Nikon SB-28 User Manual

Instruction ManualESB-28Autofocus SpeedlightEn

10By pressing a single button, you can activate frequently usedfunctions. When two buttons are pressed simultaneously, youcan activate functions which

11Getting startedBecoming familiar with the SB-28Before starting to take flash pictures, you should familiarize yourself with various settings and adj

Four penlight batteries (1.5V or lower) of any of the following typesmay be used:• AA-type alkaline-manganese (1.5V)• AA-type lithium (1.5V)• AA-type

Adjusting the flash headHold down the flash head tilting/rotating lock release button whileadjusting the flash head to the horizontal/front position.•

14When attaching the SB-28 to your camera, make sure both units areturned off to avoid accidentally firing the flash.1Loosen the SB-28's mounting

Turning power on and offTo turn the SB-28 on and off, depress and hold the = button forapprox. 0.5 sec.Standby functionIf both the SB-28 and camera a

After the SB-28 is turned on, the ready-light lights up as soonas the SB-28 is recycled and ready to fire.—Make sure the ready-light lights up before

You can perform simple test firing by pressing the ~ button toensure that the SB-28 is working properly.1Press the = button to turn the SB-28 on.2Afte

Cameras in Groups I and IIThe ISO film speed is automatically set and indicated on the SB-28’sLCD panel.• The usable film speed in TTL Auto Flash t mo

The SB-28 has six zoom-head position settings: 24mm, 28mm,35mm, 50mm, 70mm and 85mm. (The zoom head is set to either18mm or 20mm when the built-in wid

Congratulations. You are now the proud owner of the NikonAutofocus Speedlight SB-28, a flash unit offering sleek new stylingand simple push-button op

Adjusting the zoom-head position20NOTETo cancel automatic zoom-head positioning and set the positionmanually:1Press the ' and { buttons simultane

The SB-28 comes with a wide flash adapter to increase the angle ofcoverage to match an 18mm or 20mm lens.1Slide out the wide flash adapter 1 and gentl

When the µ button on the back of the SB-28 is pressed, the flashmode indicator sequences through these modes: Note that the LCD indications and availa

Basic operationShooting in the auto flash modeThe SB-28 provides a variety of flash modes to cover virtually allshooting situations. These modes range

Six flash operations are possible in the TTL Auto Flash mode:3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash (Applicable to F5, F100, F90X/N90s, F90-Series/N90, F

Matrix Balanced Fill Flash (Applicable to F4-Series, F65-Series/N65-Series, F60-Series/N60, F50-Series/N50, F-801s/N8008s, F-801/N8008, F-601/N6006, F

*1All of the above flash modes can be changed to Standard TTL Flash t.*2Only Standard TTL Flash is possible when the F5’s, F100’s or F80-Series/N80-Se

3Select the flash mode.—Press the µ button until the desired auto flash mode appears onthe LCD panel.tØ Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash with TTL MultiS

The ready-light blinks when the flash fires at maximumoutput.Underexposure indicatorAmount of underexposure• If the SB-28’s ready-light and the undere

Confirming the flash shooting distance range in TTLAuto Flash t ModeApplicable to cameras in Groups I and IIThe method for confirming the shooting dis

31Sold exclusively in the USA. 2F80-Series/N80-Series, F70-Series/N70 cannot perform FP High-Speed Flash Sync. 3Center-Weighted Fill-Flash is not poss

Flash shooting distance range in 1/300 TTL High-SpeedFlash sync operation (F5 only)In combination with the F5 camera, 1/300 High-Speed Flash Sync (wit

*1Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash operation is possible with F4-Series camera when AI-S or AI-type Nikkor lenses, Nikon Series E lenses, and lenses for the

3Select the flash mode.—Press the µ button until the desired auto flash mode indicatorappears on the LCD panel:tø Matrix Balanced Fill Flashand Cente

Use the camera’s MODE button to select the flash mode.*1G-type Nikkor lenses cannot be used with an F-601/N6006 camera. With a G-type Nikkor lensattac

4Select the flash mode.—Press the µ button until t appears on the LCD panel.• Set your camera to the MatrixBalanced Fill Flash or Center-Weighted Fill

* Center-Weighted Fill-Flash/Spot Fill-Flash can only be performed when thecamera’s exposure mode is set to Manual (M).1Select the flash mode.—Press t

362Check the shooting distance according to the lens in use and theexposure mode selected on the camera.Flash shooting distance rangeWith Nikkor lense

For F60-Series/N60, F50-Series/N50 and F-401x/N5005 (in Aperture-Priority Auto (A) or Manual (M) mode)Note the aperture set on the lens and set the sa

38Available flash operation in TTL Auto Flash t Mode*G-type Nikkor lenses cannot be used.1Select the flash mode.—Press the µ button until t appears on

392Set the aperture on the SB-28’s LCD panel, then confirm theflash shooting distance range.Flash shooting distance rangeSelect the aperture for the f

4* Because the European version of the SB-28 comes with a different shaped connector, NikonDC Units SD-7, SD-8 and the Power Bracket Unit SK-6 are not

40*G-type Nikkor lenses cannot be used.• In aperture-priority auto (A) mode, the shutter speed is automatically setto 1/250 sec. for the FM3A, FA, FE2

411Select the flash mode.—Press the µ button until t appears on the LCD panel.2Check the shooting distance.—Press the SB-28's { or } button until

In Non-TTL Auto Flash shooting, the SB-28’s light outputautomatically changes to match the flash-to-subject distance. Thelight, however, is not measur

3Select the exposure mode.—Set the camera’s exposure mode to Aperture-priority auto (A) orManual (M).4Set the aperture on the lens.—Set the aperture t

44

Advanced operationFor handling difficult lighting situations orexpressing your ideasIn addition to convenient Auto Flash, the SB-28 offers a host of o

Manual flash photography is provided when shooting subjects inwhich the correct exposure is difficult to obtain in the TTL or Non-TTL Auto Flash Mode.

• To extend the flash shooting distance range, choose a flash output levelclose to 1/1 or set the lens to a larger aperture (smaller f-number).• % ind

Synchronization in continuous shooting in Manual ƒmode.The SB-28 is able to recycle fast enough to synchronize with a motor-drivencamera firing contin

FP High-Speed Flash sync % in Manual Flash ƒ modeFor F5, F100, F90X/N90s, F90-Series/N90The SB-28 allows you to use faster shutter speeds for flashsyn

All LCD (liquid crystal display) figures and marks do not appear atthe same time. They are shown together here for ease of explanation.1 Flash mode in

4Select the flash mode.—Press the µ button until ƒ appears on the LCD panel.5Set % on the LCD panel.—Press the { or } button until % appears on the LC

% guide numbers vary with the ISO film speed, shutter speed, and zoom-head position.• For film speeds other than ISO 100, multiply the guide numbers b

In the " mode, the SB-28 fires repeatedly during a singleexposure, creating stroboscopic multiple-exposure effects. Thismode is useful when shoot

Frequency (Hz)Flash output levelNumber of repeating flashesper frame—In the example, at 1/8 flash output level, the flash will fire three times perfra

54Repeating Flash "Mode3Set the exposure mode to Manual (M).4Set the aperture.—For cameras in Groups I and II with Nikkor lenses with a built-in

Exposure compensation in Repeating Flash ModeThe flash shooting distance calculated in step number 4 is the correctexposure for the first flash in the

56Guide numbers help you determine a correct exposure or proper aperture(f/stop) when using the SB-28 in the Manual ƒ or Repeating Flash " mode.•

57For film speeds other than ISO 100, multiply the guide numbers by the factors shownin the above table.For example, if the film speed in the previous

When taking pictures indoors, direct flash often causes harsh,unattractive shadows on the subject or background. By bouncingthe light off the ceiling

3Select a flash mode.—Press the µ button until t or ˙ appears on the LCD panel.4Tilt and/or rotate the flash head.—Depress the flash head tilting/rota

6Take some test shots.Before taking important flash photographs, take some test shots toascertain the SB-28 is working as desired in the mode(s) you h

Flash head tilting and rotating angleFor bouncing light off the walls or when the camera is held vertically, theSB-28’s flash head tilts up to 90° and

Using the built-in bounce cardIn bounce flash photography, you can create a highlight in the subject’seyes by using the SB-28's built-in bounce c

When shooting subjects closer than 0.6m (2 ft), use your SB-28 offcamera and utilize its built-in wide flash adapter. 1Connect the SB-28 to your camer

4Set the flash mode.—Press the µ button until t appears on the LCD panel.5Position the built-in wide flash adapter over the flash head.• Refer to page

64Close-up flash operation in TTL Auto Flash tMode7Move the SB-28 off axis, making sure the subject willreceive sufficient illumination.• In 3D Multi-

To eliminate harsh, directional shadows produced by a single flashunit or to add additional illumination to the background, you canattach additional

Multiple flash operation in tandƒflash modes66TTL multiple flash operationCameras in Groups I through VI and F3-Series1Attach the main flash unit to t

674Set the flash mode on all the flash units to t.• Turn on all flash units and make sure their Standby functions are canceled.5Follow the same proced

System chart for TTL multiple flash (For cameras in Groups I through VI, plus F3-Series cameras)• SB-11, SB-14, SB-140, and SB-21B Speedlights cannot

69SB-21BSB-11SC-23SB-14SB-140SB-16BSB-15SB-22SB-20SC-18(1.5m)SC-19(3m)SC-18SC-19SC-18SC-19SB-25 SB-26SB-27SB-24Secondary flash unitSB-28/28DXSB-25 SB-

7• This instruction manual consists of the main manual plus aseparate Quick Reference sheet. The Quick Reference sheetprovides an overview of the SB-2

Manual multiple flash operation (For cameras in all groups)• For speedlights which can serve as secondary flash units, see theSystem chart for TTL mul

For cameras in all groupsIn the TTL Auto Flash t or non-TTL Auto Flash ˙ mode, some pluscompensation may be necessary when the background includes a m

Flash exposure compensation in TTL Auto Flash t modeFor cameras in Groups I through III when making exposurecompensation to the SB-28’s flash output I

733Set the desired exposure compensation.—Press the { or } button to increase or decrease the compensation. • Exposure compensation is possible in 1/3

Flash exposure compensation in TTL Auto Flash t modeFor cameras in Groups I through VI (when making exposurecompensation to the SB-28’s flash output a

75Flash exposure compensation in Non-TTL Auto Flash ˙ modeIn this mode, if you don’t set the same aperture on the lens as that set onthe SB-28, you ca

When photographing people or animals in dim light using flash, thesubject's eyes may come out bright red in color pictures or white inblack and w

In normal flash synchronization, the SB-28 fires at the beginning of theexposure just after the front shutter curtain opens. When shooting fast-moving

Rear-curtain flash sync781Select the flash mode.—Press the µ button until the desired mode t, ˙, or ƒ appears onthe LCD panel.• In Manual ƒ mode when

Additional informationReference sectionIn this section, information on troubleshooting and optional accessories is presented. Following that are tips

Foreword ········································································································2Camera groups and available flash mo

In Non-TTL Auto Flash ˙ mode, you can determine whether thesubject will receive the correct exposure by test firing the SB-28before actually taking pi

When the light is too dim for normal autofocus operation, theSB-28’s AF assist illuminator LED automatically turns on when set toilluminate dark subje

Conditions necessary to activate the AF assistilluminator LED:1 The subject must be sufficiently dark and within the range of 1m(3.3 ft) to 8m (16.4 f

83Accessories for multiple flashSync Cord SC-11 and SC-15Sync Cords SC-11 and SC-15 are handy when you want to use the SB-28off-camera or for use with

84Connecting the SB-28 to your camera using a sync cordYou can connect the SB-28 to your camera by attaching a synccord to the SB-28’s sync terminal.•

85Available external power sourcesExternal power source SD-7External power source SD-8/8A*Power Bracket SK-6/6A*Use only Nikon-approved external power

86Avoid physical shocksDo not drop the SB-28 or hit it against a hard surface as this may damageits precision mechanisms.Never disassemble the SB-28Ne

87WARNING• Keep batteries out of the reach of children. If a battery isaccidentally swallowed, call a doctor immediately.Notes on handling batteries•

88• Lithium batteries have approx. 1.1 to 1.2 times the power capacity ofalkaline-manganese batteries.• Lithium batteries feature greater efficiency a

89NOTEThe SB-28 incorporates a microcomputer to control flash operations.In rare cases, the SB-28 may not work properly even after fresh batteriesare

9Advanced operation············································································45Manual Flash ƒ Mode(For cameras in all groups) ·····

90The flash ready-light in the camera's viewfinder will blink:F90X/N90s viewfinder display is shown.Cameras in Groups I (except F70-Series/N70),

91Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) andseries circuitry.• See page 51 for details on guide numbers in FP High-Speed Sync Flash and se

92SpecificationsFlash duration(approx.)BouncecapabilityON/OFFbuttonFlashexposurecontrol1/840 sec. @ 1/1 (full) output1/1100 sec. @ 1/2 outut1/2300 sec

93Four AA-type alkaline-manganese (1.5V), lithium (1.5V), NiCd(rechargeable) (1.2V), or Ni-MH (rechargeable) (1.2V)penlight batteries.• DC Unit SD-7;

Specifications94Number offlashes andrecyclingtimes at fulloutput (withbatteriesinstalled inthe SB-28)Red-eyereductionAF assistilluminationReady-lightF

95OtherfeaturesDimensions(W x H x D)Weight (withoutbatteries)AccessoriessuppliedAll performance data are for normal-temperature operation (20°C/68°F)S

: Programmed TTL Auto Flash with Nikon F-501/N2020, F-401s/N4004s, F-401/N4004 and F-301/N2000. (ISO 25 to ISO 400 for F-401s/N4004s, F-401/N4004): No

FUJI BLDG., 2-3, MARUNOUCHI 3-CHOME,CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 100-8331, JAPANNo reproduction in any form of this manual, in wholeor in part (except for brief