Our take on the Nikon SB-N5 Speedlight

by Woody Sherman

The Nikon SB-N5 Speedlight flash is a photographic vocabulary builder. What do we mean by that? Well, while the Nikon 1 V1 has powerful low-light performance, there are situations where any camera could benefit from some light "shaping." Your artistic choices will expand when you put this little workhorse onto the camera's accessory port. Like many flashes, it tilts 90° vertically, from straight-out horizontal to straight-up at the ceiling. But it also pans a full 180° to the right and left, enabling bounce lighting from the side while still mounted on the camera body. Diffused, supportive light like this can make the difference between a shot that feels flat and a shot that jumps from the screen or the page.

This unit has an added bonus — it's also capable of being a bright, continuous light source for up to 6 seconds at a time, for when you're using the V1's innovative Motion Capture and Smart Photo Selector modes. And as you'd expect, the SB-N5 communicates seamlessly with your camera's electronics to adjust itself for the perfect exposure.

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Highlights:

optimized for Nikon V1 cameras
i-TTL (intelligent through-the-lens) flash exposure control
manual setting
multiple-position tilt/pan flash head (tilts up from horizontal to 60, 75, and 90 degrees, pans horizontally 180 degrees with detented stops)
when flash is used with Nikon V1, lights for about six seconds during buffering in Smart Photo Selector and Motion Snapshot modes
approximate guide number at ISO 200: 12m/39.4ft.
weight: approx. 2.5 oz.
2"W x 2-13/16"H x 1-5/8"D
soft carry case included
BS-N2000 mounting foot cover included
warranty: 1 year
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What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

Speedlight SB-N5 flash (with BS-N2000 plastic contact cover)
SS-N5 Soft storage pouch
User's Manual
Warranty form

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Features

Overview: The Nikon Speedlight SB-N5 is an external flash unit designed to be used with the Nikon interchangeable lens digital cameras with a multi-accessory port, including the Nikon V1 camera. It can be used as i-TTL auto flash or manual flash.

Power Requirements: The SB-N5 is powered through the camera's multi-accessory port. It does not require batteries.

Angle Options: The flash can be angled both horizontally and vertically at various positions:

Vertical: Rotates upward from 90° from horizontal (straight ahead), with stops at 60°, 75° and 90° (straight up)
Horizontal: Rotates 180° left and right, with stops at 0° (straight ahead), 30°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 120°, 150°, and 180° (straight backward)

Flash Exposure Control: The SB-N5 can operate in the following modes using camera controls: Fill Flash (Front-curtain Sync), Front-curtain Slow-sync, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain Slow-sync, and Flash compensation.

Constant Light Source: In addition to performing as a flash, the SB-N5 can act as a constant light source, illuminating for about six seconds during buffering in Smart Photo Selector and Motion Snapshot modes (used with compatible cameras with these features)

Specifications: The Speedlight SB-N5 has the following specifications:

Electronic Construction: Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry
Guide Number: 8.5/27.9 (ISO 100, m/ft), 12/39.4 (ISO 200, m/ft)
Effective Flash Range (i-TTL): 2' to 66' (varies with ISO sensitivity, bounce angle, and aperture
Flash Duration: 1/4000 sec at full power
Dimensions: Flash at 90°: Width=1.968", Height=2.804", Depth=1.54", Weight=2.5 oz.

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5 out of 5

little flash big light

Written By mountainwoman, Butte, MT on Monday, January 14, 2013

Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)

surprisingly little flash with a monster amount of light. It can be aimed up, and side to side with ease and no batteries because it runs off camera battery..

Pros:

light weight, easy to us and lots of light

Cons:

none

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5 out of 5

Perfect complement to the camera

Written By EvelynM, Griffin, GA on Sunday, June 03, 2012

Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)

A bounce flash, no batteries, and good range. Made indoor pictures at a wedding reception and I am still finding my way with the flash but so far it does what I want it to do.

Pros:

Very small, attaches easily, NO batteries required (works off camera battery). Bounce flash capable

Cons:

None that I can see.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful

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5 out of 5

Bounce in a small flash finally!

Written By GaryI, Central Illinois on Saturday, January 28, 2012

Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)

I am Certified Professional Photographer and bought the V1 system as a walk around camera when the D3 is just too much. I find the V1 to be a well thought out system and the SB-N5 flash is great. Flash's for small cameras have always been disappointing to me as they do not have a bounce feature - this flash does and it is very usable. It has TTL which is quite accurate, or full manual. I use manual on the lowest power setting to fire SB-900s, or studio strobes. It uses the camera battery so the flash itself is very compact, and the cameras battery is large enough to not be a problem with fast drainage. It includes a nice little slip on case. Bounce is usable in average size living room if ISO is 400-800 range.

Pros:

Bounce capability, uses camera battery so very compact and light weight, TTL or full manual thru easy to get to camera menu.

Cons:

Would like to see a little more power, but of course that would mean batteries in flash and larger size, so actually a good compromise as it is.

3 out of 3 people found this helpful

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5 out of 5

Fantastic

Written By Ron, Bluefield, WV on Friday, December 16, 2011

The camera is easy to operate and all the controls are very intuitive. From very close up to distance focus is accurate, quick, and easy, even in low light. The smart picture function is fabulous and gives an opportunity for pictures that would be impossible to capture except in a continuous shoot mode. The camera has that feature as well.

It turns on with a twist of the lenses; push the button to focus and start capturing FANTASTIC pictures. Pros:

Pros:

It has the weight and feel of the larger SLR cameras. Fully automatic - allowing me to concentrate on the composition. Simple controls. Large battery with good life. Picture review system with picture by date. Not really advertised. Quick focus system. Every function is simple to use. Compares to larger cameras with quality of photos.

Cons:

It should have come with a case for the price.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful

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1-4 of 4

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Nikon SB-N5 Speedlight

Versatile flash unit/light source for Nikon 1 V1 cameras

Item# 054SBN5 offer details

Review Summary

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Our take on the Nikon SB-N5 Speedlight

by Woody Sherman

Highlights:

Shop all Nikon Flashes

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Product Research

Our Product Research Team

Features

Product Reviews

Reviews for the Nikon SB-N5 Speedlight

Average Customer Review:

Review this product:

Crutchfield Video Review Guidelines

Filter by rating:

little flash big light

Perfect complement to the camera

Bounce in a small flash finally!

Fantastic

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