Nikon SB-800 instruction manual Exposure compensation and flash output level

Exposure compensation and flash output level

Exposure compensation allows you to take well-balanced pictures by intentionally modifying the flash exposure. This is useful when a subject of extremely high or low reflectivity is included in the scene or when you want to create flash photographs to match your creative preferences.

•Some plus compensation may be necessary when the background includes a mirror, white wall, or other highly reflective surface. Likewise, some minus compensation may be required when the background is dark or includes subjects of low reflectivity.

•Making exposure compensation for both the main subject and background, the main subject only without affecting the background, or the background only without affecting the main subject are possible, depending on the flash shooting situation.

Exposure compensation on the SB-800 can be performed in these ways:

Exposure compensation	Available flash mode	Usable camera
Making exposure compensation	All flash modes	Cameras in all groups
for both the main subject and
background
Making exposure compensation	TTL auto flash and Auto	Cameras compatible with CLS,
for the main subject only	Aperture flash	digital SLRs not compatible
		with CLS, cameras in Groups
		I to III, and COOLPIX cameras
		compatible with i-TTL.
	Manual flash mode	Cameras in all groups
Making exposure compensation	Flash shooting at slow shutter	Cameras in all groups
for the background only	speeds

■■■ Making exposure compensation for both the main subject and background

In TTL auto flash mode and Auto Aperture flash operation

Use the camera’s exposure compensation function to modify both the SB-800’s flash output level and the background exposure. For details, see your camera’s instruction manual.

•The exposure compensation value set on the camera is not displayed on the SB-800’s LCD panel.

•Exposure compensation beyond the usable ISO sensitivity range cannot be performed (p. 24). For example, with an ISO sensitivity of 100, if you try to make an exposure compensation of +3 steps on the camera (equivalent to ISO 12), which is out of the usable ISO sensitivity range (ISO 25-1000) of the SB-800. In this case, exposure compensation up to +2 steps (equivalent to ISO 25) is possible.

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