Nikon Speedlight SB800 Flash
The Speedlight SB-800 refines digital performance and introduces new technologies to make complex multiple flash exposures as simple as using a simple on-camera flash unit. Uses 4AA batteries. NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
Intelligent, innovative, indispensable
At the heart of the new Nikon Creative Lighting System is i-TTL flash control — automatic balanced fill-flash that delivers outstanding results as well as new creative possibilities. Nikon's new Advanced Data Communication allows improved interaction of monitor pre-flash and wireless operation, and marks an evolution in even higher precision than Nikon's acclaimed D-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash.
Flash colour information communication
This is a new system designed to improve AWB (Auto White Balance), irrespective of flash output duration. Until now flash lighting can produce changes to AWB, depending on flash-to-subject distances. Long (distant) duration outputs tend to be at the red end of the colour spectrum, short (close) durations tend to the bluer end of the spectrum.
The new SB-800 incorporates systems that communicate flash output information during exposures to the image processing 'engine' of the Nikon D2H SLR. This delivers uniform AWB results during flash exposures of varying subject distances. In making this innovation Nikon once again establishes new standards for advanced flash photography, something it first achieved in 1988 with the world's first integrated balanced Matrix flash system, the Nikon SB-24 Speedlight.
Flash value Lock (FV-Lock)
The SB-800 introduces a new FV-Lock function, which enables the user to 'lock' flash output over a sequence of shots, in the same way and using the same camera body button as the Auto Exposure-Lock (AE-L) function used for ambient exposure lock.
AUTO FP High-Speed Sync
The mechanical shutter of the D2H has a flash sync speed of 1/250 sec. The new SB-800 can automatically set itself to FP (Focal Plane) flash mode should camera shutter speed rise above the standard flash sync speed. This allows fill flash in bright light, with high shutter speeds or fast aperture lenses.
FP mode outputs a series of smaller continuous flashes that synchronise at up to 1/8000 second with the D2H.
Wide Area AF-assist Illumination
Compatibility with the D2H extends to performing AF area-assist illumination to the new wide 11-area layout of the D2H Multi-CAM2000 AF system, to deliver precise AF performance in lighting situations below the AF system's -1EV (ISO100) sensitivity.
In addition to the refinements of Nikon i-TTL the new SB-800 incorporates innovative new systems for multiple location lighting arrangements.
Advanced Wireless Lighting
The SB-800 incorporates Nikon's exclusive Advanced Data Communication technologies that enable complex inter-Speedlight unit communication. The system is designed to make shooting with groups of Speedlights as easy to use as a single on-camera Speedlight.
Up to 3 remotely-placed Nikon SB-800 units can now communicate monitor pre-flash data with the master unit for fully automatic multiple flash exposures. This removes the need for flash meters or manual calculations. The D2H digital SLR 1005-pixel Matrix metering sensor is utilised to calculate exposures and then transmit the required slave output changes back to each slave unit.
Additionally, for those desiring full creative control, the photographer can remotely control each slave SB-800 Speedlight unit's flash modes directly through the Master unit.
The master unit output can even be switched off whilst maintaining full control and communication with slave units.
In situations where photographers may not be working alone, the master-slave communication can be selected from 4 discrete channels, enabling up to four photographers to independently control their own slaves. This minimises the risk of triggering other photographers using the same system.
Distance Priority Flash Mode
Increased control of flash output is also offered in new Distance Priority Mode. The photographer can pre-set subject distance and desired aperture setting, the SB-800 calculates consistent output, uninfluenced by colour or reflectance of the subject.
Intelligent, powerful and complete
The SB-800 shares the same powerful GN of 36 (metres, IS0 100), ergonomic buttons and locking metal foot with the SB-80DX, but with a newly-developed dot matrix LCD display. The useful modelling flash function can now also be triggered via the DOF preview button on the D2H, enabling a preview of shadows cast without removing the eye from the viewfinder.
All of the above flash-to-camera communication is available off camera using the new optional SC-29 cord.
As might be expected from Nikon, the SB-800 offers the same functionality as the SB-80DX when used with other Nikon AF SLR cameras. A photographer mixing film and digital in the client workflow can thus use one flash system for both digital and film cameras, gaining the more advanced features when using the Nikon D2H digital SLR.
Accessories
The SB-800 package includes a number of practical accessories:
- SD-800 Quick Recycling Battery Pack to speed up recycling times
- SJ-800 Colour Filter System to balance tungsten or fluorescent light sources
- AS-19 Speedlight Stand for free standing flash placement
- SW-10H Diffusion Dome for soft, wide-angle illumination coverage
- SS-800 Soft Case
Designed to form the heart of a new Creative Lighting System from Nikon, the new SB-800 delivers innovative and intelligent portable lighting solutions coupled to the latest advances in digital photography offered by the Nikon D2H digital SLR.
Specifications
| Electronic construction |
Automated Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry |
Flash exposure control
|
i-TTL with Nikon D2H, D70;
D-TTL with D1 series or D100;
TTL with F5, F100, F80, F75, F65, FM3A;
Balanced Fill-Flash,
Manual |
| Guide number (at 35mm zoom-head position) |
38 (ISO 100, m/ft) with zoom head set at 35mm |
Flash coverage
|
24mm, 28mm, 35mm-105mm in 5mm zoom steps;
17mm and 14mm with built-in wide-flash adapter;
14mm with soft dome |
| Film speed range in TTL auto flash mode |
ISO 25 to 1600 |
Recycling time (alkalines)
|
Approx. 2.9 sec with supplied SD-800 (Manual mode at full output) |
Number of flashes (alkalines)
|
Approx. 130 times (Manual mode at full output) |
Creative Lighting System
|
A variety of flash operations are available with camera's compatible with the CLS: i-TTL mode, Advanced Wireless Lighting, FV Lock flash, Flash colour information communication, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, and wide-area AF-assist illumination. |
Power source
|
4 x AA-type alkaline, lithium, nickel, NiCd, Ni-MH (all four batteries must be the same type); DC Unit SD-7; High-Performance Battery Pack SD-8A; Power Bracket Unit SK-6A |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) |
Approx. 70.5 W x 129.5 H x 93mm D
(2.7" W x 4.9" H x 3.5" D)
|
Weight (without battery)
|
Approx. 350g |
| Other features |
Ready-light, open-flash button, sync/multiple flash terminal, modelling flash, LCD panel illuminator |
| Included accessories |
Quick Recycling Battery Pack SD-800;
Speedlight Stand AS-19;
Speedlight Colour Filter Set SJ-800;
Diffusion Dome SW-10H;
Soft Case SS-800 |
| Optional Accessories |
TTL Flash Cable SC-29, TTL Flash Cable SC-28, Colour Filter Set SJ-1 |
