Autofocus Speedlight (En) INSTRUCTION MANUAL En Foreword · Thank you for purchasing the Nikon Speedlight SB-50DX. Get to know your SB-50DX, and be sure to read this manual thoroughly before using it. Main features of the SB-50DX: · The SB-50DX is a high-performance Speedlight having a guide number of 22/72 (at 35mm zoom-head position, ISO 100, m/ft., 20°C/68°F). According to the camera/lens used with the SB-50DX, you can perform various types of TTL auto flash (p. 25) and Manual flash (p. 31). When used with Nikon digital SLR cameras, D-TTL auto flash can be performed. · Automatic power zoom continuously changes the zoom-head position from 24mm to 50mm according to the lens' focal length (incompatible with some lenses, see p. 16). The built-in wide-flash adapter increases the angle of coverage to match a 14mm lens (p. 17). · Flash head tilts up to 90° or down to ­18°, enabling bounce-flash photography (p. 40) or close-up photography (p. 43). · When used with a camera having a built-in Speedlight, both the SB-50DX and the camera's built-in Speedlight fire simultaneously (p. 42, 54) for double-flash photography. A diffuser (p. 42) is provided to diffuse light for bounce-flash photography with the double flash. · Wireless multiple flash photography (p. 48) is also possible. · The supplied Infrared Filter SW-9IR enables you to use the SB-50DX as an infrared remote commander (p. 53). · For operation in dim light, an illuminator for the LCD panel is provided (p. 8) and light condensing paint is applied to characters and symbols on the backside (p. 7). * The Nikon N90s, N90, N70, N8008/N8008s, PRONEA 6i, N6006, N6000, N60, N50 N5005 and N4004/N4004s are sold exclusively in the U.S.A. * The Nikon N80-series and N65-series are sold exclusively in the U.S.A., Central and South America. * The Nikon N2020 and N2000 are sold exclusively in the U.S.A. and Canada. 2 Tips on Using the Speedlight · Take trial shots Take trial shots before shooting at important occasions like weddings or graduations. · Have Nikon spot-check your Speedlight regularly Nikon recommends that you have your Speedlight serviced by an authorized dealer or service center at least once every two years. · Using your Speedlight correctly The Nikon Speedlight SB-50DX's performance has been optimized for use with Nikon brand cameras/accessories (including lenses). Cameras/accessories made by other manufacturers may not meet Nikon's criteria for specifications, and nonconforming cameras/ accessories could damage the SB-50DX's components. Nikon cannot guarantee the SB-50DX's performance when it is used with non-Nikon brand products. · Supplied accessories Soft Case SS-50 Infrared Filter SW-9IR (p. 53) 3 Contents Foreword................................................................................................2 Tips on Using the Speedlight ................................................................3 Nomenclature .....................................................................................6-7 LCD Panel..............................................................................................8 Lenses ...................................................................................................9 Example Photos (Bounce-flash photography) ....................................10 Bounce-Flash Photography ...........................................................40-42 Bounce-flash operation with single flash.........................................41 Bounce-flash operation with double flash (SB-50DX and camera's built-in Speedlight)........................................................................42 Close-Up Flash Photography.........................................................43-45 Multiple Flash Photography ...........................................................46-56 Wireless Multiple Flash Operation ..............................................48-52 Multiple Flash Operation Using the Infrared Remote Commander ..................................................................................53 Double-Flash Operation ...................................................................54 Multiple Flash Operation Using Cords.............................................55 Accessories for Multiple Flash Operation ........................................56 Preparation 5 PREPARATION.......................................................................2-9 TECHNICAL OPERATION .................................................39-56 BASIC OPERATION...........................................................11-21 1. Install Batteries and Check Battery Power.................................12-13 2. Attaching the SB-50DX to the Camera ......................................14-15 3. Adjusting the Zoom-Head Position ............................................16-17 4. Setting Camera and SB-50DX Modes........................................18-19 5. Shooting with Flash ....................................................................20-21 Example Photos (Close-up photography) ...........................................22 EFFECTIVE SPEEDLIGHT PLACEMENT .........................57-62 Bounce-flash operation to produce more natural-looking pictures ....58 Eliminating shadows cast by the subject............................................59 Emphasizing the outline of the subject ...............................................60 Illuminating a subject mainly from the side.........................................61 Illuminating a distant subject...............................................................62 DETAILED OPERATION ...................................................23-37 Shooting in Exposure Mode Other Than Programmed Auto/ Auto-Multi Program..........................................................................24 Flash Modes and Types of TTL/D-TTL Auto Flash ........................25-27 Cameras Compatible with TTL/D-TTL Auto Flash.........................28-30 Manual Flash .......................................................................................31 Reading Variable Aperture of Zoom Lenses........................................32 Guide Number .....................................................................................33 Exposure Compensation in Flash Photography..................................34 Flash Output Level Compensation......................................................35 Autofocus Flash Photography in Dim Light ...................................36-37 Example Photos (Flash output level compensation) ...........................38 MISCELLANEOUS .............................................................63-73 Speedlight Care ...................................................................................64 Notes on Batteries...............................................................................65 Troubleshooting..............................................................................66-68 TTL auto flash shooting distance range (ft.)........................................69 Specifications.................................................................................70-71 Index...............................................................................................72-73 4 Miscellaneous Speedlight Placement Technical Operation Detailed Operation Basic Operation Nomenclature Can be tilted up to 90° or down to ­18°. Lights up when the SB-50DX is fully charged and ready to fire. Blinks after the SB-50DX fires at its maximum output in TTL/D-TTL auto flash mode, telling you that light may be insufficient. 2 Wide-flash adapter P. 17 Attach the wide-flash adapter in front of the flash head to increase the angle of coverage to match a 14mm lens or to perform close-up flash photography. !w FLASH button Press to test fire the flash. P. 12 P. 8, 48 3 AF-Assist Illuminator 4 Diffuser P. 36 !e Illuminator/SLAVE button Automatically turns on for autofocus operation when the light is dim. P. 42 Use to diffuse light from the camera's built-in Speedlight when performing double-flash photography (bounceflash photography). Press to turn on the LCD panel illuminator. Or hold it down for approx. one second to set wireless flash mode (only for wireless multiple flash). !r ON/OFF button !t ­ button !y + button !u MODE button !i ZOOM button !o Lock lever @p Battery chamber lid @q Mounting foot @w Lock plate @e Infrared Filter SW-9IR P. 12 P. 35 5 Operation button combination chart · Underexposure value P. 21 · AF-Assist Illuminator cancel P. 37 · Sound monitor off P. 50 Operation button combination chart is under diffuser. Press to decrease values when setting flash output level compensation. P. 35 Press to increase values when setting flash output level compensation. P. 18 6 Camera contacts 7 Built-in Speedlight detecting lever P. 42, 51, 54 Automatically detects the camera's built-in Speedlight if it is used with the SB-50DX. Press to set the flash mode or type of TTL auto flash. P. 16 Press to adjust the SB-50DX zoomhead position. 8 Light sensor 9 Tilting angle scale !p LCD panel P. 48 P. 15 P. 12 P. 15 P. 53 Senses light from the master flash unit in wireless multiple flash operation. P. 15 P. 8 Attach in front of the flash head to use the SB-50DX as an infrared remote commander Backside indications Light condensing paint is applied to the backside indications for clearer identification of the characters and symbols in dark conditions. 6 7 Preparation 1 Flash head P. 15 !q Ready-light P. 12, 21 LCD Panel · All indications are displayed in the illustration for easy reference. Lenses CPU Nikkor lenses G-type AF Nikkor D-type AF Nikkor Non-G/D-type AF Nikkor lenses (except for AF Nikkor for F3AF) AI-P Nikkor AI-S Nikkor AI Nikkor Series E Non-CPU Nikkor lenses 1 Flash mode P. 18 D: D-TTL auto flash H: TTL auto flash K: Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash with TTL Multi-Sensor J: Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash, Center-Weighted/Spot Fill-Flash D: Manual flash 2 Wide-flash adapter P. 44 3 Wireless Flash mode P. 51 4 Sound monitor off P. 50 5 Flash head tilting up/double flash (horizontal position) P. 15, 6 AF-Assist Illuminator cancel P. 7 Flash output level compensation P. 8 Underexposure P. 9 Underexposure value/flash output level compensation value P. 21, !p Flash head tilting down (close-up photography) P. !q Camera's built-in Speedlight P. 42, !w Zoom-head position P. 54 37 35 21 35 15 54 16 · CPU lenses · CPU lens has CPU contacts. · G-type AF Nikkor lenses · The G-type Nikkor lens does not include an aperture ring. The lens sends the distance information to the camera body. With some camera bodies, the usable exposure mode is limited (see the lens' instruction manual). · About LCD panel · Because of the directional characteristics of the liquid crystal, the LCD is difficult to read when viewed diagonally from above; however, the display can be seen clearly from a somewhat lower angle. · The LCD panel display tends to be darker at high temperatures (approx. 60°C/140°F). When the temperature returns to normal (20°C/68°F), the display also returns to normal. · The LCD's response time tends to slow down at low temperatures (approx. 5°C/41°F and below). When the temperature returns to normal (20°C/68°F), response time also returns to normal. · D-type AF Nikkor lenses · The lens sends the distance information to the camera body. (See the lens' instruction manual). · Using the SB-50DX in dim light · Press the SLAVE/ button to turn the illuminator on (when the SB-50DX power is on). Press the button again to turn the illuminator off. It turns off automatically after approx. 16 sec. when the SB-50DX is not in use. 8 9 Preparation Types of CPU Nikkor lenses and non-CPU Nikkor lenses Example Photos Bounce flash (p. 40) BASIC OPERATION Bounce flash with double flash using SB-50DX and camera's builtin Speedlight In this chapter, even first-time users of the SB-50DX can easily perform flash photography by following the instructions on the left-hand pages. More detailed information is given on the right-hand pages. Bounce flash with single Speedlight Regular flash (with single builtin Speedlight) 10 11 1 Install Batteries and Check Battery Power Use two CR123A or DL123Atype 3V lithium batteries. Other power sources cannot be used. · ON/OFF button and standby function · Pressing the ON/OFF button turns on the SB-50DX and indications appear in the LCD panel. Pressing the button again turns off the SB-50DX and indications disappear. · If the SB-50DX is left unused for approx. 40 seconds, the standby function activates and automatically turns it off. In Wireless Flash mode (p. 48), standby function activates in approx. 40 seconds as normal mode when the Speedlight is attached to camera body; however, standby duration is prolonged to approx. one hour when the Speedlight is detached from camera body (used as a slave flash unit, p. 48). · Wi ...