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Features
Specifications
Features
Overview: The Nikon Speedlight SB-700 flash has been optimized for use
with CLS-compatible (Creative Lighting System) digital SLR (Nikon FX/DX format) cameras. It can also be used
with i-TTL-compatible Coolpix cameras, such as the P7000 and P6000. Non-CLS-compatible
cameras can use the flash with limited features.
Creative Lighting System (CLS):
The SB-700 features a new Nikon Speedlight system called the Creative Lighting
System (CLS). This system offers additional flash shooting possibilities with
digital cameras by taking advantage of a camera's digital communication
capabilities. CLS is available only when the SB-700 is used with compatible
Nikon cameras with CLS. The SB-700 offers these major features:
- i-TTL Mode: This is a new
TTL auto flash mode in the Creative Lighting System. Monitor pre-flashes are
fired at all times. The subject is correctly exposed by the light from the
flash lighting and the exposure is less affected by the ambient light than
in the conventional TTL mode.
- Advanced Wireless Lighting:
With Advanced Wireless Lighting, wireless multiple flash operation in
the TTL (i-TTL) mode can now be accomplished with CLS-compatible digital SLRs. In this
mode, you can divide the remote flash units into three groups and control
the flash output independently for each group, expanding your range of
creative multiple-flash shooting techniques.
- Flash Value Lock: Flash
Value (FV) is the amount of flash exposure needed for a subject. Using FV
Lock with compatible cameras, you can lock in the appropriate flash exposure
for the main subject. This flash exposure will remain fixed, even if you
change the aperture or composition, or zoom the lens in or out.
- Flash Color Information
Communication: When the SB-700 is used with compatible digital SLRs,
color temperature information is automatically transmitted to the camera. In
this way, the camera's white balance is automatically adjusted to give you
the correct color temperature when taking photographs with the SB-700.
- Auto FP High-Speed Sync:
High-Speed flash synchronization at your camera's highest shutter speed is
now possible. This is useful when you want to use a wider aperture to
achieve shallow depth of field to blur the background.
- Wide-Area AF-Assist
Illuminator: In autofocus operation, the SB-700
emits AF-Assist illumination, which matches the wider AF area of CLS-compatible
cameras. With cameras supporting this function, autofocus photography in
dim lighting is possible even when the camera's focus point (focus area) is
changed.
LCD Screen:
The LCD screen provides large, easy-to-read graphics and mode indicators, such
as:
- Flash Mode: Icons indicating the flash mode status appear,
including monitor pre-flashes, i-TTL, balanced fill-flash, auto FP
high-speed sync, auto aperture flash, non-TTL auto flash, distance-priority
manual flash, and manual flash.
- Flash Level: Shown as a fraction, the flash level is shown as
1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128.
- ISO Sensitivity
- Distance Information: Indicated in meters or feet, flash range
shown for i-TTL, non-TTL, and Auto Aperture Flash; Shooting Distance shown
for Distance Priority manual flash; and Flash Shooting Distance for manual flash
- Zoom Position: Shown as status of Zoom function and angle of
coverage
- Light Distribution Angle: Light distribution for DX- or FX-format
in auto or manual set, and with power zoom on or off
- Aperture Value: shown as camera setting, flash setting, or out of
flash output control range
- Flash Output Level Compensation: Indicates amount of
flash output level compensation between -3.0 and +3.0 EV in 1/3 EV steps
- Flash Condition: Icon indicates use of color filter (including
type of filter), illumination pattern (standard, center-weighted, even),
bounce flash, tilt angle, backlight on/off, AF-assist illumination,
communication with camera, thermal cut on/cut off, key lock
- Test Firing: indicates test firing and modeling illumination
status
Controls: The Nikon SB-700 has several controls on the back
panel:
- Flash Mode Selector: 3-way slide switch lets you select from the
following modes
- iTTL: information obtained by monitor pre-flashes and
exposure control information is integrated by the camera to
automatically adjust flash output levels
- Manual: aperture and flash output are manually selected to
allow for control of exposure and flash-to-subject distance
- Distance-priority Manual Mode (GN): when the flash-to-subject
distance value is entered, the flash output levels are automatically
controlled according to the camera settings.
- Zoom: for manually setting the zoom head position to match the
focal length
- Illumination Pattern Selector: 3-way slide switch lets you select
the illumination pattern: standard, center-weighted, or even
- Power/Wireless Mode: 4-position rotary control lets you turn
flash power on or off, plus select the master or remote mod in wireless
multiple flash-unit photography.
- Select Button and Selector Dial: The Select (SEL) button lets you
select the configurable settings shown in the LCD. The rotary selector dial
lets you change the settings, while the OK button, located in the center of
the dial, confirms the selection.
- Menu: Custom settings can be changed using the Menu button and
the Selector dial. Custom settings include: Color Filters, Remote Flash Unit
Setting, Sound Monitor contrast, Standby function, FX/DX format selection,
flash compensation step (manual mode), unit of measuring distance, AF-assist
illumination, firmware version, and reset custom settings.
Adjustable Flash Head:
The flash head can be tilted from -7° to +90° and rotated horizontally 180° to
the left or right, enabling bounce flash or close-up flash
photography.
Flash Exposure Control: The SB-700 is compatible with numerous flash
exposure controls, as set by the camera:
- Auto FP High-Speed Sync: Auto FP High Speed sync is automatically
set when the shutter speed exceeds the camera's sync shutter speed.
- Flash Value Lock: You can lock in the appropriate flash exposure,
while keeping the subject illumination constant even if you can't change the
composition.
- Slow Sync Flash: The flash is controlled at a slow shutter speed
to obtain the correct exposure for both the main subject and the background
in low-light situation or at night. A tripod is recommended to prevent
camera shake.
- Red-Eye Reduction: To prevent
the center of your subject's eyes from appearing red in color pictures, the
SB-700 fires three flashes at reduced output just before the picture is taken.
Note: You can combine this flash with the slow-sync flash (tripod recommended).
- Rear-curtain/Front Curtain Sync:
When using slow shutter speeds and shooting fast moving objects, rear curtain
sync creates a picture in which the blur of the subject appears behind the
subject. With front-curtain sync, the blur occurs in front of the subject.
Batteries: The SB-700 requires 4 "AA"-sized batteries, and can use
any of the following types of batteries: Alkaline (1.5V), Lithium (1.5V), and Ni-MH (rechargeable, 1.2V).
Standby Function: If the SB-700 and camera are not being
used, the standby function will automatically activate after a set amount of
time, switching the SB-700 to standby mode to conserve battery power. You can
set the standby function to Auto (standby activates when the camera's exposure
meter is turned off), 40 seconds, or function canceled.
Built-in Accessories: The flash has a built-in wide panel
and bounce card that are stored above the flash panel. When taking close-up
photographs, the wide panel covers the flash panel to diffuse the light to
prevent overexposure. The white bounce card is used with 90° bounce flash to
make a portrait subject's eyes look more vibrant by reflecting the light in
them.
Supplied Accessories: Included with the SB-700 are the following
accessories:
- Speedlight Stand (AS-22): provides a stable placement
for the flash when you want to use it as a remote flash unit
- Diffusion Dome (SW-14H): diffuses the light creating
extremely soft light with virtually no shadows
- Incandescent Filter (SZ-3TN): balances the color of light from
the flash to match that of incandescent or tungsten lighting
- Fluorescent Filter (SZ-3FL): balances the color of light from the
flash to match that of fluorescent lighting
Specifications
Specifications:
- Effective Flash Output Distance
Range (in i-TTL mode): 0.6m to 20m (2 ft. to
66 ft.) (varies depending on the camera's image area setting, ISO sensitivity, zoom-head position and
lens aperture in use)
- Bounce Capability:
flash head tilts from -7° to +90° with click-stops at -7°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°,
90°; flash head rotates horizontally 180° to the left and right
with click-stops at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180°
- Flash Duration
(approximately):
- 1/1042 seconds at M1/1 (full)
output
- 1/1136 seconds at M1/2 output
- 1/2857 seconds at M1/4 output
- 1/5714 seconds at M1/8 output
- 1/10,000 seconds at M1/16
output
- 1/18,182 seconds at M1/32
output
- 1/25,000 seconds at M1/64
output
- 1/40,000 seconds at M1/128
output
- Flash Output Level
Compensation: -3.0 to +3.0 EV in increments of 1/3
steps in the TTL auto flash mode
Minimum Number of Flashes and
Recycling Times:
| Batteries |
Minimum Recycling Time |
Minimum Number of Flashes/Recycling Time |
| Alkaline (1.5V) |
2.5 seconds |
160 / 2.5-30 sec |
| Evolta (1.5V) |
2.5 seconds |
230 / 2.5-30 sec |
| Lithium (1.5V) |
3.5 seconds |
330 / 3.5-30 sec |
| Ni-MH (2600 mAh) |
2.5 seconds |
260 / 2.5-30 sec |
| Ni-MH (eneloop) |
2.5 seconds |
230 / 2.5-30 sec |
