Basic operation | Nikon SB-800 specification

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 combinations.

*CLS: Creative Lighting System (p. 5)

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Nikon SB-800 instruction manual Basic operation

Contents

SB-800 Contents 107 Life-long learning Main features and functions of the SB-800Foreword Creative Lighting System Marks used in this manual Supplied accessoriesForeword Using your Speedlight correctly Tips on using the SpeedlightTake trial shots Have Nikon spot-check your Speedlight regularly D1-Series, D100 Group Camera nameNew FM2, FM10, FE10, F3-Series F55-Series/N55-Series Digital Available Not available Manual mode p Control button quick reference Flash head p Speedlight parts and their functions Wireless remote flash cancel button p Flash button Icons with a single flash unit Icons on the LCD panel Icons on the LCD panel Highlighted items Icons in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode PreparationIcons with multiple flash units Non-CPU Nikkor lenses LensesCPU Nikkor lenses Basic operation Usable batteries Installing the batteriesObtaining faster recycling times using 5 batteries Type of battery Recycling time Remedy External power sourcesMinimum number of flashes and recycling times Replacing/recharging the batteries Button Test firing Confirming the exposureTest firing Adjust this duration using Custom settings p Basic operation Standby function to conserve battery power Turn the mounting foot lock lever securely until it stops Attach the SB-800 to the camera Adjust the flash head Digital data communication with the SB-800 Setting the ISO sensitivityAvailable ISO sensitivity in TTL auto flash operation Setting the ISO sensitivity for cameras in Groups III to Zoom-head position is indicated on the LCD panel Adjust the zoom-head positionPower zoom function Using the built-in wide-flash adapter/Nikon Diffusion Dome Setting the zoom-head position manuallyCanceling the power zoom function using Custom settings Set the camera’s metering system to Matrix Metering Y Exposure mode and metering systemSet the camera’s exposure mode to Programmed Auto P Aperture-Priority Auto exposure a mode Shutter-Priority Auto exposure S modeManual exposure M mode Metering system Press the a button to set the flash mode Setting the SB-800’s flash modeSelecting the flash mode 17 ∗ Flash shooting distance range in the TTL auto flash modeAbout the flash shooting distance range Confirm the camera’s sync mode Set the camera’s flash sync mode to Front-curtain sync Display of the amount of underexposure Using the SB-800 with Coolpix digital cameras Using the SB-800 with the Coolpix Detailed operation Non-TTL auto flash mode TTL auto flash modeManual mode SB-800’s available flash modes TTL auto flash D TTL auto flash modeAutomatic Balanced Fill-Flash Do Standard TTL flash D Auto Aperture B flash Non-TTL auto flash mode 105 Setting the aperture in Auto Aperture B flash operation Non-TTL auto a flash Non-TTL auto flash mode Setting the aperture in Non-TTL auto a flash operation Guide number ISO 100, m/ft Manual modeSB-800 features three manual modes ISO sensitivity factors To calculate the correct apertureTo calculate the guide number Set the aperture Manual mode Confirm that the ready-light is on, then shoot Beyond the flash-shooting distance range warning Manual G flash Confirm that the ready-light comes on, then shoot Setting the flash output level Frequency Flash output level Set the camera’s exposure mode to Manual MMaximum number of repeating flashes per frame Press the g button Set the shutter speed Making sure the flash fires correctly before shootingExposure compensation in Repeating flash operation Max. number of continuous firings Synchronization during continuous flash shootingDo not exceed the maximum number of continuous firings Non-TTL auto flash TTL auto flash modeAuto Aperture flash Other functions Exposure compensation Available flash mode Usable camera TTL auto flash mode and Auto Aperture flash operationBackground For the main subject only Compensation Manual flash modeMaking exposure compensation for the main subject only Making exposure compensation for the background only Canceling flash output level compensationPress the g button Lenses having a variable aperture Setting the aperture using the scale on the lensSetting the aperture on the camera’s aperture dial Slow-sync flash mode, Red-eye reduction control Red-eye reduction with slow-sync flash modeSlow-sync flash Red-eye reduction Shooting data Rear-curtain syncRear-curtain sync Auto FP High-Speed Sync mode for cameras compatible with CLS Flash Value Lock FV Lock for cameras compatible with CLS For cameras compatible with CLS Autofocus flash operation in dim light For cameras having a built-in Speedlight Using the SB-800 off-camera Attaching the quick recycling battery pack Using the Quick Recycling Battery Pack SD-800 Align the index on the quick recycling battery Detaching the quick recycling battery packPack with the battery chamber lid attachment By sliding it into place Modeling illuminator with cameras attached Available Custom functions and the icons Custom functions Setting Custom functions Custom settings Details on Custom settings Bold default setting Custom settings Advanced operations Multiple flash Usable cameras Usable Speedlights Operation Overview of multiple flash operationMaster flash unit and remote flash units Set the flash mode to Standard TTL flash Set the wireless flash modeTilt the flash head up Use a non-CPU lens Setting up the master and remote flash units Wireless multiple flash shootingSpeedlight and camera placement To prevent the remote flash units from firing accidentally Using the Speedlight StandAttachment to the Speedlight Stand Setting the SB-800 to Advanced Wireless Lighting Flash shooting in Advanced Wireless Lighting Speedlight to be set Remarks Settings in the Advanced Wireless Lighting Flash shooting in Advanced Wireless Lighting Setting a group and channel number on the remote flash units Examples of flash shooting in Advanced Wireless Lighting Advanced operations Flash shooting in Advanced Wireless Lighting Set the group of the remote flash units a and B Master flash and remote flash units Setting the SB-800 to SU-4 type wireless multiple flash Manual mode Setting the flash mode on the remote flash units Wireless multiple flash shooting in the a auto mode SU-4 type wireless multiple flash shooting Wireless multiple flash shooting in the M manual mode Adjusting the flash output level manually Does not Come on Not blinking Blinks for Beeps for Speedlight Coefficient Multiple flash shooting using cordsMaximum number of flash units to be connected using cords Advanced operations Multiple flash shooting using cords Manual multiple flash System chart for TTL multiple flash shooting using cords Remote flash unit Balancing light from the flash Using colored gel filters with digital camerasPurpose Gel filter Adjust the camera’s white Balance to Colored gel filters How to use colored gelsOptional Colored Gel Filter Set SJ-1 Camera, then shoot Shooting data Bounce flash operationTilting the flash head Refer to page 100 for setting the aperture Setting the flash head Setting the apertureBounce flash operation Flash head tilting and rotating angles Shooting with the Nikon Diffusion Dome Using the built-in bounce card 102 Close-up flash operation 103 Coefficient m/ft Close-up flash operation100 200 400 800 1000 When shooting subjects closer than 0.6m 2 ft 106 Reference information Cameras compatible with the TTL/D-TTL auto flash mode Non-CPU lens ∗ Reference information III TTL auto flash modes available with the SB-800 Accessories for multiple flash Optional accessories Other accessories Optional accessories Connecting to an external power source Using external power sourcesSpecifications Tips on Speedlight care CleaningStorage Operating location Used rechargeable batteries yourself. Instead Usable batteries Problem Cause TroubleshootingProblems with the SB-800 117 Ready-light warning inside the camera’s viewfinder Troubleshooting Using the SB-800 in dim light Characteristics of the LCD panelAdjusting the LCD panel brightness About the LCD panel Specifications Camera Control set onAngle Coverage Specifications Supplied WeightAccessories Index Symbol 125 8MSA0611