Master flash and remote flash units | Nikon SB-800 guide

SU-4 type wireless multiple flash shooting

SU-4 type wireless multiple flash can be performed in two ways: (1) In the A (auto) mode, in which the wireless remote flash units start and stop firing in sync with the master Speedlight, and (2) in the M (manual) mode, in which the wireless remote flash units only start firing in sync with the master Speedlight.

•Speedlights featuring wireless multiple flash capability can be used either as the master or remote flash unit.

•Speedlights compatible with TTL auto flash can be used as the master flash unit. The optional Wireless Slave Flash Controller SU-4 is necessary when you want to use these Speedlights as remote flash units. The one exception is the SB-23.

•The camera’s built-in Speedlight can also be used as a master flash unit.

•There is no limitation in usable cameras.

■■■ Setting the SB-800 to SU-4 type wireless multiple flash

To perform SU-4 type wireless multiple flash, set the wireless flash mode to “SU-4” using Custom settings (p. 67).

Master flash and remote flash units

•First, set the SB-800’s wireless multiple flash mode to “SU-4” using the Custom settings, then attach the SB-800 to the camera. The indicator O appears on the LCD panel telling you that the SB-800 is set as a master flash unit. If you detach the SB-800 from the camera, the indicator automatically changes to P signifying that the SB-800 is set as a remote flash unit.

Notes on the master flash unit

•When the SB-800 is set as the master flash unit, Monitor Preflashes are canceled. For other Speedlights, be sure to cancel the master flash unit’s Monitor Preflashes.

•The following flash modes are recommended for the master flash unit.

	Camera group	Master flash unit’s flash mode

		Recommended flash mode		Icons displayed
		Recommended flash mode		Icons displayed

	Cameras compatible	Non-TTL auto flash mode (B or		All icons
	with CLS	A)
	Digital SLRs not	TTL mode is not possible although		All icons
	compatible with CLS	icons are displayed.

	Cameras in Groups I	TTL mode		All icons
	to VI

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Nikon instruction manual Setting the SB-800 to SU-4 type wireless multiple flash, Master flash and remote flash units

Contents

SB-800 Contents 107 Main features and functions of the SB-800 ForewordLife-long learning Creative Lighting System Supplied accessories ForewordMarks used in this manual Tips on using the Speedlight Using your Speedlight correctlyTake trial shots Have Nikon spot-check your Speedlight regularly Group Camera name D1-Series, D100New FM2, FM10, FE10, F3-Series F55-Series/N55-Series Digital Manual mode p Available Not available Speedlight parts and their functions Control button quick reference Flash head p Wireless remote flash cancel button p Flash button Icons on the LCD panel Icons with a single flash unit Icons on the LCD panel Icons in the Advanced Wireless Lighting mode Preparation Icons with multiple flash unitsHighlighted items Lenses CPU Nikkor lensesNon-CPU Nikkor lenses Basic operation Installing the batteries Obtaining faster recycling times using 5 batteriesUsable batteries External power sources Type of battery Recycling time RemedyMinimum number of flashes and recycling times Replacing/recharging the batteries Test firing Confirming the exposure Test firingButton Standby function to conserve battery power Adjust this duration using Custom settings p Basic operation Attach the SB-800 to the camera Turn the mounting foot lock lever securely until it stops Adjust the flash head Setting the ISO sensitivity Available ISO sensitivity in TTL auto flash operationDigital data communication with the SB-800 Setting the ISO sensitivity for cameras in Groups III to Adjust the zoom-head position Power zoom functionZoom-head position is indicated on the LCD panel Setting the zoom-head position manually Canceling the power zoom function using Custom settingsUsing the built-in wide-flash adapter/Nikon Diffusion Dome Exposure mode and metering system Set the camera’s exposure mode to Programmed Auto PSet the camera’s metering system to Matrix Metering Y Shutter-Priority Auto exposure S mode Aperture-Priority Auto exposure a modeManual exposure M mode Metering system Setting the SB-800’s flash mode Selecting the flash modePress the a button to set the flash mode Flash shooting distance range in the TTL auto flash mode About the flash shooting distance range17 ∗ Set the camera’s flash sync mode to Front-curtain sync Confirm the camera’s sync mode Display of the amount of underexposure Using the SB-800 with the Coolpix Using the SB-800 with Coolpix digital cameras Detailed operation TTL auto flash mode Non-TTL auto flash modeManual mode SB-800’s available flash modes TTL auto flash mode TTL auto flash DAutomatic Balanced Fill-Flash Do Standard TTL flash D Non-TTL auto flash mode Auto Aperture B flash Setting the aperture in Auto Aperture B flash operation 105 Non-TTL auto flash mode Non-TTL auto a flash Setting the aperture in Non-TTL auto a flash operation Manual mode SB-800 features three manual modesGuide number ISO 100, m/ft To calculate the correct aperture To calculate the guide numberISO sensitivity factors Manual mode Set the aperture Beyond the flash-shooting distance range warning Confirm that the ready-light is on, then shoot Manual G flash Setting the flash output level Confirm that the ready-light comes on, then shoot Set the camera’s exposure mode to Manual M Maximum number of repeating flashes per frameFrequency Flash output level Press the g button Making sure the flash fires correctly before shooting Exposure compensation in Repeating flash operationSet the shutter speed Synchronization during continuous flash shooting Do not exceed the maximum number of continuous firingsMax. number of continuous firings TTL auto flash mode Auto Aperture flashNon-TTL auto flash Other functions TTL auto flash mode and Auto Aperture flash operation Exposure compensation Available flash mode Usable cameraBackground For the main subject only Manual flash mode CompensationMaking exposure compensation for the main subject only Making exposure compensation for the background only Canceling flash output level compensationPress the g button Setting the aperture using the scale on the lens Setting the aperture on the camera’s aperture dialLenses having a variable aperture Red-eye reduction with slow-sync flash mode Slow-sync flash mode, Red-eye reduction controlSlow-sync flash Red-eye reduction Rear-curtain sync Rear-curtain syncShooting data Auto FP High-Speed Sync mode for cameras compatible with CLS Flash Value Lock FV Lock for cameras compatible with CLS Autofocus flash operation in dim light For cameras compatible with CLS Using the SB-800 off-camera For cameras having a built-in Speedlight Using the Quick Recycling Battery Pack SD-800 Attaching the quick recycling battery pack Detaching the quick recycling battery pack Align the index on the quick recycling batteryPack with the battery chamber lid attachment By sliding it into place Modeling illuminator with cameras attached Custom functions Available Custom functions and the icons Custom settings Setting Custom functions Details on Custom settings Bold default setting Custom settings Advanced operations Overview of multiple flash operation Master flash unit and remote flash unitsMultiple flash Usable cameras Usable Speedlights Operation Set the wireless flash mode Set the flash mode to Standard TTL flashTilt the flash head up Use a non-CPU lens Wireless multiple flash shooting Speedlight and camera placementSetting up the master and remote flash units Using the Speedlight Stand Attachment to the Speedlight StandTo prevent the remote flash units from firing accidentally Flash shooting in Advanced Wireless Lighting Setting the SB-800 to Advanced Wireless Lighting Settings in the Advanced Wireless Lighting Speedlight to be set Remarks 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 Setting the SB-800 to SU-4 type wireless multiple flash Master flash and remote flash units Setting the flash mode on the remote flash units Manual mode SU-4 type wireless multiple flash shooting Wireless multiple flash shooting in the a auto mode 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 Multiple flash shooting using cords Maximum number of flash units to be connected using cordsSpeedlight Coefficient Advanced operations Multiple flash shooting using cords Manual multiple flash System chart for TTL multiple flash shooting using cords Remote flash unit Using colored gel filters with digital cameras Purpose Gel filter Adjust the camera’s white Balance toBalancing light from the flash How to use colored gels Colored gel filtersOptional Colored Gel Filter Set SJ-1 Camera, then shoot Bounce flash operation Tilting the flash headShooting data Refer to page 100 for setting the aperture Setting the aperture Setting the flash headBounce flash operation Flash head tilting and rotating angles Using the built-in bounce card Shooting with the Nikon Diffusion Dome Close-up flash operation 102 103 Close-up flash operation 100 200 400 800 1000Coefficient m/ft When shooting subjects closer than 0.6m 2 ft 106 Reference information Cameras compatible with the TTL/D-TTL auto flash mode Reference information Non-CPU lens ∗ TTL auto flash modes available with the SB-800 III Optional accessories Accessories for multiple flash Optional accessories Other accessories Using external power sources SpecificationsConnecting to an external power source Cleaning Tips on Speedlight careStorage Operating location Usable batteries Used rechargeable batteries yourself. Instead Troubleshooting Problems with the SB-800Problem Cause 117 Troubleshooting Ready-light warning inside the camera’s viewfinder Characteristics of the LCD panel Using the SB-800 in dim lightAdjusting the LCD panel brightness About the LCD panel Specifications Control set on CameraAngle Coverage Specifications Weight AccessoriesSupplied Symbol Index 125 8MSA0611