Nikon D3100 2 Nikon Creative Lighting System CLS, CLS-Compatible Flash Units, 173, Guide Number

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:

		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).

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