Major features of the SB-29 The SB-29 consists of the main unit and controller. Attach the main unit to the lens or to the front of the controller to take effective close-up flash photographs. With the SB-29, you can shoot ultra close-up photographs of flowers, insects or small objects in the TTL auto flash mode. Installing the batteries Attaching the controller and main unit The SB-29 consists of the controller and main unit. Attach the controller to the camera and the main unit to the lens or to the front of the controller. ·When attaching the SB-29 to the camera or lens, be sure to turn off the SB-29. 1 Setinthe SB-29's power switch to OFF, itthen slide down the battery chamber lid the direction of the arrow and lift off. Attaching the main unit to the lens With the lens in normal position the lens' filter 1 Depending onto the lens. attachment size, attach one of the provided adapter rings Macro Speedlight Attaching the controller to the camera SB-29 Instruction Manual The main unit can be attached to the lens to take close-up flash photographs. ·The main unit can be rotated while pressing the adapter ring mounting buttons lightly, allowing you to set the flash modules at any position to match subject conditions or your creative preferences. ·Close-up flash photography with a lens mounted in the reverse position is possible. (Optional Adapter Rings are required.) 1 following ­ 2 Install four penlight batteriesthe battery the + and lidsymbols inside the battery chamber. Reattach chamber by aligning the indices on the lid and the flash unit and sliding it up as it will go. Loosen the SB-29's mounting foot lock nut all the way and slide the mounting foot into the camera's accessory shoe. E T9L0500202 (S720) 11 2 The main unit can be attached to the controller to take close-up flash photographs. As shown in the illustration, the main unit can be rotated up to 90°. The position of the flash modules can be set vertically or horizontally to match the subject or your individual preferences. Tighten the lock nut by rotating it in the direction of the arrow. the adapter 2 Press adapter ring.ring mounting buttons on both sides to attach the main unit to the Foreword Thank you for purchasing the Nikon Macro Speedlight SB-29, an easy-to-use flash unit offering you the most convenient system for close-up flash photography in combination with Micro-Nikkor lenses. To get the most out of your new SB-29, read this instruction manual thoroughly before use and keep it handy, so that you can refer to it whenever necessary. Four AA-type penlight batteries of any of these types are usable: (1) Zinc-carbon (1.5V), (2) alkaline-manganese (1.5V), (3) lithium (1.5V), (4) rechargeable NiCd (1.2V) and (5) Ni-MH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) (1.2V). For more information on batteries, refer to "Notes on Batteries." Caution ·If corrosive liquids seep from the batteries, avoid touching them. Certain types of batteries contain strong alkaline liquids that can cause chemical burns. If the alkaline liquids stick to your skin or clothes, wash immediately with running water. ·When replacing batteries, replace all four at the same time. Do not mix battery types or brands and do not use old with new batteries. Otherwise, the batteries may catch on fire or explode, due the possible leakage of corrosive liquids. ·Keep pressing the adapter ring mounting buttons as you attach the main unit to the adapter ring, then remove your fingers to secure it. ·You can adjust the position of the flash modules by rotating the main unit while lightly pressing the adapter ring mounting buttons. Detaching the controller from the camera Loosen the SB-29's mounting foot lock nut all the way and gently pull out the mounting foot. Tips on using the Speedlight ·Before using this unit, read "Tips on Speedlight care" and "For safe handling of the Speedlight" on the reverse side of this sheet. ·Take some trial shots. Before taking important flash photographs, take some test shots to ascertain the SB-29 is working properly. ·Use only Nikon-approved equipment. The SB-29 is designed for use with Nikon cameras, lenses and accessories. Using cameras or accessories other than those specified by Nikon may damage the SB-29. Nikon cannot be held responsible for malfunctions caused by using the SB-29 in ways not specified in this manual, or using the SB-29 with a camera made by another manufacturer. For details on appropriate Nikon cameras, lenses, and accessories, read each product's instruction manual. Manual flash operation in two (full and 1/4) flash output levels is possible. With the lens in reverse position Set the lens in the reverse position when taking pictures at a large reproduction ratio. Refer to the illustrations below. These optional accessories are necessary: ·Macro Adapter Ring BR-2A, Auto Adapter Ring BR-6 ·Auto Adapter Ring BR-5 is also necessary between Macro Adapter Ring BR-2A and the lens when using a lens having a 62mm filter attachment size. ·Because Auto Adapter Ring BR-6 features automatic diaphragm control, using the optional Double Release AR-10 or Double Cable Releases AR-7/AR-4 speeds up shooting operation. Firing both flash modules at the same time or firing either independently can be selected. ·If the lock nut doesn't loosen easily, do not force it. Push the foot forward gently once in the direction of the white arrow and try loosening the lock nut again. The brightness of the flash module can be reduced to approx. 1/4 flash output by using the built-in light reducer. ·Be sure to set both flash modules to fire. ·Various illumination patterns where the brightness is different on the right and left sides of the subject is possible when the subject is 0.2m (0.7 ft.) or less from the main unit. Turning the SB-29 on and off/ Standby function Turning the power on and off Attaching the main unit to the controller Press the adapter ring mounting buttons on both sides to attach the main unit to the controller. When attaching the lens directly to the camera body SB-29 controller 1 Set the SB-29's power switch to ON or STBY position. SB-29 main unit BR-2A BR-5 Camera Lens BR-6 52mm adapter ring Nomenclature 1 2 3 Usable lenses and cameras Usable lenses The SB-29 is designed for use especially with Micro-Nikkor lenses to realize the maximum benefits of the flash unit. 5 ·Use the appropriate adapter ring when attaching the SB-29 to the lens. Note Other Nikkor lenses having a ring that rotates or moves forward or backward during AF operation may not autofocus correctly or may damage the lens or camera's autofocus mechanism due to the weight of the main unit. Therefore, do not perform autofocus operation, but use manual focus instead. ·The standby function is activated if the power switch is set to STBY. ·Keep pressing the adapter ring mounting buttons as you attach the main unit to the controller, then remove your fingers to secure it. ·The main unit can be rotated up to 90°, allowing horizontal or vertical positioning of the flash modules. Note With certain lenses, the shadows cast by the front of the lens may appear on the subject if both modules are fired when set vertically. In this case, use the upper flash module only. Using the modeling illuminator, you can also check if there are shadows cast by the front of the lens before taking pictures. Refer to "Checking the lighting effects before shooting". However, when looking through the viewfinder of cameras with less than 100% frame coverage, you may not see the shadows cast by the front of the lens even when using the modeling illuminator, because the area appearing on the film is greater than the viewfinder image. 2 Check that the ready-light comes on. ·Set the lens focus ring to (infinity) and move the camera body back and forth to focus. When using Nikon Bellows Focusing Attachment PB-6 SB-29 controller 4 Controller Main unit 6 7 19 20 Micro-Nikkor lenses providing maximum benefits -- AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D provides autofocus operation when the Adapter Ring UR-3 (optional) is attached to the lens and the SB-29 main unit is attached to the UR-3. -- AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D or 105mm f/2.8 provides autofocus operation when the SB-29 main unit is attached to the lens using the provided ø62mm Adapter Ring (not ø52mm). -- AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4D IF or 200mm f/4 IF provides autofocus operation when the SB-29 main unit is attached to the lens using the provided ø62mm Adapter Ring. -- AF Zoom Micro-Nikkor 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6D ED provides manual focus operation when the SB-29 main unit is attached to the lens using the provided ø62mm Adapter Ring. Autofocus operation is not possible. -- Using the PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D set at the Tilt and/or Shift position is not recommended. ·After the SB-29 is turned on, the ready-light lights up as soon as the SB-29 is recycled and ready to fire. ·When the SB-29 is not used, move the power switch to the OFF position to avoid turning the power on accidentally. Camera BR-2A BR-5 Lens Standby function With the power switch set to STBY position, if both the SB-29 and camera are not used for after approx. 80 seconds, the SB-29 shuts off automatically and the ready-light goes out to conserve battery power. To turn the SB-29 on again after it enters the standby mode: ·Lightly press the camera's shutter release button; ·Press the SB-29's FLASH button once (in this case, the flash does not fire); or ·Set the power switch to the ON position. Bellows Focusing Attachment PB-6 BR-6 52mm adapter SB-29 ring main unit 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Controller 15 16 17 18 21 Main unit Usable lenses with limited functions · Most Nikkor lenses having a 52mm, 62mm or 72mm filter attachment size · These lenses are subject to vignetting: -- AF Nikkors 20mm f/2.8D, 28mm f/1.4D, and AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-50mm f/3.3-4.5D (at the 24mm focal length) -- AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6D (at focal lengths of 24mm, 28mm, 35mm and 50mm) -- AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5D (around the 28mm focal length), AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 (at the 28mm focal length) -- AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D (at focal lengths of 28mm and 35mm) -- AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6D (at focal lengths of 28mm, 35mm and 50mm), AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D (at the 35mm focal length) ·The main unit cannot be attached to the Adapter Ring if the lens is in the reverse position with the PB-6 attached. ·Set the lens focus ring to (infinity). The standby function cannot be used: ·If the SB-29 is mounted on Nikon F3-Series cameras using TTL Flash Unit Coupler AS-17. ·If the SB-29 is mounted on Nikon New FM2, FM10 or FE10 cameras. ·If the SB-29 is mounted on Nikon FA or FE2 cameras and the shutter speed is set to M250 or B (bulb). ·If the SB-29 is mounted on Nikon FA or FE2 cameras when Motor Drive MD-12 is mounted. ·If the SB-29 is mounted on Nikon FG cameras and the shutter speed is set to M90 or B (bulb). In the above cases, set the SB-29's power switch to ON or OFF. 22 23 24 25 26 Accessories ø52mm, ø62mm, ø72mm Adapter Rings Hard Case SS-29 · Manual Zoom-Nikkor lenses Because the adapter ring rotates while focusing, adjust the position of the SB-29's main unit after focusing. Lenses attachable but virtually unusable ·AF Nikkor lenses having a ring that rotates during AF operation. Setting the controller and main unit Check these settings on the SB-29 before shooting. Flash mode Lenses not attachable ·Most Nikkor lenses not having a 52mm, 62mm or 72mm filter attachment size Setting both flash modules or either flash module The SB-29 is equipped with two flash modules. Using the flash module selector, you have three options: 1) To fire both flash modules simultaneously; 2) To fire the left module only; or 3) To fire the right module only. This is convenient for taking close-up flash photographs when you want to emphasize the contrast between the highlight and shadow areas. Usable cameras and available flash modes Nikon cameras usable with the SB-29 for TTL and Manual flash operations Usable camera F5, F100, F4-Series, F90X/N90s*, F90-Series/N90*, F70-Series/N70*, F60-Series/N60*, F50-Series/N50*, Pronea 600i/6i*, F-801s/N8008s*, F-801/N8008*, F-601/N6006*, F-601M/N6000*, F-401x/N5005* F-501/N2020**, F-301/N2000**, F3-Series*1, FA*2, FE2*2, FG*2, F-401s/N4004s*/*3, F-401/ N4004*/*3, New FM2*3, FM10*3, FE10*3 Available flash mode Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash (including Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash and Center-Weighted Fill-Flash/Spot Fill-Flash.) Manual Flash Standard TTL Flash Manual Flash Manual Flash only Test firing With the power switch set to ON or STBY, you can perform test firing to ensure that the SB-29 is working properly. Check that the ready-light comes on, then press the FLASH button. Three flash modes --TTL Auto Flash, Manual (Full) Flash or Manual (M1/4) Flash--are available using the flash mode selector. The TTL Auto Flash mode is recommended, be ...