Shoe mount flash units are very popular primarily because its compactness. It provides a great deal of portability and convenience for day to day use. However, there were specific needs for heavy duty or high power flash units where most portable compact flash may fall short from such requirement. Nikon F2 models were originally intended to serve the professional users market, the fine reputation it has built along the way has also attracted many serious amateurs with its famed top class performance and reliability. Those days, the news photographers in particular almost have made Nikon the proprietary brand of choice among the news and reportage community.
Prior to 1976/7, Nikon has only two bracket flash units and also two highly specialized flash to provide repeating (stroboscopic) effects and all these units are essentially using bracket mounting. The first handle flash was believed to be a BC-B Bulb Flash which is handle mount and was intended to supplement the rangefinder Nikons.
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The first made for Nikon flash using bracket design was the Nikon original Speedlight Unit (SB-1Speedlight ) featured at earlier section. However, the first truly flash made for Nikon F2 in handle mount design was actually the Nikon SB-5 speedlight. |
It was officially introduced earlier but was only marketed a year later in 1977 than the awesome upgrade of the original repeating flash which provide similar stroboscopic effect, the SB-6 Repeating Flash Unit.
The SB-5 was a handle-mount
unit and came with some truly remarkable features which makes it the flash that has
the best specifications as an ideal flash for hard working professionals on the field.
It has a relatively powerful (Guide number of 105 in feet (32 in meters) ASA 100)
output and has variable power control with a selector switch permits operation at
full power, at 1/4 power, or at the special "MD" setting equivalent to
1/8 power (guide number of 36 in feet (11 in meters, ASA100) which is specially tuned
for Motor Drive usage (at this setting, it recycles at approx. 0.25 second and thus,
it should be sufficiently fast enough to cater for motor drive at 3.8 fps. The flash
illumnance is sufficiently covers a angle of a 28mm wideangle lens.
With a companion accessory SU-1 Sensor, you can operate in three automatic
f/stops at distances of up to approx. 26 feet. The sensor can, either be plug in
for for direct flash or, via SC-9 sync cord and attached to the F2's accessory shoe
for automatic bounce flash exposure control. The SB-5 fills the vacuum where many
users felt negative about the lack of a capable professional flash for the Nikon
F2 system.
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Despite its weight and appearance, SB-5 is incredibly versatile and flexible, as it can be also angled in 30' increments (or tilt) for bounce photography. It is powered by the SN-2 NiCd (via SH-2 Charger) for up to 400 + flash outbursts, or you can also select the optional "heavy-duty" SD-4 Battery Pack which houses two x 240v batteries as the primary power source, and provides up to 4,000 flashes. |
More info relating to basic information Nikon SB-5 is available HERE.
Nikon has designed two units of Repeating Flash Units. These are very specialized flash unit designed to deliver up to multiple flash bursts (up to 40 flashes per second for SB-6). Where I don't have much information for you on the original repeating flash unit, however, based on the original scripts, Michael Liu did provide some basic info relating to that Unit.
Nikon Original Repeating Flash
Flash Duration: about
1/20 000 sec at onehalf peak; about
1/30 000 sec at one-third peak;
Recycling Time:
1/3 sec (at 3 Hz)
Guide Number: 28m
(92ft) for ASA 400 black and white film; 13m (42ft) for ASA 160 color film (tested)13.5m
(44ft) for ASA 100
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Angle of Coverage: 65 degrees. |
Exposure Calculator
Disc: supplied on flash head
Power Source: AC
line voltage, switcheable between 100, 117, 220, or 240V
Rated Input: <=50VA (no load); <=500VA (successively loaded
Supplied Power:
12V, 300mA in socket for F36 motor drive
Color Temperature:
approx. 6000K
Life of Xenon Tube:
>=10 000 flashes (4-5 minute rest after 250 flashes)
Flash Foot: flash
head has F/F2-type foot
Dimensions and
Weight: 124mm diam.; approx. 386g (flash head); 4.88 in. diam.; approx. 14 oz.
(flash head); 280
x 230 x 125mm; approx. 10.6 kg (AC Power Pack); 11 x 9 x 5 in.; approx. 24 lb.
(AC Power Pack)
Michael Liu
also had something to say about the original unit: "..... Input voltage is adjusted by removing the
casing, and moving three wires between some connectors, which are internally labeled.
Needless to say, don't do this with the power plugged in, standing in saltwater,
wearing medieval battle armor ... Four
cables are supplied with the unit, a three-conductor 5m power (mains) cable [from
the power supply to an AC socket], a four-conductor 1.4m flash head power supply
cable [from the power supply to the head, permanently attached to the head], a 1m
sync cable [from the camera's PC socket to the head], and a 1m motor power supply
cable [from the head to the motor].
The power supply has
handles on the side. Its control panel has the power switch (two separate buttons
for on and off); turning the unit on also lights a bright white warning light. The
fuse socket and AC input indicator are also located on this panel. The flash head
has an exposure calculator disc on its back, with the open flash button in the middle
and the neon ready light located above it. This flash is recommended to be used at
speeds up to 3fps.
The British Journal
of Photography tested a Repeating Flash and found it to be a heavy, expensive
solution to motorized flash. In sequence pictures, they found that the first picture
was overexposed by approximately 1/5 of a stop. They were dismayed by the short length
of the head-to-supply cable and the dinky handles on the supply itself, which made
it less mobile than thought."
- Michael Liu -
Nikon SB-6 Repeating Flash
One of the few truly made-for-Nikon F2 flash unit as the flash mounting foot is a Nikon F2 type*. It has variable flash output of ratio that ranges from a powerful guide number of 147 in feet (45 in meters) with ISO 100 film on full power, 104 (32 in meters) at 1/2, 72 (22 in meters) at 1/4, 52 at 1/8, 36 (11 in m) at 1/16, and 26 (8 in meters) at 1/32 power setting. It can either be powered by SA-3 AC Unit, which is connected via the MC-9 Cord or using a SD-5 DC Unit with SN-3 NiCd as a portable power source.
" .... It's pretty clear to me, from the
specs that I can dig up, that the SB-6 is not just a rehash of the previous Repeating
Flash, although in concept and design it is similar. It consists of a flash head,
which mounts to the F/F2-type foot, and a separate power supply. It provides rapid
flash capability (from 5 to 40 flashes per second).
Apparently, it also
mates with the SU-1 sensor unit initially made for the SB-5, so it can be set to
three automatic and one slave mode, as well as be hooked up off-camera via the SC-9
sensor extension cord. Other than being a rare flash, I have no data on the SB-6."
- Michael Liu -
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The stroboscopic effect is achievable to a rate between 5 to 40 flashes per second and it can safely sync with any motorized Nikon SLR camera at continuous mode up to 3.8 fps. |
* You may make use of the various Flash coupler(s) to fit various Nikon SLRs.
Light Output Control:
automatic with accessory SU-1 sensor unit (3 stops)
manual; full, 1/2,
1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 power ratios selectable
Guide Number:
45m (148 ft.) with ASA 100 film at full power
33m (104 ft.) with
ASA 100 film at 1/2 power
23m (72 ft.) with
ASA 100 film at 1/4 power
17m (52 ft.) with
ASA 100 film at 1/8 power
12m (36 ft.) with
ASA 100 film at 1/16 power
8.5m (26 ft.) with
ASA 100 film at 1/32 power
Power Sources:
SA-3 AC Unit
SD-5 DC Unit (with
eight SN-3 NC Batteries)
| Previous | NEXT | 5/6 A truly portable companion flash SB-7E
Various Options in Power Sources, Flash Accessories and more info on 200mm Medical Nikkor lens with a built-in flash.
Nikon Flash Units: BC-Series| Original Nikon Speedlight
SB-2
| SB-3 | SB-4
| SB-5
| SB-6 | SB-7E
| SB-8E
| SB-9 | SB-E
| SB-10
SB-11
| SB-12 | SB-14 | SB-140 UV-IR| SB-15 | SB16A | SB-17 |
SB-18, SB-19 | SR2/SM-2 Ringlights | SB-21A (SB-29) Macro flash |
Flash Accesories | SF-1
Pilot Lamp
Nikon AF-TTL Speedlights
| SB-20 | SB-22 | SB-23 | SB-24 | SB-25 | SB-26 | SB-27 | SB-28 | Nikon SB-29(s) | Nikon
SB-30
| Nikon
SB-600
| Nikon
SB-880
(updated)
Nikon AF-TTL Speedlight DX-Series: Nikon SB-28DX | SB-50DX | SB-80DX (updated)
System
Accessories:
Motor
Drives
/ Prisms / Screens / Macro / Film
Backs
/ Flash
Other Accessories:
DS-1 / DS-2 / DS-12 / eyepiece / DH-1 / cases / Cable releases / Miscellaneous
| Message Board | for
your favourite Nikon
F2 Series SLR model(s)
| Message Board | for your Nikon Optics in a shared environment
| Message Board | Specifically for Dispose or Looking for Nikon/Nikkor Photographic
Equipment
| Back |
to Main
Index Page of Nikon
F2 Series SLR models
| Back | Main Index Page of
Pictorial History of Nikon SLRs
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The Eyes of Nikon:- |
Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame | Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm15mm18mm20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm28mm35mm |
Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto Lenses - 85mm105mm135mm180mm & 200mm |
Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |
Special Application lenses:
Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm
Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm
Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF
Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm
Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm
Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm
Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm
Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm
MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm |
35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm |
100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm
Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E
Nikon F
| Nikon F2 |
Nikon
F3
| Nikon F4 |
Nikon
F5
| Nikon F6 |
Nikkormat / Nikomat |
Nikon FM
| Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital SLRs | Nikon - Other models
MIR Supports for Photographic Community: Various Message Boards/Community
Forums
Nikon
F-series|
Nikon
F2-series|
Nikon
F3-series|
Nikon F4-series| Nikon
F5-series|Nikkormat/Nikomat-series
Nikon FM-series|Nikon
FE-series|Nikon
FA|Nikon
Digital
SLR
series|Various
Nikon
Models|Nikkor
Optic
-shared
Others:- Free Trade Zone - Photography| Free Trade Zone - Business Community |Free To Zouk - Photographic Community
Apple's Mac Public Community Message Board | Windows based PC &
Apple/Mac
Public Community Trade Exchange Centre
Recommended links to understand
more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html
About this photographic site.
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HOME - Photography in Malaysia |
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Copyright © 2000. leofoo ®. MIR Web Development Team.
In
memory of my friend Com.
Augusto Staut,
Brazil, 1971-2000.
Credit: Chuck Hester, US for his patience, encouragement
and help to setup the various content in this site; Robert Johnson for some of his original
images on the F2H-MD appeared in this site; my ex-staff, KiaSu for his superb
3-D logo appeared in this Nikon F2 site; Marc Vorgers from Holland who
generously provide me with some of his images of F2AS; MCLau®, who has so much time with me to
re-edit the content in this site and not to mention buying a Nikon Coolpix 990 just
for this site. Keat Photo,
Kuala Lumpur for providing
their Nikon F2A to take some images for this site; again, Mr Edward Ngoh the
great camera collector who provides us his collection of F2AS with MD-2; hawkeye.photographic.com
for their images on the Speed Magny film backs; Sean Cranor for his image
on Nikon F2 25th Anniversary Model; Ted Wengelaar®, Holland for his continuous
flow of input on some of the early Nikon bodies; CYLeow ® , photo editor of the Star
newspaper, Malaysia for some of his images used in this site. Ms Rissa Chan, Sales manager from
Shriro Malaysia who has helped to provide some of the very useful input. HiuraShinsaku®,
Nikomat ML, Japan for some of his images on various F2 models; my staff, Wati, Maisa, Mai and my nephew, EEWyn®, who volunteered and helping me
did so many of the film scanning works. Contributing photographers or resellers:
Jen Siow, Foo KokKin, Arthur Teng, Mark Fallander, John
Ishii, Ed Hassel, YoonKi Kim, Jean-Louis, M.Dugentas (Dell Corner.com.), Mr "Arsenall" and a few images mailed
in from surfers with no appropriate reference to their origin. Dedicated to KU Yeo, just to express our mutual regrets over the outcome of
a recent corporate event. Made with a PowerMac, broadcast with a Redhat Linux powered server.
