Film cameras
Nikon SB-10 User manual
User manual for Nikon SB-10. 24 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Nikon
- Model / document
- Nikon SB-10
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 24
- File size
- 1.5 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
NOMENCTATURE www.orphancameras.com Battery compartment Exposurecalculator Shooting mode selector Light sensor FlashlampView original page 3
Page 6 · Read text
FOREWORDwww.orphancameras.com
The Nikon SpeedlightSB-10 bringsyou the advantageof light-
weight,compactnessand advancedcircuitry.The use of a series-
circuit configurationemployingsilicon-controlledrectifiersen-
suresthat the unit retainsall the unusedchargein the capacitor
for ultra-rapidrecycling.Whenworkingat a distanceof 1 meter
and an apertureof f l4 (ASA 100 film speed),for instance,recycl-
ing time is lessthan 1 secondon automaticoperation.Also,since
the unused charge in the capacitoris conserved,less battery
power is required,and you get more flashesper battery load.
Despite the unit's small size, there is no loss of illumination
power.An advancedreflectordesign,coupledwith a high-output
flash lamp, givescorner-to-cornerbrightnessand even illumina-
tion. An accessoryclip-ondiffuserextendsflashcoverageup to
67" horizontallyand 48" vertically,perfectfor use with 28mm
wideanglelenses.Additionally,the SB-10has a built-inready-
light contact for exclusiveuse with the Nikon FE camera.This
unique featureprovidesfor greaterconveniencein flash photo-
graphy.
To obtain the best resultsfrom this unit, read this instruction
manualcarefullybefore use.Keep this booklet handyfor quick
referenceuntil you havefully masteredoperation.A few minutes
of preparationwill helpyou avoidcostlymistakes.
5View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
SETTINGUP www.orphancameras.com
I nstalling the Batteries
Power is suppliedby four 1.5V AA-type bat-
teries. To install the batteries,first depress
the knurledsurfaceson the top and bottom of
the unit. The Battery Holder MS-2 will then
pop out at the side. Next, lift out the holder
and insert four batteries,making sure that
the positiveand negative(+ and -) terminals
are installedaccordingto the diagraminsidethe
holder. To replacethe battery holder,slip it
into the battery compartmentuntil it clicks
into place.lf you foreseenot usingyour speed-
light for sometime, it is advisableto remove
the batteriesfor separatestorage.This will eli-
minate the risk of damagecausedby leaking
batteries.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com Attachingthe SB-10to the Camera Nikon FE, EL2 and FM, and Nikkormat EL, ELW,FT2 and FT3 Turn the locking nut on the mountingfoot until it reachesthe upperlimit. Next, slidethe mounting foot forward onto the camera's accessoryshoe as far as it will go. Then re- tighten the locking nut to preventthe unit from accidentallyslippingoff.View original page 8
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www.orphancameras.com Nikon F2-seriesand F cameras First,mount the FlashUnit CouplerAS-1 on the camera'saccessoryshoe. Next, turn the lockingnut on the mountingfoot of the SB-10 until it reachesthe upperlimit. Then slidethe mountingfoot forward onto the accessoryshoe of the AS-1 as far as it will go. Retightenthe lockingnut to preventthe unit from acciden- *ryl l tally slippingoff. Nikon R10 and R8 SuperZoom First, plug the Sync Cord SC-7 into the sync socketon the SB-10.Next, turn the locking nut on the mountingfoot until it reachesthe upper limit. Slidethe mountingfoot forward onto the camera'saccessoryshoe as far as it will go. Then retightenthe lockingnut to pre- vent the unit from accidentallyslippingoff. Insert the sync cord contact point into the speedlightsync terminal(? ) the camera. "nView original page 9
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FLASHSYNCHRONIZATIONwww.orphancameras.com NikonFE With the NikkormatEL and ELW, first set the Whenthe camerais in automaticmode,mount- shutterspeedat 11125sec.or slower.Then lift ing the SB-10unit onto the FE camerabody and turn the knurledsync selectorring around and turningon both the unit and the camera's the shutter-speeddialuntil the lightningsymbol meterautomaticallysetthe shutterspeedof the (?) appearsin the selectorwindow.A hot- cameraat 1l9O second.And when the ready- shoe contact built into the mountingfoot of light built into the eyepieceof the FE camera the SB-10eliminatesthe needfor a synccord. glows,it indicatesreadinessfor flash shooting. With the Nikon EL2 and FM, and Nikkormat When in manualmode, set the shutterspeed FT2 and FT3, set the camerashutterspeedfor at 11125sec.or slower.Turn on the unit and 11125sec.or slower.Due to the built-inauto- when the ready-lightlights up, you are ready matic sync switchovermechanism,this is the for flashphotography.Whenthe shutterspeed only step necessaryto ensure proper flash is set beyond the camera'ssync tange,the operation.The built-inhot shoecontactelimi- ready-lightflickersas a sync warningsignal. natesthe needfor a svnccord. However,it is kept lit if the film-advancelever is depressed(i.e.,turningoff the meter). The built-in hot shoe contacteliminatesthe needfor a synccord.View original page 10
Page 11 · Read text
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With the Nikon F2-seriescamera,a built-in With the Nikon F, the sync selectoris usedto
selectormechanismcontrolsthe speedlightsync adjustthe camerafor usewith speedlights.First
adjustmentautomaticallyas you changeshutter set the shutter speedat 1160 sec.or slower.
speeds:simply rotate the shutter-speeddial to Then lift and turn the knurled sync selector
the desiredsettingslowerthan 1/80 sec.The ring aroundthe shutter-speeddial of the camera
red line between1160and11125indicates1/80 until the FX mark appearsin the selector
sec.A hot-shoecontactbuilt into the mounting window. (The PhotomicFTN finder must be
foot of the SB-10eliminatesthe needfor a sync removed to gain accessto the sync selector
cord,althoughthe unit requiresthe FlashUnit ring.)A hot-shoecontactbuilt into the mount-
CouplerAS-1for usewith F2-seriescameras. ing foot of the SB-10eliminatesthe needfor
a sync cord, althoughthe unit requiresthe
Flash Unit Coupler AS-1 for use with the
Nikon F.
BView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com R10 and R8 SuperZoom With the R8, first set the cameraat 18 fps, Flash synchronizationis possibleonly with and slidethe changeoverswitchtowardthe "S" single-frameshooting.Automaticexposurecon- (Singleframe)mark.Then fully openthe angle trol can be madewithin the specifieddistance of the shutterbladeopeningby depressingthe range. shutter blade openingcontrol and turning it With the Rl0, depressthe lock releasebutton clockwise. and turn the runningspeedcontroldial until Note that the fully chargedSB-10 may fire the "SF" (SingleFrame)markclicksinto place when mountingit onto the accessoryshoeof oppositethe white index.Then fully openthe eitherR10 or R8. To avoidthis,insertthe Sync angleof the shutterbladeopeningby depress- Cord SC-7in the sync socketon the speedlight ing the shutter blade opening control and unit before mounting it on the cine camera. turningit clockwise.View original page 12
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AUTOMATICEXPOSUREOPERATIONwww.orphancameras.com
The SB-10controlsthe amountof lightoutput First, position the speed of the film (ASA
dependingon the flash-to-subjectdistance.The number)oppositethe white delta by turning
further away the subjectis, the more light it the knurled rim of the calculator.Lines be-
emits;the closerthe subject,the lessit emits. tween the numberson the film-speedscale
In addition,the recyclingtime changeswith representintermediatesettingssuchas 32, 64,
the distance.The closerthe subject,the shorter etc., as illustrated.Note the f/numbersopposite
the recyclingtime. the orangeand blue indicatorblocksrespective-
ly as the maximumdistancerangeis indicatedExposureCalculator in both metersand feet oppositeeach color-The exposurecalculatorhelpsyou to selectthe ed block. Then read off the most suitableusablerange of f/numbers for the speedof f/number which givesyou the distancerange,the film you are using and the effectivedis- depth of field and flashdurationyou want.Ontance range. For any film speed, you have manual control, read off the f/number whichtwo f/numbersto choosefrom. Each of the appearsoppositethe distanceyou want.f/numbersdeterminesthe maximum distance
rangethe auto exposurecan control.The mini-
mum distanceremains0.6m (2ft) regardlessof
the f/number.With the distanceunchanged,the
smallerthe f/number (the largerthe aperture),
the shorterthe flash duration.Of course,the
rangeof usablef/numberschangeswith the film
speedwhile the distancerangeremainsthe same
for all speeds.
1 2View original page 13Page 15 · Read text
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Settingthe f/number With the Rl0, set the needlein the viewfinder
To set the desiredf/numberon the speedlight, by a2l3-stopmore than the indicatedf/number
slide the shootingmode selectoron the front by depressingthe EE lock/manualaperture
panelof the unit until the white indicatorblock settingring and turningit clockwiseor counter-
on the top of the unit is positionedoppositethe clockwise.
coloredblock correspondingto the appropriate With the R8, set the viewfinderneedleby a
f/number.Then, set the lensapertureaccording 1|3-stopmore than the indicatedf/number by
to the samef/number. depressingthe centrallockingbutton and turn-
ing the A-M-C knob clockwiseor counterclock-
wtse.
..\
www.orphancameras.com $View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
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'RedThe Reflector Eyes'Phenomenon 'RedOn the SB-10,the reflectortilts through eyes,' an optical phenomenonin
an arcof I80o with click-stopsevery90? which a subject's eyes appear red in
With the speedlightunit mountedon the photographstaken with a flashunit, are
camera,set the reflectorin the horizontal a resultof the flash light directlyillumi-
natingthe retina.This happenswhen theposition(calculatoron top). The use of
subject looks straight into the camerathe speedlightin the verticalpositionis on which a flash unit is mounted.Thegenerallynot recommended,sincethis will effect becomesmore pronouncedif there
resultin the coverageof light fallingoff is little or no ambientlight. ln this case,
at the corners. the iris of the eye is wide open,and the
illuminatedretinais clearlyvisible. 'red To avoid eyes'you can take any or
all of the followingsteps:
1. Brightenthe room to minimizethe
openingof the subject'spupils.
2. lnstruct the subject not to look
straightinto the camera.
3. Keep the flash unit as far away as
possiblefrom the cameraby means
of a synccord. 'red Note that once eyes'appears,thereis
no way of retouchingthe negatives.
1 5View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
TAKINGAN AUTO FTASHwww.orphancameras.comPHOTOGRAPH
To activatethe unit, slidethe powerswitchto Ready-Light/OpenFlashButton
the ON position.Whilethe capacitoris charging, The ready-lightdoubles as the open flash
you will hear a soft whining sound which de- button. To activate,push down on the trans-
creasesin volumeas the speedlightunit becomes parent ready-light.The open flash is used for
fully charged.The ready-lightindicatesthat test-firing.It is also used for firing with the
the unit is readyto fire. Selectthe appropriate shutter held open at the B settingfor strobe
f/number on the speedlight.Next, set the effects,etc.
cameralens at the same f/number, compose,
focus and pressthe shutter-releasebutton on Caut io n :
the camera. The speedlight automatically (1) To create "stroboscopic" effects, in which the
determinesthe correctflashintensityas longas flash is fired independentlywith the shutter held o p e n a t " B , " t h e S B - 1 0 m u s t b e d i s c o n n e c t e d
the subjectremainswithin the shootingrange from the FE. Otherwise, the open-flashbutton
of the f/numberindicatedon the speedlight. will not work, and the flash unit cannot be fired.
N o t e : B e s u r e t o s l i d e t h e D o w e rs w i t c h t o t h e O F F (2) Rememberthat evenbefore completion of charg-
p o s i t i o nw h e n y o u a r e n o t u s i n gt h e f l a s hu n i t . ing, the readyJight glows. lf the speedlightfires
immediately after the lamp lights up, picturesView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
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MANUALOVERRIDE
taken will be slightly underexposed.To prevent ln addition to its use in the automaticmode,
this, open up the lens by a half-stop more, or your SB-10can alsobe usedmanually.Switch-
shoot several seconds after the lamp lights up. ing the unit to manualsetsthe flashcircuit to However, perfect exposurescan be made at all full power for eachexposure.Applicationsfor times in automatic exposure operation, except
for the furthest distancerange. this includemultipleflash shooting,or when
usingGN-Nikkor lenses.
Ready-Light in the FE Camera Finder To set the unit on manual,slidethe shooting
The Nikon FE has a built-in ready-lightin the mode selectoruntil the white indicatoris ad-
finder eyepiece, with which you can check jacent to 'M,' in betweenthe two automatic
speedlightreadinesswithout removingyour eye modeindicators.
from the viewfinder. Slipping the mounting
foot of the SB-10 onto the camera'saccessory
shoe connects the ready-lightwith the speed-
light.View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
MUTTIPLEFLASH OPERATIONwww.orphancameras.com Note the followinginstructionswhen perform- o Whenthe camerais not fitted with a hot shoe, ing multipleflashphotographywith the Nikon the flash unit has to be connectedto the SpeedlightSB-2,3, 4, 5,7E,8E, and 10 flash cameravia the synccord.Consequently,sync units. connectionis not possiblefor multipleflash . TheseNikon Speedlightunits employ a spe- use.In this case,use slavesensorsfor trigger- cial low-voltagetriggeringcircuit to prevent ing the remoteflash. electricshock and damageon the hot-shoe o The unitsmay triggerinadvertentlywhile you contact.Wedo not recommendmixingNikon are connectingthem.This is normaland is no Speedlightunits with flash units of other causefor concern. makesfor multipleflashphotography,unless you use slave sensorsfor remote triggering. Otherwise,incorrectoperatignandfor damage to the unit may result. o Be sure to set the shootingmode selectorto 'manual.' 'auto,' lf the selectoris set on cor- rect exposurecannotbe assured. o With the SB-2 or SB-7Eflash unit mounred on the camera'shot shoe,you may use the flash unit's sync socket.However,with the SB-3,SB-8EandSB-10,you cannot. 1 8View original page 19
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ACCESSORIES www.orphancameras.com
15cm Sync Cord SC-5l25cm Sync Cord SC-7 5'-iConnectsthe SB-.l0 to the cameraswhich have Effi
no hot shoe.
1m Coiled Sync Cord SC-6 {@
This coiled 1-meter extension cord permits
off-camera shooting with all types of Nikon
cameras.
Flash Unit Coupler AS-1Adapts the SB-10 to the Nikon F2 and F-series ,na G'cameras.Has a hot-shoe contact which elimi-
natesthe need for a svnc cord.
" '
o Pleaseuseonly Nikon SyncCords(SC-5,6,7), as
othersmaydamagethisspeedlight.
A S - 1View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com Wide-FlashAdapterSW-2 Clipseasilyover the reflectorof the SB-10to increasethe angleof flashfrom the normal56" to 67- when positionedhorizontallyand from 40o to 48" when positionedvertically.lt also ensuresadequatelighting at the perimeterof the viewfieldwhen the 28mm wideanglelens is used. Reducesthe guide number to 18 (meters)with an ASA 100 film on manual. BatteryHolderMS-2 Handyholderto accommodatesparebatteries.View original page 22
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FEATURES/S PECIFICATIONwww.orphancameras.comS
Light output control: Siliconcontrolledrecti- Angle of coverage:56" horizontal;40" vertical
fier & seriescircuitry coveringa wideanglelens of 35mm focal .100Guidenumber:25 (meters)with ASA film length (speedlightpositionedhorizontally)
on manual Choiceof f/numbers:Two-f 14 and f/8 with
Numberof flashes: ASA 100film
Automaticshootingrange(at ASA 100):
Zinc-carbon approx. 60 0.6m-6m (2 tt-20 ft) at f l4
Alkaline-manganese approx.160 0.6m-3m (2 ft-10 ft) at f/8
b atteries Power source: Four 1.5V AA-type batteries
Recyclingtime: Ready-light:Provided
Open-flashbutton: Doublesas ready-light
Zinc-carbon approx. 8 sec, Ready-lightcontactfor FE camera:Provided
Alkaline-manganese Flashfoot: Tilts throughan arc of 180o
batteries Dimensions:110 x 19 x 3lmm (not including
No figures are given for automatic operation as these the mountingfoot)
will vary depending on actual operating conditions;
g e n e r a l l y y, o u w i l l o b t a i n a l a r g e r n u m b e r o f f l a s h e s Weight(withoutbatteries):Approx.270g
a n d s h o r t e rr e c y c l i n gt i m e . I n b o t h m a n u a la n d a u t o - Accessories:Soft caseSS-7
matic operation, as the batteries age, the recycling
t i m e b e c o m e se x t e n d e da n d n u m b e ro f f l a s h e sr e d u c e d .View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
CAMERA/SPEEDTIGHTCOMBINATIONwww.orphancameras.comCHART
xSync cord
*When a sync cord is used with the speed' sc-5,sc-6,
light, plug the sync cord into the speedlight sc-7
before you mount the speedlight onto the
camera.
F l a s hu n i t F l a s hu n i t
adapter c o u p l e r
(X contact) A S . 1
Non-Nikon N o n - N i k o n N ikonos Nikon N i k o n F E , F M , N i k o nF Nikon F2-series
cameras cameras tr/m R 1 0 ,R 8 EL2 and cameras
without with SuperZoom N i k k o r m a t E L ,
hot shoe hot shoe E L W , F T 2 , FT3
2 3View original page 24From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
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PDF verified 2026-10-10.