 2 14 17 24 28 35 50 70 85 105 3156 428l 2 114 0 6 6 3 0 7 8 0 0 8 9 0 0 8 10 1 3 15 1 4 16 1 7 19 2 0 20 2 2 20 2 4 20 2 5 20 2 0 21 2 3 26 2 6 29 2 6 33 4 3 49 4 6 52 5 5 62 6 6 66 7 4 66 7 8 66 8 3 66 1118 5614128 2 14 0 6 4 5 0 6 5 7 0 6 6 3 10 7 7 0 1 0 10 1 0 11 1 2 13 1 4 16 1 6 18 1 7 19 1 8 20 i a I 2 0 15 2 0 19 2 0 20 2 0 23 3 1 35 3 3 37 3 9 44 4 6 52 5 2 59 5 5 62 5 8 66 61411 8 15614 128 2 0 6 3 2 0 6 4 0 0 6 4 5 0 6 5 0 0 7 7 5 0 7 8 0 0 8 9 5 1 0 11 1 1 13 1 2 13 13 147 amp i 2 0 10 2 0 13 2 0 14 2 0 16 2 2 25 2 3 26 2 8 31 3 3 37 3 7 42 3 9 44 4 1 47 gt 21611118 15614 128 0 6 2 2 0 6 2 8 0 6 3 1 0 6 3 5 0 6 5 3 0 6 5 7 0 6 6 7 0 7 7 6 0 8 9 0 0 8 9 5 0 9 10 g i 2 0 7 4 2 0 9 3 2 0 10 2 0 11 2 0 17 2 0 19 2 0 22 2 3 26 2 6 29 2 8 31 2 9 33 8 32 001 161411 8 15 6 4 0 6 1 6 0 6 2 0 0 6 2 2 0 6 2 5 0 6 3 7 0 6 4 0 0 6 4 8 0 6 5 3 0 6 6 3 0 6 6 7 0 6 7 1 2 i 2 0 5 2 2 0 6 6 2 0 7 3 2 0 8 2 2 0 12 2 0 13 2 0 16 2 0 19 2 0
57. below set the flash output level the frequency and the number of repeating flashes separately for each picture Maximum number of repeating flashes per frame P Flash output level Frequency 1 8 1 16 1 32 1 64 1 128 1 2 Hz 14 30 60 90 90 3 Hz 12 30 60 90 90 4 Hz 10 20 50 80 80 5 Hz 8 20 40 70 70 6 Hz 6 20 32 56 56 7 Hz 6 20 28 44 44 8 Hz 5 10 24 36 36 9 Hz 5 10 22 32 32 10 Hz 4 8 20 28 28 20 100 Hz 4 8 12 24 24 Frequency Hz represents the number of flashes per second aN 1 16 20 meee fi 8 m ARI a 35mmnF 1 6 os r GH ZOOM sE Press the button to display RPT Press the button to highlight the flash output level display then press the or button to increase or decrease the values e The available range of the flash output level is between 1 8 and 1 128 Press the button e The flash output level is set then the frequency display is highlighted 5 Repeat the procedures above to set the frequency and the number of repeating flashes per frame Frequency Hz Number of repeating flashes per frame 6 Determine the guide number according to the flash output level and zoom head position set then calculate the correct aperture from the guide number and the shooting distance Finally set this aperture on the SB 800 e Refer to Guide number table p 43 and De
58. ble use a shorter distance For example if the desired shooting distance is 2 7m 8 9 ft set 2 5m 8 2 ft on the LCD panel Beyond the flash shooting distance range warning In distance priority manual flash operation the distance exceeding the available flash shooting distance range cannot be displayed on the LCD panel Therefore if the available distance range is shifted by changing the ISO sensitivity aperture or zoom head position after you have set the shooting distance and aperture the farthest or closest available flash shooting distance value is highlighted with an arrow pointing toward the available flash shooting distance range The figure shows that the farthest available flash shooting distance is 2 5m 8 2 ft 45 46 Manual mode Manual M flash n Manual flash photography you select the aperture and flash output level n this way you can control the exposure and flash shooting distance when shooting subjects where the correct exposure is difficult to obtain in the TTL or on TTL auto flash mode The flash output level can be set from M1 1 full output to M1 128 to match your creative preferences M18 150200 STBVAUTO AF ILL re zoom 35mmF1 1 2 STRURLITO P AFIL Set the camera s exposure mode to Aperture Priority Auto A or Manual M 2 Press
59. camera or the one directly connected to the camera via a TTL Remote Cord such as the SC 17 SC 28 or SC 29 is called the master flash unit All other flash units are called the remote flash units I Be sure to cancel Monitor Preflashes in TTL multiple flash operation n SU 4 type wireless multiple flash and multiple flash using cords cancel the onitor Preflashes of the master flash unit following one of the methods described below since Monitor Preflashes cause incorrect exposure SB 800 1 Set the SU 4 type wireless multiple flash mode SB 80DX SB 50DX 1 Set the wireless flash mode Set the flash mode to Standard TTL flash Tilt the flash head up Use a non CPU lens PUMN SB 28 SB 28DX SB 27 1 Set the flash mode to Standard TTL flash SB 26 SB 25 Tilt the flash head up Use a non CPU lens 1 N Built in Speedlight F80 Series N80 Series F75 Series N75 Series F70 Series N70 Set the exposure mode to Manual M Notes on performing multiple flash common to both wireless and wired operation e To avoid accidental firing turn off the camera and all flash units before mounting the master flash unit on or connecting it to the camera e When using a Speedlight that has a standby function as a remote flash unit make sure that the standby function is set to off or select a standby duration that is long enough using the Custom settings e The SB 800 s and SB 80DX s standby function is c
60. can be performed in these ways Exposure compensation Available flash mode Usable camera Making exposure compensation All flash modes Cameras in all groups for both the main subject and background Making exposure compensation TTL auto flash and Auto Cameras compatible with CLS for the main subject only Aperture flash digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups to III Manual flash mode Cameras in all groups Making exposure compensation Flash shooting at slow shutter Cameras in all groups for the background only speeds Ii Making exposure compensation for both the main subject and background In TTL auto flash mode and Auto Aperture flash operation Use the camera s exposure compensation function to modify both the SB 800 s flash output level and the background exposure For details see your camera s instruction manual e The exposure compensation value set on the camera is not displayed on the SB 800 s LCD panel e Exposure compensation beyond the usable ISO sensitivity range cannot be performed p 24 For example with an ISO sensitivity of 100 if you try to make an exposure compensation of 3 steps on the camera equivalent to ISO 12 which is out of the usable ISO sensitivity range ISO 25 1000 of the SB 800 In this case exposure compensation up to 2 steps equivalent to ISO 25 is possible compensation Making exposure compensation in Non TTL auto flash and Manual
61. ce the batteries while the SB 800 s power is turned on Warning or the like the unit to catch on fire e Dry batteries should never be recharged in a battery charger e Do not expose the SB 800 to water as this may result in an electric shock or cause e Batteries should not be exposed to excessive heat such as strong sunshine a fire About the LCD panel iii Characteristics of the LCD panel Due to the directional characteristics of LCDs the LCD display is difficult to read when viewed from above However the display can be seen clearly from a somewhat lower angle The LCD display becomes darker at high temperatures approx 60 C 140 F but returns to normal at normal temperatures 20 C 68 F The LCD s response time slows down at low temperatures approx 5 C 41 F and below but returns to normal at normal temperatures 20 C 68 F Iii Using the SB 800 in dim light Press any button on the SB 800 to turn the illuminator on when the SB 800 power is on and it will remain lit for approx 16 seconds e To cancel the LCD panel illumination go to the Custom settings mode p 67 and set it off e Even if the LCD panel illuminator is set to OFF the SB 800 s LCD panel illuminator turns on when the camera s LCD panel illuminator is turned on The LCD panel illuminator also lights up when the Custom settings mode is displayed iii Adjusting the LCD panel brightness The brightness of the LCD pane
62. contacts For details see your camera s instruction manual Please note that wireless multiple flash using the COOLPIX s built in flash as a master flash unit and the SB 800 as a remote flash unit cannot be performed 34 Detailed operation This section provides a variety of flash modes available with the SB 800 Be sure to refer to your camera s instruction manual for specific information on camera settings and functions 36 SB 800 s available flash modes The SB 800 s available flash modes vary depending on the cameras and lenses in use or the camera s exposure mode Using the TTL auto flash mode is recommended for normal flash photography Iii Available flash modes Indicators usable cameras TTL auto flash mode e i TTL mode fd BL T Cameras compatible with CLS e D TTL mode MTU BL M7U Digital SLRs not compatible with CLS e TTL film based mode TU BO MTU Cameras in Groups to VI No appears with cameras in Groups III and IV while performing Balanced ill Flash Non TTL auto flash mode e Auto Aperture flash AA p 38 Cameras compatible with CLS Digital SLRs not compatible with CLS Cameras in Groups to II e Non TTL auto flash A p 40 o limitation Manual mode e Distance priority manual flash GNI p 44 o limitation e Manual flash M p 46 o limitation e Repeating flash RPT p 48 o limitation Monitor Preflashes The
63. curled this will not affect their performance Likewise scratches on these filters will have no effect on performance e The amount of exposure compensation printed on each filter is provided as a guide only Be sure to make test shots to determine the actual amount of compensation required e To remove dust or dirt wipe the filter lightly with a soft clean cloth colored gel filters iii How to use colored gels 1 Fold the colored gel filter securely on the line Insert the colored gel filter between the wide flash adapter and the flash head Adjust the white balance setting on your digital 4 camera then shoot Optional Colored Gel Filter Set SJ 1 The optional Colored Gel Filter Set SJ 1 contains a total of 20 filters in 8 models of colored gels for balancing the color of light or adding specific colors to the 4 scene using a Speedlight p 112 Advanced operations e FL G1 for fluorescent light e FL G2 for fluorescent light e TN A1 for incandescent tungsten light TN A2 for incandescent tungsten light e BLUE YELLOW e RED AMBER e With the last four filters adjust your digital camera s white balance if available to Flash for the most effective results 97 98 Bounce flash operation With the SB 800 mounted on your camera s hot shoe you can tilt or rotate the flash head to bounce the light off the ceiling or walls This is a good t
64. d accessories Refer to System chart for TTL multiple flash shooting using cords p 94 and your cameras and Speedlights instruction manuals for proper connection Use the optional TTL Remote Cords SC 27 SC 26 SC 19 or SC 18 to connect the SB 800 to more than one remote flash unit Use the optional Multi Flash Adapter AS 10 if the remote flash units are not equipped with multiple flash terminals Use the optional Multi Flash Adapter AS 10 to attach the remote flash unit s to a tripod Be sure to cancel the master flash unit s Monitor Preflashes Multiple flash shooting using cords can be performed in two modes 1 TTL multiple flash and 2 Manual multiple flash Performing multiple flash shooting in the Manual mode however is not recommended since it is difficult to obtain the correct exposure Use the TTL auto flash mode with cameras compatible with TTL auto flash To ensure proper exposure make test shots before shooting important events Advanced operations 91 92 Multiple flash shooting using cords li TTL multiple flash not possible with cameras compatible with CLS and digital SLRs not compatible with CLS KTS LL Az lz o Cos 3 Set the camera s exposure mode to Aperture Priority Auto A or Manual M Attach the master flash unit to the camera turn the power on and set the flash mode to TTL At STBYALTO auto flash AF ILL 0 6 5 7 m e A flash mode in which Monitor prefla
65. djusted to other than 14mm or 17mm the Nikon Diffusion Dome is attached p 96 The SB 800 does not work when control buttons W0D button c ontrol buttons are locked 12 button or 9 D button and button P are pressed The SB 800 does not fire Canceling flash firing is activated in the p 67 Custom settings mode II If the built in wide flash adapter is broken off accidentally If the wide flash adapter is subjected to a strong impact while set on the flash head it may be broken off In this case visit your nearest authorized Nikon service center for repair e When the wide flash adapter is broken off it is no longer possible to set the zoom head position to other than 14mm or 17mm To adjust the zoom head position automatically using the power zoom function go to the Custom settings Power zoom function using the built in wide flash adapter Nikon Diffusion Dome p 67 li Warning indications in the SB 800 Ref Problem Cause page The ready light blinks for 3 sec after firing The underexposure indicator blinks and the amount of underexposure is Underexposure may have occurred p 33 displayed depending on the camera in use The dotted line below the underbar The flash head is tilted down 7 p 23 appears The aperture indicator displays The aperture on the lens is not set at its FEE and the shutter cannot be released minimum Three beeps sound during wireless
66. e ISO sensitivity is automatically transferred from the camera to the Speedlight li Setting the ISO sensitivity for cameras in Groups Ill to VII For cameras in Groups III to V mode p 67 set the ISO sensitivity in the Custom settings 1 Turn the SB 800 off once then turn it back on After that turn on the camera body Basic operation y a Press the button for approx 2 sec to display the Custom settings mode Press the button and 9 button to select ISO then press the button Press the or button to highlight the preferred ISO sensitivity Press the button for approx 2 sec or press the button to return to the normal display 25 26 5 Adjust the zoom head position 1 The zoom head position is indicated on the LCD panel S TUBLIFP Gey e The zoom head position is automatically 10200 art adjusted by the power zoom function or it can 40 5 ee be manually adjusted e The guide number indicating flash output level varies according to the zoom head position p 43 rel 1 1 lli The power zoom function When the SB 800 is used with cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups to II in combination with a CPU lens the power zoom functi
67. e and aperture required Guide number GN Shooting distance m ft x Aperture ISO sensitivity factor e Referring to the guide number table determine an appropriate flash output level corresponding to the guide number obtained above then set the same value on the SB 800 e In Distance priority manual flash operation the guide number indicating the amount of light generated by the flash is automatically determined by the SB 800 according to the distance value and aperture set ISO sensitivity factors For sensitivities other than ISO 100 multiply the guide number by the factors shown in the table below ISO 25 50 100 200 400 800 1600 Detailed operation Factors x0 5 x0 71 x1 x1 4 x2 x2 8 x4 44 Manual mode Distance priority manual GN flash In this flash operation the SB 800 automatically controls the light output according to the distance value and aperture set Enter the distance value and you can take pictures having the same exposure even when shooting at different apertures e This mode allows you to make exposure compensation by varying the flash output level compensation value p 56 Set the camera s exposure mode to Aperture Priority Auto A or Manual M Press the button to display GN on the 150200 STEV 160 12 2 0 2 2 m LCD panel zoom 35mmF9 Press the button to highlight the distance display then press the or button to incre
68. ead position changes as follows when a 35mm lens is attached M24mm gt M28mm gt 35mm gt M50mm gt M70mm4 gt M85mm gt M105mm Generally set the zoom head position to the focal length of the lens in use or to the closest wideangle setting For example select the 50mm setting when using a 60mm lens Basic operation A Canceling the power zoom function using Custom settings The power zoom function can be canceled in the Custom settings mode p 67 When the power zoom function is canceled the zoom head can be manually adjusted but the zoom head position indicator does not change even if the lens is zoomed a lens is changed or the button is pressed e When the power zoom function is canceled a small Ra appears on the LCD panel e Press the 9 button to move toward a wideangle setting and the D button to move toward a telephoto setting The zoom head position changes as follows 24mm gt 28mm gt 35mm gt 50mm gt 70mm gt 85mm gt 105mm Using the built in wide flash adapter Nikon Diffusion Dome Use the built in wide flash adapter when a 14mm to 23mm lens is mounted p 104 e The power zoom function becomes inactive when using the wide flash adapter Press the 9 or 0 button to adjust the zoom head position to 14mm or 17mm The zoom head position is automatically set at 14mm when the Nikon Diffusion Dome is attached p 101 To adjust the zoom head position automatically using the
69. echnique to use when shooting indoors because you get more natural looking pictures of people with softer shadows Also you can soften the shadows even more by using the Nikon Diffusion Dome WAN Bounce flash Normal flash Shooting data Shooting data e Camera D2H e Camera D2H e Focal length 60mm e Focal length 60mm e Speedlight SB 800 set to e Speedlight SB 800 set to e Aperture 8 e Aperture f 9 e Shooting distance Approx 4m 13 1 ft Shooting distance Approx 4m 13 1 ft For more details on the above example see the separate booklet Enter the exciting world of Nikon s Creative Lighting System with the SB 800 Tilting the flash head For effective bounce flash off the ceiling tilt the flash head up at least 50 Also make sure that the light from the flash head does not directly illuminate the subject e Optimum results are obtained when the flash head is positioned 1 2m 3 3 6 6 ft from the reflecting surface Set the camera s exposure mode to Aperture Priority Auto A or Manual M Set the camera s metering system to Matrix Metering or Center Weighted Metering Set the flash mode to TTL or Auto Aperture or Non TTL auto flash ee mo sa a psd Set the camera s aperture e Refer to page 100 for setting the aperture Advanced operations Adjust the flash head Make sure that the ready light is on then shoot
70. efer to your camera s instruction manual After setting your camera to red eye reduction with slow sync make sure that 4 appears on the SB 800 s LCD panel Since slow shutter speeds are normally used use of a tripod is recommended to prevent camera shake and Rear curtain sync lif Rear curtain sync In normal flash photography when shooting fast moving subjects at slow shutter speeds unnatural looking pictures can occur because the subject frozen by the flash appears behind or within the blurred movement see photo below right Rear curtain flash sync creates a picture in which the blur of a moving subject for example the taillights of a car appears behind the subject and not in front e In front curtain sync the flash fires immediately after the front curtain opens completely in rear curtain sync the flash fires just before the rear curtain starts to close Available with cameras providing rear curtain sync You cannot set this mode on the SB 800 directly but must set it on the camera For details see your camera s instruction manual e Since slow shutter speeds are usually used use a tripod to prevent camera shake e This function does not operate in Repeating flash operation e In multiple flash the master flash unit can be set to either front curtain or rear curtain sync flash However the remote units cannot be set to rear curtain sync flash p 72 Rear curtain sync Front curtain sync Sho
71. eration 0 00 ceeeeeeeteereee 102 105 Flash shooting in the 1 300 TTL High Speed Flash sync mode F5 only ee ee eeeeeeeeeneeeee 106 e Reference information ccesssseesesseneees 107 TTL auto flash modes available with the SB 800 ceeeeeceeseeeeseeteeneeneeees 108 110 Optional ACCESSOTIES s 111 113 Tips on Speedlight Cafe 114 Notes on patterieS o cerceii 115 FOU IESNOOUIMG sass detenmasecttionaareeoas ee 116 118 About the LCD panel eccerre 119 OPCSCITCALIONS eo cess cece ale yee aeetone 120 123 INGO A R 124 125 Preparation This section provides preliminary information on using the SB 800 Basic operation Basic procedures to take simple properly exposed flash photographs in the TTL auto flash mode Detailed operation A variety of flash modes available with the SB 800 are explained Other functions Detailed information on each function of the SB 800 is provided Advanced operations Information on advanced flash shooting techniques using the SB 800 is described Reference information Optional accessories Troubleshooting Speedlight care Specifications etc are presented in this section 4 Foreword Thank you for purchasing the Nikon Speedlight SB 800 To get the most out of your Speedlight please read this instruction manual thoroughly before use Also read the separate booklet Enter the exciting world of Nikon s Creative Lighting System with
72. eries of the same type and the Speedlight fires at M1 1 output Batteries Number of Min recycling time Min number of flashes batteries approx recycling time Alkaline x4 6 0 sec 130 6 30 sec manganese x5 5 0 sec 130 5 30 sec Lithium x4 7 5 sec 170 7 5 30 sec x5 7 5 sec 190 7 5 30 sec ickel x4 6 0 sec 140 6 30 sec x5 5 0 sec 140 5 30 sec iCd 1000 mAh x4 4 0 sec 90 4 30 sec rechargeable x5 3 5 sec 90 3 5 30 sec i MH 2000 mA x4 4 0 sec 150 4 30 sec rechargeable x5 2 9 sec 150 2 9 30 sec e Minimum recycling time is for operation using fresh batteries e This data was measured without using the wide area AF assist illuminator zZoom head position adjustment or LCD panel illumination e The above data may vary due to variations in battery performance li Replacing recharging the batteries Refer to the following table to determine when to replace or recharge your batteries if the ready light takes a long time to come on Type of battery Recycling time Remedy Alkaline manganese More than 30 seconds Lithium More than 10 seconds Replace Nickel More than 10 seconds Ni Cd rechargeable Ni MH rechargeable If extremely exhausted batteries are used a strange sound can be heard caused by the flash head zooming back and forth even when the SB 800 is turned off In this case replace the SB 800 s batteries even if an exter
73. esult in overexposure of any overlapping images To prevent this set a smaller aperture on the camera Notes on continuous flash shooting You should allow the SB 800 to cool off for at least 10 minutes after the maximum number of continuous firings are performed as shown in the WARNING table below A Do not exceed the maximum number of continuous firings Detailed operation Max number of continuous firings Flash mode Max number of continuous firings at 6 frames sec TTL auto flash Non TTL auto flash Auto Aperture flash 16 Manual flash Flash output level M1 1 M1 2 Manual flash Flash output level M1 4 to M1 128 40 li Synchronization during continuous flash shooting It is possible to take up to the number of frames during continuous shooting as shown in the table below However if the continuous firings exceed the maximum numbers as shown in the table above you should allow the SB 800 to cool off for at least 10 minutes Maximum number of frames during continuous flash shooting at six frames per sec Optional Batteries inside Flash output level power source SB 800 1 8 1 16 132 1 64 1 128 has All types Upto4 Upto8 Upto 16 Upto30 Up to 40 SD 7 Alkaline manganese Upto6 Upto 10 Upto40 Upto40 Up to 40 SD 8A Alkaline manganese Up to 20 Lithium Up to5 Up to 10 Upto 30 Up to 40 Up to 40 NiCd
74. ff of Otherwise your pictures will come out with an unnatural color cast similar to that of the angles 90 and down 7 he left and 90 to e Set the flash head at a click stop at the angles shown e When taking close up pictures with flash tilt the flash head down to the 7 position p 102 Using the built in bounce card In bounce flash photography use the SB 800 s built in bounce card to create a highlight in the subject s eyes making the eyes look more vibrant e As shown in the illustrations pull out the wide flash adapter and while holding the bounce card slide the wide flash adapter back into place inside the flash head e Tilt the flash head up 90 to use this feature most effectively Shooting with the Nikon Diffusion Dome By attaching the provided Nikon Diffusion Dome over the flash head you can diffuse the light even more when doing bounce flash creating extremely soft light with virtually no shadows With the camera in either the horizontal or vertical position you get the same effect e Good results are generally obtained when the flash head is tilted up 60 e Use of the built in wide flash adapter in conjunction with the Nikon Diffusion Dome results in the maximum amount of diffused light p 104 Advanced operations Nikon Diffusion Dome attached Nikon Diffusion Dome not attached Attach the Nikon Diffusion Dome as shown in the illustration e The
75. flash units Illumination from the side and top provided by two flash units emphasizes the small subject s X Master _ contours Bounced light from the pesh unit side softens the shadows ja For more details on the above example see the separate booklet Enter the exciting world of Nikon s Creative Lighting System using the SB 800 ew a 10 6 W 6 m Fi zoom 24mmFS Set the camera s exposure mode to Aperture Priority Auto A or Manual M Set the camera s metering system to Matrix Metering or Center Weighted Metering Set the SB 800 s flash mode to TTL auto flash Position the built in wide flash adapter over the flash head Press the 9 or button to adjust the zoom head position to 14mm or 17mm Tilt the flash head down to 7 When the SB 800 is attached to the camera and used as the only flash unit this position is recommended to ensure sufficient illumination of the lower portion of the subject in close up photography The dotted line below the underbar appears when the flash head is tilted down to this position Confirm that the ready light is on then shoot e When the flash has fired at its maximum output and underexposure may have occurred the ready light on the SB 800 blinks for approx 3 sec To compensate use a wider aperture or move closer to the subject and reshoot Advanced operations 103 104
76. he with CLS is used SB 800 s built in sensor correctly controls the flash output in combination with data automatically transmitted from the camera and lens to the SB 800 including the ISO sensitivity aperture focal length and exposure compensation value p 38 Monitor Preflashes 5 Just before the flash fires the SB 800 fires a series of imperceptible preflashes that are detected by the camera s TTL Multi Sensor and analyzed for brightness and contrast Non TTL auto flash p 36 The SB 800 s built in sensor measures the flash illumination TTL mode j Based on the exposure control reflected back from the subject controlling the SB 800 s light output automatically to give the correct exposure p 40 information the camera automatically controls the flash output level to give the correct exposure p 37 IGN Distance priority manual flash z Based on the ISO sensitivity Balanced Fill Flash This Always appears togeth r value and aperture the SB 800 controls the light output according to the distance value entered p 44 with MTU Based on the exposure control information the flash output level is automatically controlled for a well balanced Manual flash exposure of the main subject M The flash always fires at a and background p 37 specified output in combination inh Sync with the aperture and light cls High Speed Sy output level p 46 The SB 800 autom
77. he correct exposure refer to the Guide Number table p 42 and adjust the flash output level to M1 16 e Refer to Determining the aperture and flash output level in the Manual mode p 42 Adjusting the flash output level in Non TTL auto flash A applicable when using a Speedlight compatible with Non TTL auto flash mounted on the SU 4 as a remote flash unit Non TTL auto flash A can also be selected on the remote flash unit In this case the remote flash unit controls the flash output based on the aperture and ISO sensitivity set on the remote flash unit and automatically stops firing in sync with the master flash unit p 40 1 Set the same ISO sensitivity on the remote flash unit as set on your camera 2 Set the same aperture on both the lens and the remote flash unit to obtain the correct exposure e Depending on your creative preferences you can intentionally overexpose or underexpose the picture by modifying the aperture e The above setting is applicable ONLY when both the master and remote flash units are pointed in the same direction e Refer to Setting apertures in Non TTL auto flash operation p 41 for more details Confirming wireless multiple flash operation using the ready light or the beeping sound You can confirm wireless multiple flash operation by checking the ready light on the SB 800 or the beeping sound during and after shooting li Activating and canceling the SB 800 s beeping sound in the wi
78. ight blinks after firing this indicates the light may have been insufficient for correct exposure In this case set a wider aperture on the camera or lens or move closer to the subject li Non TTL auto flash Make the necessary settings on the SB 800 and camera then press the FLASH button to fire the flash If the ready light blinks after firing this indicates the light may have been insufficient for correct exposure In this case set a wider aperture on the camera or lens or move closer to the subject Other functions Detailed information on each function of the SB 800 is provided 54 Exposure compensation and flash output level Exposure compensation allows you to take well balanced pictures by intentionally modifying the flash exposure This is useful when a subject of extremely high or low reflectivity is included in the scene or when you want to create flash photographs to match your creative preferences e Some plus compensation may be necessary when the background includes a mirror white wall or other highly reflective surface Likewise some minus compensation may be required when the background is dark or includes subjects of low reflectivity Making exposure compensation for both the main subject and background the main subject only without affecting the background or the background only without affecting the main subject are possible depending on the flash shooting situation Exposure compensation on the SB 800
79. ign the battery chamber lid attachment indexes then close the battery chamber lid by sliding it into place while pressing down M Usable batteries nstall four AA type penlight batteries 1 5V or lower of any of these types 1 Alkaline manganese 1 5V 2 Lithium 1 5V 3 Nickel 1 5V 4 NiCd rechargeable 1 2V 5 Ni MH Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable 1 2V e When replacing batteries replace all four or five when using the Quick Recycling Battery Pack SD 800 with fresh ones of the same brand e High power manganese batteries are not recommended for use with the SB 800 e Always carry extra batteries when traveling e For details on batteries refer to Notes on batteries on page 115 CAUTION e Do not use batteries not specified in this instruction manual as this may cause them to explode leak corrosive liquids or catch on fire e Do not mix battery brands or types or use old with new batteries Otherwise the batteries may explode leak corrosive liquids or catch on fire e Do not recharge non rechargeable batteries in a battery charger Otherwise the batteries may leak corrosive liquids or generate heat Obtaining faster recycling times using 5 batteries Use the provided Quick Recycling Battery Pack SD 800 to install five batteries to shorten the recycling time See page 64 for more details ii Minimum number of flashes and recycling times When using four or five fresh batt
80. imes The subject is correctly exposed by the light from the flash lighting and the exposure is less affected by the ambient light than in the conventional TTL mode p 37 Preparation Advanced Wireless Lighting With the Advanced Wireless Lighting wireless multiple flash operation in the TTL i TTL mode can now be accomplished with digital SLRs In this mode you can divide the remote flash units into three groups and control the flash output independently for each group expanding your range of creative multiple flash shooting techniques p 76 Flash Value Lock Flash Value or FV is the amount of flash exposure for the subject Using FV Lock with compatible cameras you can lock in the appropriate flash exposure for the main subject This flash exposure is locked in even if you change the aperture or composition or zoom the lens in and out p 61 Flash Color Information Communication When the SB 800 is used with compatible digital SLRs color temperature information is automatically transmitted to the camera In this way the camera s white balance is automatically adjusted to give you the correct color temperature when taking photographs with the SB 800 Auto FP High Speed Sync High Speed flash synchronization at your camera s highest shutter speed is now possible This is useful when you want to use a wider aperture to achieve shallow depth of field to blur the background p 60 Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator
81. ing the aperture on the camera s LCD panel or in the viewfinder Lock the lens aperture at its minimum After composing the picture by zooming in or out read the aperture on the camera s LCD panel or in the viewfinder Then set the same aperture on the SB 800 s LCD panel and confirm the flash shooting distance range lI Setting the aperture using the scale on the lens After zooming in or out to select the appropriate composition read the aperture using the aperture scale on the lens Then set the same aperture on the SB 800 s LCD panel and confirm the flash shooting distance range At wideangle zoom settings read the aperture value at the green index or line At telephoto settings read the aperture value at the yellow index or dot At intermediate settings read the aperture value between the two indexes Other functions li Setting the aperture on the camera s aperture dial F 401x N5005 F 401s N4004s F 401 N4004 cameras CPU lens After zooming in out to select the desired composition set the aperture on the camera s aperture dial Then set the same aperture on the SB 800 s LCD panel and confirm the flash shooting distance range Set the camera s exposure mode to Aperture Priority Auto A or Manual M The aperture cannot be set in the Programmed Auto P or Shutter Priority Auto S exposure mode If the aperture dial is set beyond lens aperture range set the lens minimum or maximum aperture on
82. ining balanced lighting for the main subject and the background pp 101 104 e Custom functions are provided to set values or activate or cancel functions that are unnecessary to set each time p 67 Life long learning As part of Nikon s Life long learning commitment to ongoing product support and education continually updated information is available on line at the following sites e For users in the U S A Attp www nikonusa com e For users in Europe http www europe nikon com support e For users in Asia Oceania the Middle East and Africa http www nikon asia com Visit these sites to keep up to date with the latest product information tips answers to frequently asked questions FAQs and general advice on digital imaging and photography Additional information may be available from the Nikon representative in your area See the URL below for contact information http www nikon image com eng Creative Lighting System d The SB 800 features a new Nikon Speedlight system called Creative Lighting System or CLS This system offers additional flash shooting possibilities with digital SLRs by taking advantage of camera s digital communication capabilities CLS is available only when the SB 800 is used with compatible Nikon SLRs cameras The SB 800 offers these major features e i TTL mode This is a new TTL auto flash mode in the Creative Lighting System Monitor Preflashes are fired at all t
83. ion 41 42 Manual mode Manual mode The SB 800 features three manual modes Distance priority manual flash GNI e Manual flash M e Repeating flash RPT You can calculate the correct aperture by using the guide number table and the shooting distance Then set the same aperture manually on the lens In this case set the camera s exposure mode to Aperture Priority Auto A or Manual M e No limitation on usable cameras e Refer to your camera s instruction manual for details on camera and lens aperture settings With the SB 800 in the Manual mode if the camera s exposure mode is set to other than Aperture Priority A or Manual M the shutter may not be released depending on the cameras in use For details refer to your camera s instruction manual e In the Manual mode no warning ready light blinks to indicate that the light may have been insufficient for correct exposure after shooting I Determining the aperture and flash output level in the Manual mode In the Manual mode use the guide number table and the following equation to calculate the aperture flash output level and shooting distance to obtain the correct exposure e The guide number GN at ISO 100 m ft indicates the amount of light generated by the flash The larger the number the greater the flash output Guide number ISO 100 m ft Flash Zoom head position mm output lever 2 14 178 24 28 35
84. istance ranges in Auto Aperture flash operation Zoom head position mm ISO sensitivity 1600 800 400 200 100 50 25 1 2 14 17 24 28 35 50 70 85 105 8 156 412812 14 0 6 6 3 0 7 8 0 0 8 9 0 0 8 10 1 3 15 1 4 16 1 7 19 2 0 20 2 2 20 2 4 20 2 5 20 i 2 0 21 2 3 26 2 6 29 2 6 33 4 3 49 4 6 52 5 5 62 6 6 66 7 4 66 7 8 66 8 3 66 i118 ls6l alag 2 ll 0645 106 57 l0 8 6 8 07 701 1 010 1 011 12 19 14 16 1 6 18 17 191 1 8201 g t 20 415 2 0 19 2 0 20 2 0 23 3 1 35 3 3 37 39 44 4 6 52 5 2 59 5 5 62 5 8 66 61111815614 281 2 0 6 3 2 0 6 4 0 0 6 4 5 10 6 5 0 0 7 7 5 0 7 8 0 0 8 9 5 1 0 11 1 1 18 1 2 13 1 3 14 f i 2 010 2 043 20 14 2 0 16 2 2 25 2 3 26 2 8 31 3 3 37 3 7 42 3 9 44 41 47 0 6 2 2 0 6 2 8 0 6 3 1 0 6 3 5 0 6 5 3 0 6 5 7 0 6 6 7 0 7 7 6 0 8 9 0 0 8 9 5 0 9 10 v 22 16 11 8 56 4 28 2 0 7 4 2 0 9 3 2 0 10 2 0 11 2 0 17 2 0 19 2 0 22 2 3 26 2 6 29 2 8 31 2 9 33 3 0 6 1 6 0 6 2 0 0 6 2 2 0 6 2 5 0 6 3 7 0 6 4 0 0 6 4 8 0 6 5 3 0 6 6 3 0 6 6 7 0 6 7 1 3 32 22 16 11 8 56 4 2 0 5 2 2 0 6 6 2 0 7 3 2 0 8 2 2 0 12 2 0 13 2 0 16 2 0 19 2 0 21 2 0 22 2 1 23 30199146 1411 8 156 0644 06 14 0 64 6 06 187
85. itivity 1600800 400 200 100 50 25 1 2 14 17 24 28 35 Zoom head position mm 50 70 85 105 a4 28 2 14 4 2 8 2 14 a a 8 9 0 1 0 11 1 1 42 1 3 14 1 9 20 428 2 14 2 6 29 3 3 37 3 7 41 4 1 46 6 2 66 2 0 20 6 6 66 2 4 20 7 8 66 2 8 20 9 3 66 3 0 20 10 66 3 4 20 11 66 3 6 20 12 66 oo 6 6 3 07 801 08 9 0 08 10 13 15 96 4 28 2 14 2021 23 28 26 29 26 33 43 49 1 4 16 46 52 1 7 19 5 5 62 2 0 20 6 6 66 2 2 20 74 66 2 4 20 78 66 2 5 20 8 3 66 6 4 5 0 6 5 7 0 6 6 3 0 7 7 0 1 0 10 8 56 4 28 2 14 2 0 15 2 0 19 2 0 20 2 0 23 3 1 35 1 0 11 3 3 37 1 2 13 3 9 44 1 4 16 4 6 52 1 6 18 5 2 59 TA9 5 5 62 1 8 20 Aperture co 6 3 2 0 6 4 0 0 6 4 5 0 6 5 0 0 7 7 5 56 4 28 2 2 0 10 2 0 13 2 0 14 2 0 16 2 2 25 0 7 8 0 2 3 26 0 8 9 5 2 8 31 1 0 11 3 3 37 1 1 13 3 7 42 213 3 9 44 1 3 14 nN Ss 6 2 2 0 6 2 8 0 6 3 1 0 6 3 5 0 6 5 3 1 11 8 56 4 28 2 0 7 4 2 0 9 3 2 0 10 2 0 11 2 0 17 0 6 5 7 2 0 19 0 6 6 7 2 0 22 0 7 7 6 2 3 26 0 8 9 0 2 6 29 8 9 5 2 8 31 0 9 10 29 33 oo Ss 6 1 6 0 6 2 0 0 6 2 2 0 6 2 5 0 6 3 7 22 16 11 8 56 4 2 0 5 2 2 0 6 6 2 0 7 3 2 0 8 2 2 0 12 0 6 4 0 2 0 13 0 6 4 8 2 0
86. l can be adjusted in the Custom settings mode for easier reading p 67 Select LCD in the Custom settings mode then press the button Press the or button to highlight the desired brightness level e Available brightness levels are graphically displayed in 9 steps on the LCD panel Reference information 119 120 Specifications Electronic construction Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor IGBT and series circuitry Guide number at 35mm zoom head position 20 C 68 F 38 125 ISO 100 m ft 53 174 ISO 200 m ft Flash shooting distance range TTL auto flash Auto Aperture flash Non TTL auto flash 0 6m to 20m 2 to 66 ft varies depending on the ISO sensitivity Zoom head position and lens aperture in use Flash exposure control Indicator Available flash mode Usable camera m i TTL mode Cameras compatible with CLS m D TTL mode Digital SLRs not compatible with CLS m TTL film based mode Cameras in Groups to VI film based cameras BL appears Balanced Fill Flash Cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with ETD with CLS cameras in Groups to IV No BL appears with cameras in Groups III to IV AA Auto Aperture flash Cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS cameras in Gro
87. lash head tilting rotating lock release button to adjust the flash head to the horizontal front position M Turn the mounting foot lock lever securely until it stops To lock the Speedlight in place turn the lock lever approx 90 clockwise until it stops To unlock turn the lever counterclockwise until it stops adjust the flash head Warning indication If the flash head is not adjusted to the horizontal front position when the power is turned on this warning appears on the LCD panel See page 100 for the flash head s rotating angle e A dotted line below the underbar appears when TTUBL the flash head is tilted down 7 Tso200 ee ee a c evn eset T w e The flash shooting distance range disappears if ITUBL the flash head is adjusted to other than the Cc horizontal front or down 7 position wa ou zoom 28mmF1 1 2 A Basic operation 24 4 Setting the ISO sensitivity In this manual the sensitivity for digital SLRs and the film speed for film based cameras are generally referred to as ISO sensitivity For cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups to Il the ISO sensitivity is automatically set and appears on the LCD panel when the camera and SB 800 are turned ON IE Available ISO sensitivity in TTL auto flash operation The SB 800 s maximum ISO sensitivity range usable in the TTL auto flash mode is ISO 25 to 100
88. led e ON Activated LCD panel illuminator p 119 Setting the LCD panel illuminator to turn on or off e ON Turnon OFF Turn off W LCD panel brightness p 119 L Adjusting the brightness of the LCD panel Available brightness levels are oO graphically displayed in 9 steps on the LCD panel Press the 9 or W button to adjust the brightness Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator p 62 e OFF Canceled NO AF ILL appears on the LCD panel Canceling flash firing p 62 Setting to activate or cancel flash firing of the SB 800 When it is set to FI OFF the SB 800 does not fire but the Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator still comes on e ON Firing activated e OFF Firing canceled AF ILL ONLY appears on the LCD panel F CD Setting to activate or cancel the Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator e ON Activated AF ILL appears on the LCD panel ki Advanced operations Information on advanced flash shooting techniques using the SB 800 is described in this section 72 Overview of multiple flash operation Multiple flash photography allows you to create more natural looking pictures by using several flash units to emphasize the subject s shape or eliminate shadows The following wireless multiple flash operations are available Multiple flash operation Usable cameras Usable Speedlights Advanced Wireless Lighting p 76 Cameras compatible with CLS Only those featu
89. led operation p 35 TTL auto flash modes available with the SB 800 p 108 and your camera s instruction manual Preparation Speedlight parts and their functions 6 1 Control button quick reference p 12 2 Flash head p 100 Can be tilted up to 90 or down to 7 and rotated horizontally 180 to the left and 90 to the right 3 Flash head tilting rotating lock release button p 22 4 Light sensor window for wireless remote flash p 74 5 Battery chamber lid attachment indexes p 18 6 Battery chamber lid p 18 7 Built in bounce card p 101 Creates a highlight in the subject s eyes in bounce flash photography 8 Built in wide flash adapter p 104 Increases the angle of coverage to match a 14mm or 17mm lens 9 Wide area AF assist illuminator p 62 Automatically turns on for autofocus operation when the light is dim 10 External power source terminal supplied with cover p 113 11 Light sensor window for Non TTL auto flash p 38 Senses reflected light from the subject in Auto Aperture or Non TTL auto flash mode 12 External AF assist illuminator contacts for SC 29 Accepts optional TTL Remote Cord SC 29 13 Mount pin 14 Hot shoe contacts 15 Mounting foot 16 Flash head tilting angle scale p 100 17 Modeling illuminator button p 66 Press to fire flash repeatedly to check the illumination and the shadows cast on the subject
90. lens Meu EA P S A M CPU lens MBQ Cenk A M Non CPU lens Liin TTL P S A M DAC CPU lens Li TTL A M IAC Non CPU lens 1 The A and M exposure modes cannot be used with a G type lens 2 Al S Al Series E lens only usable 3 Center Weighted Fill Flash is set F65 Series MBD Fal P S A to CPU lens N sSeries my im PISIAM E CPUlens m TTL M o Non CPU lens 1 Center Weighted Metering is automatically set when the exposure mode is set to M ll 2 The camera s exposure meter cannot be used Set the aperture using the lens aperture ring F 801s B0 i 3 P S A M CPU lens Neon Te e PSAM C cPUlens F 801 UBL M e A M OO Non CPU lens Neots TT PISIAM BOC CPUlens 1 TTL A M OO Non CPU lens 1 The A and M exposure modes cannot be used with a G type lens 2 Spot Metering is not possible with the F 801 N8008 3 Center Weighted Fill Flash Spot Fill Flash is set Pronea Meu Fal P S A M CPU lens 60016 mm P S AIM CPU lens ar TTL M Non CPU lens 1 The camera s exposure meter cannot be used Set the aperture using the lens aperture ring Reference information 109 TTL auto flash modes available with the SB 800 Camera Camera TTL mode Current TTL Exposure Metering Lens Group mode display mode F 601 m TTL P S A M CPU lens except for G type Nee m T
91. ll other remote flash units fire e Both the master and remote flash units fire at the flash output level compensation value as set I Modeling illuminator in SU 4 type wireless multiple flash Operation p 84 When the Modeling illuminator button on the master flash unit or the one on the camera is pressed the Modeling illuminator of the master unit only fires e When the SB 800 is set as a remote flash unit the Modeling illuminator does not fire even when the Modeling illuminator button is pressed Custom functions The SB 800 can easily set activate or cancel various operations using the Custom settings as shown below Icons appearing on the LCD panel vary depending on the settings and the camera lens combinations No icon appears when the settings are not available For details on setting custom functions see Custom settings p 68 It Available Custom functions and the icons 150 aoe S008 ISO sensitivity p 24 w Wireless flash mode p 72 Sound monitor in the wireless flash mode p 89 Non TTL auto flash mode p 38 Standby function p 21 Selecting the distance unit of measure m ft m Power zoom function p 26 Power zoom function using the built in wide flash adapter Nikon Diffusion Dome p 27 LCD panel illuminator p 119 LCD panel brightness p 119 Wide area AF Assist Illuminator
92. lluminator button Wireless remote flash cancel button on the SB 800 to avoid accidental firing in sync with other Speedlights The SB 800 will not fire while this button is pressed Advanced operations 75 76 Flash shooting in Advanced Wireless Lighting When the SB 800 is used with Nikon cameras compatible with CLS Advanced Wireless Lighting is possible In this mode you can divide the remote flash units into a maximum of three groups A B C and set the flash mode and flash output level compensation values separately for each group as well as the master flash unit providing automatic control of the light output Iii Setting the SB 800 to Advanced Wireless Lighting You can set the SB 800 to Advanced Wireless Lighting using Custom settings p 67 Select MASTER to set the SB 800 as the master flash unit in the Custom settings mode e Select MASTER RPT in Repeating flash operation e The indicator amp _ appears on the LCD panel TIL O OPENEN ATTL 7 aen B 13 C zon 28mm Select REMOTE to set the SB 800 as a remote flash unit in the Custom settings mode e The indicator appears on the LCD panel cull ped J REMOTE M zoom 28mm lit Settings i n the Advanced Wireless Lighting In this mode set the following items on either the master flash unit or the remote flash un its Item Speedlight to be set Remarks Flash mode
93. ly Set the camera s exposure mode to Shutter Priority Auto S or Manual M and set the shutter speed to one slower than its flash sync shutter speed e With cameras providing slow sync set the camera s flash sync mode to Slow sync p 58 to bring out background details in low light situations e For details see your camera s instruction manual Other functions 55 56 Exposure compensation and flash output level compensation I Flash output level compensation You can make exposure compensation for the flash illuminated subject without affecting the background exposure by modifying the SB 800 s flash output level e Available in TTL auto flash mode Auto Aperture flash and Distance priority manual flash operations e In the TTL auto flash mode or Auto Aperture flash operation flash output level compensation is only available with cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups to Ill With F 601 N6006 and F 601m N6000 cameras make flash output level compensation on the camera Flash output level compensation cannot be made on the SB 800 The amount of compensation set on the camera does not appear on the SB 800 s LCD panel For details see your camera s instruction manual With F80 Series N80 Series F70 Series N70 and Pronea 600i 6i cameras having an exposure compensation function you can compensate the flash output level on either the camera or the SB 800 For details see yo
94. may accidentally fire in sync with that photographer s master flash unit To avoid this use a different channel number Advanced operations 77 78 Flash shooting in Advanced Wireless Lighting I Setting the flash mode flash output level compensation values and channel number on the master flash unit Hoea boars rey eee SEL Fis amp zom 28mm mmm 1 5 Re i 12 8 C zoon 28mm MTT 1 aly ATIL 2 0 E D r1 3 C zoom 28mm MTTL 1 A TTL 2 B Fi3 cy C zoom 28mm Press the button on the master flash unit to highlight M then press the button to choose the desired flash mode Press the or button to increase or decrease the flash output level compensation values e Compensation values can be set in 1 3 steps from 3 0 to 3 0 EV e The flash output level can be set from M1 1 to M1 128 in the Manual M mode Press the button to highlight A then press the button to set the flash mode on the remote flash unit within group A e f the master unit s flash mode has been set to Repeating flash the Repeating flash or Flash canceled mode can be set on the remote flash unit Following step 2 above set the flash output level compensation values on the remote flash unit within group A As in steps 3 and 4 set the flash mode and flash output level compensation values on the remote flash units within groups B and C
95. multiple The flash has fired at its maximum output p 89 flash shooting and under exposure may have occurred Reference information 117 118 Troubleshooting Iii Ready light warning inside the camera s viewfinder The ready light blinks when the flash mode is set to TTL auto flash Note The SB 800 s flash mode is set to TTL auto flash Ref Problem Cause page Cameras in Groups except for F70 Series N70 to VI and Digital SLRs cameras p 22 The ready light blinks when pressing The SB 800 is not correctly attached the shutter release button slightly in the to the camera TTL auto flash mode Cameras in Groups V and VI The ready light blinks when the power The ISO sensitivity set on the camera is turned on in TTL auto flash mode is higher than the available range of the Speedlight e The ISO sensitivity set on the camera is higher or lower than the available range for the FA camera Cameras in Group VI p 110 The ready light blinks in the TTL auto The shutter speed is set to M90 M250 flash mode or B bulb FM3A New FM2 cameras The ready light blinks The shutter speed set is faster than the flash sync speed New FM2 F55 Series N55 Series cameras p 110 The SB 800 incorporates a microcomputer to control flash operations In rare cases the SB 800 may not work properly even after fresh batteries are properly installed If this happens repla
96. nal battery source is used More than 10 seconds Recharge External power sources Using an optional external power source increases the number of flash firings and provides faster recycling times p 113 Basic operation 19 2 Test firing Confirming the exposure Press the button for approx 0 3 sec to turn on the SB 800 Make sure the ready light comes on 2 Press the FLASH button to test fire the flash I Test firing CAUTION When test firing the Speedlight never position your eyes close to the flash head e The SB 800 fires at specified output in the Manual flash mode or at approx 1 16 output in the TTL auto flash mode e In Auto Aperture Non TTL auto flash operations the SB 800 fires at a flash output controlled by the ISO sensitivity aperture and zoom head position e In Auto Aperture Non TTL auto flash operations you can check the amount of insufficient flash output by pressing the FLASH button before taking the actual picture p 52 Il button Pressing the button for approx 0 3 sec turns the SB 800 on and the indications appear on the LCD panel Pressing the button again turns the SB 800 off and the indications disappear Standby function to conserve battery power mm he SB 800 and the camera are not used for more than a specified time the standby function activates and automatically turns the SB 800
97. o 105mm as shown in the figure below A total of 9 focus areas excluding the extreme right and left hand ones are usable at ens focal lengths of 24mm to 105mm With AF cameras such as the D2H the effective shooting range of the wide area AF assist Illuminator is approx 1m to 10m 3 3 to 33 ft or less in the mid portion of he frame and 1m to 7m 3 3 to 23 ft or less at the periphery with a 50mm f 1 8 lens These ranges may vary depending on the lens in use For details see your camera s instruction manual M Notes on using the Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator e f the focus indicator does not appear in the camera s viewfinder even through the Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator turns on focus manually e The Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator will not light up if the camera s autofocus is locked or the SB 800 s ready light does not come on e Refer to your camera s instruction manual for more information Activating and canceling the Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator You can set the SB 800 s Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator to activate or cancel in the Custom settings mode p 67 e By default the Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator is set to activate Canceling the SB 800 s flash firing but not the Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator The SB 800 s Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator comes on but the flash unit will not fire when FIRE is set to OFF canceled in the Custom settings mode p
98. ompensation value as well as the aperture and focal length of the lens e Auto Aperture flash is available with cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups and II when used with a CPU lens e Auto Aperture flash is automatically set default setting for the above camera lens combinations To cancel Auto Aperture flash and set to Non TTL auto flash p 40 use Custom settings p 67 Set the camera s exposure mode to Programmed Auto P or Aperture Priority Auto A 2 Lock the CPU lens aperture at its minimum e Not necessary with a G type lens 3 Press the button to display on the 0 6 LCD panel 4 While looking at the flash shooting distance range on the SB 800 s LCD panel set the aperture on the camera when the camera s exposure mode is set to A e Making exposure compensation on the SB 800 is also possible p 56 is on then shoot e When the flash has fired at its maximum output and underexposure may have occurred the ready light on the SB 800 blinks for approx 3 sec To compensate use a wider aperture or move closer to the subject and reshoot 5 Compose the picture confirm that the ready light IIE Setting the aperture in Auto Aperture flash operation Set the aperture on the camera or lens within the avai the table below lable range as shown in Usable flash shooting d
99. on activates and the zoom head is automatically adjusted e The zoom head position is automatically adjusted within the range of 24mm 28mm 35mm to 105mm in increments of 5mm between 35mm and 105mm when the power zoom function is activated e When the lens focal length is not one of those indicated above the zoom head adjusts to the closest wideangle setting of the lens in use For example if the zoom setting of a CPU lens is between 36mm and 39mm the zoom head position is adjusted to 35mm e f a small M does not appear above the ZOOM indication on the LCD panel the zoom head position will be automatically adjusted If a small M appears press the 9 or W button several times until it disappears 0UBUIFP Ge BL 150208 pero STB 0 6 4 0 m x 0 6 2 4 ms zoom P28mmF 1 1 28 M 935mm F 2 3 2 6 Power zoom activated Power zoom canceled li Setting the zoom head position manually When the SB 800 is used with cameras in Groups III to VII in combination with a non CPU lens or you want to change the zoom head position to one that does not match the focal length you should adjust the zoom head position manually e Press the button to move toward a wideangle setting and the button to move toward a telephoto setting A small M above the ZOOM indication appears on the LCD panel while manually setting the zoom head position When the camera lens combination is compatible with the power zoom function the zoom h
100. ones used in the current Speedlight manuals when the flash unit is used with various cameras not compatible with CLS e Refer to your camera s instruction manual for specific in and functions Exposure mode Metering system ormation on camera settings P Programmed Auto O Matrix re Shutter Priority Auto Center Weighted hee erture Priority Auto O Spo M Manual TTL D TTL auto flash mode Mk Automatic Balanced Fill Flash with Dis Automatic Balanced Fill Flash with TTL Multi Sensor TTL Multi Sensor for Digital SLRs m EA Matrix Balanced Fill Flash Center DT Center Weighted Fill Flash for Digital Weighted Fill Flash Spot Fill Flash SLRs Standard TTL Flash DT Standard TTL Flash for Digital SLRs Cameras compatible with the TTL D TTL auto flash mode Camera Camera TTL mode Current TTL Exposure Metering Lens Group mode display mode system D1 Series meg D H P S A M CPU lens D G type meg D P S A M CPU lens except for D G type meg D A M Non CPU lens Digital m D P S A M CPU lens SLRs not in D A M Non CPU lens compatible D100 MBL P S A M CPU lens D G type with CLS ABO P S A M CPU lens except for D G type m P S A M CPU lens E M o Non CPU lens 1 3D Multi Sensor Balanced Fill Flash for Digital SLRs is set 2
101. ooting Control button quick reference Control buttons Creative Lighting System Custom functions D TTL mode D type Nikkor lenses Default settings 0 0 eee cceeeeeteeeeeeeaes Digital SLRs not compatible with CLS Distance priority manual flash Dotted line below the underbar Exposure compensation Exposure mode External power SOUICE ou cece FLASH button FV Lock flash Flash Color Information COMMUMEAT ON s is 5 blashhead aaaeaii iiaia 100 ash head tilting rotating lock release button ash modes ash output level ash output level compensation value ash shooting distance range ash sync mode Frequency Front curtain sync G type Nikkor lens s cece 16 Guide number Highlighted items c ee eeeeeeeeeeee 15 ISO sensitivity ISO sensitivity factors Icons LCD panel illuminator LCD panel ASTER inorren aanstaan 15 72 ODE DUON ca ccoccsacassonoseessanannttaniauseenenadas 30 anual exposure M mode 29 anual flash anual mode aster flash unit etering system inimum recycling time odeling illuminator onitor Preflashes ounting foot lock lever ulti Selector ultiple flash operation 72 ultiple flash shooting using cords 90 OVAPPILE prian a ikon Diffusion Dome on CPU lenses jon TTL auto flash 40 lon TTL auto flash mode
102. osure For cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Group in the TTL auto flash mode the amount of underexposure 0 to 3 0 EV appears for approx 3 sec on the SB 800 s LCD panel at the same time the above ready lights blink e Pressing the and buttons simultaneously recalls this display 4 0 1 acy zoom 28mmF1 1 Basic operation 33 Using the SB 800 with the COOLPIX 4h h Using the SB 800 with COOLPIX digital cameras IU For COOLPIX cameras such as the COOLPIX 5400 and 4500 having an accessory shoe hot shoe or TTL multiple flash terminal When more powerful illumination is required or when performing multiple flash it is recommended to connect the SB 800 or another Nikon Speedlight compatible with TTL auto flash to the COOLPIX Auto flash operation is possible by setting the SB 800 s flash mode to TTL auto flash The flash output level is controlled by detecting signals from the camera to determine when to start and stop firing in sync with the built in flash which is bul by the camera s Non TTL auto flash operation e For connection to COOLPIX cameras featuring hot shoe contacts such as the COOLPIX 5400 attach the Speedlight directly to the accessory shoe Optional accessories such as the Multi Flash Bracket Unit SK E900 should be used for connection with COOLPIX cameras having a TTL multiple flash terminal but no hot shoe
103. oting data e Focal length 70mm e Shutter speed 2 sec e Aperture 4 5 e Flash mode Manual e Flash output level M1 1 f Other functions 59 60 Auto FP High Speed Sync mode for cameras compatible with CLS High Speed flash synchronization at your camera s highest shutter speed is now possible In this mode the Auto FP High Speed Sync mode is automatically set when the shutter speed exceeds the camera s sync shutter speed This is useful when you want to use a wider aperture to achieve shallow depth of field to blur the background e Available with cameras compatible with CLS You cannot set the Auto FP High Speed sync mode on the SB 800 directly but must set it on the camera e High speed flash synchronization is possible exceeding your camera s sync shutter speed up to your camera s highest shutter speed e Auto FP High Speed sync also operates in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode e Available flash modes are i TTL Auto Aperture flash Distance priority manual flash and Manual flash when using a single flash unit i TTL Auto Aperture flash Non TTL auto flash and Manual flash are available in multiple flash operation Flash Value Lock FV Lock for cameras compatible with CLS Flash Value or FV is the amount of flash exposure for the subject Using FV Lock with compatible cameras you can lock in the appropriate flash exposure for the main subject This flash exposure remains locked in
104. owing intensive use Be sure to check battery power and replace the batteries with fresh ones if you notice any delays in the recycling time Do not store batteries in locations subject to high temperatures and high humidity Reference information 115 116 Troubleshooting If a warning indication appears on the SB 800 s LCD panel or inside the camera s viewfinder use the following chart to determine the cause of the problem before you take your Speedlight to a Nikon service center for repair li Problems with the SB 800 Ref Problem Cause page The power cannot be turned on The batteries are not correctly installed p 18 The ready light does not light up Battery power is weak p 19 The standby function is activated p 21 and operating The power turns off automatically The batteries are extremely exhausted p 19 A strange sound can be heard caused by the flash head zooming back and 7 F forth even when the SB 800 is he batteries are extremely exhausted p 19 turned off The flash shooting distance range The flash head is adjusted to other than p 23 does not appear the horizontal front or down 7 position No MU or BL indicator appears The camera s exposure mode or p 108 in TTL auto flash mode metering system is not correctly set or a non CPU lens is mounted The zoom head position cannot be The built in wide flash adapter is in use or p 101 a
105. pensation p 54 easily by varying the aperture set on the camera or lens e No limitation on usable cameras e Auto Aperture flash p 38 is automatically set default setting when a CPU lens is mounted on cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups and II To cancel Auto Aperture flash and set to Non TTL auto flash use Custom settings p 67 1 Set the camera s exposure mode to Aperture Priority Auto A or Manual M Leese Press the button to display on the 150200 STBVAUTO 8 0 ms LCD panel zoom 28mmF5 6 A 150200 STByAUTO 0 7 8 0 m zoom 28mmFQ 3 Press the or button to change the aperture bringing the subject within the flash shooting distance range Set the aperture that appears on the SB 800 s LCD panel on the lens or camera Usable flash shooting distance r 5 Set the camera to its highest flash sync shutter speed e For details see your camera s instruction manual Compose the picture make sure the ready light is on then shoot e When the flash has fired at its maximum output and underexposure may have occurred the ready light on the SB 800 blinks for approx 3 sec To compensate use a wider aperture or move closer to the subject and reshoot ll Setting the aperture in Non TTL auto flash operation Set the aperture within the availa
106. ras providing TTL flash operation with Nikon Speedlights such as the SB 800 featuring an ISO type mounting foot not designed for the F3 Bracket SK 7 A metal plate with attachment screws allowing the camera and Speedlight to be positioned side by side Use the optional TTL Multi Flash Adapter AS 10 to attach the SB 800 to Bracket SK 7 Multi Flash Bracket Unit SK E900 One AS E900 Multi Flash Adapter is included with the SK E900 Multi Flash Adapter AS E900 The SB 800 can be used as a multiple flash unit with Nikon COOLPIX 900 series digital cameras by attaching the COOLPIX to Multi Flash Bracket Unit SK E900 and connecting the SB 800 to the multi flash terminal of the COOLPIX using the Multi Flash Adapter AS E900 p 34 li Other accessories 112 Speedlight Stand AS 19 Same as that provided with this SB 800 Colored Gel Filter Set SJ 1 A total of 20 filters in 8 models are provided Colored gel filters are consumable items and subject to a gradual deterioration in color due to the heat generated when the flash fires Therefore it is recommended to check and replace these filters when necessary ili Using external power sources Connecting to an external power source To use an external power source remove the cover and connect its power cord to the SB 800 s external power source terminal e Using external power sources made by another manufacturer is not recommended
107. rcuits are activated cutting off power This often occurs when the flash unit is operated in the repeating flash mode Battery power will recover when the temperature returns to normal NiCd battery rechargeable 1 2V Ni MH rechargeable 1 2V Rechargeable Before recharging the batteries be sure to read the instruction manuals for your batteries and battery charger for detailed information on how to handle and recharge the batteries A3 Recycling To protect the earth s environment do not dispose amp Y rechargeable of used rechargeable batteries yourself Instead Li ion batteries take these batteries to your nearest recycling center Iii Notes on handling batteries Because flash consumes a large amount of battery power rechargeable batteries may not operate properly before reaching the end of their stated lifespan or the number of charging discharging as specified by the battery manufacturer When replacing batteries replace all four or five batteries at the same time Do not mix battery types or brands or use old with new batteries When installing batteries turn off the power of the Speedlight and never reverse the polarity of the batteries If the battery terminals become soiled remove dirt and smudges before use as this may cause a malfunction Battery power tends to weaken as the temperature drops It also gradually decreases when batteries are not used for a long time and recovers after a short break foll
108. reless flash mode When the SB 800 is used as a wireless remote flash unit you can monitor its operation by listening to the beeping sound p 67 This function can be activated or canceled using the Custom settings Confirming flash operation using the ready light or beeping sound Master flash unit Remote flash unit Ready light Ready light Beeping sound Speedlight condition Lights up Lights up One beep Ready to fire Lights up or does not come on not blinking Lights up or does not come on not blinking Two beeps Fired properly Blinks for approx 3 sec Blinks for approx 3 sec Beeps for approx 3 sec Both the master and remote flash units have fired at full output and light may have been insufficient for correct exposure Use a wider aperture and reshoot Lights up or does not come on not blinking Blinks for approx 3 sec Beeps for approx 3 sec The remote flash unit has fired at full output and light may have been insufficient for correct exposure The light sensor could not detect when to stop firing in sync with the master flash unit because a strong reflection from the remote flash unit itself or light from another remote flash unit may have entered the light sensor window Change the direction or position of the remote flash unit and reshoot Advanced operations 89 90 Multiple flash shooting using cords The
109. ring CLS such as SB 800 for both the master and remote flash units SU 4 type wireless multiple flash p 84 No limitation Master flash unit Speedlights compatible with wireless flash operation those compatible with the TTL mode or the built in Speedlights on cameras so equipped Remote flash unit Except the SB 23 all Speedlights compatible with wireless flash operation or those connected to the optional Wireless Slave Flash Controller SU 4 Multiple flash operation using cords p 90 No limitation TTL multiple flash operation is not possible with digital SLRs Speedlights compatible with the TTL mode e Speedligthts SB 11 SB 14 SB 140 and SB 21B cannot be used with the F 401 N4004 or F 410s N4004s as either master or remote flash units flash or Non TTL auto LA e It s not possible to use different types of multiple flash operations together e Wireless multiple flash operation using Speedlights compatible with CLS is called Advanced Wireless Lighting For cameras compatible with CLS and digital SLRs not compatible with CLS set the master flash unit s flash mode to Auto Aperture AAI flash in SU 4 type wireless multiple flash operation In multiple flash operation using cords multiple flash shooting in M manual mode only is possible Master flash unit and remote flash unit s In this instruction manual the flash unit mounted on the
110. rs on the LCD panel telling you that the SB 800 is set as a master flash unit If you detach the SB 800 from the camera the indicator automatically changes to 2 signifying that the SB 800 is set as a remote flash unit Notes on the master flash unit e When the SB 800 is set as the master flash unit Monitor Preflashes are canceled For other Speedlights be sure to cancel the master flash unit s Monitor Preflashes e The following flash modes are recommended for the master flash unit Master flash unit s flash mode Camera group Recommended flash mode Icons displayed Cameras compatible Non TTL auto flash mode AA or All icons with CLS Al Digital SLRs not L mode is not possible although All icons compatible with CLS icons are displayed Cameras in Groups L mode All icons to VI Setting the flash mode on the remote flash units P REMOTE M Zoot 35mm A auto mode 1 Detach the SB 800 which is already set to the SU 4 type wireless multiple flash mode from the camera body The flash mode on the remote flash unit toggles between gt A auto and gt M manual every time you press the button e In the A auto mode the remote flash units start and stop firing in sync with the master flash unit e The maximum shooting distance of the SB 800 s light sensor is approx 7m 23 ft M manual mode e In the M manual mode the remote fl
111. shes are fired sod 28mmE8 cannot be used When using either the optional TTL Multi Flash Sync Cord SC 27 SC 26 SC 19 or SC 18 turn off all flash units before connecting the master flash unit to the remote flash units Turn on all remote flash units and set the flash mode on all remote flash unit to TTL auto flash STBYAUTO ry At 0 6 5 7 m zo 28mmF8 5 Confirm the aperture and flash shooting distance as in normal TTL auto flash shooting then shoot e See page 17 concerning the TTL auto flash mode e When the flash has fired at its maximum output and underexposure may have occurred the ready light on the SB 800 blinks for approx 3 sec To compensate use a wider aperture or move closer to the subject and reshoot iii Manual multiple flash aa RUE Set the camera s exposure mode to Aperture Priority Auto A or Manual M eho Bro Lb eB 0 2 Turn off the power and attach the master flash unit to the camera Connect the sync terminal on the master flash unit to the remote flash unit using the optional Sync Cord SC 11 or SC 15 Turn on the power of all flash units and set the flash mode on all units to Manual flash e The flash output level can be adjusted on the SB 800 SB 80DX SB 28 and so forth if necessary p 43 e Repeating flash is not possible Confirm the aperture and flash shooting distance as in normal Manual flash shooting then
112. shoot e See page 46 for more information about the Manual flash mode Advanced operations 93 94 System chart for TTL multiple flash shooting using cords e Speedlights SB 11 SB 14 SB 140 and SB 21B cannot be used with the F 401 N4004 or F 401s N4004s as either master or remote flash units Group I F5 with DA 30 DP 30 F100 F90X N90s F90 Series N90 F80 Series N80 Series Group Il F4 Series with DW 20 DW 21 F4 Series with DA 20 DP 20 F65 Series N65 Series F 801s N8008s F 801 N8008 Pronea 600i 6i Group Ill Master flash unit SB 14 SB 11 SB 140 SB 15 SB 20 SB 22 SB 22s SB 23 SB 27 SB 30 SB 50DX PR DUPER P fea F 601 N6006 F 601wN6000 Group IV F60 Series N60 F50 Series N50 F 401x N5005 F 501 N2020 F 401s N4004s F 401 N4004 F 301 N2000 Group VI FM3a FA FE2 FG I I I I I I SB 16B SB 24 SB 25 SB 26 SB 28 se 2s1es SB 80DX SB 800 28DX l I I I I I bbe Sa er ee E S J um d i m A A um m A Nikonos V m V type Sync Cord Group VII Fi Items marked on page 94 are connected to item on page 95 Remote flash unit Om 1 1 1 SB 16B SB 24 SB 25 26 SB g 8 29 29s SB 800 i I sA 1 L 1 T 1 O AS 10 raSS
113. t B 8 Likewise press the button on the master flash unit to set the flash output level to 1 16 on the remote flash unit B Press the button on the master flash unit to highlight the channel number then press the or button to set the channel number to 1 10 Set up remote flash units A and B Turn the power on then confirm that the ready lights come on e Use a tripod or the Speedlight Stand AS 19 for placement of the remote flash units p 75 11 Set the remote flash units A and B to REMOTE 12 Set the channel number of the remote flash units A and B to 1 e Be sure to choose the same channel number as set on the master flash unit lent 234 M zoom 28mm 13 Set the group of the remote flash units A and B e Set the remote flash unit A to group A and the remote flash unit B to group B 14 Confirm that all the ready lights of the master and remote flash units are on then press the FLASH button on the master flash unit to test fire the units The master flash unit fires first then the remote flash units in group A fire followed by those in group B If a certain remote flash unit does not fire change the setup by moving the remote unit closer to the subject or redirect its light sensor window toward the master flash unit then test fire the new setup You can check the illumination before actually taking pictures using the Modeling illuminator p 66 15 Finally confirm the aperture
114. t SB 800 s performance has been optimized for use with Nikon brand cameras accessories including lenses Camera accessories made by other manufacturers may not meet Nikon s criteria for specifications and nonconforming cameras accessories could damage the SB 800 s components Nikon cannot guarantee the SB 800 s performance when used with non Nikon products Notes e The Nikon N90s N90 N75 Series N70 N60 N55 Series N50 N8008 N8008s PRONEA 6i N6006 N6000 N5005 N4004s and N4004 are sold exclusively in the U S A e The Nikon N80 Series N65 Series are sold exclusively in the U S A and Central and South America e The Nikon N2020 and N2000 are sold exclusively in the U S A and Canada Preparation Camera groups and available flash modes In this manual Nikon SLR cameras are divided into nine groups cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups to VII unless otherwise noted First consult the camera group table to see which group your camera belongs to Then as you read the manual you will find specific information on how to use the SB 800 with your particular camera CLS Creative Lighting System p 5 TTL auto flash mode p 37 Group Camera name fin BD i TTL D TTL TTL Cameras compatible D2H O O with CLS piga LRs not None _ compatible D1 Series D100 O oO with CLS F5
115. tached 2With the built in wide flash adapter set Bounce Flash head tilts down to 7 or up to 90 with click stops at 7 capability 0 45 60 75 90 flash head rotates horizontally 180 to the left or 90 to the right with click stops at 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 ON OFF button Press the button for approx 0 3 sec to turn the SB 800 on or off Standby function can be set Power source min recycling time no of flashes at M1 1 output Four AA type penlight batteries 1 5V or lower of any of these types Alkaline manganese 1 5V Lithium 1 5V Nickel 1 5V NiCd rechargeable 1 2V or Ni MH rechargeable 1 2V Battery type Min recycling Min number of flashes time approx recycling time approx Alkaline manganese 6 0 sec 130 6 30 sec Lithium 7 5 sec 170 7 5 30 sec Nickel 6 0 sec 140 6 30 sec NiCd 1000mAh rechargeable 4 0 sec 90 4 30 sec Ni MH 2000mA rechargeable 4 0 sec 150 4 30 sec With fresh batteries M1 1 output without use of AF assist illuminator zoom operation and LCD panel illuminator Reference information 121 122 Specifications External power External power source Battery type optional DC Unit SD 7 Six C type alkaline manganese High Performance Battery Six AA type alkaline manganese Pack SD 8A Power Bracket Unit SK 6 Four AA type alk
116. termining the aperture and flash output level in the Manual mode p 42 For cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups and II with CPU lenses set the SB 800 s aperture on the camera You cannot set the aperture on the SB 800 directly If the ISO sensitivity is correctly set the flash shooting distance appears on the LCD panel matching the flash output level and aperture as set Detailed operation 49 Manual mode Set the same aperture on the camera or lens that is set on the SB 800 e With cameras in Groups Ill to VII 8 Set the shutter speed e Use the equation to determine the shutter speed and use that shutter speed or one slower SH wa Shutter speed Number of flashes per frame PISI Frequency of flashes Hz e For example if the number of flashes per frame is 10 and frequency is 5 Hz divide 10 by 5 to get a shutter speed of 2 sec or slower e Or you can set the shutter speed to B bulb to accommodate any number of repeating flashes 9 Confirm that the ready light is on then shoot Making sure the flash fires correctly before shooting Press the FLASH button to make sure the flash fires correctly as set Exposure compensation in Repeating flash operation The flash shooting distance calculated in step number 6 is the correct exposure for the first flash in the sequence Therefore repeating flash at this flash output level will r
117. the SB 800 which provides an overview of the SB 800 s flash shooting capabilities with example photos In addition keep your camera instruction manual handy for quick reference I Main features and functions of the SB 800 e The SB 800 is a high performance Speedlight with a guide number of 38 125 ISO 100 m ft or 53 174 ISO 200 m ft at the 35mm zoom head position 20 C 68 F According to the camera and lens combination used with the SB 800 you can perform various types of TTL auto flash p 37 Non TTL auto flash p 38 and Manual flash p 42 A power zoom function automatically adjusts the zoom head position to match the lens focal length with the exception of some camera lens combinations p 26 When the built in wide flash adapter is used or the Nikon Diffusion Dome is attached p 27 the zoom head position is automatically set to match a 14mm or 17mm lens The flash head tilts up to 90 or down to 7 and rotates horizontally 180 to the left and 90 to the right enabling bounce flash p 98 or close up flash photography p 102 Nikon s new Creative Lighting System provides a variety of advanced wireless multiple flash operations when the SB 800 is used with compatible cameras p 5 When doing bounce flash or taking close ups with flash you can use the built in wide flash adapter in conjunction with Nikon Diffusion Dome to create extremely soft diffused lighting with virtually no shadows while mainta
118. the SB 800 s LCD panel 57 58 Slow sync flash mode Red eye reduction control li Slow sync flash The flash is controlled at a slow shutter speed to obtain the correct exposure for both the main subject and background in low light situations or at night e Available with cameras providing slow sync You cannot set the slow sync function on the SB 800 directly but must set it on the camera For more information refer to your camera s instruction manual e Since slow shutter speeds are normally used use of a tripod is recommended to prevent camera shake Ili Red eye reduction To prevent the center of your subject s eyes from appearing red in color pictures the SB 800 fires three flashes at reduced output just before the picture is taken e Available with cameras having red eye reduction control You cannot set red eye reduction on the SB 800 directly but must set it on the camera For more information refer to your camera s instruction manual After setting your camera to red eye reduction make sure that amp appears on the SB 800 s LCD panel 4IUBUFF EU 150200 SIBYAN 6 4 0 m zoom 28mmF1 am l Red eye reduction with slow sync flash mode n this mode red eye reduction is combined with slow sync e Available with cameras having red eye reduction with slow sync You cannot set this mode on the SB 800 directly but must set it on the camera For more information r
119. the button until M appears on the LCD panel 3 Determine the flash output level and aperture to match the flash shooting distance e For details on determining the flash output level and the aperture refer to Determining the aperture and flash output level in the Manual mode p 42 Press the button to highlight the flash output level display then press the or button to increase or decrease the values e Refer to Setting the flash output level p 47 5 Set the aperture For cameras compatible with CLS digital SLRs not compatible with CLS and cameras in Groups and II with CPU lenses set the SB 800 s aperture on the camera You cannot set the aperture on the SB 800 directly e For other camera lens combinations press the button to highlight the aperture display then press he or button to increase or decrease the aperture value e f the ISO sensitivity is correctly set the flash shooting distance appears on the LCD panel matching the lash output level and aperture as set li Setting the flash output level Press the button to highlight the flash output level display The flash output level changes every time you press the or button as shown below When you press the button Cs gt 1 2 gt 1 2 1 3 1 2 2 3 gt 1 4 1 128 1 4 2 3 4 1 4 1 3 i When you press the button on 28 gt 1 128 41 3 gt 1 128 2 3 gt 1 64 1
120. umber of flashes ON OFF butoi essen 12 Power zoom function Programmed auto P Quick Recycling Battery Pack 64 REMOTE Ready light Rear curtain sync Red eye reduction control Red eye reduction with slow sync flash Remote flash unit Repeating flash Reset SU 4 type wireless multiple flash SHOOUUMG neee sis AR 84 Selecting the distance unit m or ft 70 Shutter priority auto exposure S 29 Slow sync flash mode 58 Soft Case Sound monitor Speedlight Stand Speedlight parts and their functions 10 Standard TTL MAS ioiii 37 Standby function Supplied accessories Underexposure value in the TTL auto flash MOJE iniciei 33 Using the built in bounce card 101 Wide Area AF Assist Illuminator 62 Wireless flash mode 69 Wireless master flash unit 72 Wireless multiple flash shooting 72 Wireless remote flash cceeeeeeeees 72 Zoom head position s 26 Reference information 125 Nikon No reproduction in any form of this manual in whole or in part except for brief quotation in critical articles or reviews may be made without written authorization from NIKON CORPORATION Printed in Japan NIKON CORPORATION 1T3H03000101 11 Fuji Bldg 2 3 Marunouchi 3 chome Chiyoda ku Tokyo 100 8331 Japan 8MSA0611
121. ups to Il A Non TTL auto flash No limitation GN Distance priority No limitation manual flash M Manual flash No limitation RPT Repeating flash No limitation Other available functions Test firing Monitor Preflashes AF assist illuminator and Modeling illuminator Creative Lighting System A variety of flash operations are available with camera s compatible with CLS i TTL mode Advanced Wireless Lighting FV Lock flash Flash color information communication Auto FP High Speed sync and Wide area AF Assist Illuminator Multiple flash operation Available multiple flash Usable camera Advanced Wireless Lighting Cameras compatible with CLS SU 4 type wireless multiple flash No limitation Multiple flash shooting using cords No limitation Flash exposure Slow sync Red eye reduction Red eye reduction in control set on slow sync Rear curtain sync flash Auto FP High Speed the camera sync FV Lock flash Angle of Variable in 7 steps plus three steps with wide flash adapter coverage and Nikon Diffusion Dome Zoom head Angle of coverage position Vertical Horizontal 14mm 1 14mm 110 120 14mm 2 14mm 110 120 17mm 2 17mm 100 110 24mm 24mm 60 78 28mm 28mm 53 70 35mm 35mm 45 60 50mm 50mm 34 46 70mm 70mm 26 36 85mm 85mm 23 31 105mm 105mm 20 2r With the Nikon Diffusion Dome at
122. ur camera s instruction manual If you use both controls the exposure is modified by the sum total of both compensation values In this case the SB 800 s LCD panel shows only the compensation value set on the SB 800 T Press the button to highlight the Flash output 4 150200 PI 40 6 4 0 mis level compensation value zoom 28mmF11 7 2 Press the or button to increase or decrease the compensation in 1 3 steps from 3 0 to 3 0 EV 3 Press the button e The highlighted flash output level compensation value returns to normal display The last highlighted number is the one automatically set M Canceling flash output level compensation The flash output level compensation cannot be canceled by turning the SB 800 off To cancel press the or button to return the compensation value to 0 Flash shooting distance range with zoom lenses having a variable aperture With zoom lenses having a variable aperture take note of the following before setting the aperture on the SB 800 and confirming the flash shooting distance range e For details read the instruction manuals of your camera and lenses Lenses having a variable aperture There are two maximum aperture values indicated in the lens model name of certain zoom lenses For example with the AF Zoom Nikkor 28 105mm f 3 5 4 5D IF the maximum aperture at 28mm is f 3 5 but decreases to f 4 5 at 105mm IIE Sett
123. ures under fluorescent light with the camera s white balance set to Flash the main subject illuminated by the flash will look normal However the background will come out green To compensate use the FL G1 green gel filter to convert the light coming from the flash to the same color as fluorescent light then adjust the camera s white balance to Fluorescent Follow a similar procedure when shooting flash pictures under incandescent tungsten illumination using the TN A1 filter In this case set the white balance to Incandescent e Available with digital cameras featuring white balance You cannot set the white balance on the SB 800 Choose an appropriate white balance setting on your digital camera For more details see your camera s instruction manual e When using tungsten film with a film based camera use the TN A1 for incandescent tungsten light filter for more effective results M Notes on using colored gel filters e These filters are consumable items When they extremely fade in color or deteriorate purchase optional Colored Gel Filter Set SJ 1 e Colored gel filters may become deformed due to the heat generated from the flash head However this will not affect their performance When taking pictures using repeating flash do not use these filters because they may become deformed quickly due to the heat e There is no difference between the front and back of colored gel filters Even though they may be
124. using the Auto FP High Speed sync mode p 60 To determine the aperture refer to Guide number p 43 and Flash shooting distance range in the TTL auto flash mode p 31 29 30 T Setting the SB 800 s flash mode Press the button to set the F TUBLIFR gual oon flash mode 40 6 4 0 m Fa e Display TU BL on the LCD panel zoom 28mmF11 2 ATELE ey 2 Confirm that the main subject is within the ETTET a W flash shooting distance range 40 6 4 0 m f aoa EM E d li Selecting the flash mode Every time you press the button the available flash mode icon changes Refer to Icons on the LCD panel p 13 me gt m p AAPM mM gt eer e Note that the usable flash modes only appear and vary and the unavailable flash modes will be skipped and do not appear when pressing the button e The SB 800 s available flash modes vary depending on the cameras and lenses in use or the camera s exposure mode and metering system Refer to Detailed operation p 35 TTL auto flash modes available with the SB 800 p 108 and your camera s instruction manual ii About the flash shooting distance range The SB 800 s flash shooting distance range is 0 6m to 20m 2 to 66 ft and varies depending on the ISO sensitivity zoom head position and lens aperture in use Flash shooting distance range in the TTL auto flash mode ISO sens
125. zoom head position is automatically set at 14mm To adjust the zoom head position automatically using the power zoom function go to the Custom settings Power zoom function using the built in wide flash adapter Nikon Diffusion Dome p 67 101 Close up flash operation When the built in wide flash adapter is used close up flash shooting can be performed The built in wide flash adapter diffuses the light from the flash to soften shadows When the SB 800 is used off camera you can take more natural looking close up pictures e Be sure to use the wide flash adapter when taking close up flash photographs e Be careful when using a long lens that the light from the flash is not obstructed by the lens barrel e Vignetting may occur in close up flash photography due to the lighting situation lens in use focal length setting etc Therefore make test shots before shooting an important assignment Flash shooting with two flash units Flash shooting with one light bounced from the side and top camera mounted flash unit Shooting data Shooting data e Camera D2H e Camera D2H e Focal length 105mm e Focal length 105mm e Master flash unit SB 800 set to TU e Master flash unit SB 800 set to e Remote flash unit SB 800 set to ETU e Aperture 10 e Aperture 22 e Shooting distance Approx 1m 3 3 ft e Shooting distance Approx 1m 3 3 ft Remote Example of close up shooting From the flash uni with two

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