Modern
Classic SLRs Series : |
Basic Flash Operations
1) Set the open/closed knob on the flash unit coupler to the OPEN position.
2) Attach the flash unit coupler to the flash unit.Note: If batteries have already been installed inside the battery chamber, make sure the ON/OFF switch is at the "OFF" position to avoid accidental firing.
Position the flash unit and flash unit coupler, so that the secondary flash head on the flash unit and the sensor on the flash unit coupler face the same direction. Insert the positioning claw into the slot on the flash unit. Then, while applying pressure to the open/closed knob, push the flash unit coupler into the flash unit until it clicks into place.
3) Lock the flash unit coupler. Turn the open/closed knob to the "closed" position (indicated by a dot) to lock the flash unit coupler; make sure the flash unit and flash unit coupler fit tightly together.
Note: To remove the flash unit coupler, set the knob to the OPEN position, and while applying pressure to the knob, gently pull the coupler off4). Remove the Battery Holder MS-5
Open the battery chamber lid by sliding it in the direction of the arrow and remove the battery holder.
Note: You may feel slight tension when removing or replacing the holder. This tension. however, can be ignored
5). Load the batteries into the holder. Load four 1.5V M-type penlight alkaline-manganese cells or 1.2V rechargeable NiCd batteries into the holder, making sure that the positive and negative (+ and -) terminals match the diagrams on the holder.Notes: 1) Use of manganese batteries is not recommended because their power is insufficient for operate the SB-16 at full capacity 2) Do not mix brands or types of batteries. Also, avoid mixing new and old batteries since proper performance will not be obtained.
6). Replace the holder.First, make sure the power switch of the flash unit is at the "off" position; then put the holder back into the chamber, so that the slots at both sides of the holder are aligned with the guide rails inside the battery chamber.
7). Close the lid. While applying pressure to the battery holder with your finger, slide the lid as far as it will go until it clicks into place.8). Attach the flash unit to the camera's accessory shoe. Notes: 1) If you are using an F3-series camera, make sure that the ASA/ISO film speed is already set on the camera before attaching the flash unit, as the camera's ASA/ISO dial cannot be changed after the flash is attached to the accessory shoe. 2) For the Nikonos- V camera, an optional V- Type Sync Cord is required. For details about flash unit attachment to the Nikonos-V, refer to the Sync Cord's instruction manual.
With the SB-16A, turn the locking ring around the mounting foot counterclockwise until the AS-8's foot is uncovered (fig. 1). Then slide the mounting foot onto the camera's accessory shoe as far as it will go (fig. 2). Finally, tighten the locking ring to prevent the unit from accidentally slipping off (fig. 3).
fig. 1
fig. 2
fig. 3
With the SB 16B, turn the locking nut on the mounting foot counterclockwise until it reaches its upper limit (fig. 1). Then slide the mounting foot forward into the shoe as far as it will go (fig 2). Finally, tighten the locking nut to prevent the unit from accidentally slipping off (fig. 3).
fig. 1
fig. 2
fig.3
9). Tilt the flash head to the normal shooting position.
Tilt the flash head 90°, so that it faces straight ahead.10). Set ASA/ISO film speed. Turn the ASA/ISO film speed setting ring around the exposure calculator dial, until the ASA/ISO index is opposite the speed of the film loaded in your camera.
Also confirm that the film speed is properly set on the camera.Note: For TTL operation with the F3-series, FA, FE2, FG or Nikonos-V cameras, the usable film speed range Is from ASA/ISO 25 to 400 (with no exposure compensation). With F-501/N2020 and F-301/N2000, the usable film speed range for TTL operation is ASA/ISO 25 to 1000 or higher for newer Nikon AF SLR bodies.
11). Set the zoom head. Pull out or push in the zoom head until the number indicated with an orange background matches the focal length of the lens on your camera.Note: When the subject is closer than 1 meter, it is recommended that you use a zoom setting which is one step less than the lens focal length (e.g. use the 35mm setting with a 50mm lens).
For lenses longer than 85mm, use the 85mm setting. For a 24mm lens, attach the Wide-Flash Adaptor ~ with the zoom head set at W1. To prevent light falloff at the edges of the picture, do not use lenses wider than 24mm. In the example, the zoom head is set at 35 opposite the letter N.
12). Set the zoom setting knob on the exposure calculator dial. Turn the zoom setting knob at the centre on the dial until the zoom setting index is opposite the same letter as you selected in step 11. Note: The W, setting on the dial is used when the wide-flash adaptor is attached to the flash unit with the zoom head set at W1.13). Set the shutter speed on the camera. The proper shutter speed setting for flash synchronization of each camera is listed on section later.
For example, set the shutter speed dial of F3-series cameras or the FE2 to A or set the shutter speed/mode selector of the FG to P or A.
Note: For TTL operation with a Nikon F3-series camera, the camera's backup mechanical release lever cannot be used with the shutter speed dial set at T (time). With the Nikon M, FE2, FG or Nikonos-V, a mechanical shutter speed (i.e., M250, M90 or B) cannot be used for TTL operation.
Steps 14 through 17 are divided into three sections according to the shooting mode selected. Section A is for TTL automatic operation (with an F3-series, FA, FE2, F-501/N2020, F-301/N2000, FG, or Nikonos-V camera), Section B is for non-TTL automatic operation, and section C is for programmed TTL auto operation (with the F-501/N2020 or F-301/N2000 camera or other equivalent models set at 2 programmed exposure mode). For manual operation and synchronization with motor drive, see other sections that follows.
A-14). Set the SB-16's mode selector to TTL. Slide the mode selector to the right as far as it will go, so that the index on the selector is opposite the square mark for automatic through-the-lens (TTL) flash exposure control. With the F-501/N2020 or F-301/N2000 camera, set the camera's exposure/shooting mode selector to "A" or a manual setting.
A-15). Choose an f/stop from the exposure calculator dial.
Depending on how far away your subject is from the camera, you must select an appropriate working aperture by referring to the calculator dial.You'll notice that each f/stop (from f/2 to f/22) has its own colour-coded line above the white distance scale indicating the range of distances at which you can shoot. For example, if you are using ASA/ ISO 100 film with the zoom head set at N (35mm) and want to shoot subjects up to 4 meters (13 ft.) away, you can select f/8, f/4, f/2.8 or f/2. At f/4 the automatic shooting range indicates you can shoot any subject between 1.4 and 8.0 meters (4.6 and 26 ft.) away.
A-16). Set the lens aperture ring to the appropriate f/stop. If you decide to shoot at f/4, then you must set the aperture ring on the lens to f/4.
B-14). Choose an f/stop from the exposure calculator dial.
Note: The closest shooting distance for non-TTL automatic operation is a/ways 0.6m (2 0 ft.) regardless of the film speed and aperture you select. With the zoom head set at "T" however, the closest distance is 0.8m (2.6 ff.)
For non-TTL automatic operation, the exposure calculator dial provides a choice of two f/stops. The blue and orange lines at the bottom of the dial show the usable f/stops. For example, with ASA/ISO 100 film, you can choose f/8 or f/4. The auto shooting ranges with the zoom setting at N (for a 35mm lens), are 0.6 to 4 meters (2.0 to 31 ft.) and 0.6 to 8 meters (2.0 to 26 ft.), respectively.
B-15). Set the mode selector to the blue or orange dot for automatic operation. IIf you select f/4, you must set the selector to the orange dot, corresponding to f/4 on the exposure calculator dial. B-16). Set the lens aperture ring to the appropriate f/stop. In the example, f/4 is set on the lens.
C-14) Set the exposure mode selector of the F-501/N2020 to P DUAL, P or PHI, or set the shooting mode selector of the F 301/N2000 to P or PHI.
For programmed TTL auto flash photography, use AI-S type lenses only *.C-15). Set lens to the minimum aperture (largest f-number).
17). Turn on the flash unit. Slide the SB-16's ON/OFF switch to the right. Immediately, an LED will light up (green LED for TTL operation, or red A1 or A2 LED for automatic operation).
C-16) Set the SB 16's mode selector to TTL.
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For automatic operation (A2)
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Note: The LED may blink for a short while after the flash unit is turned on. This does not indicate a malfunction.
* Although Nikon specified strictly use of AI-S Nikkor for such operations, independent users confirmed AI-Nikkor can also be used. However, since there is no official clearance from Nikon, please experiment yourself.
18). Wait for the ready light to come on. As soon as the flash ready-light built into the back of the flash unit comes on, the SB-16 is ready to fire. With the exception of the Nikon F2-series, if your camera has an LED ready light inside the viewfinder, make sure that it is lit up, indicating that the SB16 is ready to fire. Note that with the Nikon FA, FE2, F-501/N2020, F-301/ N2000, FG, FG-20 or Nikonos-V, you must first turn on the exposure meter to activate the finder ready-light.
Notes: 1) With the SB.16A and F3-series cameras; IF both ready-lights blink make sure that: a. The flash unit is securely locked In place. b. The film speed setting on the camera is within the usable range when the flash unit is used in the TTL mode.
With the SB.16B and FA, FE2, F-501/N2020, F 301/N2000, FG or Nikonos-V : IF the camera's ready-light blinks, check to see IF: a. A mechanical setting is not used in the TTL mode. b. The film speed setting on the camera is within the usable range when the flash unit is used in the TTL mode. 2) If the ready-light does not come on, first make sure the batteries are properly installed. If they are, replace them with a fresh set
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19). Take the picture. When the shutter is tripped, both the main and secondary flashes fire as the picture is taken.After you take the shot, watch the ready-light inside the camera's viewfinder or the one on the SB-16. After a short while, it will light up again to tell you the flash unit is recycled and ready to fire for the next shot.Note: If the flash unit fired at its maximum output, the ready-light blinks as a warning immediately following the shot to indicate there still may be underexposure. In this case, check the combination of shooting distance and aperture selected, and use a wider aperture or move closer to the subject if necessary This warning is also provided in the viewfinder of all Nikon cameras having a built-in ready-light (except F2-series cameras).
20). Turn off the flash unit. To conserve battery power between shooting sessions, slide power switch to the left.
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Modern
Classic SLRs Series : |