Nikon SB-400 User manual

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SB-400
Speedlight
Instruction Manual

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Speedlight
SB-400
Instruction Manual
■Preparation
• For your safety .................................................................................................2
• Foreword .........................................................................................................8
• Confirm receipt ................................................................................................8
• Compatible cameras.......................................................................................10
• Speedlight parts .............................................................................................10
• Installing the batteries ....................................................................................10
■Basic operation
• Attach the SB-400 to the camera ...................................................................12
• Adjust the flash head .....................................................................................12
• Setting the camera's mode.............................................................................13
• Flash shooting distance range.........................................................................13
■Available flash modes
• Slow-sync flash/Red-eye reduction/Red-eye reduction with slow-sync
flash mode/Rear-curtain sync/FV (Flash Value) Lock/Exposure compensation
and flash output level compensation/Manual mode........................................14
■Effective usage of Speedlight
• Bounce flash ..................................................................................................15
• Notes on bounce flash....................................................................................16
■Reference information
• Optional accessories .......................................................................................18
• Tips on Speedlight care ..................................................................................18
• Notes on handling batteries............................................................................19
• Notes on continuous flash shooting................................................................20
• Troubleshooting .............................................................................................21
• Specifications .................................................................................................22

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Preparation
For your safety
Before using your product, please read the following safety
precautions carefully and thoroughly to ensure correct and safe
use and to help prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury
to yourself or others.
For quick reference by those who use the product, please keep
these safety instructions near the product.
In this manual, safety instructions are indicated with these
symbols:
WARNINGS for Speedlights
1 If corrosive liquids seep from the batteries and get in your eyes,
immediately wash your eyes with running water and consult with a
doctor. Your eyes could be seriously damaged if they are not treated quickly.
2 Never attempt to disassemble or repair the flash unit by yourself, as this
could result in you receiving an electric shock and could also cause the unit to
malfunction; such malfunction could lead to personal injury.
3 If corrosive liquids seep from the batteries and come in contact with your
skin or clothes, wash immediately with running water. Prolonged contact
could injure your skin.
WARNING Disregarding instructions marked with this symbol
could result in personal injury, or death and
property damage.
CAUTION Disregarding instructions marked with this symbol
could result in property damage.

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4 If the flash unit is dropped and damaged, do not touch any exposed
interior metal parts. Such parts, especially the speedlight's capacitor and
associated parts, could be in a high-charge state and if touched could cause an
electric shock. Disconnect the power or remove the batteries and be sure that
you do not touch any of the product's electrical components, and then bring the
flash unit to your local Nikon dealer or authorized service center for repair.
5 If you detect heat, smoke or notice a burning smell,
immediately stop operation and remove the batteries to prevent the unit
from catching on fire or melting. Allow the flash unit to cool down so that you
can safely touch it and remove the batteries. Then bring the unit to your local
Nikon dealer or authorized service center for repair.
6 The flash unit should never be submerged in liquid or exposed to rain,
saltwater or moisture unless it is properly protected from the liquids and
moisture. Underwater use requires a certified underwater housing. If
water or moisture gets inside the unit, this could cause the unit to catch on fire
or cause an electric shock. In such instances you should immediately remove the
batteries from the speedlight and then bring the unit to your local Nikon dealer
or authorized service center for repair.
Note: electronic devices that are penetrated by water or moisture are often not
economically repairable.
7 Do not use the unit in the presence of flammable or explosive gas. If the
flash unit is operated in areas where there is a flammable gas, including propane,
gasoline and dust, it could cause an explosion or fire.
8 Do not fire the flash unit directly at the driver of a moving car, as this
could temporarily impair the driver's vision and cause an accident.
9 Do not fire the flash unit directly into the eyes of someone that is at
close range, as it could damage their eyes' retinas. Never fire the flash unit
closer than 1 meter from infants.
10 Do not fire the unit while the flash head is touching a person or object.
Such use can result in the person being burned, and/or their clothes igniting
from the heat of the flash's firing.

Preparation
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11 Keep small accessories out of the reach of children to avoid the possibility
of the accessory being swallowed. If an accessory is accidentally swallowed,
immediately consult with a doctor.
12 Use only the batteries specified in this instruction manual.
Batteries other than those specified could leak corrosive liquids, explode or catch
on fire or otherwise not perform satisfactorily.
13 Do not mix battery types, brands or old and new batteries, as the batteries
could leak corrosive liquids, explode or catch on fire.
When using more than one battery in a product, always use identical batteries
that were purchased at the same time.
14 Non-rechargeable batteries such as manganese, alkalinemanganese and
lithium batteries should never be charged in a battery charger because
they could leak corrosive liquids, explode or catch on fire.
15 When using standard size (AA, AAA, C, D) or other common rechargeable
batteries such as NiCd and Ni-MH battery types, or when recharging
them, be sure to use only the battery charger specified by the battery
maker and read the instructions thoroughly. Do not recharge these
batteries with their terminals reversed in the charger or before the
batteries have cooled off sufficiently because they could leak corrosive
liquids, explode or catch on fire. The same caution also applies to using the
rechargeable batteries that may be supplied by the photo product's
manufacturer.

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CAUTIONS for Speedlights
1 Do not touch the flash unit with wet hands, as this could cause an electric
shock.
2 Keep the flash unit away from children to prevent them from putting the
unit in or near their mouth, or otherwise touching a dangerous part of
the product; as such contact could cause an electric shock.
3 Do not apply strong physical shocks to the unit, as this could cause a
malfunction that could cause the unit to explode or catch on fire.
4 Never use active agents that contain flammable substances such as paint
thinner, benzene or paint remover to clean the unit, never spray any
insect deterrent spray on the unit, and never store the unit in locations
containing chemicals such as camphor and naphthalene, as this could
damage the plastic case, cause a fire or cause an electric shock.
5 Remove any batteries from the unit before storing the unit for a long
time to prevent the unit from catching on fire or leaking corrosive liquids.
WARNINGS for Batteries
1 Never heat or throw batteries into a fire, as this could cause the batteries to
leak corrosive liquids, generate heat or explode.
2 Do not short-circuit or disassemble the batteries because this could cause
the batteries to leak corrosive liquids, generate heat or explode.
3 Do not mix battery types, brands or old and new batteries, as this could
cause the batteries to leak corrosive liquids, generate heat or explode.
4 Do not install batteries in the reverse direction as this could cause the
batteries to leak corrosive liquids, generate heat or explode. Even if only one
battery is installed in reverse it will cause the speedlight to malfunction.
5 Be sure to use the battery charger specified by the battery maker to avoid
the possibility of batteries leaking corrosive liquids, generating heat or exploding.

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6 Do not carry or store batteries along with metallic materials such as
necklaces and hair pins because such materials could cause the batteries to
short-circuit, leading to battery leakage, heat generation or an explosion. In
addition, specially when carrying a quantity of batteries, place them
carefully in a storage case that prevents the battery terminals from
touching another battery's terminals because if they touch in reverse order it
could also cause the batteries to short-circuit, leading to battery leakage, heat
generation or an explosion.
7 If corrosive liquids seep from the batteries and get in your eyes,
immediately wash your eyes with running water and consult with a
doctor. Your eyes could be seriously damaged if they are not treated quickly.
8 Always follow the warnings and instructions printed on the batteries to
avoid activities that could cause the batteries to leak corrosive liquids, generate
heat or catch on fire.
9 Be sure to use only batteries specified in this instruction manual, to avoid
the possibility of batteries leaking corrosive liquids, generating heat or exploding.
10 Never open the casing surrounding batteries or use batteries whose
casing has been breached as such batteries could leak corrosive liquids,
generate heat or explode.
11 Keep batteries out of the reach of children to help avoid the possibility of
them being swallowed. If a battery is accidentally swallowed, immediately
consult with a doctor.
12 Batteries should not be submerged in water, exposed to rain, moisture or
saltwater unless they are properly protected from the wet environment.
If water or moisture gets inside the batteries, this could cause them to leak
corrosive liquids or generate heat.
13 Do not use any battery that appears abnormal in any way, including a
change in color or shape. Such batteries could leak corrosive liquids or
generate heat.
14 Stop recharging rechargeable batteries if you notice that recharging is
not completed within the specified time to help prevent the possibility of the
battery leaking corrosive liquids or generating heat.

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15 If corrosive liquids seep from the batteries and come in contact with your
skin or clothes, wash immediately with running water. Prolonged contact
could injure your skin.
16 When recycling or disposing of batteries, be sure to insulate their
terminals with tape. If the battery's positive and negative terminals short-
circuit after coming into contact with metallic objects, it could cause fire, heat
generation or an explosion. Dispose of used batteries in accordance with local
government regulations.
17 Non-rechargeable batteries should never be charged in a battery charger
because they could leak corrosive liquids or generate heat.
18 Remove dead batteries from your equipment immediately, leak corrosive
liquids, generate heat or explode.
CAUTION for Batteries
1 Do not throw or apply strong physical shocks to the batteries as this could
cause batteries to leak corrosive liquids, generate heat or explode.
This symbol indicates that this product is to be collected
separately. The following apply only to users in European
countries.
• This product is designated for separate collection at an
appropriate collection point. Do not dispose of as household
waste.
• For more information, contact the retailer or the local authorities
in charge of waste management.
Symbol for separate collection applicable in European
countries

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Foreword
Thank you for purchasing the Nikon Speedlight SB-400. To get the most
out of your Speedlight, please read this instruction manual thoroughly
before use. In addition, keep your camera instruction manual handy for
quick reference.
Confirm receipt
Confirm receipt of contents in your kit
Using your Speedlight correctly
The Nikon Speedlight's performance has been optimized for use with
Nikon brand cameras and accessories, including lenses.
Camera and accessories made by other manufacturers might not meet
Nikon's specification criteria, and nonconforming cameras and accessories
could damage the Speedlight's components. Nikon cannot guarantee the
Speedlight's performance when used with non-Nikon products.
SB-400 Soft Case Instruction manual Warranty card
Instruction manual Warranty card

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Take trial shots
Take test photos before photographing important events, such as
weddings and graduations.
Have Nikon regularly spot-check your Speedlight
Nikon recommends that you have your Speedlight serviced by an
authorized dealer or service center at least once every two years.
Life-long learning
As part of Nikon's "Life-long learning" commitment to ongoing product
support and education, continually updated information is available online
at the following sites:
• For users in the U.S.A.: http://www.nikonusa.com/
• For users in Europe and Africa: http://www.europe-nikon.com/support/
• For users in Asia, Oceania and the Middle East: http://www.nikon-asia.com/
Visit these sites to keep up-to-date with the latest product information,
tips, answers to frequently asked questions, and to receive general advice
on digital imaging and photography. Additional information may be
available from the Nikon representative in your area. See the URL below
for contact information:
http://nikonimaging.com/