✦iTTL. Nikon’s most advanced
metering system, it uses pre-
flashes fired from the Speedlight to
determine the proper flash expo-
sure. The pre-flashes are read by a
1005-pixel metering sensor. The
information is then combined with
the information from matrix meter-
ing, which is a reading of how
much available light is falling on
the subject. The Speedlight uses
this information to decide how
much flash exposure is needed to
create a fill flash.
✦Flash Value lock. The FV lock
allows you to meter the subject,
getting a reading for the proper
flash exposure. Pressing and hold-
ing the FV lock button allows you
to meter the subject, and then
recompose the shot while main-
taining the proper flash exposure
for the subject.
✦Advanced Wireless Lighting.
This allows you to use your
Speedlights wirelessly. The com-
mander unit fires pre-flashes,
which transmits information back
and forth between the camera and
the flash.
✦High-Speed Sync. This allows
you to use your flash at higher
shutter speed than your camera
body is rated for. You may want to
use this feature when shooting
outdoor portraits requiring a wide
aperture and high shutter speed.
✦Wide-Area AF-assist Illuminator.
The SB-800 and SB-600 have a
built-in LED that emits a light pat-
tern to give the cameras AF some-
thing to lock onto. The LED pattern
is wide enough to cover all eleven
focus areas on the D200, D2X/s
and the D2H/s.
✦Flash Color Information
Communication. As the flash
duration gets longer the color tem-
perature changes a bit. The SB-800
and SB-600 transmit this change to
the camera body, ensuring a more
accurate white balance.
SB-800
The SB-800 has many great features and
offers a great deal of versatility when shoot-
ing with flash. As you no doubt already have
the flash and have read the manual (or at
least skimmed through it), you should know
the basics about your Speedlight already.
But, before you go much further, you should
familiarize yourself with the Speedlight.

SB-800 specs and

features

This section provides a brief look at different
features that are available on the SB-800
Speedlight. It is important to note, however,
that some features may not be available to
use depending on the camera body you are
using. For example, when using the D50 or
D70/D70s the FP High Speed Sync feature is
unavailable.
The features the SB-800 is capable of
include
✦Guide Number. 125 at ISO 100
on the 35mm setting. See your
owner’s manual for more specifics
on GNs for specific zoom ranges.
✦Automatic zooming flash-head.
Provides lens coverage from 24mm
up to 105mm, 14mm with the
included wide-angle adaptor.
10 Part I ✦Using the Creative Lighting System
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