Nikon Speedlight Unit SB-4 User manual

flikon SPEEDLIGHT UNIT
F
)B.4
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

NOMENCLATU RE
Auto/manual selector
Synch socket
Mounting foot
Locking nut
Hot-shoe contact
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Colored exposure
index
Flash-to-su blect
distance scale
(in meters)
F/nu mber scale
Flash-to-su b ject
d istance scale
(in feet)
Calculator disc
Film speed index
Power switch
Ready-light
Open flash button
(Test firing button)
Battery compartment lid

CONTENTS
Foreword..... ... ..... o. 5 Accessories............... .19
Features .... o..... . o . 6 SynchcordSC-8. ........ .19
fnstallingthe batteries . . . . . . . . 7 Flash unitcouplerAs-l. . . . . . .20
Setting-up/ Nikkormataccessoryshoe.. ...20
flash synchronizatioll . . . . . . . . . . 8 Features/specifications . o . . . . . .21
Nikon F2-series and F cameras . . 8 Cam eralspeedlight
Nikkormat ELrFT2and FTr.u . . .10 combination chart. . . . . . . . . . . .22
Nikon Rl 0, R8 Super Zoom . . . .12
Automatic exposure operation. . . . .14 r
Example of automatic
exposure operation . . . . . . . . .,',6
Testfiring/openflash. .. .. .. .'i.7
Manualoverride . . . . . . . . . . .18
Example of manuat override
operation. . . . . . . . . . o . ' . .18
4
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FOREWORD
Nikon Speedlight Unit SB-4 has a built-in
computerized series-control system using
an SCR (silicon control rectifier) which
automatically adjusts light intensity for
effective flash photography at all times.
It is compact and lightweight for greater
convenience. The speedlight can be
mounted directly on a camera which has
a hot-shoe contact'or on a camera with a
standard accessory shoe using a synch
cord. ( For cameralspeedlight combina-
tions, refer to the chart on pp. 22-23.1
5

FEATU RES
Autom atic exposure control
The amount of light output emitted from
the speedlight is automatically controlled
according to the flash-to-subject distance
within a range of 4m to 0.6m; this removes
all worries about exposure calculation.
Compact and lightweight
The SB-4 is designed compact and light-
weight for greater convenience in picture-
taking situations which require quick re-
sponse.
Shortened recycling time and
increased firings
The unit's series-control system reduces re-
cycling time drastically, especially at short
distances. Since the speedlight consumes
only the required amount of power for a
flash assignment and stores excess electric
energy, battery life is extended; consequent-
ly, the number of firings is increased.
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INSTALLING THE BATTERIES
l. First unlock the battery compartment
cover by depressing its knurled part with
your thumb; slide down to fully open.
l. Then insert two 1.5V AA-type batteries
in the compartment, making sure the
positive and negative (+ and -) terminals
are set in place following the diagram
inside the battery compartment.
3. Depress the compartment cover inward
until it locks into place.
CuLttiorr: llluke sure you rcmove the botteries
*,ltert tltc urtit is not used I'or o lonrt period
of time.

SETTI NG-UP/F LASH SYNCH RON IZATION
Attaching the Sts--l ro rhe Nikorr
F2-series and F cameras
First attach the flash unit coupler AS-1
onto the camera's accessory shoe. Then
turn the locking nut on the SB-4's
mounting-foot until it reaches the upper
limit. Slide the mounting foot forward
onto the AS-1's accessory shoe as far as
it will go. Finally, tighten the locking nut
to secure the unit in place and prevent it
from accidentally slipping off.
tt
-
I
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Flash synchronization
With the Nikon F2-series cameras, a built-in
synch selector mechanism controls speed-
light synch adjustment automatically as you
change shutter speeds. Set the shutter speed
at 1/80 sec. or slower. (Note that the red line
between 1/60 and 11125 indicates 1/80 sec.)
With the Nikon F, a synch selector is adopt-
ed to adiust the camera for use with the
speedlight. First set the shutter speed at
1/60 sec. or slower. Then lift and turn the
knurled synch selector ring around the
shutter-speed dial of the camera until the
FX mark appears in the selector window.
(Note thot tlte Photomic FTu finder must
be removed to qoin occess to the synch
se lec tor ring. )C

Att.rtlrinr llre SB--l to tlre Nikl..ornr.rt
sr'rie: (.ullcr.l\
Nikkormat EL and FT2
Turn locking nut on mounting foot to up-
permost limit. Slide foot onto accessory
shoe (hot-shoe contact eliminates need for
synch cord) as far as it will go. Retighten
nut to secure unit and prevent slippage.
Nikkormat FTN
Unscrew camera finder eyepiece. Slip
Nikkormat accessory shoe and replace eye-
piece. Insert synch cord SC-8 into SB-4
synch socket. Turn locking nut on mounting
foot to uppermost limit. Slide foot onto
accessory shoe as far as it will go. Then re-
tighten nut to secure unit and prevent
slippage. Connect synch cord SC-8 to
camera's X terminal.
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Flash synchronization
With the Nikkormat EL, first set the shutter
speed at 11125 sec. or slower. Then lift and
turn the knurled synch selector ring around
the shutter-speed dial until the lightning
symbol (.9,) appears in the selector window.
With the Nikkormat FT2, set the camera
shutter speed for 11125 sec. or slower. Due
to the built-in automatic MX switchover
mechanism, this is the only step necessary
to ensure proper flash operation.
The Nikkormat FTx has two synch terminals
on the side of the camera. Make sure the
synch socket on the SB-4 speedlight is con-
nected to the X terminal by the accessory
synch cord SC-8. The speedlight synch-
ronizes with the camera's shutter speed at
11125 sec. or slower.

Attaching the SB-4 to the R10 and
R8 Super Zoom cine cameras
First insert the accessory synch cord SC-8
into the synch socket on the SB-4 speedlight.
Turn the locking nut on the mounting foot
until it reaches the upper limit. Slide the
mounting foot forward onto the accessory
shoe of the R10 or R8 as far as it will go.
Then retighten the locking nut to secure the
unit and prevent it from accidentally slip-
ping off. Both of these cine cameras have a
speedlight synch terminal (markedS). Con-
nect the synch cord 5C-8 to this terminal.
Caution: The already-charged speedlight moy
fire occidentolly when it is slipped into the
occessory shoe of the R10 or R8 Super
Zoom cine camera. You con prevent this by
inserting the synch cord SC-8 into the speed-
light synch terminol on the comero in
odvonce.
't2
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Flash synchronization
With the R10 and R8, flash synchronization
is possible only with single'frame shooting.
With the R10, depress the lock release
button and turn the running speed control
dial until the "5F" (single frame) mark
clicks into place opposite the white line.
Then fully open the angle of the shutter
blade opening by depressing the shutter
blade opening control and turning it clock-
wise.
With the R8, first set the camera at 18 fps,
and slide the changeover switch toward the
"S" (single frame) mark. Then fully open
the angle of the shutter blade opening by
depressing the shutter blade opening control
and turning it clockwise. tr.d
r3

AUTOMATIC EXPOSU RE OPERATION
1. Set the auto/manual synch selector at
-
SgIl[ posruon.
(At auto position, the light scanner
surrounded by an orange ring is un-
covered. )
2. Position the
scale represent intermediate settings, as
illustrated.
3. Read off the f/nqmber indicated bv tlre
orange exposure indexof the calculator
-
otsc.
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e 4. Set the lens aoerture accordins to this
f/nrr mhPr.
With the RlO Super Zoom, set the
needle in the viewfinder by 213 more
than the indicated f/number by lifting
the EE lock/manual aperture setting
ring. With the R8 Super Zoom, set it by
1/3 more than the indicated number by
depressing the central locking button
and turning the A-M-C knob.
To activate the unit, slide the power
switch to the ON position. When the
speedlight is fully charged, the ready-
light glows and the unit is ready to fire.
Then compose, focus, and press the
shutter-release button on the camera-
The speedlight automatically determines
the correct flash intensity as long as the
subject remains within a distance range
of 4m to 0.6m.
5.
07*e<)

Caution: Chonge the batteries if o soft
whining sound is not heord after the circuit
hos becn switched on. The fully-charged unit
moy fire occidentally when it is mounted on
o metallic occessory shoe which is not pro-
vided with a hot-shoe contoct. you con
prevent this by inserting the occessory synch
cord SC-8 into the synch socket of the SB-4
speedlight before mounting the unit onto
the comero shoe.
Example of automatic exposure
operation
When using a film rated ASA 100 with a
flash-to-subject distance of approx. 2.5m,
line up the speed of the film (100)with the
white delta of the calculator disc. In this
case, the colored exposure index indicates
that you should set the lens aperture at f J4.
Coution: lf o large port of the picture
oppeors whitish, or the picture includes
reflecting objects such as a window pane,
the subject moy be slightly underexposed.
Conversely, if the picture is unduly dark, the
subject moy be o little overexposed.
r6
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Test f iring/open flash
Depress the test firing button if necessary.
The test firing button also serves as the open
flash button for firing several times with the
shutter held open at the B setting for strobe
and other like effects.

MANUAL OVERRI DE
The SB-4 incorporates an override for manu-
al control. The overrid-e is used when a
greater or shallower depth of f ield is desired.
To set the speedlight for manual control,
slide the auto/manual selector to the M posi-
tion (uncovering the letter "M"). Next, read
off the most suitable f/number correspond-
ing to the flash-to-subfect distance by means
of the calculator disc. Then set the lens
aperture according to the indicated f/number.
Iln manual control operation, setting the
speed of film (RSR number) determines
aperture/flash-to-sublect distance combina-
tion. Distance for each aperture setting, or
vice versa, can be observed through the cal-
culator disc. lf the f/number and distance
figure do not line up, choose the f/number
to the desired distance. And if the desired
distance comes midway between two f/num-
bers, choose the smaller f/number-this
means larger lens aperture.]
18
Cuution: With the R l0 Supar Zoont, r.tpert
up the lens ttperturc bS 213 rnore thurt tlte
lfnumbcr indicuted b;.'the culculator disc;
with the R8 Super Zoom, by 113 more.
Example of manual override
Suppose that you are using a film rated ASA
I00, and that the f lash-to-subiect distance is
approx. 2.5m. First slide the auto/manual
selector to uncover the letter "M". Then set
the speed of film (ASA 100). The desired
distance (2.5m) comes midway between
f 15.6 and f/8. In this case, set the lens aper-
tu re at f 15 .6.
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ACCESSORIES
Synch
1. Remember that even before completion
of chorging the reody-light glows. lf the
speedlight fires immediotely ofter the lomp
lights up, pictures taken will be slightly
underexposed. To prevent this, open up the
lens by ll2 stop more, or shoot sevcral
seconds ofter the lamp lights up. However,
perfect exposures can be made at all times
in automatic exposure operation, except for
the forthest distonce ronge.
2. Continuous firing groduolly deteriorates
the botteries ond mokes recycling time
longer. /ust before the possibility of flosh
dischorge comes to on end, recycling time
goes up to 30 sec. (on manuol).
Connects the SB-4 to the Nikkormat FTN,
R10 and R8 Super Zoom, Calypso/Nikkor II,
Nikonos III and other cameras which have
no hot shoe. Length: 25cm.