Nikon SB-27 User Manual

Instruction ManualEnSB-27SB-27Autofocus SpeedlightAutofocus SpeedlightAutofocus Speedlight

10Preparations for taking flash photographs

Installing batteries11Four penlight batteries (1.5V or lower) of any of the followingtypes may be used:• AA-type alkaline-manganese (1.5V)• AA-type li

Standby function(Applicable to all camera groups)12When both the SB-27 and the camera are not in use, the SB-27’s power automatically shuts OFF after

13 Cameras in Group VII (without TTL Auto Flash)As the standby function is not available, be sure to set the camerasetting switch (inside the SB-27&a

Attaching the SB-27 to the camera14When attaching the SB-27, make sure both the Speedlightand the camera are turned OFF to avoid accidental firing.1Lo

Adjusting the flash head15The flash head rotates from the horizontal to the verticalposition along a 180° arc. From the horizontal position,simply til

Selecting a measurement system (meters/feet)16Set the flash shooting distance measurement system in theLCD panel to either meters (m) or feet (ft).—Th

The ready-light17The ready-light comes ON when charging is completed.When the SB-27 is fully charged and ready to fire, the ready-lightcomes ON. Be su

Test firing with the open-flash button181Set the flash mode selector to “M” or “AUTO”.TTLAMMZOOMISOmmft m6030157421894210.6The ready-light comes ON wh

Setting ISO film speed19The following ISO film speeds can be used in AUTO mode:•ISO 25 to ISO 1000 for cameras in Groups I thru IV, and F-501/N2020, F

2ForewordThank you for purchasing the Nikon AutofocusSpeedlight SB-27, an easy-to-use flash unit offering youthe most convenient system for automatic

Setting zoom-head position20In the horizontal position, the SB-27 has four zoom-headposition settings: 24mm, 28mm, 35mm and 50mm. Three zoom-head pos

21Other camera/lens combinationsAdjust the zoom-head position manually to provide an angle ofcoverage that matches the focal length of the lens in use

22Basic flash operationThis section describes which SB-27 flashoperations are available in AUTO mode for each camera group.See page 42 for Manual (M)

Selecting a flash mode23For available flash operations in each camera group, consult thetable below.CameraAvailable flash operationFlash smode Referen

Flash operation in AUTO mode (Cameras in 24• Nikkor lenses with built-in CPUexcept D/G-type and AFNikkor lenses for the F3AFcamera• AI-P-type Nikkor l

25Group I: F5, F100, F90X/N90s, F90-Series/N90, F80-Series/N80-Series, F70-Series/N70)P, S*7A, M*7A, M*71) Set the lens to its minimum aperture (highe

Flash operation in AUTO mode(Cameras in 26Nikkor lenseswith built-in CPUWith a G-type Nikkor lensattached to F4-Series, F-801s/N8008s, F-801/N8008 cam

27Group II: F4-Series, F65-Series/N65-Series, F-801s/N8008s, F-801/N8008, Pronea 600i/6i)P, S *3A, M*3A, M*3Exposuremode*541) Set the lens to its mini

28Flash operation in AUTO mode (Cameras in ProceduresNikkor lenses*1with built-in CPUNikkor lenseswithout built-inCPUMatrix BalancedFill-FlashtDesired

29Group III: F-601/N6006, F-601M/N6000)P, S *A, M *1) Set the lens to its minimum aperture (highest f-number)(except G-type Nikkor lenses).2) Press th

3Camera groups*1 Sold exclusively in the USA. *2 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash and Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash are generally referred to as

Flash operation in AUTO mode (Cameras in 30ProceduresNikkor lenseswith built-in CPUNikkor lenseswithout built-in CPUMatrix Balanced Fill-FlashtManual

31Group IV: F60-Series/N60, F50-Series/N50, F-401x/N5005)1) Set the lens to its minimum aperture (highest f-number) (except G-type Nikkor lenses).2) W

Flash operation in AUTO mode (Cameras in 32Procedures• Aperture-priorityauto (A)• Manual (M)Standard TTLFlashtCamera'sexposure modeAvailable flas

33Group V: F-501/N2020, F-301/N2000)1) Set the lens to its minimum aperture (highest f-number).1) While looking at the indicator bars, press the “F” b

Flash operation in AUTO mode (Cameras in 34ProceduresNikkor lenseswith built-in CPUNikkor lenseswithout built-in CPUProgrammedTTL AutoFlashtStandard T

35Group V: F-401s/N4004s, F-401/N4004)Flash shootingBacklit by the sunSunny Cloudy day orIndoorsconditions day in shadowsAperture (ISO 100)f/16 f/8 f/

Flash operation in AUTO mode (Cameras in 36ProceduresNikkor lenses with built-in CPU*Nikkor lenses without built-in CPUStandard TTLFlashtAvailable fla

37Group VI: FM3A,FA, FE2, FG, Nikonos V)1) While looking at the indicator bars,press the “F” button to change theaperture and bring the subject within

38With cameras in Group VII, be sure to set the camera settingswitch (inside the SB-27's battery chamber) to ˚, andchoose “AUTO” (in the flash mo

391) While looking at the indicator bars, pressthe “F” button to change the aperture andbring the subject within flash shootingdistance range. Next, r

About this manualThe instruction materials comprise the main manual and aseparate Quick Reference sheet.• In the main manual, we begin with instructio

If the ready-light blinks after shooting40The ready-lights in the SB-27and the camera blink for approx.3 seconds after shooting tosignal that the flas

41Advanced flashoperationThis section describes advanced flash shooting applications with the SB-27 Speedlight.Bounce flashMultiple flash

Flash operation in Manual (M) mode (For 42With the SB-27's flash mode selector set to “M,” light outputcan be manually controlled.—Indicator bar

43cameras in all groups)3Press the “M” button to choose the desired light output.TTLAMMZOOMISOmmft m6030157421894210.6You can select light output sett

Flash operation in Manual (M) mode (For cameras 445Confirm that the ready-light is ON, then fully depress theshutter release button to fire the flash.

45in all groups)Synchronization in continuous shootingThe SB-27 is able to recycle fast enough to synchronize with amotor-driven camera firing continu

Guide numbers for determining correct aperture46The “guide number” represents the amount of lightgenerated by the flash. With the SB-27 in Manual (M)

47Autofocus flash operation in dim light(For AF SLR cameras only)Nikon AF SLR cameras using AF Nikkor lenses canautofocus in light as dim as a single

Autofocus flash operation in dim light(For AF SLR camera only)48Conditions for autofocus flash operation with the AF assist illuminator LED1) The subj

Bounce flash operation(For cameras in all groups)49Direct flash causes harsh, unattractive shadows to appearon the faces of subjects in front of a wal

Tips on using the Speedlight5 Take some trial shots.Before taking important flash photographs, take a few trial shotsfirst to make sure the Speedlight

50Bounce flash operation (Applicable to all camera groups)Notes on taking pictures with vertical bounce flash The settings of the built-in bounce flas

511Set the camera's exposure mode to aperture-priorityauto (A) or manual (M).With bounce flash operation, there is 2 to 3 f/stops less lightavail

52Bounce flash operation (Applicable to all camera groups)4Set up the built-in bounce flash adapter. 2 1Pull out the bounce flash adapter ➀, then rais

53To set up the diffuser card:1Set the built-in bounce flash adapter.2Unfold the built-in diffuser card.Highlight your subject’s eyes using bounced fl

54Close-up flash operation in AUTO mode(Cameras in Groups I thru VI)The SB-27 incorporates a built-in diffuser card whichdiffuses light, enabling you

55Notes on close-up flash operationTake note of the following points when shooting close-ups with theSB-27 mounted on the camera.Usable lenses are lim

563Pull out the built-in bounce flash adapter.Pull out the bounce flash adapter all the way and tilt it downward approx. 45°. (The bounce flash indica

574Set up the diffuser card as shown.The SB-27's built-in diffuser card is effective for close-up flashoperation from 0.3m (1 ft).—Avoid using th

Close-up flash operation in AUTO mode (Cameras in 58When you want to ensure sufficient illumination, or illuminateyour subject from the side or the ba

59Groups I thru VI)5Confirm that the ready-light is ON, then release theshutter to fire the flash.In 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash operation wit

Contents6Foreword ...2Camera groups ...3About this manual ...

Exposure compensation for flash photography60"Plus" compensation "Minus" compensationIn AUTO (TTL Auto Flash) mode, difficult scen

61(Cameras in Groups I thru III)Setting exposure compensation for flash The setting method varies depending on the camera.Cameras in Groups I and IICa

62Exposure compensation for flash photography (Cameras in Groups I thru III)TTLAMMZOOMISOmmft m6030157421894210.6Canceling exposure compensation Flash

63When you wish to eliminate harsh shadows produced by asingle flash unit or if you want to extend light up into thebackground, use more than one flas

641Mount the SB-27 as a master flash unit on the camera.2Connect the master flash unit to the slave flash unit(s).—Turn OFF all flash units when conne

65VI and F3-Series cameras)NOTECameras in Groups I thru IV• In multiple flash operation, if the electric current in the synchrocircuit exceeds a certa

66System chart for TTL multiple flash• SB-11, SB-14, SB-140, and SB-21B Speedlights cannot be used with theF-401/N4004 or F-401s/N4004s either as a ma

67and F3-Series cameras)SB-21BSB-16BSB-15SB-22SB-20SC-18SC-19SC-18SC-19SB-25 SB-26 SB-28/28DXSB-27SB-24SB-25 SB-26SB-28/28DXSB-24SB-16BAS-10AS-10AS-10

68Multiple flash operation—(Applicable to all camera groups)1Use the sync terminal for connecting the SB-27 withother Speedlight slave units via optio

69Setting Forced TTL and Forced A modes(Applicable to all camera groups)• Select Forced TTL mode when using the SB-27 as a slaveunit(s) in multiple fl

7Guide numbers for determining correct aperture ...46Autofocus flash operation in dim light (For AF SLR cameras only)...

70Setting Forced TTL and Forced A modes(Applicable to all camera groups)3Switch the flash mode selector from OFF to AUTO whileholding down the "Z

71When photographing people in dim light using a flash, thesubject's eye may appear red in color pictures or white inB/W pictures, a phenomenon k

72Other informationThis section covers troubleshooting procedures,optional accessories, tips on Speedlight care, and contains a glossary of terms.

73Using an external power sourceNikon DC Unit SD-7 or SD-8/8A can be used as an optionalexternal power source supplying long and stable power,increasi

74Connecting the SB-27 to a camera with a sync cordTo connect the SB-27 to a camera with a sync cord, connectthe sync cord to the SB-27's sync te

75Warning indications on the cameraThe flash ready-light in the camera's viewfinder blinks in thefollowing cases. (No indication appears in the S

76TroubleshootingCause･ Batteries are notcorrectly installed.･ Battery power is weak.･Battery contacts insidethe battery chamber arecontaminated.･ Bat

77Optional accessoriesSync Cord SC-11 and SC-15Use Sync Cord SC-11 or SC-15 when using the SB-27 off-cameraor mounting the SB-27 on a camera without a

78TTL Flash Unit Coupler AS-17 for F3-Series camerasDedicated adapter for F3-Series cameras providing TTL flashoperation with Nikon Speedlights such a

79Tips on Speedlight care Avoid physical shocksDo not drop or hit the SB-27 against a hard surface.—This may damage the precision mechanism. Never dis

Speedlight parts81234567891011122120191817161314151 Built-in diffuser card (See page 53.)2 Built-in bounce flash adapter (See page 52.)3 Flash head (S

80Tips on Speedlight care Notes on cleaningUse a blower brush to remove dirt and dust from the SB-27 andclean lightly with a soft, clean cloth . —Do

81Battery power tends to weaken as the temperature drops; italso drains off slowly when not in use for a long period oftime, and recovers after a shor

82Notes on batteriesAbout NiCd batteriesPlease note the following points when using NiCd batteries.• NiCd batteries feature a faster recycling time an

83Glossary of terms1/300 TTL High-Speed Sync Flash ...84 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash ...84 Autofocus assist illumination ...

Glossary of terms841/300 TTL High-Speed Sync FlashThe F5’s sync shutter speed can be set to 1/300 sec. using a custom functionsetting. This is availab

85Bounce flash operationBounce the light off the ceiling or walls to illuminate the subjectindirectly, softening shadows and producing more natural po

86Glossary of termsFront-curtain sync flashIn normal flash synchronization, the Speedlight fires at thebeginning of the exposure. The flash therefore

87Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-flashThis mode automatically controls flash output so as to keep bothsubject and background perfectly exposed.The SB-27 f

88Red-eye reductionThe SB-27's red-eye reduction lamp lights up for approx. 1 sec.before the flash fires. This prevents eyes from appearing red i

89Electronic constructionAutomatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT)and series circuitry.Angle of coverage Horizontal positionVertical position

LCD panel indications91 Red-eye reduction control indicator2 Zoom-head position indicator3 Flash mode indicatorØ Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash with TT

90SpecificationsFlash mode selector • AUTO mode: TTL Auto Flash operation possible withcameras in Groups I thru VI (Monitor Preflash isavailable exclu

91Ready-light • Lights up when recharging is completed.• AUTO mode: Blinks for approx. 3 seconds whenflash fires at its maximum output but the light m

Printed in Japan T2I00101301 (S938) 11 FUJI BLDG., 2-3, MARUNOUCHI 3-CHOME,CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 100-8331, JAPANNo reproduction in any form of this manual