User manual NIKON SB-27

[. . . ] Autofocus Speedlight SB-27 Instruction Manual En Foreword Thank you for purchasing the Nikon Autofocus Speedlight SB-27, an easy-to-use flash unit offering you the most convenient system for automatic flash photography in combination with Nikon cameras. The SB-27's extensive capabilities range from Non-TTL Auto Flash to 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash, today's most advanced flash technology. For optimum results, be sure to read this manual thoroughly before use. Please check which group your camera belongs to. Group Camera name Flash operation 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash*2 Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash*2 Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash Center-Weighted Fill-Flash/Spot Fill-Flash Programmed TTL Auto Flash Standard TTL Flash * 4 F5 F4-Series F-601/ F100 F65-Series/ 1 F90X/N90s*1 N65-Series 1 N6006* F90-Series/ F-801s/ * F-601M/ 1 N90*1 N8008s 1 N6000* F80-Series/ F-801/ * N80-Series*1, *3 N8008 1 * F70-Series/ Pronea 600i/ N70*1 6i*1, *3 F60-Series/ F-501/ FM3A F3-Series*6 N60*1 N2020*8 FA F55-Series/ F50-Series/ F-401s/ N55-Series*1 N50*1 N4004s*1 FE2 New FM2 FG F-401x/ F-401/ N5005*1 N4004 1 Nikonos V*5 FM10 * FE10 F-301/ N2000*8 * T T L A M Non-TTL Auto Flash*7 Manual Flash : Available : Not available In this manual, we have divided Nikon SLR cameras into seven groups (from I to VII) unless otherwise noted. [. . . ] We recommend that you select wider aperture (lowest possible f-number) and bracket to ensure correct exposure. Set the SB-27's flash mode selector to "AUTO". TTL M A ZOOM M ISO ft mm m 60 30 15 7 4 2 18 9 4 2 1 0. 6 Make sure you set the camera setting switch to K with cameras in Groups I thru VI, and to ° with cameras in Group VII. (Do not select the K setting with cameras in Group VII. ) 3 Check the reflective surface and adjust flash head direction. NOTE Choose a reflective surface with a high reflection factor such as a white wall for bouncing the light off. In color photography, only use bounce against white reflective surfaces. Otherwise, color photographs will come out with an unnatural color cast similar to that of the reflective surface. Bounce flash operation (Applicable to all camera groups) 4 Set up the built-in bounce flash adapter. 2 1 Pull out the bounce flash adapter , then raise it approx. (The bounce flash indicator appears in the LCD panel. ) --Do not force the bounce flash adapter. 5 Confirm that the ready-light is ON, then release the shutter to fire the flash. TTL A M ISO ft m 60 30 15 7 4 2 18 9 4 2 1 0. 6 If the ready-light blinks for 3 seconds after shooting, reconfirm the flash shooting distance range or select a wider aperture, and then reshoot. --In bounce flash operation, no indicator bars appear in the LCD panel. (The SB-27 no longer indicates the correct relationship between aperture and flash shooting distance range. ) Highlight your subject's eyes using bounced flash The SB-27 comes with a built-in bounce flash adapter for bouncing diffused light off the ceiling. The diffuser card brightens shadows caused by top-lighting or bouncing flash, making your subject's eyes appear more vibrant. To set up the diffuser card: 1 Set the built-in bounce flash adapter. 2 Unfold the built-in diffuser card. Close-up flash operation in AUTO mode (Cameras in Groups I thru VI) The SB-27 incorporates a built-in diffuser card which diffuses light, enabling you to take close-up flash pictures from 0. 3m (1 ft. ), softening harsh shadows and producing natural-looking results with the SB-27 mounted on the camera. Two methods are possible: (1) Mounting the SB-27 on the camera (See page 56. ) (2) Connecting the SB-27 to the camera using an optional TTL Remote Cord (See page 59. ) --With a very light or dark-toned subject, you may not get a correct exposure due to the subject's reflection factor. See page 60 on "Exposure compensation for flash photography" and page 69 on "Setting Forced TTL and Forced A modes" to ensure correct exposure. Notes on close-up flash operation Take note of the following points when shooting close-ups with the SB-27 mounted on the camera. Usable lenses are limited. Avoid using any Nikkor lens whose actual length is shorter than that of the built-in bounce flash adapter ( line in the illustration). If the lens is too short, the incident light falling on the lens reflects on the built-in bounce flash adapter causing a flare effect on the film. (See the illustration [top] on the seal affixed to the bounce flash adapter. Other notes In close-up flash operation, we recommend taking trial shots first because pictures may be slightly dim or a shadow may appear around the edge of the frame depending on the lens in use or the flash-to-subject distance. Close-up flash operation in AUTO mode (Cameras in Groups I Procedures (with the SB-27 mounted on the camera) 1 2 3 Set the camera's exposure mode to aperture-priority auto (A) or manual (M). --For cameras in Group I to VI, in addition to selecting Aperture Priority or Manual, the Close Up Program within the Vari-Programs can also be used. Set the SB-27's flash mode selector to "AUTO". TTL M A ZOOM M ISO ft mm m 60 30 15 7 4 2 18 9 4 2 1 0. 6 Pull out the built-in bounce flash adapter. Pull out the bounce flash adapter all the way and tilt it downward approx. (The bounce flash indicator in the LCD panel. ) --Do not force the bounce flash adapter. appears NOTE If the bounce flash adapter comes off and you cannot set the zoom-head position corresponding to the lens in use. Simultaneously press the "ZOOM" and "F" buttons for approx. The zoom-head position indicator then blinks, and you can proceed with automatic or manual zoom-head setting. Four stops (24mm, 28mm, 35mm and 50mm) are available with the flash-head in the horizontal position, and 3 stops (35mm, 50mm and 70mm) with the flash-head in the vertical position, depending on the camera/lens combination. (See page 20. ) thru VI) 4 Set up the diffuser card as shown. The SB-27's built-in diffuser card is effective for close-up flash operation from 0. 3m (1 ft). --Avoid using the built-in diffuser card for close-up flash operation in non-TTL Auto Flash mode. (You cannot obtain a correct exposure if the diffuser card is set. ) 5 Set the camera's aperture based on the following equation and table. ISO film speed and coefficient ISO film speed 100 or lower 125­400 500 or higher Coefficient* 1 (3. 3) 2 (6. 6) 2. 8 (9. 2) *Numbers in parentheses ( ) represent coefficient for foot measurement. For example, with a subject located 0. 5m (1. 6 ft) away using ISO 100 film and a bounce flash adapter, this is how you would calculate the aperture: * An aperture of f/2 is suggested. We recommend using the smallest possible aperture ( f/2. 8 or f/4). 6 Confirm that the ready-light is ON, then release the shutter to fire the flash. TTL A M ISO ft m 60 30 15 7 4 2 18 9 4 2 1 0. 6 If the ready-light blinks for 3 seconds after shooting, see page 40. Close-up flash operation in AUTO mode (Cameras in Close-up flash operation using a TTL Remote Cord When you want to ensure sufficient illumination, or illuminate your subject from the side or the back, detach the SB-27 from the camera and use an optional TTL Remote Cord. 1 Connect the SB-27 to the camera using a TTL Remote Cord. --Use optional TTL Remote Cord SC-24 when connecting the SB-27 to an F4-Series camera fitted with a High-Magnification Finder (DW-20 or DW-21). --Use optional TTL Remote Cord SC-17 when connecting the SB-27 to other cameras with an ISO type hot shoe. 2 3 After first setting the camera's exposure mode to A or M, set the SB-27's flash mode selector to "AUTO. " Position the SB-27 properly and adjust the angle. --Be sure to position the SB-27 and adjust the angle so as to sufficiently illuminate the subject. Groups I thru VI) In 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash operation with cameras in Group I, press the "M" button to change the flash mode indicator from tØ to t in order to cancel Monitor Preflash*. This will avoid exposure errors when removing the SB-27 from the camera. [. . . ] Otherwise the main subject may appear unduly emphasized against the background. (Applicable to F5, F4-Series, F100, F90X/N90s, F90-Series/N90, F80-Series/N80-Series, F70-Series/N70, F-801s/N8008s, F-801/N8008, F-601/N6006, F-601M/N6000, F-501/N2020, F-401s/N4004s, F-401/N4004, F-301/ N2000, Pronea 600i/6i, FM3A, FA, FE2, FG, and Nikonos V) Sync shutter speed This refers to the highest available shutter speed for flash synchronization; although slower speeds can be used, higher speeds cannot. (Applicable to all camera groups) Specifications Electronic construction Angle of coverage Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry. Horizontal position Angle of coverage Covering the picture angle of 24mm lens Covering the picture angle of 28mm lens Covering the picture angle of 35mm lens Covering the picture angle of 50mm lens Vertical position Angle of coverage Covering the picture angle of 35mm lens Covering the picture angle of 50mm lens Covering the picture angle of 70mm lens Guide number (at ISO 100: for m/ft) Light Output 1/1 (full) 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/16 24mm 25/82 17. 7/58 12. 5/41 8. 8/29 6. 2/20 Vertical 60° 53° 46° 36° Horizontal 78° 70° 60° 46° Vertical 78° 60° 46° Horizontal 60° 46° 36° (at 20°C/68°F) Zoom-head position 28mm 35mm (normal) 27/89 19/62 13. 5/44 9. 5/31 6. 7/22 30/98 21. 2/69 15/49 10. 5/34 7. 4/24 50mm 34/112 24/79 17/56 12/39 8. 5/28 For Guide numbers for 1/300 TTL High-Speed Sync Flash in AUTO flash mode (F5 camera only), see page 40. Flash head Flash mode selector The flash head rotates from the horizontal to the vertical position along a 180° arc. OFF / M / AUTO · Power turns ON when set to "M" or "AUTO" position. [. . . ]