Nikon SB-28 User manual

Instruction Manual E
SB-28
Autofocus Speedlight
En

Congratulations. You are now the proud owner of the Nikon
Autofocus Speedlight SB-28, a flash unit offering sleek new styling
and simple push-button operation. When used with Nikon SLR
cameras, the SB-28’s extensive capabilities range from 3D Multi-
Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash, today’s most advanced flash
technology, to full manual operation.
To get the most out of your new flash unit, please read this manual
before use.
WARNING—To avoid injury
• Do not fire the flash directly into a person’s eyes at close
range as this may damage the retina, leading to partial or
complete blindness.
• Avoid touching the front of the flash head while using the
SB-28. The flash head generates significant heat during
normal operation, which could cause burns.
• Do not expose the SB-28 to water as this may result in
electric shock or cause the unit to catch on fire.
Determine which group your camera belongs to.
In this manual, Nikon SLR cameras are divided into seven groups
(I to VII) unless otherwise noted. First consult the camera group
table to see which group your camera belongs to. Then as you read
the manual, you will find specific information on how to use the
SB-28 with your particular camera.
Please open the front fold-out page for easy reference.
Foreword
2

3
1Sold exclusively in the USA.
2
F80-Series/N80-Series, F70-Series/N70 cannot perform FP High-Speed Flash Sync.
3Center-Weighted Fill-Flash is not possible.
4Sold exclusively in the USA and Canada.
5An optional sync cord for land use is required.
*For cameras such as the Nikon F or Nikon F2, refer to Group VII. TTL Auto Flash mode cannot
be performed with cameras in this group. If flash is fired with the tindicator appeared on
the LCD panel, the flash fires at full output.
For details on the SB-28’s available TTL Auto Flash operations,
see the separate Quick Reference sheet.
Camera groups and available flash modes
Ⅰ Ⅱ Ⅲ Ⅳ Ⅴ Ⅵ Ⅶ
P.26-30
Group
Camera
name
Flash
operation
F-501/
N2020 4
F-401s/
N4004s1
F-401/
N40041
F-301/
N20004
F5
F100
F90X/N90s
1
F90-Series/
N90
1
F80-Series/
N80-Series
1,2, 3
F70-Series/
N701,2
F4-Series
F65-Series/
N65-Series1,3
F-801s/
N8008s1
F-801/
N80081
Pronea 600 i/
6i
1,3
F-601/
N60061
F-601M/
N60001
F60- Series/
N601
F50- Series/
N501
F-401x/
N50051
FM3A
FA
FE2
FG
NikonosV5
F3-Series6
New FM2
FM10
FE10
: Available : Not available
3D Multi-Sensor
Balanced
Fill-Flash 7
Multi-Sensor
Balanced
Fill-Flash 7
Matrix
Balanced
Fill-Flash
Center-Weighted
Fill-Flash/Spot
Fill-Flash
Standard
TTL Flash
Programmed
TTL AutoFlash
Non-TTL
Auto Flash
Manual Flash
FP High-Speed
Flash Sync
Repeating
Flash
P.26-30
P.31-32 P.33-34 P.35-37
P.46-51
P.52-55
P.49-51
P.42-43
P.38-39
T
T
L
M
P.26-30 P.31-32 P.33-34 P.40-41
A
*
6Optional flash Unit coupler AS-4 or AS-7 is required. With AS-17, Standard
TTL flash (p. 40-41) is possible, but not Repeating flash.
73D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash and Multi-Sensor
Balanced Fill-Flash are generally referred to as Automatic
Balanced Fill-Flash with TTL Multi Sensor.

4
* Because the European version of the SB-28 comes with a different shaped connector, Nikon
DC Units SD-7, SD-8 and the Power Bracket Unit SK-6 are not compatible.
Speedlight parts
Built-in bounce card (P.61)
Built-in wide flash adapter (P.21)
Mounting foot
locking wheel (P.14)
Mount pin (P.14)
For cameras featuring
a safety lock system.
Hot-shoe contacts (P.14)
Mounting foot (P.14)
Flash head (P.13)
Red-eye reduction lamp (P.76)
Light sensor for Non-TTL
Auto Flash operation (P.42)
AF assist illuminator LED (P.81)
Flash head tilting/rotating
lock release button (P.13)
Battery chamber lid (P.12)
External power source
terminal (P.85)
External power source
terminal (for European
market)* (P.85)
Tilting angle scale (P.60)
Rotating angle scale (P.60)
Terminal cover
TTL multiple flash terminal (P.66)
Sync/multiple flash terminal (P.70)
LCD panel (P.5)
Control buttons (P.10)
Ready-light (P.16)

All LCD (liquid crystal display) figures and marks do not appear at
the same time. They are shown together here for ease of explanation.
1Flash mode indicator (P.22)
tØAutomatic Balanced Fill-Flash with TTL
Multi-Sensor
tø Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash,
Center-Weighted/Spot Fill-Flash
tStandard TTL Flash
ƒManual Flash (P.46)
%FP High-Speed Flash sync (P.49)
"Repeating Flash (P.52)
˙Non-TTL Auto Flash (P.42)
2Film speed (ISO)/number of repeating flashes per
frame/frequency indicators (P.18 / P.52)
3Flash shooting range indicator bars (P.13)
Notes on LCDs
• Because LCDs are difficult to read when viewed from the side, you should look at
the LCD panel directly.
• LCDs are temperature sensitive and may turn black at high temperatures (approx.
60°C or 140°F). They clear up when the temperature returns to normal (20°C or
68°F).
• In cold temperatures (approx. 5°C or 41°F and below), the LCDs’ response time
slows down. This is typical of LCDs and no cause for concern. LCDs will function
properly once the temperature returns to normal (20°C or 68°F).
NOTE
Using the SB-28 in dim light
Press the .button to turn the illuminator on. Press the button again to turn it off. The illuminator
turns off automatically after approx. 16 sec. when the SB-28 is not in use.
LCD panel indications
4Red-eye reduction indicator (P.76)
5Zoom-head position indicator (P.19)
6Flash output level indicator (P.50)
7Exposure compensation indicator (P.72)
8Underexposure indicator (P.28)
9Exposure compensation/underexposure value
(P.72 / P.28)
10 Flash shooting distance scale (m: meter) (P.13)
11 Flash shooting distance scale (ft: feet) (P.13)
12 Standby mode indicator (P.15)
13 AF assist illuminator LED canceled indicator (P.82)
14 Aperture indicator (P.42)
1
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
5

6
Take some test shots.
Before taking important flash photographs, take some test shots to
ascertain the SB-28 is working as desired in the mode(s) you have
selected.
Use only Nikon-approved equipment.
The SB-28 is designed for use with Nikon cameras, lenses, and
accessories.
—Using cameras or accessories other than those specified by Nikon may damage
the SB-28.
—Nikon cannot be held responsible for malfunctions caused by using the SB-28 in
ways not specified in this manual, or using the SB-28 with a camera made by
another manufacturer.
Tips on using this manual

7
• This instruction manual consists of the main manual plus a
separate Quick Reference sheet. The Quick Reference sheet
provides an overview of the SB-28’s capabilities and features,
while the main manual supplies detailed information on all
aspects of the SB-28.
• Because explanations in this manual are based on the operation
of the SB-28 only, please consult the instruction manual provided
with your camera for specific information on its use.
Notices used in this manual
Denotes important points where caution is required.
NOTE Denotes a useful point that should be remembered for
future reference.
Determine what type of Nikkor lenses you are using.
Nikkor lenses are divided into two groups unless otherwise noted.
* CPU (Central Processing Unit) acts as an on-board computer.
** IX Nikkor lenses are designed for use with the Nikon Advanced Photo System (IX240) format
SLR camera body only and cannot be used with 35mm SLR cameras.
***Except AF Nikkor lenses for the F3AF
About this manual
• AI-S-type or AI-type Nikkor lenses
• Nikon Series E lenses
• AI-modified Nikkor lenses and others
Nikkor lenses
with a built-in CPU*
• D- or G-type Nikkor lenses
• IX Nikkor lenses**
• Non-D/G-type AF Nikkor lenses***
• AI-P-type Nikkor lenses
Nikkor lenses
without a built-in CPU*

Foreword ········································································································2
Camera groups and available flash modes ··················································3
Speedlight parts ····························································································4
LCD panel indications ··················································································5
Tips on using this manual ··············································································6
About this manual ··························································································7
Using control buttons ··················································································10
Getting started ······················································································11
Loading batteries ························································································12
Adjusting the flash head / Selecting the distance scale ····························13
Attaching the SB-28 to the camera ····························································14
Turning the SB-28 on and off / Standby function ········································15
The ready-light ····························································································16
Test firing ····································································································17
Setting the ISO film speed ··········································································18
Adjusting the zoom-head position ························································19-20
Setting the built-in wide flash adapter ························································21
Selecting a flash mode ················································································22
Basic operation ····················································································23
tflash modes ····················································································24-25
TTL Auto Flash tMode (For cameras in Group I)······························26-30
TTL Auto Flash tMode (For cameras in Group II) ····························31-32
TTL Auto Flash tMode (For cameras in Group III)····························33-34
TTL Auto Flash tMode (For cameras in Group IV) ··························35-37
TTL Auto Flash tMode (For cameras in Group V) ····························38-39
TTL Auto Flash tMode (For cameras in Group VI) ··························40-41
Non-TTL Auto Flash ˙Mode (For cameras in all groups) ··················42-43
Contents
8

9
Advanced operation············································································45
Manual Flash ƒMode
(For cameras in all groups) ································································46-51
Repeating Flash "Mode ······································································52-55
Guide Numbers for determining correct aperture in ƒ
and "flash modes ············································································56-57
Bounce flash operation ··········································································58-61
Close-up flash operation in TTL Auto Flash tMode ························62-64
Multiple flash operation in tand ƒflash modes ····························65-70
Exposure compensation in flash photography
(For cameras in all groups) ································································71-75
Red-eye reduction control (For cameras in Group I [except F5]
and Pronea 600i/6i) ··················································································76
Rear-curtain flash sync ··········································································77-78
Additional information ······································································79
Checking the correct exposure (For cameras in all groups) ······················80
Autofocus flash operation in dim light
(For autofocus cameras only) ····························································81-82
Optional accessories ··············································································83-85
Tips on Speedlight care ··············································································86
Notes on batteries ··················································································87-88
Troubleshooting ······················································································89-90
Specifications ························································································91-95

10
By pressing a single button, you can activate frequently used
functions. When two buttons are pressed simultaneously, you
can activate functions which are not necessary to set each time.
For easy reference, refer to the chart on the back of the built-in
bounce card.
One-button operations
'To adjust the zoom-head position (P.19-20)
µTo set the flash mode (P.22)
[To select and set various functions and values
{To increase values
}To decrease values
~To test fire the flash (P.17)
.To illuminate the LCD panel (P.5)
=To turn power on and off (P.15)
Two-button operations
'+{To set or cancel automatic zoom-head adjustment (Buttons must be
pressed for 2 sec.) (P.19-20)
'+[To readjust the zoom-head position, if built-in wide flash adapter is
broken off accidentally (P.21)
µ+}To turn the AF assist illuminator LED on or off (P.81-82)
µ+=To cancel or set the standby function (Buttons must be pushed after
the flash is turned off.) (P.15)
.+=To select the distance scale (meters or feet) (P.13)
(Buttons must be pushed after the flash is turned off.)
Using control buttons
M ZOOM ONLY
NO AF ILL
ON/STBY
(m) /(ft)
FLASH
ZOOM MODE SEL
ON/OFF
+
-