Nikon SB-800 Making exposure compensation for the main subject only, In Manual flash mode

compensation

Making exposure compensation in Non-TTL auto flash and Manual flash operations

Exposure compensation is performed by intentionally modifying the correct aperture.

•In the Non-TTL auto flash mode, the correct exposure can be obtained when the same aperture is set on the camera as that set on the SB-800. Therefore, to make exposure compensation, vary the aperture set on the camera while retaining the aperture set on the SB-800 or vice versa.

•In the Manual flash mode, calculate the proper aperture for the correct exposure from the guide number and the shooting distance (p. 43). Then, use a larger or smaller aperture on the camera to make exposure compensation.

•As a basic guide, set a wider aperture on the camera or lens to make the main subject brighter or a smaller aperture to make it darker.

■■■ Making exposure compensation for the main subject only

In TTL auto flash mode and Auto Aperture flash operation

Making exposure compensation for a flash illuminated main subject without affecting the background exposure by adjusting the SB-800’s flash output level is called flash output level compensation (p. 56).

•This compensation can only be performed with cameras compatible with CLS, digital SLRs not compatible with CLS, cameras in Groups I to III, and COOLPIX cameras compatible with i-TTL.

In Manual flash mode

Making exposure compensation for only the flash illuminated subject by intentionally modifying the SB-800’s flash output level (M1/1 to M1/128).

• For cameras in all groups.

■■■ Making exposure compensation for the background only

Set the camera’s exposure mode to Shutter-Priority Auto (S) or Manual (M), and set the shutter speed to one slower than its flash sync shutter speed.

•With cameras providing slow-sync, set the camera’s flash sync mode to Slow-sync (p. 58) to bring out background details in low-light situations.

•For details, see your camera’s instruction manual.

Other functions

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