Nikon SB-14 User manual

Nikon Speedlight
INSTRUcrION MANUAL

NOMENCLATURE-------------------------
Wide-Flash Adapter SW-5
® Flash head
® Shooting mode selector
8) Sensor Unit SU-2
® Sensor socket
® Sync/multiple flash sockets
o Sync Cord SC - ll
® Bracket mounting adapter
® Bracket mounting pin
@) Trip.od/light stand socket
@ Attachment screw slots
@ Bracket SK-5
@ Tripod socket
2

f/stop indicators with wide-flash adapter
(thin color-coded lines) @
f/stop II' IUl.calors
f/stop scale @
Distance scale @
ASA/ISO film speed index @
Ready-light ®
Bracket attachment dot @
Attachment screw
Releasellocking wheel
Handle @
Exposure calculator
dial @
External power terminal @
3

CONTENTS ----------
NOMENCLATURE . ... . .. .. . .. ..... ... . ... . ..... 2-3
FOREWORD .. . .... . . . . ....... . .. ..... ... . ... . .... 4
BASIC OPERATION . ... ........ ... . ... .... . . . .. S-9
CONTROLS IN DETAIL . .. .. . . . .. . ... ..... .. ... 10 -20
Bracket SK-S
....... .. ...... . .. . .. . . .. .. . ... . . 10
Bracket Mounting Adapter .. ... . .... . . . .. ... ... 10
Shutter Speed Dial . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. . . .... .. .... . 11
Exposure Calculator Dial . ... ... ..... . ..... 12-14
SensorUnit SU-2 ..... .. .. .. . . . ...... .. ... . . .. IS
Ready-Light.
...... . . . .. . .. . . . ..... . .. . .. . . .. . 16
Open-Flash Button . . . . ... .. ... . ..... . ......... 17
Flash Head . .. . .. . . . .. . . . . ... . .. . .. . . .. ..... .. 18
Sync/Multiple Flash Sockets .. ... .... . .. . .. . .. . 19
Wide-Flash Adapter SW -S .. . ... . . . . . .. . . ... . . .20
TIPS ON AUTOMATIC FLASH SHOOTING .. ... . .. . . 21
ACCESSORIES .. ...... ... .......... ... . . . ... 22-23
DC Unit SD-7 ... .. . .. .... .. ... .. ..... .. ... . . .22
TTL Sensor Cord SC-12 . . .. .... . .... . ..... . . .. 23
Sensor Remote
Cord SC - 13 ..... ..... .. .. . .. . . .23
Sync
Cord SC -lS . . . ... .. . . ... . . ........ . . .. . .23
"RED EYEH .. .. . .... ... .. . .. . ... .. .. .. . .. . ... . .. ..24
OPTIMUM BATTERY PERFORMANCE . .......... .. . 2S
SPECIFICATIONS .. . . . . .... . ..... .. ..... . .. .. .. . .26
4
FOREWORD ---------
The Nikon Speedlight SB-14 is a compact and light -
weight electronic flash unit having a host of useful fea-
tures.
With
coverage matching that of a 28mm wideangle len s,
this
unit uses a si licon - controlled rectifier and series
circuitry to provide automatic control of the flash e x-
posure to match the camera - to-subject distance . In
addition,
the SB -14 is able to conserve its excess energy
for the next shot when shooting subjects at close range ,
thus reducing recycling time and increasing the number
of flashes per battery set . When the optional TTL Sensor
Cord SC-12 is used in conjunct ion with the Nikon F3 or F3
High - Eyepoint camera , the SB-14 provides automatic
through-the - len s control of flash exposure.
Moreover, the SB -14 allows complete creative control oj
bounce flash with its movable flash head which can be
tilted back 120° and rotated 120° to the right and 120°
to
the left ; click - stops are provided at 30°, 60°, 90°, and
120° intervals for both the tilting and rotating move-
ments.
Even though the SB -14 is extremely easy to use, you
should familiarize yourself with the unit's basic operation
as
presented in the /irst section. For more detailed in-
formation, please refer to "Controls in Detail." A few
minutes Wisely invested now will payoff later in years of
rewarding photographic experiences .

BASIC OPERATION -------------
. -- )
_ ~ <C':J~
-•
•
1. Attach the bracket@ to
the camera.
Screw the bracket 's attachment
screw @ into the camera's tripod
socket to secure the two units together
tightly. (For details, refer to
page
10.)
2 Attach the bracket to the
• flash unit.
Insert the bracket mounting pin ®
into the hole in the bracket mounting
adapter ®with the two white dots @
aligned; rotate the camera forward
until it click-locks into place .
3. Plug in the sensor CD .
With the "Nikon" name facing toward
the flash head ®, align the protrud-
ing portion of the Sensor Unit SU-2
with
the notched portion inside the
SB-14's sensor socket ®;
then push
the sensor into the socket until it
click-locks into
place.
5

- BASIC OPERATION -continued ----------
4.Attach the sync cord0 .
Screw one end of the Sync Cord SC-
11 into either of the flash unit's sync!
multiple flash sockets ® and screw
the other end into the camera's sync
terminal.
No te: Some cameras do not have the threaded
sync terminal.
6
5.Check the positionof the
flash head.
Make sure that the flash head is in
the normal shooting position.
6. Connect the power
supply.
Plug the cord from the power supply
into the flash unit's external power
terminal@.
Note : The SB·14 is powered by only an external
power supply.

7. Set the camera's shutter
speed for proper syn-
chronization.
Set the shutter speed dial to the prop-
er synchronization speed for elec-
tronic flash (e.g., set the F3 to the
"X" setting). For details, refer to the
chart on page 11.
8 Set the exposurecalcu-
-lator dial @ .
Turn the dial until the ASAIISO film
speed index @is opposite the number
for the speed of the film in use. The
three thick color-coded lines @
above the £lstop scale @indicate the
three usable f/stops for automatic
operation and the distance scales@
below
the usable £lstop scales give
you the range of flash-to-subject dis-
tance. For example , if you're using
ASAIISO 100 film, the usable £lstops
are f/4, below the orange line, £15.6,
below the yellow, and £18, below the
blue. The range of flash-to-subject
distance for each £lstop is 0.6m to
8m (2 to 26 ft.), 0.6m to 5.6m (2 to
18 ft.), and 0.6m to 4m (2 to 13 ft.),
respectively. (For more information
on selecting the flstop, refer to "Ex-
posure Calculator Dial" on page 12.)
7

- BASIC OPERATION-continued ---------......;
9. Set the lens' aperture ring
to an approprIate
f/
number.
In the example, £/4 is selected.
8
10. Set the shooting mode
selector Q) .
Turn the ring on the front of the sen-
sor unit until the white index is op-
posite the color corresponding to
that
of the £/stop selected . (Orange is
selected in this example). This sets
the flash unit for automatic operation.
11. Turn on the power
supply.

12. Watch the ready-light
@.
As soon- as the LED ready -light
comes on, the flash unit is ready to
fire.
13. Take the picture.
When the shutter is tripped, the flash
unit fires and the picture is taken.
Soon, the ready-light will light up to
tell you the flash unit is recycled and
ready to fire again.
14. Turn off the power
supply.
To conserve battery power between
shooting sessions, slide the power
switch
of the power supply to the
OFF position.
9

CONTROLS IN DETAIL - -------- --
Nik on FE / FM 2IFM
Motor Drive
MD - llIM D-12IMD- 14
Bracket SK-5@
Nik on F3/F3 Hi gh- Ey epoint/ FG I
EM /F2,
Mot or Drive MD-2IMD-3IM D-E ,
Co rdless Battery P ack MB -l IM B- 2
The Speedlight SB-l4's bracket can be attached to various
camera and / or motor drive combinations. To change the
attachment screw from one slot @ to another, slide it to
the threaded end of the slot and unscrew it ; then screw it
back into the threaded end of the other slot. Once
screwed in, the attachment screw can be moved freely
to any position
along the slot. The diagram indicates the
recommended position of the attachment screw for Nikon
SLR
cameras and motor drives.
10
Bracket Mounting Adapter ®
To detach the flash unit for off-camera flash operation,
push the releasellocking wheel @ to the left and while
holding it, tip the flash forward until the two white dots
are aligned; then pull the flash unit away from the bracket.
Note: To detach the bra c ket mounting adapter from the flash unit's
handl e @' use a standard screwdriver to loos en the two sc rews on the
fa ce of the adapter.

Shutter Speed Dial
To get proper synchronization, set the camera's shutter
speed dial as shown in the chart be low. (For details, refer
to your
camera's instruction manua l.)
Synchronizationchart
Camera type
I
Shutter speed (sec)
Nikon F3 1 X( 180), 1/60
or slower
F3 High-Eyepoint
NikonFE M90
(/90), 1/125 or slower
NikonFM2
X200 (/200), 11125 or slower
Nikon FM,
EL2 ,
11125 or slower
Nikkormat FT3
NikonFG*
P, A, M90 (/90) , 1/60 or slower
NikonEM* AUTO
or M90 (/90)
Nikon F2 series 1/80
(red line located between
1/60
and 11125) or slower
'The Nikon FG and EM do not have a sync terminal. To use the 5B· 14,
you must aUach the SensorRemote Cord 5C - J3.
11

-CONTROLS IN DETAIL-continued--------:-----
Exposure calculator Dial@
The exposure calculator dial on the back of the SB-14
helps you to select the usable range of £/stops for the
speed of the film in use and the flash-to- subject distance.
To set the ASA/ISO film speed, turn the dial until the
number corresponding to the film speed is opposite the
ASAIISO film speed index . Set the film speed to the "W"
index mark @ when the Wide-Flash Adapter SW-5 CD is
attached to the flash unit.
Note: Dots between the numbers on the film speed scale @represent
intermediatesellings. (See illustratio n.)
640
320
80
40
I I I I
1800 • . . • . . . • • •
2\1
400
200
1 60
100
64
50
32
I I I
500
250
125
12
For Automatic Operation
With the Sensor Unit SU-2 attached to the Speedlight
SB-14, you can shoot on Automatic. Three usable £/stops
are indicated by the thick color-coded lines after you set
the ASAIISO film speed on the dial.
For example,
if you are using ASAIISO 100 film, you can
select either £/4, £/5 .6 or £/8. In selecting the £/stop, the
flash-to-subject distance, recycling time, and depth of
field are important factors.
• Flash-to-subject distance
The thick color-coded lines indicate the range of flash-to-
subject distances for automatic shooting as well as the
usable £/stops. Each distance
range is constant regardless
of the film speed set on the dial. The orange line indicates
a
range from 0.6m to 8m (2 to 26 ft.), the yellow from
0.6m to 5.6m
(2 to 18 ft.), and the blue from 0.6m to 4m
(2 to 13 ft . ). So, for example, with ASAIISO 100 film and

a subject more than 5.6m (18 ft.) away, the only usable
flstop
is fl4.
On the other hand, the thin color- coded lines @with "W"
indicate
the distance ranges when the wide-flash adapter
is used: from 0.6m to 5.6m (2 to 18 ft.), 0.6m to 4m (2 to
13 ft.), and 0.6m to 2.8m (2 to 9 ft.), respectively. In this
case, with ASAIISO
100 film, if the subject is more than
4m (13 ft.) away, only fl4 can be used.
Not.: With a sub j ecl mo re Ihan 8m (26 It .) away - or more Ihan 5. 6m
(18 II.) awaywhen u sing Ihe wide-flash adapler-shoolon manual.
• Recycling time and depth of field
If the subject distance remains the same, the wider the
aperture you select, the faster the recycling time of the
flash unit and the greater the maximum shooting distance,
but the less the depth of field. With ASAIISO 100 and a
subject
up to 4m (13 ft.) away, you can select anyone of
the three flstops indicated, fl4, fl5.6 or fl8, taking into
consideration the recycling time
or depth of field you
desire. With the wide-flash adapter attached and a sub-
ject
up to 2.8m (9 ft.) away, the usable flstops are also
fl4, fl5.6
and fl8.
13

-CONTROLS IN DETAIL-continued--------
For Manual Operation
Set the ASAIISO dial and simply read off the flnumber Caution: For monual operation, be sure to set the shoaling made selec/or
which appears directly above the flash-to-subject dis- of the Sensor Unit SU -2 affhe "M"posilion.
tance; then set this aperture on your lens.
For example, with ASAIISO
100 and a subject2m (approx.
7 ft.) away, the usable flstop is fll6 without Wide -flash
adapter, or fill with the wide-flash adapter attached.
Without referring to
the exposure calculator dial, you
can also determine the flstop by using the follOWing equa-
tion:
ff
t gUide
number
sop = flash-to-subject
distance
With ASAIISO 100 film and meters, the SB-l4's guide
number is 32. If the subject is 8m away, divide 32 by 8 to
getfl4.
14

Sensor Unit SU-2 8)
The Sensor Unit SU-2 controls the operation of the SB-14.
It has five settings to choose from.
At the Three Auto Positions
To shoot on Auto, lift up and turn the knurled ring on the
outside of the sensor to one of the three positions (orange,
yellow,
or blue) which are color-coded for use with the
exposure calculator dial. At these settings, the SB-14 is
able to vary its light output automatically to match the
flash-to-subject distance.
At the S (Slave) Position
At this setting, the SB-14 emits a modulated burst of light
which
can trigger a second electronic flash. The remote
flash unit is
connected to the receiver portion of the
optional Modulite Remote Control Unit ML-l (which is set
to channel 2), while the Speedlight SB-14 acts as the
transmitter.
Note: Although the 5B-14 operotes with maximum light output at the 5
position, be sure to set the camero's shutter speed dial at slower than the
ordinary synchronization
speed. For example , if the camero's synchro-
nization
speed is 1/125 sec., set the shutter speed at 1/60 sec . orslower.
At the M(Manual) Position
Set the SU-2 to the M setting and the SB-14 operates
manually at its maximum light output regardless of the
flash-to-subject distance. In this case, you have to calcu-
late
the exposure manually by referring to the exposure
calculator dial.
Detaching the Sensor Unit
To detach the SU-2, push in the two protrusions at the
base of the sensor and pull it out.
15

-CONTROLS IN DETAIL-continued --------
Ready -Light @
Built into the back of the SB- l4's flash head is a ready-
light which comes on as soon as the flash unit is recycled
and ready to fire. As an additional feature, the ready-
light blinks if the flash fires at its maximum output indi-
cating that the light might be insufficient for correct
exposure on Automatic. The warning blinks last for ap-
proximately two seconds . In this case, reset the lens aper-
ture to the proper flstop.
16
No te:
1) With a subj ect near the for li mit of the usable shooti ng ran ge , it is
re co mmended to wait a few se co nd s offer the ready ·li ght co me s on
bef ore taki ng the shot.
2) When the batteries are
near ly exhaus ted , the light output of the
flash unit decrea ses.

Open-Flash Button®
The red open -flash button is used to fire the flash unit
manually without
having to trip the camera's shutter. In
this manner, you can create multiple-exposure "strobo-
scopic" effects
or paint the scene with light by firing
the flash repeatedly with the camera set to "B ." However,
with the SB - 14 connected via a sync cord to the camera
set at "B," the flash will not go off even when the open -
flash
button is pushed. So, make sure to remove the con -
necting cord from the camera before using the open -
flash button.
The
open -flash button is also used in conjunction with the
ready -light to determine if you can get the correct ex-
posure when shooting on automatic. This is especially
useful
when doing bounce flash. After setting up the shot,
push the open-flash button. If the ready-light does not
blink, you
can take the picture. If it does blink, try
moving
the flash closer to the subject or bounce surface,
or reset the Sensor Unit SU-2 to a color- coded position
calling for a wider aperture.
17

-CONTROLS IN DETAIL-continued--------
Flash Head 0
The SB-14's movable flash head can be tilted back up
to 120
0
and rotated 120
0 to
the left and 120
0 to the right;
click-stops
are provided at 300, 600, 900 and 120
0 for
both tilting
and rotating movements. For normal shooting,
point
the flash head straight ahead. In this position, the
light travels directly out to the subject providing the
maximum amount
of light possible. However, to soften
the shadows and lower the contrast for indoor snapshots,
you can tilt the flash head up and simultaneously rotate
it to the left or right to bounce the light off the ceiling or
walls. Consult
the illustration for details. Note that unless
the surface you are using to bounce the light off of is
white or Silver, your color photographs will come out
with
an unnatural color cast similar to that of the reflect-
ing surface.
The color
temperature of the SB-14's light output is
balanced for use with daylight type color film.
18
No te: When the flash head is tilted up to 120°, rotation is somewhat
restricted;
and depending on the amount of rotation, tilt might be re-
stricted.

Sync/MultipleFlash Sockets®
Two standard Nikon screw-type terminals are provided
on the Speedlight SB-14. Either terminal can be used to
connect the SB-14 to the camera, while the other is pro-
vided for connecting the SB-14 with another flash unit in
series for multiple flash operation.
When using the Nikon
Speedlight SB - ll, 12, 14 or 15 as a secondary unit, con-
nect the flash units together using the Sync Cord SC-ll
or SC - 15 . With the SB - lO or SB -7, use the Sync Cord SC -
5,
SC -6 or SC -7.
Note: In multiple flash operation, make sure 10 use both flash units on
manual .
19

-CONTROLS IN DETAIL -continued--------
Wide-FlashAdapter SW -5 CD
The angle of illumination of the SB-14 by itself covers the
picture angle of a 28mm wideangle lens. When the wide-
flash
adapter is attached onto the front of the flash head,
it increases the illumination from 67° to 77° horizontally
and 48° to 56° vertically, prov i ding just the right amount
of coverage when a 24mm lens is used.
20
Note : With Ihe SW ·5 aI/ached, Ihe lighl oulpul 01 Ihe flash unil is
reduced , resultingin a decrease in guide number lrom 32 10 22 (ASA/ISO
100
and melers) or 52 10 36 (ASA/ ISO 25 and leet). Aulomatic shooling
ranges wi
lh ASA /ISO 100 decrease 10 O.6m 10 5.6m (21018 II .) 011/4,
O.6m 104m (210 1311 .) 011 / 5. 6andO .6m 10 2.8m (210911.)011/8.