Nikon SB 20 Instruction Manual
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Nikon SB 20 Instruction Manual

Autofocus speedlight
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INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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  • Page 1 Nikon • INSTRUCTION MANUAL...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    BASIC OPERATION Installing Batteries ..Attaching Flash Unit to Camera Accessory Adjusting Flash Head. Programmed TTL Auto Flash Shooting (with Nikon F-5011N2020, F-4011N4004 or F-3011N2000) Flash Shooting AUTOFOCUS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY (with Nikon F-501/N2020 or F-401/N4004) SETTING CAMERA SHUTTER SPEED...
  • Page 3 Nikon Fur Besitzer einer Nikon F4/F4s und F·801 Das SB-20 ermbglicht matrix-gesteuerten Aufhellblitz und Aufhellblitz mit mittenbetonter Messung zusatzlich normalen automatik und Blitzautomatik ohne TTL. Matrix-gesteuerter Aufhellblitz erzeugt eine ausgewogene Kombination von Umgebungslicht und Blitzbeleuchtung, die naturl ich wirkt. Details werden...
  • Page 4 Nikon For Nikon F4/F4s, F-801/N8008* camera users Nikon Autofocus Speedlight SB-20 makes Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash and Center-Weighted Fill-Flash to standard TTL Automatic Flash Exposure Control and Automatic Flash Exposure Control. Matrix Balanced pleasing, natural effect by fil ling in harsh...

  • Page 5: Foreworo

    ,,;:===FOREWORDI==~ Thank you for purchasing the Nikon Auto- focus Speed light S8-20. We hope the S8-20 will make photography a much bigger part of your life. Get to know your S8-20, but before using it, be sure to read both your camera instruction manual and this man- ual.

  • Page 6: Nomenclature

    NOMENCLATURE Bounce a Bounce angle set knob Rotates from 90°. For bounce flash shooti cover index Autolocus assist illuminator LED pages Battery chamber cover loot M"IH,Ii"a scale Flash head ring (wide) for lenses 28mm or longer (normal) for lenses 35mm or longer (telephoto) lenses...
  • Page 7 (2) multiple flash photography in manual fla operation (page 46) External power source terminal Accept power co from Nikon SD-7. Aperture selection/shooting distance range panel See pages Before using SB-20, protecti pape r coverin g the pa nel.
  • Page 8 Light output index windows Used in M mode Aperture index window Used in A mode ~~~~s~ ~ o~ ~=====[~=~~!~~j;;iiiI Film speed scale window Film speed index Film knob Flash shooting distance range indicators patterned bar (fourth bar from Ihe lOp) shows programmed aulo...

  • Page 9: Basic Operation

    BASIC O P E R A T I O N - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Installing Batteries Remove battery chamber cover. Load four 1.5 V AA·type • penlight alkaline· manganese batteries or 1.2 V NiCd batteries into the battery chamber.

  • Page 10: Attaching Flash Unit To Camera Accessory Shoe

    Attaching Flash Unit to Camera Accessory Shoe Turn the mounting foot • lock nut clockwise as far as it goes. ~-~--~-~--~---~-- With Nikon F3·series cameras with DE·2 or DE·3 finder: Attach Flash Unit Coupler AS-4 or AS-7 to camera's accessory shoe before mounting the S8-20.

  • Page 11: Adjusting Flash Head

    Adjusting Flash Head Make sure bounce angle • set knob is set at 0°. Rotate zoom set ring until desired zoom setting appears in • the window. Make sure zoom ring is properly W(Wide) longer N (Normal) 35mm or longer lenses T (Telephoto) 85mm longer...

  • Page 12: Programmed Ttl Auto Flash Shooting (With Nikon F-5011N2020, F-4011N4004 Or F-3011N2000)

    Programmed TTL Auto Flash Shooting (with Nikon F·501/N2020, F·401lN4004 or F·301/N2000) Steps 9 through provide instructions auto flash shooting with the Nikon F-501 N2020*, F-401/N4004** or F-301lN2000' other flash exposure operations auto and manual flash exposure operations) TING CAM ERA SHUTTER SPEED"...
  • Page 13 Set camera to a programmed exposure mode (P DUAL, P • or P HI for F-501/N2020; P or P HI for F-301/N2000). With the Nikon F-401lN4004, set the camera (aperture dial S, shutter speed ture dial shutter speed dial With F·301lN2000...

  • Page 14: Flash Shooting

    Set power switch to STBY (standby • position) to turn on SB·20. indicating selected flash mode immediately Lightly press shutter release button and • viewfinder ready·light comes on to indicate flash is ready to fire. lights ~-------------~--~ For blinking page ---------~ ready-light warnings,...
  • Page 15 Fully depress shutter release button to take picture. Unless viewfinder ready-light blinks after the shot, your flash exposure will be perfect; if it does ink, pic- ture underexposed- move closer subject. ..,..fII:!lIlIlllma . . ffl!II!!l_tlll$ii1tllillll1illllJll Do not fire flash toward or •...

  • Page 16: Autofocus Flash Photography

    50 or laste ISO 100 or higher 50 or higher Set the Nikon F-501/N2020's focus mode higher selector to S for Single Servo Autofocus mode, or set the F·401/N4004 to A for auto· focus mode. Continuous Servo Autofocus cannot be used focus flash photography.
  • Page 17 Set aperture. With Nikon F-401 / N4004, use camera's aperture dial. Don forget to lock lens at minimum For programmed TTL operation, aperture (largest I-number) (For details, lens instructi position. For other flash operations, set as follows: to smallest lens lock the lens apertu re.
  • Page 18 If focus-not-possible when cator focus on the clear indicator using Nikon F-50llN2020, ) blinks with Nikon F-401/N4004, flash photography is impossible. matte field. ) remains lit if focus indi- auto- Focus manually...

  • Page 19: Setting Camera Shutter Speed

    -1/ 125soc 1190 M90 and B as set performed with the A/-S type lens and auto fla sh operation. with most Nikon cameras Viewfinder utter speed indication up and LED proper non- flash shulter speed blinks manually set shutter speed...

  • Page 20: Determining Aperture

    DETERMINING APERTURE------------:------ TTL Mode (for TTL Automatic Flash Exposure Control) mode is for exclusive use with Nikon F-501/N2020, F-401/ 30 1/N2000, FA, FG came ras only. auto fl ash operation with F-301lN2000, be su re to manual exposure mode. correct exposure...
  • Page 21 Align film speed in use with the film • speed index. For intermediate film speeds, film speed use. With film With fi lm speeds listed on sure subjects are sufficiently within tance range indicated on the back To read proper shooting distance range, •...

  • Page 22: Basic Operation

    For example, with the film speed index aperture from 112 to 1122. With the zoom take pictures of subjects 7.5m (approx With Nikon F-401/N4004, use camera's shows usable apertures. (Depending on shown in the aperture on next page.) 100, you...
  • Page 23 Usable apertures/shooting distance range in TTL mode ISO film speed 1000' 800' 2.8+ '/3 4+'13 8+'/3 11+ '13 16+'13 22+'13 • For Ntkon F·5011N2020 and F-3011N2000 only. c:=:::J Programmed TTL auto flash information. Shooting distance range With zoom With zoom 2.8-20 3.8-20 (92-66)
  • Page 24 88-20'S film speed index With zoom set ring at N and an aperture of flash shooting distance range-which 100-shifts The Nikon tion dial under- balanced fill-flash this, compensate Film speed instruction manual.) automatic flash table at back...

  • Page 25: A Mode (For Non-Ttl Automatic Flash Exposure Control)

    A Mode (for Non·TTL Automatic Flash Exposure Control) Use the 88-20 on A mode automatic operation with Nikon cameras other than Nikon F-501/N2020, F-401/ N4004*, F-301/N2000, FE2, The following procedure lets you select aperture with 88-20's aperture selection /shooting panel for non-TTL auto flash operation.
  • Page 26 Align film speed in use with film speed • index. intermediate film speeds, the film speed use. With 18032 With film speeds sure subjects are sufficiently within tance range indicated on the back of the To read proper shooting distance •...
  • Page 27 Select appropriate aperture and set aperture index knob. aperture index window shows usable apertures. With the film speed index at ISO 100, for example, you can select any aperture from f/2 tof/8 With the zoom set ring at N, if you select you can take pictures...
  • Page 28 Set your chosen aperture. With Nikon F-401/N4004, use camera's aperture dial. Next, turn on flash unit and take shot in the same manner shown in " BASIC OPERATION ," steps 12...
  • Page 29 (having high reflectivity), over- occur. prevent stopping down or opening aperture. dark background, stop down the when the background full f/stop. Nikon F-401 N4004, aperture aperture dial. this, compen- aperture is light in tone, using the...

  • Page 30: M Mode

    Manual Flash M Mode (for Exposure Control) In M mode, you can choose amount of light output: full 1/2, 1/16. To determine aperture and/or light output with S8-20's aperture selection /shooting distance range panel for manual flash operation, read following 1/4, 5et the 58·20's flash mode selector to M.
  • Page 31 ISO 100 and the zoom shoot a subject away, you also determ apertu For details, see page With Nikon F-401 / N4004, camera's rtures. example, with ring can select apertu from re using the SB-20's guide number aperture dial.
  • Page 32 Set !ight output selector to appropriate setting. Follow the appropriate vertical line distance scale window until it intersects zontal distance scale indicator aperture. Then follow the diagonal to determine the correct light output selected. example, with 100 and zoom set ring to shoot away...
  • Page 33 To determine light output before selecting aperture Use the following procedure instead of steps 4 and 5 to determine light output before selecting aperture: Set the light output selector so the yellow light output index indicates the desired light output. example photo, full light out- put is selected.

  • Page 34: Guide Number

    Guide Number See the table at right for guide speeds and zoom settings. M mode, use the following aperture: guide number - : : : . - - - - - - - flstop flash-to-subject With film zoom set knob at S8-20's guide number 60(m) subject...

  • Page 35: Setting Power Switch

    With when again, reset open-flash button to ON Position With cameras other than the Nikon F·401/N4004, F·301/N2000, recycling time. This With the Nikon FA, FE2, and FG: To turn SB-20. settings (M250, meter turns off, turns automatically. press camera's OFF Position...

  • Page 36: Ready-Light Indications

    When the fl ash unit is turned on, the lights to indicate the flash is ready activate viewfinder ready-light fu using the Nikon FE2, F-501 F-301/ N2000, FG, or FG-20, first turn on the meter lightly pressing the With alka...

  • Page 37: Ready-Light W Arning Functions

    When S8-20 set at with cameras other Nikon F-501lN2020, F-401 FE2, or FG. Reset 88-20's flash mode to A or M. When using the FE2, FG to perform TTL auto- matic flash...

  • Page 38: Synchro-Sunlight Fill-In Flash Photography

    SYNCHRO-SUNLIGHT FILL-IN FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY----- backlit subjects, fill lighting, use the 8B-20 even daytime. ----------------, the-following, a slower shutter speed avoid a dark background. setting Without flash: N4004 backl subject aperture-priority or comes out too dark. shutter-priority exposure mode, with 8B-20 set automatic balanced fill-flash situations where...

  • Page 39: In Ttl Mode

    In TTL Mode Set the camera shutter speed synchronization speed slower Frame the background turn the camera exposure aperture a correct background the aperture on lens. Set the flash mode selector to S8·20 take the shot. With a strongly backlit subject cludes the sun),...

  • Page 40: In M Mode

    In M Mode Manually camera shutter speed synchronization speed or slower speed. Frame the background in the then turn on the camera's exposure meter to read proper aperture correct and set aperture on the lens. Calculate the flash-to-subject distance using the equation below and set S8-20...

  • Page 41: Diffusing The Light

    DIFFUSING THE L l G H T - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Diffused light eliminates harsh shadows and attractive portraits. There are two ways to diffuse Bounce light off a broad refl ective the ceiling;...

  • Page 42: Bounce Flash Photography Procedure

    You are recommended shots with the camera's exposure dial set in with Nikon F·401/N4004) for with lens opened one or f/stops non·TTL • direction (not auto flash or stopped...

  • Page 43: Using A Diffuser

    ~----------------~ To create a catch light for the subject's eyes: Insert white paper into the flector slot so a small amount of direct nation fills in unflattering shadows around eyes. ~----------------, Using A Diffuser S8-20 's re- Place a translucent illumi- sheets of tracing...

  • Page 44: Synchronization With Motor-Driven Camera

    SYNCHRONIZATION WITH-- MOTOR-DRIVEN CAMERA mode, you can perform sequential motor driven camera at up to second maximum number of flashes ing are listed below. Batteri Light AA-type alkali ne-manganese batteri es inside S8-20 AA-type alkaline-manganese batteries inside -20 plus C-type alkaline-manganese batteries inside opt ional DC Unit...

  • Page 45: Multiple Flash Photography

    MULTIPLE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY----------- TTL Multiple Flash Photography Use the Nikon Speedlight SB-22, SB-16B or SB-15 connected F-401lN4004, 301/N2000, FA, as a master flash unit and use SB-2 1B, SB-20, SB-18, 7, SB-16A, SB SB-15 as slave flash unit(s). Up to five flash units can...
  • Page 46 System chart for TTL multiple flash operation lJJlQ&J Nikon F-501/N2020 uIQJ~ Nikon F-401 fN4004 S8-16A mQiJ Nikon F-301{N2000 " SB·21A indicates "master" flash unit. lJiQ}j Nikon FA Nikon Nikon -----1 SC-17 *The S8-11, S8-14, S8-140 and S8-218 Nikon F-401/N4004 either...
  • Page 47 ~Qi~ AS-l0 AS·10 ~~'"'.~ <; 58-140 <; AS-11 AS-11 AS·l0 ,"w~ AS-1O AS-l1 AS· AS-11 SB·l 8 -140...

  • Page 48: Manual Multiple Flash Photography

    Manual Multiple Flash Photography Connect the 88-20 and other flash units optional Nikon 8ync Cord 8C-11 or 8C-15 88-20 multiple flash te rminal. correct exposure in manual multiple flash tion, be sure flash units are set Caution To avoid damaging...

  • Page 49: Close-Up Flash Photography In Ttl Mode

    CLOSE-UP FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY IN TTL M O D E - - - - - - When used with the Nikon F-501/N2020, F-401/N4004, F-301/N2000, camera, Remote Cord SC-17 lets you perform flash shooting with a subject closer than 0.6m. 1. Use...

  • Page 50: Tips On Speedlight Care

    • Never disassemble or repair the flash unit the S8-20 malfunc- tions, take it immediately to an authorized Nikon dealer or ser- vice center. • Keep S8-20 away from places where temperature is higher than 50°C, store damp places.
  • Page 51 • When not using the 88-20, re- move batteries to avoid damage due to battery leakage. If leakage occurs, take the 88-20 to your nearest Nikon authorized service facility. • When the 88-20 is not used, per- form the following once a month: 1_ Install batteries,...

  • Page 52: About Batteries

    ABOUT B A T T E R I E S - - - - - - - - - - - - - - New batteries Purchase the new (freshest) batteries Temperature Battery life ratings are based on operation at 20°C (68 °...

  • Page 53: Accessories

    AS-10. Comes with three multiple one tripod socket. setups or shoe sync cord SC-15 operation or auto the Nikon FE2 or SC-17 ensures ready-light veiw- unit were directly with two TTL multiple S8-15 a slave flash flash...

  • Page 54: Ttl Multi-Flash Sync Cords Sc-18 And Sc-19

    AS-4 or AS-?' lets you change film without removing the OC Unit SO-7 The Nikon OC Unit SO-7 is an optional external power source. To use connect the SO-Ts power cord SC-16 to the S8-20's external power terminal. Even when powered with...

  • Page 55: Specifications

    STBY (for standby) and ON STBY position with the Nikon F-501 N2020, F-401!N4004, 301! N2000, FA, 2 or FG, SB-20 turns off automatically when flash unit used minutes and turns on when camera exposure meter...
  • Page 56 3sec. 5sec. Usable apertures in 10sec. A mode 30sec. Shooting distance range in A mode Aperture modes TTL, A and M F·5011 Nikon F-3011 FG; for pro- auto flash oper- M mode F-4011 F·501/N2020, operation; light 1000 with F-501/N2020 N2000 Nikon F·401/N4004, FA, FE2,...

  • Page 57: Specifications

    AF assist LED Automatically fires beam toward the when performing with the Nikon (Single camera Dimensions Approx.7 1(W)x110(H)x 70(D)mm (27x4.3x27 Weight Approx. (without batteries) Accessories provided Soft Case SS-20 Specifications and designs are subject notice. subject autofocus F-501/N2020 Servo) or...
  • Page 58 No reproduction in form this manual, in whole part (except for brief quotation in articles or reviews), may be made authorization from NIKON CORPORATION. NIKON CORPORATION FUJI BLDG., 2-3, MARUNOUCHI 3-CHOME, PHONE: 81-3-3214-5311 TELEX: NIKON J22601 critical without written Nikon...

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