Detailed instructions for use are in the User's Guide.
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FOREWORD
Thank you for purchasing the Nikon Autofocus Speedlight SB-26. Used with Nikon's newest SLRs (F5, F90X/N90s, F90-Series/N90, F70-Series/N70, F4-Series, F-801/N8008, F-801s/N8008s, F-601/N6006, F-601M/N6000, F50-Series/ N50, F-401x/N5005, F-401/N4004 and F-401s/ N4004s), it offers you the most advanced and complete system for automatic flash photography available. To get the maximum performance from your new SB-26, be sure to take time to read the instruction manual carefully.
For Effective Use of This Manual
Using this manual is simple. Read the pages with shaded index tabs indicating your camera name. These index tabs lead you to all of the information you need to learn about using the SB-26 with your camera. The SB-26 and today's newest Nikon models offer exceptionally high performance. They include more features than ever before, all of which can help you make great pictures. Because there are so many features, the instruction manual is extensive, and may seem a little intimidating. We urge you, however, to thoroughly read the manuals before you begin using the SB-26. That way you will be fully familiar with the features and the way they work. For the convenience of latest Nikon SLR users, the SB-26 offers automatic adjustment functions when used with certain lenses. Automatic operations is detailed beside manual operation in shaded boxes with mark. By becoming thoroughly familiar with the SB-26, you will be able to use its advanced features more effectively and enjoy great results from the very beginning.
F5, F90X/N90s, F90-Series/N90 and F70-Series/N70 Users F4-Series, F-801/N8008 and F-801s/N8008s Users F-601/N6006 and F-601M/N6000 Users F50-Series/N50 and F-401x/N5005 Users F-501/N2020 and F-301/N2000 Users F-401/N4004 and F-401s/N4004s Users FA, FE2, FG and Nikonos V Users
The Nikon N70, N90s, N90, N8008, N8008s, N6006, N6000, N50, N5005, N4004 and N4004s are sold exclusively in the U.S.A. The Nikon N2020 and N2000 are sold exclusively in the U.S.A. and Canada. 2
F3-Series, F2-Series, FM2 and FG-20 Users
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Table Of Contents
FOREWORD
For Effective Use of This Manual .....................................2 Table of Contents ....................................................4 -- 5 Checking Battery Power ..............................................23 Adjustment Functions -- Using LCD Panel and Built-in Functions .....................................24 -- 30 Adjusting Flash Head To Horizontal/ Front Position ...............................................24 -- 25 Using LCD Panel For ShootingDistance Computation....................................26 -- 30 Setting ISO Film Speed (Manual Adjustment)...............................27 -- 28 Setting Aperture Value (Manual Adjustment)...............................28 -- 29 Setting Zoom-Head Position (Manual Adjustment)...............................29 -- 30 For FA, FE2, FG and Nikonos V Users: Choosing A Flash Method/Set Up and Practice......77 -- 80 Non-TTL Auto Flash A Mode -- Shooting with Varied Lens Apertures.............................81 -- 84 Manual Flash D Mode -- Manual LightOutput Control .................................................85 -- 90 Synchronization in Continuous Shooting........................90 Repeating Flash G Mode -- For Multiple Exposure...........................................................91 -- 96 Conserve Energy and Shorten Recycling Time ..............................116 -- 117 Guide Number -- To Calculate a Proper Aperture....................................................118 Diffusing Light -- To Soften Harsh Shadow ..........................................................119 --123 Bounce Flash Photography.....................................122 Using a Diffuser ....................................................123 Close-Up Flash Photography in TTL Auto Flash Mode -- To Flash On A Very Close Subject .............................124 -- 125 Multiple Flash Photography -- Using More Than One Speedlights .................................126 -- 136 Wireless Slave Flash Photography ...............128 -- 131 Multiple Flash Photography Using Cord ........131 -- 133 System Chart for TTL Multiple Flash ............134 -- 135 Accessories for TTL Multiple Flash ..........................136
Chapter 1: Introducing the SB-26 Autofocus Speedlight
Nomenclature...........................................................8 -- 9 Main Features/Functions -- SB-26's Flash Capabilities ..............................10 -- 17 Fully Automatic Fill Flash ...................................10 -- 13 Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash .............................11 "TTL Multi-Sensor" Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash With F5, F90X/N90s, F90-Series/N90 and F70-Series/N70.........................................12 FP High-Speed Sync Flash..................................13 -- 14 Rear-Curtain Sync Flash ..............................................15 Red-Eye Reduction Control...........................................16 Repeating Flash..........................................................16 SB-26 Feature Comparison: Flash Operations Available with Your Camera .....................................17
Chapter 4: Flash-Shooting Applications
FP High-Speed Sync Flash -- Flash Photography At Higher Shutter Speeds .............................98 -- 103 Guide number in FP High-Speed Sync Flash .....102 -- 103 Red-Eye Reduction Control -- For Better Flash Portraits..........................................................104 Rear-Curtain Sync Flash -- For Natural Light Flows...............................................................105 Flash Exposure Compensation -- To Make FlashIlluminated Subject Lighter or Darker........106 -- 107 Exposure Compensation with Camera's Dial -- To Make Background Lighter or Darker....108 -- 109 Open Flash Button  -- For Test Firing................110 Built-In Wide Flash Adapter -- For Shorter Focal-Length Lenses...............................................111 Zoom-Lock Capability -- To Fix Zoom-Head Position .........................................................112 -- 113 Trouble With Wide Flash Adapter ............................113 AF Assist LED -- Autofocus Flash Photography in Dim Light ..................................................114 -- 115 Power Switch Standby (STBY) Position -- To
Chapter 3: Shooting Practice in Flash Modes
TTL Auto Flash H Mode -- Fill-Flash with Automatically Compensated Flash Output ...32 -- 80 For F5, F90X/N90s, F90-Series/N90 and F70-Series/N70 Camera Users: Choosing A Flash Method/Set Up and Practice......36 -- 41 For F4-Series, F-801/N8008 and F-801s/N8008s Users: Choosing A Flash Method/Set Up and Practice......42 -- 49 For F-601/N6006 and F-601M/N6000 Users: Choosing A Flash Method/Set Up and Practice......50 -- 58 For F50-Series/N50 and F-401x/N5005 Users: Choosing A Flash Method/Set Up and Practice......59 -- 64 For F-501/N2020 and F-301/N2000 Users: Choosing A Flash Method/Set Up and Practice......65 -- 70 For F-401/N4004 and F-401s/N4004s Users: Choosing A Flash Method/Set Up and Practice......71 -- 76
Chapter 5: Notes on Speedlight
"Red Eye" .....................................................................138 Flash Sync Mode Selector W vs. q Position.....................................................................139 Tips on Speedlight Care..................................140 -- 141 About Batteries............................................................142 Specifications ..................................................143 -- 145 Usable Aperture/Flash Shooting Distance Ranges In TTL Auto H And Non-TTL A Flash Modes.............................................................146
Chapter 2: Before Flash Shooting
WARNING -- TO AVOID INJURY..................................20 CAUTION -- TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE SB-26 SPEEDLIGHT ..........................................20 Getting Started -- SB-26 Set-Up........................20 -- 23 Selecting Measurement System, Meters or Feet ........................................................21 Installing Batteries ............................................21 -- 22 Attaching Flash Unit to the Camera Accessory Shoe.............................................22 -- 23 4
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Chapter 1
SB-26
S D OFF
Introducing the SB-26 Autofocus Speedlight
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Chapter 1
Nomenclature
Built-in diffuser card
Flash head Locks at the front position and the 90° position; tilts up to 90° and down to Â7°; rotates 90° to the right and 180° to the left. Wireless Slave Flash sensor
Built-in wide flash adapter Autofocus assist illuminator LED Enables autofocus operation in dim light or total darkness. Light sensor for Non-TTL Auto Flash operation In Non-TTL Auto Flash operation, be careful not to cover or otherwise obstruct the sensor.
F S D OF
Wireless Slave Flash selector
Tilting angle scale Flash head rotating lock release lever
Red-Eye Reduction lamp Battery chamber lid Slide and lift to open. Flash head tilting lock release lever
Rotating angle scale
SB-26
External power source terminal Accepts power cord of Nikon DC unit SD-8/SD-7, or Power Bracket Unit SK-6. Mounting foot locking wheel
Terminal cover Keep terminal covered when not in use. TTL multiple flash terminal For TTL-exposure-control multiple flash operation. Sync/multiple flash terminal For manual-exposure multiple flash operation.
LCD panel See page 26. Control buttons See page 26.
Meter/Feet select lever (inside battery chamber)
Mount pin
Battery chamber Accepts four 1.5V AA-type penlight batteries, either 1.5V alkaline-manganese or 1.2V NiCd batteries (voltage for NiCd batteries varies depending on manufacturer; maximum permitted is 1.5V).
Hot-shoe contacts
Mounting foot
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Chapter 1
Main Features/Functions -- SB-26's Flash Capabilities
The SB-26 is a most versatile Speedlight which offers variety of convenient features to enhance your flash photography. To understand these features/function will help you operate the SB-26 easily, therefore, enjoy more options and creative possibilities. Each of following topics cover particular Nikon SLR models: · Fully Automatic Fill Flash: F5, F90X/N90s, F90-Series/ N90, F70-Series/N70, F4-Series, F-801/N8008, F-801s/ N8008s, F-601/N6006, F-601M/ N6000, F50-Series/N50 and F-401x/N5005 · Standard TTL Flash: F5, F90X/N90s, F90-Series/N90, F70-Series/N70, F4-Series, F-801/N8008, F-801s/N8008s, F-601/N6006, F-601M/ N6000, F-501/N2020, F-301/ N2000, F-401/N4004, F-401s/N4004s, FA, FE2, FG and Nikonos V · FP High-Speed Sync Flash: F5, F90X/N90s and F90-Series/N90 · Rear-Curtain Sync Flash: F5, F90X/N90s, F90-Series/ N90, F70-Series/N70, F4-Series, F-801/N8008, F-801s/ N8008s, F-601/N6006 and F-601M/N6000 · Red-Eye Reduction Control: F90X/N90s, F90-Series/ N90 and F70-Series/N70 · Repeating Flash: All the Nikon SLR models covered in this manual
Fully Automatic Fill Flash
Generally performed at night or in dim light, flash photography can also be used to reduce shadows in pictures shot in bright sunlight, resulting in a pleasing, more natural effect. Using a flash this way, with ambient light, is called "fillflash." When used with the SB-26, many Nikon SLR cameras provide Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash, to automatically keep flash brightness in balance with the ambient light.
Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash
Thanks to a computer-controlled exposure meter and TTL (through-the-lens) sensor, shutter speed, aperture, and even flash output can be automatically controlled to keep both subject and background in correct exposure. In Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash, the camera's Matrix Metering System determines the correct exposure based on ambient light. Flash output is then controlled with the center-bottom-weighted TTL sensor which monitors light reflection from the film surface and regulates timing to terminate output in realtime with flash illumination. This way, flash illumination brightens the scene (mainly foreground subject), but does not overpower the ambient light exposure (background). The result is brighter shadows, sharper details and more vivid colors. Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash operates in virtually all light conditions within the camera's metering range and available synchronized shutter speeds. Operation is fast and automatic, while it allows manual operation for exposure compensation techniques to vary fill-flash effects. Center-Weighted Fill-Flash operates when you switch the metering system to Center-Weighted. This metering system measures the entire scene and emphasizes its reading on the center area. By pointing the center-weighted area at different parts of the scene, you can choose which brightness level you want for basic available-light exposure. By selecting Spot Metering System, Spot Fill-Flash operates in a similar manner as Center-Weighted Fill-Flash, although the meter reads a narrower center area, or "spot."
Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash
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Chapter 1 Main Features/Functions
FP High-Speed Sync Flash
"TTL Multi-Sensor" Auto ...
