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- (En)
SB 800
En
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.
Autofocus Speedlight
SB-800
Instruction Manual
Printed in Japan
TT3H03000101 (11)
8MSA0611--
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Contents Preparation · Foreword ............................................................................4-6 · Tips on using the Speedlight................................................7 · Camera groups and available flash modes ......................8-9 · Speedlight parts and their functions .............................10-11 · Control buttons....................................................................12 · Icons on the LCD panel.................................................13-15
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· Autofocus flash operation in dim light.................62-63 Preparation · Using the Quick Recycling Battery Pack This section provides SD-800 ..............................................................64-65 preliminary information on using the SB-800. · Checking the illumination before actually taking the picture (Modeling illuminator)................66 · Custom functions ......................................................67 Basic operation · Custom settings...........................
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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 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. Main features and functions of the SB-800 • The SB-
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Creative Lighting System 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: • i-TTL mode This is a new TTL auto flash mode in the Creative Lighting System. Monitor Preflashes are fired at all
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Foreword Notes • Default: Functions and flash modes preset when shipped from the factory are referred to as “Default” settings in this manual. • CLS: Hereafter, Nikon’s new Speedlight system “Creative Lighting System” is abbreviated “CLS.” Marks used in this manual • : Denotes important points to prevent malfunction or shooting failure. v • : Useful points that should be remembered for better usage of the SB-800. t • : Provides convenient reference information when using the SB-800
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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 Speedlight SB-800’s performance has been optimized for use with Nikon brand cameras/accessories including lenses. Camera/accessories made by other
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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 I 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) Grou
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: Available – : Not available Non-TTL auto flash mode (p. 38) Manual mode ( p. 42) Wireless multiple flash p Advanced BA Gq SU-4 type Distance- Wireless Auto Non-TTL priority Manual Repeating (master flash) Lighting Aperture flash auto flash manual flash flash (p. 84) (p. 76) flash 2 3 * * 3 * – – – –– –– –– 5 * –– –– 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 “Detailed oper
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Speedlight parts and their functions 7 1 8 2 9 10 11 3 4 12 13 14 5 15 6 1 Control button quick reference 9 Wide-area AF-assist illuminator (p. 12) (p. 62) Automatically turns on for autofocus operation 2 Flash head (p. 100) when the light is dim. Can be tilted up to 90° or down to –7°, and rotated horizontally 180° to the left and 90° to 10 External power source terminal the right. (supplied with cover) (p. 113) 3 Flash head tilting/rotating lock 11 Light sensor window for Non-TTL release butto
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16 17 18 22 19 20 23 21 24 25 16 Flash head tilting angle scale 21 Sync terminal (p. 93) (p. 100) Connects the SB-800 to the sync terminal of the remote flash unit(s) in other than TTL 17 Modeling illuminator button (p. 66) multiple flash operation using cords. Press to fire flash repeatedly to check the illumination and the shadows cast on the 22 LCD panel (p. 119) subject before taking pictures. 23 Control buttons (p. 12) Wireless remote flash cancel 24 Ready-light button (p. 75) Lights up whe
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Control buttons e button/f button Press to increase or decrease the values of the highlighted items. b button Press for approx. 0.3 sec. to turn the power on and off. Multi Selector g button • Press to select the items to be set. The selected item is highlighted and can be changed using the e and f buttons. • Press for approx. 2 sec. to display the Custom FLASH button settings mode (p. 68). Press to test fire the flash (p. 20). c button (wide)/d button (tele) a button Press to change the zoo
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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. Icons with a single flash unit Auto Aperture flash In addition to Non-TTL auto Icons when a camera compatible A flash (see below), the with CLS* is used. SB-800’s built-in sensor correctly controls the flash output in combination with data automatically transmitted from Monitor Preflashes the camera and l
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Icons on the LCD panel Compatible with CLS (CLS*) The wide-area AF-assist illuminator is activated The SB-800 is connected to cameras compatible with CLS* The wide-area AF-assist (p. 8). illuminator comes on (p. 62). Power zoom function The wide-area AF-assist The zoom-head position is illuminator is canceled automatically adjusted to match The wide-area AF-assist the lens focal length (p. 26). illuminator does not come on Manual zoom-head position (p. 62). setting You can adjust the zoom-head
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Icons with multiple flash units Icons in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode Wireless master Master (CLS*) In the wireless multiple flash Represents the settings of the mode, the SB-800 is used as flash mode and flash output the master flash unit connected level compensation value of the to the camera (p. 72). master unit in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode (p. 78). Wireless remote In the wireless multiple flash Group A (B, C) (CLS*) mode, the SB-800 is set as a Represents the settings
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Lenses In this manual, Nikkor lenses are divided into two types: CPU Nikkor lenses and non-CPU Nikkor lenses. G-type Nikkor, D-type Nikkor, Non-G/D-type AF Nikkor CPU Nikkor lenses (except for AF Nikkor for the F3AF), AI-P Nikkor Non-CPU Nikkor lenses AI-S Nikkor, AI 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 bod
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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 I to II. The SB-800’s available functions and the LCD display vary depending on other camera/lens c
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1 Installing the batteries Slide open the battery chamber lid in the 1 direction of the arrow. Install the batteries following the i and 2 j marks as shown. Align the battery chamber lid attachment indexes, then close the battery chamber lid by sliding it into place while pressing down. v Usable batteries Install 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 (Nic
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Minimum number of flashes and recycling times When using four (or five) fresh batteries 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. Nickel x4 6.0 sec. 140 / 6-30 sec. x5 5.0 sec. 140 / 5-30 sec. x4 4.0 sec. 90 / 4-30 sec. NiCd (1000 mAh)
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2 Test firing (Confirming the exposure) Press the b button for approx. 0.3 sec. 1 to turn on the SB-800. Make sure the ready-light comes on. Press the FLASH button to test fire the 2 flash. Test firing CAUTION! When test firing the Speedlight, never position your eyes close to the flash head. • The SB-800 fires at specified output in the Manual flash mode or at approx. 1/16 output in the TTL auto flash mode. • In Auto Aperture/Non-TTL auto flash operations, the SB-800 fires at a flash out
