Nikon SB-500 User manual

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User's Manual (with Warranty)
Speedlight
SB-500

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About the SB-500 and This User’s Manual
Thank you for purchasing the Nikon Speedlight SB-500. To get the
most out of your Speedlight, please read this user’s manual thoroughly
before use.
How to find what you are looking for
iTable of contents (0A-10)
You can search by item, such as operation method, flash control mode
or function.
iQ&A index (0A-8)
You can search according to objective without knowing the specific
name or term of an item.
iIndex (0H-21)
You can search using the alphabetical index.
iTroubleshooting (0H-1)
This is handy when there is a problem with your Speedlight.
For your safety
Before using the Speedlight for the first time, read the safety
instructions in “For Your Safety.” (0A-13–A-17)

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Included items
Check that all items listed below are included with the SB-500. If any
items are missing, inform the store where the SB-500 was purchased
or the seller immediately.
❑Speedlight Stand AS-23 ❑User’s manual (this manual)
❑Soft Case SS-DC2 ❑Warranty card
SPEEDLIGHT SB-500
SB-500
Speedlight Stand
AS-23
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About the SB-500 and This User’s Manual
About the SB-500
The SB-500 is a light and compact Speedlight compatible with
Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) with a guide number of
24/78.7 (ISO 100, m/ft). The SB-500 works as both a master
flash unit and a remote flash unit in wireless multiple flash-unit
photography. The SB-500’s LED light, which has a maximum output
level of approximately 100 lx at 1 m (3.3 ft), provides illumination for
photography and additional lighting for movie recording.
CLS-compatible cameras
Nikon digital SLR (Nikon FX/DX format) cameras
(except D1 series and D100), F6, CLS-compatible
COOLPIX cameras (0G-1)
• The SB-500 can be used as a master flash unit only when mounted
on the D810 or D750.
• The SB-500’s LED light is designed for photography and movie
recording. Do not use it for other purposes.
About this user’s manual
This manual has been compiled with the assumption that the SB-500
will be used in combination with a camera compatible with CLS and a
CPU lens (0A-5). To get the most out of your Speedlight, please read
this user’s manual thoroughly before use.
• For use with COOLPIX cameras compatible with i-TTL flash control
(P5100, P5000, E8800, E8700, E8400), see “For Use with COOLPIX
Cameras.” (0G-1)
• For camera functions and settings, see the camera user’s manual.

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vDescribes a point to which you should pay particular
attention in order to avoid Speedlight malfunctions or
mistakes.
tIncludes information or tips to make Speedlight use easier.
0Reference to other pages in this manual
Icons used in this manual
tTips on identifying CPU NIKKOR lenses
CPU lenses have CPU contacts.
• The SB-500 cannot be used with
IX-Nikkor lenses.
CPU contacts

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About the SB-500 and This User’s Manual
Terminology
Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS): a lighting system that
enables flash photography functions listed below with improved
communication between Nikon Speedlights and cameras
i-TTL flash control/Advanced Wireless Lighting/Modeling flash/
FV lock/Flash (LED Light) Color Information Communication/
Auto FP high-speed sync
Guide number (GN): the amount of light generated by a flash
unit; GN = flash-to-subject distance (mƁorƁft) × aperture f-number
(ISO 100)
Effective flash output distance: flash-to-subject distance with
correctly adjusted flash output
Effective flash output distance range: range of effective flash
output distance
Flash exposure compensation: intentional flash output change
to obtain the desired subject brightness
i-TTL flash control: flash control mode in which the Speedlight
fires monitor pre-flashes and the camera measures the reflected
light and controls the Speedlight flash output
Monitor pre-flashes: a series of flashes emitted for a very
short time before the actual firing that enables the camera to
measure the light reflected on a subject

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i-TTL balanced fill-flash: i-TTL flash control type in which flash
output level is adjusted to well-balanced exposure of the main
subject and background
Standard i-TTL flash: i-TTL flash control type in which flash
output level is adjusted to the correct exposure of the main
subject regardless of background brightness
Manual flash control: flash control mode in which the flash
output level and aperture are manually set to obtain the desired
exposure
Wireless multiple flash-unit photography: flash photography
with multiple wireless flash units simultaneously firing
Master flash unit: the flash unit that commands remote flash
units in multiple flash-unit photography
Remote flash unit: a flash unit that fires following commands
from the master flash unit
Advanced Wireless Lighting: wireless multiple flash-unit
photography with CLS; multiple remote flash unit groups can
be controlled with the master flash unit

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Q&A Index
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
You can search for specific explanations according to objective.
Flash photography 1
Using the SB-500 mounted on a camera’s accessory shoe
Question Key phrase 0
Which flash control mode can I take
pictures with? Flash control modes C-1
How can I take pictures in the simplest
way? Basic operations B-9
How can I take pictures with soft shadows
cast on a wall? Bounce flash operation F-2
How can I confirm lighting conditions? Modeling flash F-7
How can I take pictures of both the subject
and background at night? Slow sync F-13
How can I take pictures without the
subject’s eyes appearing red? Red-eye reduction F-13
How can I use the SB-500 with a COOLPIX
camera? COOLPIX camera G-1

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B
C
D
E
F
G
H
LED light photography and movie recording
Using the LED light
Question Key phrase 0
What are the features of the LED light? LED light D-1
How can I use the LED light? Using the LED light D-3
Flash photography 2
Using the wireless SB-500
Question Key phrase 0
How do I take pictures using multiple flash
units?
Advanced Wireless
Lighting
E-2,
E-5
How do I take pictures with the SB-500
and a COOLPIX camera compatible with
wireless multiple flash-unit photography?
COOLPIX cameras
compatible with CLS G-1

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Table of Contents
APreparation
About the SB-500 and This User’s Manual........................ A-2
Q&A Index....................................................................... A-8
For Your Safety .............................................................. A-13
Check before Use .......................................................... A-18
BOperation
Speedlight Parts................................................................B-1
Notes on Continuous Use .................................................B-7
Basic Operations ..............................................................B-9
CFlash Control Modes
i-TTL Flash Control ........................................................... C-1
Manual Flash Control....................................................... C-3
DLED Light
Features of LED Light ....................................................... D-1
Using the LED Light ......................................................... D-3
EWireless Multiple Flash-unit Photography
SB-500 Wireless Multiple Flash-unit Photography Setup ....E-1
SB-500 Wireless Multiple Flash-unit Photography
Functions.....................................................................E-3
Advanced Wireless Lighting .............................................. E-5
Remote Flash Units ...........................................................E-7
Checking Status in Wireless Multiple Flash-unit
Photography..............................................................E-10