The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)

Nikon’s advanced Creative Lighting System (CLS) offers improved communication between the camera and compatible flash units for improved flash photography.

❚❚CLS-Compatible Flash Units

The camera can be used with the following CLS-compatible flash units:

•The SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, and SB-R200:

 

Flash unit

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feature

 

 

SB-900 1

SB-800

SB-600

SB-400

SB-R200

2

Guide

 

ISO 100

34/111

38/125

30/98

21/69

10/33

 

No. 3

 

ISO 200

48/157

53/174

42/138

30/98

14/46

 

1 If a color filter is attached to the SB-900 when AUTO or N (flash) is selected for white balance, the camera will automatically detect the filter and adjust white balance appropriately.

2Controlled remotely using optional SB-900 or SB-800 flash unit or SU-800 wireless Speedlight commander.

3m/ft., 20 °C (68 °F), SB-900, SB-800 and SB-600 at 35 mm zoom head position; SB-900 with standard illumination.

•The SU-800 wireless speedlight commander: When mounted on a CLS-compatible camera, the SU-800 can be used as a commander for remote SB-900,SB-800,SB-600, or SB-R200 flash units in up to three groups. The SU-800 itself is not equipped with a flash.

AGuide Number

To calculate the range of the flash at full power, divide the Guide Number by the aperture. For example, at ISO 100 the SB-800 has a Guide Number of 38 m or 125 ft. (35 mm zoom head position); its range at an aperture of f/5.6 is 38÷5.6 or about 6.8 meters (or in feet, 125÷5.6=approximately 23 ft. 7 in.). For each twofold increase in ISO sensitivity, multiply the Guide Number by the square root of two (approximately 1.4).

n

173