Nikon Autofocus Speedlight SB-20, Instruction Manual

Page 1: ...Nikon ii INSTRUCTION MANUAL ...

Page 2: ...STANDBY Position 33 ON Position 33 OFF Position 33 READY LIGHT INDiCATIONS 34 35 Ready Light W arning Functions 35 SYNCHRO SUNLIGHT FILL IN FLASH PHOTOGRAPHy 36 38 In TTL Mode 37 In A Mode 37 In M Mode 38 DIFFUSING THE LIGHT 39 41 Bounce Flash Photography Procedure 40 41 Using ADiffuser 41 SYNCHRONIZATION WITH MOTOR DRIVEN CAMERA 42 MULTIPLE FLASH EXPOSURES 42 MULTIPLE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY 43 46 TTL ...

Page 3: ... AF Nikkorel Matrix AI P Nikkore Matriciel AF Nikkorl Mittenbetont Nikkor AI P Centree 0 0 0 Matrix 0 0 O Sonstige Objektiveo Matriciel Autres objectifso Mittenbetont Centree 0 O 0 Zur Beachtung M f f f f 1 Bei Verwendung der AF Illuminator LED des SB 20 mit einem AF Nikkor Objektiv laBt sich mit Brennweiten von 25 bis 105mm arbeiten Dieser Bereich verschiebt sich bei Verwendung des AF Telekonvert...

Page 4: ...S PH 0 0 t t O O t t t t t t t t TTL Remote Cord SC 24 is required when using DW 20 or DW 21 F SOllNSOOS SB 20 i Po Modo de exposici6n P S A M Lenses Metering system PH Objetivos Sistema de medici6n AF Nikkor lenses AI P Matrix type Nikkor lenses Por matriz t Objetivos Nikkor AFI Objetivos Nikkor tipo Center Weighted 0 0 0 t AI P Calculado para el centro Matrix 0 O 0 t Other lenses Por matriz Otro...

Page 5: ...Nikkor 80mm fl2 8 200mm f 3 5 IF ED and Autofocus Converter TC 161 TC 16A For most photos in this manual aperture is set by rotating the lens aperture ring With the F 401 N4004 however aperture is set using camera s aperture dial Do not forget to set and lock the lens at its smallest aperture For limited use of non AF Nikkor lenses see the F 401 N4004 instruction manual 2 Most of the explanations ...

Page 6: ...over index Autolocus assist illuminator LED See pages 14 to 16 Battery chamber cover M IH Ii a loot 4 scale Flash head ring W wide for lenses 28mm or longer N normal for lenses 35mm or longer telephoto for lenses 85mm or longer Light sensor lor non TTL auto Ilash nn ti ln loot lock nut Hot shoe contacts ...

Page 7: ... with a sync cord and 2 multiple flash photography in manual flash operation page 46 External power source terminal Accepts power cord from Nikon DC Unit SD 7 Aperture selection shooting distance range panel See pages 18 to 31 Before using the SB 20 peel off the protective paper covering the panel 5 ...

Page 8: ...tance range indicators The patterned bar fourth bar from Ihe lOp shows programmed TTL aulo flash information Distance scale window Distance scale selector Power switch See page 33 Open flash bullon For 1 lest firing in A mode 2 multiple flash exposures page 42 and 3 to turn on SB 20 after it is automatically turned off page 33 6 M mode for manual flash operation Aperture index knob light output se...

Page 9: ...A type penlight alkaline manganese batteries or 1 2V NiCd batteries into the battery chamber For battery information see page 50 3 To reattach battery chamber cover align front edge of the cover with battery cover index on the flash unit then push cover down and slide as far as it goes 7 ...

Page 10: ...foot forward into the camera s accessory shoe as far as it goes I I I I I 8 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 The S8 20 cannot be mounted on F3 series camera with the other finders I I I I 6 Tighten lock nut firmly ...

Page 11: ...s set at 0 W Wide For 28mm or longer lenses N Normal For 35mm or longer lenses T Telephoto For 85mm or longer lenses 8 Rotate zoom set ring until desired zoom setting appears in the window Make sure zoom set ring is properly set at its click stop position 9 ...

Page 12: ...only With Nikon F 401 1 I N4004 use only AF Nikkor lenses except AF Nikkor 80mm f 2 8 200mm 113 5 IF ED I I and Autofocus Converter TC 16 TC 16A I I For autofocus operation set the Nikon I I F 501 N2020 s focus mode selector to S for I Single Servo Autofocus mode or set the I Nikon F 401 IN4004 to A for autofocus mode I I For details see pages 14 to 16 I I 10 9 5et the 58 20 s flash mode selector ...

Page 13: ...ure dial to S shutter speed dial to A or shutter priority auto aper ture dial to S shutter speed dial to desired speed exposure mode 11 Set lens to minimum aperture largest f number With AF Nikkor lenses lock lens aperture at minimum setting See the lens instruction manual With the Nikon F 401 N4004 this procedure is unnecessary because the lens is always locked at the smallest aperture 11 ...

Page 14: ...turn on SB 20 LED indicating selected flash mode immediately lights up 12 13 Lightly press shutter release button and viewfinder ready light comes on to indicate flash is ready to fire r For blinking ready light warnings see page 35 I I I I I I I I I ...

Page 15: ... light blinks after the shot your flash exposure will be perfect if it does blink pic ture may be underexposed move closer to subject I I fII lIlIlllma ffl II l_tlll ii1tllillll1illllJll Do not fire flash toward or near the eyes it may dam age the retina _8IlIIhll_1IIiIi W t Pi 1llUlll1II W51lIi II 13 ...

Page 16: ... F 5011 N2020 with TC 16A Lens maximum Film speed aperture 1 2 8 or laster ISO 50 or laster Slower than 1 2 8 ISO 100 or higher 1 1 4 or 1 1 2 ISO 50 or higher 1 1 8 1 2 1 2 5 or ISO 100 or higher 1 2 8 14 N4004 1 Set the Nikon F 501 N2020 s focus mode 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 for auto fo...

Page 17: ...re largest I number and lock the lens aperture For details see the lens instruction manual Lens only F 5011 N2020 with TC 16A Lens maximum aperture fl2 8 or laster Slower than 1 2 8 1 1 4 or 1 1 2 1 1 8 1 2 fl2 5 or 1 2 8 Aperture setting 1 2 8 or larger I number 1 28 1 4 1 5 6 etc 115 6 or larger I number 1 56 1 8 1 11 etc 1 2 or larger I number 1 2 1 2 8 1 4 etc 1 4 or larger I number 1 4 1 5 6 ...

Page 18: ...nt light is sufficient the AF illuminator does not fire 16 4 Confirm whether the green in focus indicator LIFO lights up then fully depress the shutter release button If focus not possible indicator LED x remains lit when using the Nikon F 50llN2020 or if focus indi cator LED e blinks with Nikon F 401 N4004 auto focus flash photography is impossible Focus manually on the clear matte field ...

Page 19: ...hows 250 M250 and Bin p Sand Amodes fA 1 250 or slower 1 4000 1 500sec in M mode 1 250 LCD shows M250 1 250 1sec in M mode as set LCD shows manually set shutter speed M250 and B in P S A and M as set No indication modes A 1 4000 1 500sec 11250 fE2 11250 or slower II250 8sec as set M250 and B as set P A 1 1000 1 125soc 1 90 Two LEOs representing 1 90sec lighl up fG 1 90 or slower 1 60 1sec as set L...

Page 20: ...amera to aperture priority auto or manual exposure mode For correct exposure in TTL mode use film with a film speed specified in the table below Camera Film speed F 501 N2020 and F 301 N2000 ISO 25 to 1000 F 401 N4004 FA FE2 and FG ISO 25 to 400 To determine aperture with the S8 20 s aperture selection shooting dis tance range panel for TTL auto flash operation read the following For programmed TT...

Page 21: ...eed in use With ISO 32 film for example set to ISO 25 With film speeds not listed on the scale be sure subjects are sufficiently within the shooting dis tance range indicated on the back of the S8 20 3 To read proper shooting distance range set distance scale selector to letter shown in zoom indicator window 19 ...

Page 22: ... usable apertures see table on next page For example with the film speed index at ISO 100 you can select any aperture from 112 to 1122 With the zoom set ring at N selecting 114 lets you take pictures of subjects 1m to 7 5m approx 3 3 ft to 25ft away With Nikon F 401 N4004 use camera s aperture dial 20 Next tum on flash unit and take shot in the same manner shown in BASIC OPERATION steps 12 to 15 ...

Page 23: ... range 50 25 With zoom set With zoom set With zoom set at W at N at T 2 8 20 3 8 20 4 5 20 92 66 12 66 15 66 2 0 15 2 7 20 3 2 20 6 6 49 8 9 66 10 66 1 4 1 1 1 9 15 2 3 18 4 6 36 62 49 75 59 2 1 0 7 8 1 3 10 1 6 12 33 25 4 3 33 52 39 2 8 2 0 7 5 5 1 0 7 5 1 2 9 0 23 18 3 3 25 39 30 4 2 8 0 6 3 9 0 7 53 0 8 6 3 20 13 2 3 17 26 21 5 6 4 0 6 2 7 0 6 3 7 0 6 4 5 2 0 89 2 0 12 20 15 8 5 6 0 6 1 9 0 6 2...

Page 24: ...ck of 88 20 For example with 180 100 film and camera s exposure compensation dial set at 2 read 25 on the table and reset the 88 20 Sfilm speed index to 25 With the zoom set ring at N and an aperture of f 4 the flash shooting distance range which is 1m to 7 5m at 22 180 100 shifts to 0 6m to 3 7m at 18025 The Nikon F 401 N4004 has no exposure compensa tion dial and compensates exposure with automa...

Page 25: ... 401 N4004 F 301 N2000 FA FE2 and FG The following procedure lets you select aperture with the 88 20 s aperture selection shooting distance range panel for non TTL auto flash operation Non TTL automatic operation is not possible when Nikon F 401 N4004 is set to either program or shutter priority auto exposure mode 1 Set 58 20 s mode selector to A 23 ...

Page 26: ...eed in use With 18032 film for example set to 1 80 25 With film speeds not listed on the scale be sure subjects are sufficiently within the shooting dis tance range indicated on the back of the 88 20 24 3 To read proper shooting distance range set distance scale selector to letter shown in zoom indicator window ...

Page 27: ...he 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 f 4 you can take pictures of sub jects 1m to 7 5m approx 3 3ft to 25ft away 25 ...

Page 28: ...5 Set your chosen aperture With Nikon F 401 N4004 use camera s aperture dial 26 Next turn on flash unit and take shot in the same manner shown in BASIC OPERATION steps 12 to 15 ...

Page 29: ... 8 0 6 3 9 0 7 5 3 0 8 6 3 20 13 2 3 17 2 6 21 32 22 16 11 8 5 6 4 0 6 2 7 0 6 3 7 0 6 4 5 2 0 89 2 0 12 2 0 15 Exposure compensation in A mode With a dark background one with low reflectivity or one that is light in tone having high reflectivity over or underexposure may occur To prevent this compen sate exposure by stopping down or opening aperture With a dark background stop down the aperture 1...

Page 30: ... output with the S8 20 s aperture selection shooting distance range panel for manual flash operation read the following 28 I 110 1 5et the 58 20 s flash mode selector to M 2 Align film speed in use with the film speed index For intermediate film speeds use the figure on the scale nearest the film speed in use With ISO 32 film for example set to ISO 25 ...

Page 31: ...aperture index window shows usable apertures For example with film speed index set at ISO 100 and the zoom set ring at N and if you want to shoot a subject 3m away you can select any aperture from 112 to f 8 You can also determine aperture using the SB 20 s guide number GN For details see page 32 With Nikon F 401 N4004 use camera s aperture dial 29 ...

Page 32: ...w the diagonal dotted line upward to determine the correct light output for the aperture selected For example with the film speed set at ISO 100 and the zoom set ring at N to shoot a subject 3 7m away at f 4 fire the flash at 1 4 light output Set the light output selector so the yellow output index shows 1 4 in the window below 30 Next turn on the flash unit and take shot in the same manner shown ...

Page 33: ...le window and the dotted line from the light output window to the point of intersection If the lines do not intersect move closer to sub ject or reset light output selector for more light output For example with the film speed index at ISO 100 and zoom set ring at N to shoot a subject 10m away at full light output follow both the vertical line from figure 10 in the distance scale window and the do...

Page 34: ...2 44 203 144 85 60 279 197 102 72 335 236 44 31 144 102 60 42 197 138 72 51 236 167 31 22 102 72 42 30 138 98 51 36 167 118 22 15 72 49 30 21 98 69 36 25 118 82 Unit m ft ISO film speed 400 200 100 50 25 44 31 22 15 11 144 1U2 72 49 36 60 42 30 21 15 197 138 98 69 49 72 51 36 25 18 236 167 118 82 59 31 22 15 11 7 8 102 72 49 36 25 42 30 21 15 11 138 98 69 49 36 51 36 25 18 13 167 118 82 59 43 22 1...

Page 35: ...ameras Though the ON position is normally recommended for turning on the flash unit STBY can also be used With other Nikon cameras even if the camera s expo sure meter stays on the SB 20 automatically turns off when not used for one or two minutes To turn on again set power switch to ON or OFF position then reset to STBY For convenience you may also push the open flash button to turn on the SB 20 ...

Page 36: ... To activate the viewfinder ready light function when using the Nikon FA FE2 F 501 N2020 F 401 N4004 F 301 N2000 FG or FG 20 first turn on the camera s meter by lightly pressing the shutter release button 34 FA F 501 N2020 F 301 N2000 With alkaline manganese batteries if the ready light takes more than 30sec to light up replace the bat teries with a fresh set ...

Page 37: ...G 18025 to 1000 with the F 501 N2020 or F 301 N2000 With the FA ready light also blinks when the film speed setting on the camera is near ISO 12 4 When shutter speed set on the FE or FM2 is faster than the flash sync speed Set the shutter speed to the flash sync speed or slower one 5 With the Nikon F 401 N4004 when the built in flash and 88 20 are OFF and when the camera detects flash is effective...

Page 38: ...mes out too dark With flash Both the subject and the background come out properly exposed I I I I I By setting the F 401 N4004 to program aperture priority or shutter priority auto exposure mode with the 8B 20 set to TTL automatic balanced fill flash is possible in situations where fill flash is effective even with a bright subject For details see the F 401 N4004 instruction manual In manual expos...

Page 39: ...in flash photography In A Mode 1 Determine correct aperture for the backlit subject according to method on page 25 by referring to the S8 20 s aperture selection distance range panel then set both the aperture index and the aperture on the lens 2 Frame the background in the camera viewfinder and turn on camera meter to determine proper shutter speed for the aperture set on the lens The shutter spe...

Page 40: ...ide number see page 32 4 Set the S8 20 s flash mode selector to M turn on the flash unit and take the shot 38 I To eliminate harsh shadows caused by ambient I daylight decrease flash illumination by one or I two f stops using one of the methods below I I 1 Use an aperture one or two f stops smaller I I than that determined in step 2 in combina I tion with a shutter speed slower by one or I two ste...

Page 41: ...reates attractive portraits There are two ways to diffuse light 1 Bounce light off a broad reflective surface such as the ceiling 2 Use a diffuser between the flash and the subject Direct flash Harsh unflattering lighting Bounce flash Soft natural looking lighting 39 ...

Page 42: ...non TTL auto flash operation then turn on the flash unit The bounce indicator lights up 4 Choose an aperture and perform a test firing If the ready light olinKs after test firing indicating under exposure may occur at the aperture set on the lens use a wider aperture or reduce the bounce distance and test fi re the flash again 40 5 Bracket your exposures You are recommended to take additional shot...

Page 43: ...n unflattering shadows around the eyes I I I I I I Using A Diffuser Place a translucent material such as one or more sheets of tracing paper between the flash and subject to diffuse light It is recommended that you experiment with different flash to diffuser distances and or more than one diffuser Use the S8 20 on TTL or M mode when using a diffuser 41 ...

Page 44: ...0 batteries inside optional DC Unit SD 7 1 16 40 When the SB 20 IS charged for 30sec after the ready light lights up at 4 2fps with fresh batteries at 20 C 68 F For details about the SO 7 see page 52 More flashes possible but never fire the flash more than 40 times Before firing the flash again stop using for more than 10 minutes 42 MULTIPLE FLASH EXPOSURES 6 1 15 2 3 4 6 8 10 235710152030 To crea...

Page 45: ...ia the TTL multiple flash terminal Because the SB 22 SB 21B SB 20 SB 18 and SB 15 are not provided with a TTL multiple flash terminal it is necessary to use TTL Remote Cord SC 17 when using these flash units as a master flash unit To use the SB 22 SB 20 SB 18 and or SB 1 5 as slave flash units use the AS 10 When using the SB 140 SB 14 and or SB 11 for TTL multiple flash photography you should also...

Page 46: ...iQ j Nikon F 501 N2020 Nikon FA uIQJ Nikon F 401 fN4004 Nikon FE2 mQiJ O Nikon FG Nikon F 301 N2000 1 indicates the master flash unit 44 SB11 0 SB141 58140 SC 17 The S8 11 S8 14 S8 140 and S8 218 cannot be used with Nikon F 401 N4004 either as a master or slave flash unit ...

Page 47: ... Qi r 58 140 E1 E1 AS 11 AS 11 AS l0 SB l 1 o AS l0 w 58 140 AS 1O I I IAS 10 I El El t AS l1 AS 11 AS l0 45 ...

Page 48: ...s of other manu facturers 46 AVOIDING RED EYE Red eye is a common phenomenon in flash photog raphy where the center portions of a subject s eyes appear as bright red orbs in color photographs or white in black and white pictures To avoid red eye take any or all of the following pre cautions Ask the subject not to look directly into the lens when the picture is taken Using a sync cord or TTL Remote...

Page 49: ... in use set the zoom set ring so W appears in the zoom indicator window 4 To determine aperture use the following equation A f stop flash to subject distance where A corresponds to the film in use according to the table below If you are using ISO 100 film for example and the flash to subject distance is 0 5m divide 4 by 0 5 to get f 8 That means you can use an aperture of f 8 or smaller Use as sma...

Page 50: ... alcohol they might damage plastic parts 48 Never disassemble or repair the flash unit if the S8 20 malfunc tions take it immediately to an authorized Nikon dealer or ser vice center Keep the S8 20 away from places where temperature is higher than 50 C and do not store in damp places Use within the range of 10 C 50 C ...

Page 51: ...e 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 turn on the 88 20 and fire flash a few times 2 Wait until the ready light comes on 3 Turn off the 88 20 and remove the batteries 49 ...

Page 52: ...han by intermittent use Storage Store batteries in a cool dry place below 20 C 68 F Battery brand Do not mix battery brands or model numbers or new and old batteries Disposal Do not dispose of batteries by burning and never dis assemble batteries 50 NiCd batteries In comparison with regular batteries NiCd batteries provide faster recycling time and better efficiency at low temperatures Before char...

Page 53: ...20 off the Nikon F 501 N2020 F 401 N4004 F 301lN2000 FA FE2 or FG camera use coiled cord SC 17 The SC 17 ensures automatic sync speed setting and ready light veiw finder indication just as if the flash unit were directly mounted on the camera Comes with two TTL multiple flash terminals and one tripod socket TTL Multi Flash Adapter AS 10 When using the S8 20 S8 18 or S8 15 as a slave flash unit or ...

Page 54: ...0 on a Nikon F3 series camera with the OE 2 or OE 3 finder use the AS 4 or AS The AS 7 lets you change film without removing the flash unit OC Unit SO 7 The Nikon OC Unit SO 7 is an optional external power source To use it connect the SO Ts power cord SC 16 to the S8 20 s external power terminal Even when powered with the SO 7 the S8 20 still requires bat teries inside the flash unit do not remove...

Page 55: ...ability Flash duration Light output approx Full 1 2 1 4 1 8 1116 70 28mm or longer 60 35 mm or longer 31 85mm or longer Flash head can be rotated down to r or up to 90 Flash duration approx 1I1200sec 1 1500sec 1 3700sec 117400sec 1I15000sec Power source Power switch Four 1 5V AA type alkaline manganese or NiCd batteries optional Battery Pack SD 7 holding six C type batteries is available as an ext...

Page 56: ...E2 or FG for pro grammed TTL auto flash oper ation with F 501 N2020 F 4011 N4004 or F 301 N2000 only or TTL auto flash operation light is measured through the lens Usable film speed range in TTL mode Usable aperture range in TTL mode A mode ISO 25 to 1000 with Nikon F 501 N2020 and F 301l N2000 or ISO 25 to 400 with Nikon F 401 N4004 FA FE2 and FG f 2 to f 22 at ISO 100 For non TTL auto flash oper...

Page 57: ...us with the Nikon F 501 N2020 Single Servo or F 401 N4004 camera in insufficient light Dimensions Approx 71 W x110 H x 70 D mm 27x4 3x27 in Weight Approx 260g 9 1oz without batteries Accessories provided Soft Case SS 20 Specifications and designs are subject to change without notice 55 ...

Page 58: ...quotation in critical articles or reviews may be made without written authorization from NIKON CORPORATION Nikon NIKON CORPORATION FUJI BLDG 2 3 MARUNOUCHI 3 CHOME CHIYODA KU TOKYO 100 JAPAN PHONE 81 3 3214 5311 TELEX NIKON J22601 FAX 81 3 3201 5856 Printed in Japan 9 221 C03 S136 ...