Nikon SB-500 User Manual

EnNikon Manual Viewer 2Use the Nikon Manual Viewer 2 app to view manuals anytime, anywhere on your smartphone or tablet.User’s ManualSpeedlightSB-500

AA-10Preparation Table of ContentsA PreparationAbout the SB-500 and This User’s Manual ... A-2Q&A Index ...

A-11APreparationF FunctionsBounce Flash Operation ... F-2Flash Photography Support Functions ...

AA-12PreparationTable of ContentsH Tips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationTroubleshooting ...

A-13APreparation For Your SafetyTo prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury to yourself or others, read the following safety precautions in thei

AA-14PreparationFor Your Safety Keep dry. Do not immerse in or expose to water or rain. Failure to observe this precaution could result in fire or el

A-15APreparation• Insert batteries in the correct orientation.• Batteries may become hot if the flash is fired multiple times in quick succession. W

AA-16PreparationFor Your Safety Observe caution when using the flash• Using a flash in close contact with the skin or other objects could cause burn

A-17APreparationNotice for Customers in CanadaCAN ICES-3 (B) / NMB-3 (B)Notice for customers in EuropeThis symbol indicates that electrical and electr

AA-18PreparationCheck before Use Tips on using the SpeedlightTake trial shotsTake trial shots before photographing important occasions such as wedding

A-19APreparation Life-long learningAs part of Nikon’s “life-long learning” commitment to ongoing product support and education, continually updated in

AA-2PreparationAbout the SB-500 and This User’s ManualThank you for purchasing the Nikon Speedlight SB-500. To get the most out of your Speedlight, pl

B-1BOperationOperationB84312756SPEEDLIGHT SB-500 Speedlight Parts

B-2BOperation 1 Flash head 2 LED light (0D-1) 3 Light sensor window for wireless remote flash (0E-7) 4 Battery chamber cover 5 Locking pin 6

B-3BOperationSpeedlight Parts9101211

B-4BOperation 9 Flash head tilting angle scale (0F-3) 10 Flash head rotating angle scale (0F-3) 11 Flash-ready indicator (0B-14, E-10) 12 Mounting

B-5BOperationSpeedlight Parts161718131415

B-6BOperation 13 LED button (0D-3): Press and hold down to turn the LED light on and off.: Press briefly to change LED light output level. 14 LED

B-7BOperation Notes on Continuous Use Notes on continuous flash firing• To prevent the SB-500 from overheating, allow it to cool down for at least 10

B-8BOperation Notes on LED light operation duration• The internal safety function automatically lowers the LED light output level by 1 level when the

B-9BOperation This section covers basic procedures in i-TTL flash control in combination with a CLS-compatible camera.STEP 1 Inserting the batteries S

B-10BOperation Suitable batteriesReplace both batteries at the same time using fresh batteries or fully-charged rechargeable batteries of the same br

A-3APreparation Included itemsCheck that all items listed below are included with the SB-500. If any items are missing, inform the store where the SB-

B-11BOperationBasic Operations Replacing/recharging batteriesRefer to the following table to determine when to replace batteries with fresh ones or r

B-12BOperationSTEP 2Attaching the SB-500 to the camera Make sure the SB-500 and the camera body are turned off. Make sure the mounting foot lock lev

B-13BOperationBasic Operations Detaching the SB-500 from the cameraMake sure the SB-500 and the camera body are turned off, turn the mounting foot loc

B-14BOperationSTEP 4 Turning the power on Turn the camera on. Set the SB-500’s power switch to [ ]. • Mode indicator lamp [TTL] comes on.STEP 5Taking

C-1CFlash Control Modes Flash Control ModesCThe SB-500 has 2 flash control modes—manual flash control and i-TTL flash control.• Flash control modes

C-2CFlash Control Modest Camera’s metering mode and i-TTL flash control• When the camera’s metering mode is changed to spot metering while i-TTL balan

C-3CFlash Control Modes Manual Flash ControlWhen the SB-500 is mounted on a camera, manual setting of flash output level can be enabled by selecting [

D-1DLED Light LED LightDFeatures of LED LightThe SB-500 is equipped with an LED light that has various features, as detailed below.Continuous light t

D-2DLED LightFeatures of LED LightOff-camera lighting that inspires creativityThe LED light’s soft light beam blends smoothly with natural light. You

D-3DLED Light Turning the LED light on Set the SB-500’s power switch to [ ].• Rotate the power switch while pressing the lock release. Press and

AA-4PreparationAbout the SB-500 and This User’s Manual About the SB-500The SB-500 is a light and compact Speedlight compatible with Nikon Creative Lig

D-4DLED LightUsing the LED Light Changing the LED light output levelBriefly press the LED button to change the LED light output level.• The LED light

D-5DLED Lightv Operation of the LED light when attached to the camera• LED light operation is manual only. The LED light does not synchronize with the

E-1EWireless Multiple Flash-unit Photography Wireless Multiple Flash-unit PhotographyESB-500 Wireless Multiple Flash-unit Photography SetupThe SB-50

E-2EWireless Multiple Flash-unit Photography Advanced Wireless Lighting The master flash unit commands the remote flash units to fire monitor pre-fla

E-3EWireless Multiple Flash-unit PhotographySB-500 Wireless Multiple Flash-unit Photography FunctionsWhen used in commander modeWhen used in remote

E-4EWireless Multiple Flash-unit Photographyv Notes on canceling the flash of the master flash unit When the master flash unit flash function is cance

E-5EWireless Multiple Flash-unit Photography Advanced Wireless Lighting Using the SB-500 as a master flash unit Set the SB-500’s power switch to [

E-6EWireless Multiple Flash-unit Photography Using the SB-500 as a remote flash unit Set the power switch to [A] or [B] to correspond with the rem

E-7EWireless Multiple Flash-unit Photography Remote Flash Units Remote flash unit setting• The standby function is canceled when remote mode is set. M

E-8EWireless Multiple Flash-unit Photography• As a basic guide, the effective distance between the master and remote flash units is up to approximat

A-5APreparation• For camera functions and settings, see the camera user’s manual.v Describes a point to which you should pay particular attention in

E-9EWireless Multiple Flash-unit PhotographyRemote Flash Units• An obstacle between the master flash unit and remote flash units can interfere with

E-10EWireless Multiple Flash-unit PhotographyChecking Status in Wireless Multiple Flash-unit PhotographyThe flash-ready indicator on the SB-500 can b

E-11EWireless Multiple Flash-unit PhotographyChecking Status in Wireless Multiple Flash-unit PhotographyMaster flash unit Remote flash unitSpeedlight

F-1FFunctionsFunctionsFThis section explains the SB-500 functions that support flash photography and functions to be set on the camera. • For detailed

F-2FFunctions Bounce Flash OperationBounce flash is a photographic technique using light that is bounced off a ceiling or wall using a tilted or rota

F-3FFunctions Setting the flash headTilt or rotate the flash head.• The flash head tilts up from 0° to 90° and rotates horizontally 180° to the le

F-4FFunctionsBounce Flash Operation Selecting flash head tilting/rotating angles and a reflecting surface• Good results are most easily achieved when

F-5FFunctionsWhite ceiling1-2 m90ºLightproof white paperBehind the camera

F-6FFunctionsBounce Flash Operation Taking a picture with bounce flash Set the SB-500’s power switch to [ ]. Adjust the flash head and shoot.t Exposur

F-7FFunctions Flash Photography Support FunctionsThe SB-500 features flash photography support functions. • indicates functions used with the flash l

AA-6PreparationAbout the SB-500 and This User’s Manual Terminology Nikon Creative Lighting System ( CLS): a lighting system that enables flash photogr

F-8FFunctionsFlash Photography Support Functions Standby function If the SB-500 and camera are not used for a specified time, the standby functio

F-9FFunctions To cancel standbyConnection with cameraConnected Not connected• Press the camera shutter-release button halfway down.• Turn the camera

F-10FFunctionsFlash Photography Support FunctionsWarning of flash-ready indicator Flashes once per sec.• Wait until the SB-500 cools down.• Operatio

F-11FFunctions Notes on LED light thermal cut-outHigh to midMid to lowOffWhen the LED light is operating at high power and the internal temperature re

F-12FFunctionsThe following functions are available when used with cameras so equipped. Set these functions on the camera. They cannot be set on the S

F-13FFunctions Slow syncThe camera slows the shutter speed to capture both the subject and background illumination. This is suitable for capturing

G-1GFor Use with COOLPIX CamerasUsing the SB-500 with COOLPIX cameras is also possible, although some functions may not be available. COOLPIX cameras

G-2GFor Use with COOLPIX Cameras When using with COOLPIX camerasCameras compatible with CLSCameras compatible with i-TTL flash controlOperable flash

H-1HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationThis section explains troubleshooting, Speedlight care, specifications and optional accessories.

H-2HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationProblem Cause Solution0Remote flash unit does not fire.The distance between the master flash unit

A-7APreparationi-TTL balanced fill-flash: i-TTL flash control type in which flash output level is adjusted to well-balanced exposure of the main subje

H-3HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationTroubleshooting Warning indications of flash-ready indicatorStatus Flash-ready indicator Cause/

H-4HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationStatus Flash-ready indicator Cause/solution0Flash has not firedFlashes 4 times over 0.5 sec. at

H-5HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference Information Guide Number, Aperture and Flash-to-subject DistanceThe guide number (GN) indicates the amount

H-6HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationNever use thinner, benzene or other organic solvents when cleaning the Speedlight, as this may da

H-7HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationTips on Speedlight Care StorageTo prevent mold or mildew, store the SB-500 in a dry, well-ventila

H-8HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference Information• The large amounts of current used by the Speedlight may result in rechargeable batteries becomi

H-9HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationNotes on Batteries• For information on handling and recharging rechargeable batteries, see the do

H-10HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference Information Updating FirmwareThe latest Nikon firmware can be downloaded from the Nikon website. Firmware i

H-11HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationOptional Accessories Speedlight Stand AS-23 21Same as that provided with this SB-500.AS-23 par

H-12HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationAS-21 AS-22 Speedlight Stand AS-21/AS-22 TTL Remote Cord SC-28 (approx. 1.5 m/4.9 ft)The SC

AA-8Preparation Q&A IndexBCDEFGHYou can search for specific explanations according to objective. Flash photography 1Using the SB-500 mounted on a

H-13HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference Information SpecificationsElectronic constructionAutomatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and ser

H-14HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationCompatible cameras• Nikon digital SLR (Nikon FX/DX format) cameras (except D1 series and D100)•

H-15HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationSpecificationsPower ON/OFF Power switchPower sourceUse 2 AA-size batteries of the same brand fro

H-16HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationDimensions (W × H × D)Approx. 67 × 114.5 × 70.8 mm (2.7 × 4.6 × 2.8 in.)WeightApprox. 273 g (9.7

H-17HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationSpecifications Effective flash output distance range (for i-TTL flash control)The effective f

H-18HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationISO sensitivity50 100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800Aperture (f) 1.43.7 – 39.35 – 55.47.3 – 6

H-19HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationSpecifications Guide number tableThe SB-500 guide numbers differ depending on the camera’s IS

H-20HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference Information Minimum number of flashes/ recycling time for each battery typeBatteries Min. recycling time

H-21HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference Information Index• Refer to “Speedlight Parts” (0B-1) for names of parts.AAccessories ...

H-22HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationGGN (guide number) ...H-5Group ... E-3Guide number ...

A-9APreparationBCDEFGH LED light photography and movie recordingUsing the LED lightQuestion Key phrase0What are the features of the LED light? LED lig

H-23HTips on Speedlight Care and Reference InformationIndexRRear-curtain sync ... F-13Recycling time ...H-20Red-eye reduc

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