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Technical Notes—Optional Accessories
Optional Flash Units (Speedlights)
When used with a compatible Speedlight such as the SB-800 or SB-600
(available separately), the D50 supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System
(CLS), including i-TTL fl ash control (
127), Flash Color Information Com-
munication, and FV lock (
98). The built-in fl ash does not fi re when an
optional fl ash unit is used.
SB-800 and SB-600 Speedlights
These high performance Speedlights have Guide Numbers of 53/174 and
42/138 respectively (m/ft, 35-mm zoom head position, ISO 200, 20 °C/
68 °F; GNs at ISO 100 are 38/125 and 30/98 respectively). The fl ash head
can be rotated through 90 ° above the horizontal, 180 ° left, and 90 ° right
for bounce-fl ash or close-up photography. The SB-800 can be rotated 7 °
below the horizontal. Auto power zoom (24–105 mm and 24–85 mm, re-
spectively) ensures that the illuminating angle is adjusted in accord with lens
focal length. The built-in wide panel can be used for an angle of 14 mm
(the SB-800 also supports 17 mm). An illuminator is included to assist in
adjusting settings in the dark.
Use Only Nikon Flash Accessories
Use only Nikon Speedlights. Negative voltages or voltages over 250 V applied to
the ac ces so ry shoe could not only prevent normal operation, but damage the sync
cir cuit ry of the camera or fl ash. Be fore us ing a Nikon Speed light not listed in this sec-
tion, con tact a Nikon-au tho rized ser vice rep re sen ta tive for more information.
The Accessory Shoe
The D50 is equipped with an accessory shoe that
allows SB-series Speedlights, including the SB-800,
600, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, 23, 22S, and 29S to be
mounted directly on the camera without a sync cable.
The accessory shoe is equipped with a safety lock for
Speedlights with a locking pin, such as the SB-800
and SB-600. Before attaching an optional fl ash unit,
remove the accessory shoe cover.
The AS-15 Accessory Shoe Adapter
An AS-15 accessory shoe adapter (available separately) can be mounted on the
accessory shoe to allow fl ash accessories to be attached via a sync cable.
