Manual flash mode. Nikon SB-30

SB-30 -E 01.08 2002.12.26 17:23 ページ1 8

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Manual flash mode

The SB-30’s flash output level can be set manually at M1/1, M1/8, or M1/32. In the Manual mode, you must determine the correct exposure by calculation using a combination of the guide number, shooting distance, and lens aperture.

• If the camera’s exposure mode is set to other than Aperture-Priority Auto (A) or Manual (M), the shutter may not be released, depending on the cameras in use.

Guide number (m/ft.) and ISO sensitivity

ISO sensitivity

Flash output level

Flash output level

(with wide-flash adapter in place)

M1/1

M1/8

M1/32

M1/1

M1/8

M1/32

25

8/26

2.8/9

1.4/4.6

5/16

50

11/36

4/13

2/6.6

7.1/23

100

16/52

5.6/18

2.8/9.2

10/33

200

4/13

14/46

400

5.6/18

20/66

800

8/26

28/92

1.8/5.9

2.5/8.2

3.5/11

0.9/3 1.3/4.3

1.8/5.9

5/16

2.5/8.2

7.1/23

3.5/11

10/33

5/16

1600

22/72 32/105 45/148 64/210

8/26 11/36 16/52 22/72

11/36

40/131

14/46

7.1/23

• To obtain the correct exposure, use the following equations to determine the aperture and guide number to match the flash shooting distance.

f/stop (aperture) = Guide number (GN) ÷ Shooting distance (m/ft)

Guide number (GN) = Aperture x Shooting distance (m/ft)

• For example, when shooting a subject at a distance of 2.5m (8.2 ft), at an ISO sensitivity of 400 and a lens aperture of f/2.8:

Guide number = 2.8 x 2.5 = 7 (in meters) or 2.8 x 8.2 = approx. 23 (in feet).

Therefore M1/8 is the correct flash output level with the wide-flash adapter in place.

• Likewise, when shooting a subject at a distance of 4m (13 ft.), at an ISO sensitivity of 400 and M1/1 flash output level without using the wide-flash adapter: f/stop = 32 ÷ 4 = 8 (in meters) or 105 ÷ 13 = approx. 8 (in feet). Therefore, f/8 is the correct lens aperture.

SB-30 -E 01.08 2002.12.26 17:23 ページ1 9

Taking flash pictures in the Manual flash mode

1 3 4

1

Set the camera’s exposure mode, sync mode, shutter speed, etc.

2

Determine the aperture and flash output level to match the flash shooting distance.

• The guide number varies as shown in the guide number table on page 18, depending on the flash output level with and without the wide-flash adapter in place.

3

Set the aperture on the camera or lens and the flash output level on the SB-30.

4

Make sure the SB-30’s ready-light is on, then shoot.

• In the Manual flash mode, no warning ready-light blinks to indicate that the light may have been insufficient for correct exposure after shooting.

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