User manual NIKON SB-900

[. . . ] SB-900 User's Manual Autofocus Speedlight En About this user's manual A Preparation How to find what you are looking for You can search for relevant page references using the following methods. k Table of contents . . . k Simple search by objective (kA-6) (kA-4) You can search by item, such as operation method, flash mode or function. You can search according to your objective without knowing the specific name or term of the item you are looking for. k Speedlight functions (kB-4) You can search for a particular SB-900 function. This is handy when you know the name of a function and want more information. k Index k Troubleshooting (kF-22) (kF-2) You can search using the alphabetical index. You can determine the cause if there is a problem with your Speedlight. A­2 Camera and lens combinations This manual has been compiled with the assumption that the SB-900 will be used in combination with a camera compatible with CLS (Nikon Creative Lighting System) and a CPU lens. A Preparation t Tips on identifying CPU Nikkor lenses CPU lenses have CPU contacts. CPU contacts · The SB-900 cannot be used with IX-Nikkor lenses. Terms used in this user's manual Default settings: the function and mode settings at the time of purchase are referred to as the "default settings. " CLS (Nikon Creative Lighting System): the Nikon Creative Lighting System is often referred to as "CLS. " ISO sensitivity: "ISO sensitivity" is a generic term that covers both the imaging sensitivity of digital SLR cameras and the film sensitivity of 35mm film based cameras. Marks used in this manual v t Describes a point to which you should pay particular attention in order to avoid Speedlight malfunction or mistakes during shooting. Includes information or tips to make Speedlight use easier. A­3 Simple search by objective You can search for specific explanations according to your objective. A Preparation About Speedlight parts and indications I want to know about The name of each part The meaning of each icon (displayed) The meaning of the warning symbols Key words Speedlight parts LCD panel Warning indications page C-2 C-10 F-3 About settings and operation I want to know about The functions and usage of control buttons The types of batteries that can be used The minimum recycling time and the number of flashes per recycling time per type of battery When to replace the batteries How to change settings using "Custom settings" How to perform test firings How to tilt or rotate the flash head How to reset various settings How to illuminate the LCD panel How to enhance the readability of the LCD panel How to change the standby lead time How to monitor the remote flash units by sound How to lock the control buttons to avoid mistakes Key words Control buttons Suitable batteries The minimum recycling time and the number of flashes per recycling time Replacing/recharging batteries Custom settings Test firing Adjusting the flash head Two-button reset Using the SB-900 in dim light Enhancing the LCD panel's readability Standby function Sound monitor Key lock page C-8 C-4 F-20 C-27 C-20 D-59 D-26 C-9 C-24 C-25 C-23 C-24 C-9 About flash photography Key words Flash modes and functions Basic operation Illumination pattern: CenterHow to take portrait photos emphasizing the main subject weighted How to take formal group shots Illumination pattern: Even How to take more natural-looking shots of flowers Wireless multiple flash shooting and dolls How to take pictures with soft shadows cast on a wall Bounce flash operation How to take pictures of both the subject and Slow-sync flash background at night I want to know about About the flash modes How to take pictures in the simplest way page D-1 C-4 D-24 D-24 D-39 D-26 D-55 A­4 Flash photography with color filters Flash photography with How to take pictures adding specific color to the scene color filters How to perform autofocus flash photography in dim lighting AF-assist Illuminator How to shoot a fast moving subject using wireless SU-4 type wireless multiple multiple flash shooting flash operation I want to know about How to take pictures using multiple flash units How to confirm lighting conditions How to take brighter (or darker) pictures of both the subject and background How to take brighter (or darker) pictures of the subject How to take pictures without the subject's eyes appearing red How to shoot a moving subject with stroboscopic multiple-exposure effects How to take pictures under fluorescent light and incandescent light and balance the lights' color effects Key words Wireless multiple flash shooting Modeling illumination Exposure compensation Flash output level compensation Red-eye reduction Repeating flash page D-39 D-61 D-38 D-37 D-56 D-17 D-33 D-33 D-58 D-50 A B C D E F About accessories I want to know about About cameras compatible with the SB-900 Key words Compatible cameras page B-2 E-2 E-3 F-11 How to use the SB-900 with cameras not compatible Using the SB-900 with nonwith Nikon Creative Lighting System CLS-compatible SLR cameras How to use the SB-900 with Nikon COOLPIX cameras About optional accessories that are available For usage with i-TTL-compatible COOLPIX cameras Optional accessories Others I want to know about Tips on Speedlight care SB-900 specifications The latest Nikon product information How to update the firmware Key words Tips on Speedlight care Specifications Life-long learning Firmware update page F-7 F-14 A-16 F-10 A­5 Contents A Preparation A Preparation About this user`s manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2 How to find what you are looking for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ] 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 highly reflective surface. Likewise, some minus compensation may be required when the background is dark or includes subjects of low reflectivity. In i-TTL and Auto Aperture flash mode · Make exposure compensation on the camera. For more details, see your camera user's manual. D Flash modes and functions In Non-TTL auto flash and Manual flash mode · 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-900. Therefore, to make exposure compensation, vary the aperture set on the camera while retaining the aperture set on the SB-900 or vice versa. · In the Manual flash mode, calculate the proper aperture for the correct exposure from the guide number and the shooting distance (kD-22). 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. D­38 Wireless multiple flash shooting With the SB-900, the "Advanced" and "SU-4 type" wireless flash operations are available. · The Advanced Wireless Lighting mode is automatically set as the default. Advanced Wireless Lighting is recommended for standard multiple flash photography. · SU-4 type wireless multiple flash, set the wireless flash mode to "SU-4" in the custom setting. (kC-22) Flash shooting with Advanced Wireless Lighting · Available when the SB-900 is used with CLS-compatible cameras. · Compatible with i-TTL flash mode. · In this mode, you can divide the remote flash units into three groups and set the flash mode and flash output level compensation values separately for each group. SU-4 type wireless multiple flash shooting · SU-4 type wireless multiple flash is particularly suitable for shooting fast moving subjects as both the master flash unit and remote flash units fire simultaneously. · There are no restrictions as to which cameras can be used. · Speedlight 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 camera's built-in flash can also be used as a master flash unit. D Flash modes and functions t Master flash unit and remote flash unit(s) In this user's manual, a flash unit mounted on the camera, the camera's built-in flash, or the one directly connected to the camera via a TTL Remote Cord is called the master flash unit. All other flash units are called remote flash units. D­39 Wireless multiple flash shooting v Notes on performing wireless multiple flash photography · To avoid accidental firing, turn off the camera and all flash units before mounting the master flash unit on or connecting it to the camera. · The master flash unit cannot be test-fired. · The brightness of the flash illumination is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the flash unit and the subject. [. . . ] D-45, D-50 Master flash unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-39 Metering mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-4 Min. recycling time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-13, F-21 M (manual) mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-51 MODE button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-8 Modeling illuminator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-61 Monitor pre-flashes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-3, D-6, D-9 Mount pin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5 Mounting foot lock lever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5 Multiple flash shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-39 My menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-26 G Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-43 Groups of remote flash units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-43 Guide number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-22 Guide number table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-18 H Highlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-10 Highlight in the subject's eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-28 I Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-10 Illumination pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-22, D-24 Incandescent filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-33 Included items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-14 Indication for insufficient light for correct exposure . . . . . . . D-4, D-7, D-10, D-13 ISO sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ]