Welcome to the Nikon SB-700 Flash Manual, your comprehensive guide to mastering this versatile and high-performance Speedlight. Designed for both amateur and professional photographers, the SB-700 offers advanced lighting solutions, compatibility with Nikon DSLRs, and seamless integration with the Creative Lighting System. This manual will help you unlock its full potential, explore its features, and troubleshoot common issues to enhance your photography experience.
Key Features and Specifications
The Nikon SB-700 offers a guide number of 28 (ISO 100, 35mm), compact design (360g, 71×104.5x126mm), and versatile flash coverage (24-120mm in FX format). It features a tilting flash head (90° up, 7° down) and 180° horizontal rotation, enabling creative bounce flash techniques. Wireless functionality and compatibility with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System make it ideal for advanced lighting setups.
Guide Number and Power
The Nikon SB-700 boasts a guide number of 28 at ISO 100 and 35mm, ensuring powerful and consistent illumination. This capability allows photographers to cover a wide range of shooting scenarios, from portraits to event photography. The flash’s power is adjustable, offering a range of settings to suit different lighting needs. Whether you’re working in a studio or on-location, the SB-700 delivers reliable performance with precise control over light output. This makes it an excellent choice for photographers seeking a balance between portability and professional-grade lighting power.
Flash Coverage and Angle
The Nikon SB-700 offers exceptional flash coverage and flexibility, making it suitable for a variety of shooting situations. With a wide-angle coverage of 24mm to 120mm (FX-format), it ensures even illumination across the frame, reducing unwanted shadows and overexposure. The flash head is highly adjustable, tilting upward by 90 degrees and downward by 7 degrees, while also rotating 180 degrees to the left and right. This versatility allows for bounce flash techniques, enabling creative lighting setups. The SB-700 automatically adjusts its zoom to match the focal length of the lens, optimizing light distribution for precise results. Whether you’re capturing portraits or group shots, the flash’s coverage and angle adjustments provide consistent and professional-grade lighting. This feature-rich design ensures that photographers can adapt to different scenarios effortlessly, making the SB-700 a reliable companion for both amateur and professional photographers.
Compatibility with Nikon Cameras
The Nikon SB-700 Speedlight is designed to seamlessly integrate with a wide range of Nikon DSLR cameras, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility. It works flawlessly with both FX and DX-format DSLRs, making it a versatile choice for photographers using different camera formats. The SB-700 is fully compatible with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS), allowing for advanced wireless flash control and sophisticated lighting setups; It supports i-TTL (Intelligent Through-The-Lens) metering, providing accurate flash exposure in various shooting conditions. Additionally, the SB-700 is compatible with older Nikon cameras that support the standard iTTL flash protocol, making it a valuable accessory for photographers with legacy equipment. The flash also works with Nikon’s AF-assist illuminator, enhancing autofocus performance in low-light environments. Its compact and lightweight design ensures easy portability, while its compatibility with Nikon’s ecosystem makes it a reliable tool for both amateur and professional photographers seeking to expand their creative possibilities.
Understanding Flash Modes
The Nikon SB-700 Speedlight offers multiple flash modes to cater to various photography needs, providing flexibility and creative control. The primary modes include i-TTL (Intelligent Through-The-Lens) mode, which automatically adjusts flash output based on the scene’s lighting conditions for precise exposure. This mode is ideal for everyday shooting and ensures balanced results. Manual mode (M) allows photographers to set the flash output manually, offering complete control for advanced lighting setups. Additionally, the SB-700 features a Repeating Flash mode, which emits multiple flashes in rapid succession to create unique effects, such as capturing motion or adding texture to images.
The flash also utilizes a pre-flash system to measure ambient light and subject distance, ensuring accurate metering. This function is particularly useful in challenging lighting conditions. By understanding and utilizing these modes effectively, photographers can achieve professional-grade lighting results and enhance their creative expression.
Customization and Control
The Nikon SB-700 Speedlight offers extensive customization options, allowing photographers to tailor its performance to their specific needs. Users can adjust the flash output manually, selecting from a range of power levels to achieve the desired effect. This level of control is particularly useful in studio settings or when working with multiple light sources. Additionally, the SB-700 supports custom settings, enabling photographers to save their preferred configurations for quick access during shoots.
The flash head can be tilted upward by 90 degrees and downward by 7 degrees, as well as rotated 180 degrees to the left and right, providing flexibility in directing light. This versatility allows for creative lighting setups, including bounced flash and side lighting, to enhance depth and dimension in images. Furthermore, the SB-700’s intuitive interface and backlit LCD screen make it easy to navigate and adjust settings, even in low-light conditions. By leveraging these customization features, photographers can unlock the full creative potential of the SB-700 and achieve professional-quality results.
Wireless Functionality
The Nikon SB-700 Speedlight offers advanced wireless functionality, enabling photographers to create complex lighting setups with ease. It can function as both a master and slave unit, allowing for seamless communication between multiple flashes. When in master mode, the SB-700 can control up to three groups of wireless flash units, providing precise control over lighting ratios and output. This feature is particularly useful for achieving balanced illumination in studio or location shoots.
In slave mode, the SB-700 can be triggered by other compatible Nikon Speedlights or the SU-800 Wireless Commander, offering flexibility in off-camera flash setups. The flash also supports wireless multiple flash-unit functions, enabling photographers to create dynamic lighting effects. With a reliable wireless range and intuitive controls, the SB-700 makes it easy to experiment with creative lighting configurations. Its LCD panel provides clear visibility of wireless settings, ensuring adjustments can be made quickly and efficiently. This wireless capability enhances the versatility of the SB-700, making it an invaluable tool for photographers seeking advanced lighting solutions.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Proper maintenance and troubleshooting are essential to ensure the Nikon SB-700 Speedlight performs optimally. Regularly clean the flash head and battery compartment to prevent dust buildup, which can affect performance. Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning, and avoid harsh chemicals. If the flash fails to fire, check the battery level and ensure it is turned on. Verify that the flash is properly mounted on the camera’s hot shoe and that the contacts are clean and free of corrosion.
For troubleshooting, refer to the manual for specific error solutions. If the AF-assist illuminator does not activate, ensure the camera’s autofocus is not locked. If the flash head misaligns, gently realign it without forcing it. For wireless issues, check the master/slave settings and ensure all units are on the same channel. Store the SB-700 in a protective case when not in use to prevent damage. Regularly update the firmware to access the latest features and improvements. By following these steps, you can maintain the SB-700’s performance and resolve common issues effectively.
Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the flash head and updating firmware, will ensure optimal performance. Troubleshooting common issues, like misalignment or wireless connectivity problems, can be efficiently resolved with the tips provided. Whether you’re capturing portraits, events, or studio shots, the SB-700 is a reliable companion to enhance your creative vision. Explore its features, experiment with different techniques, and unlock new possibilities in your photography journey.