Flashes & lighting
Nikon Speedlight SB-17 User manual
User manual for Nikon Speedlight SB-17. 64 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 Speedlight SB-17
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 64
- File size
- 4.0 MB
- Category
- Flashes & lighting
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 4 · Read text
Battery chamber @
Battery holder releaselock @
A1lA2switch @
Shooting mode selector @
Ready-light/open f lash button @
ON/OFFswitch @
Lockingring @
Mounting foot @
Sync/multiple f lash terminal @
TTL multipleflash terminal @
Flash contact @
Ready-lightcontact @
TTL flash auto stop signal contact @
Flashtubemodule lock @View original page 4Page 6 · Read text
FOREWORD The Nikon SpeedlightSB-17 is a direct-mounting Of oarticularmerit is the SB-17'srotatableflashhead electronicf lashunitwhichprovidesautomaticthrough- and the tiltingflashtubemodulewhich allow you to the-lens(TTL) control of the flash exposurewhen bouncethe light off the ceilingor walls for softer, usedwith NikonF3-seriescameras,includingthe F3, more flatteringlightingfor portraitsand snapshots. F3 High-Eyepoint,F3/T,and F3AF.Becauselight is The SB-17also featuresa specialMD (Motor Drive) measuredthroughthe actualpicture-takinglens,you settingwhich allows you to shoot up to four flash are assuredof just the rightexposurewitha varietyof picturesin sequencewith a motor-drivencamerafir- lensesand accessoryattachmentsat any aperture ingcontinuouslyat up to 4 f ramesper second. IromIl2lotl22. Toobtainthe bestresults,readthisinstructionmanual Thanksto the incorporationof a front-mountedlight carefullybeforeuse and keepit handyfor quickrefer- sensor,the NikonSpeedlightSB-17is alsocompatible ence untilyou are thoroughlyfamiliarwith the flash with all other Nikoncamerasfor automatic,but not unit'soperation..Afew minuteswiselyinvestednow through-the-lens,flash output control.Throughthe will pay off later in years of rewardingphotographic use of a silicon-controlledrectifierand series cir- experiences. cuitry,the SB-17is able to conserveenergy when To insureproper service,make sure the NikonWar- shootingsubjects at close range, thus recycling rantyCard is enclosedin the Speedlightbox. limesare shorterand the numberof flashesoer bat- teryset is grealer.ln addition,the SB-17coupleswith the flash ready-lightsinside the viewfindersof all NikonF3-seriescameras,plusthe FA,FE2,FE, FMz, FG,and EM (with exclusiveflash unit couplersexcept F3-seriescameras).View original page 6
Page 11 · Read text
-BA$C - OPERATIONcontinued
TTLAUTOMATIC
. OPERATION
WithNikonF3-SeriesComeros
Steps 10 through 13 are divided into two
sections according to the shooting mode
you select. Section A is for TTL operation
with Nikon F3-seriescameras,while section
B is for non-TTL automatic operation with Otvr Setthe flashsynchronizationspeed on the camera. other Nikon cameras.
Set the camera's shutter speed to match the correct lf you want to shoot using non-TTL auto-
flashsynchronizationspeed For example,with Nikon matic flash control with F3-series cameras,
F3-seriescameras,set the shuttersoeeddial to A refer to section B. For manual operation
(For other cameras,pleaserefer to page 19 for the and synchronization with motor drive, refer
correctflashsynchronizationsetting) to pages 26and27.
Note:WithNikonF3-seriescameras,theT settingcannotbe
usedfor TTLooeration
NON.TTLAUTOMATIC
OPERATION
WithOtherNikonComeros
www.orphancameras.comView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
A-10. #J1l:T#".ff:ff'3lPJSJI'rthe SB-17to the rightas far as it willgo. 8.10. #J:ll:T#",##ffP,"t"*the SB-17 to the left as far as it will go. " Note: Tomount the SB-17on Nikon camerashaving /So-type accessory shoes, the 45-6 Flash Unit @upler is required, while Nikon F2-seriescameras need the AS-5.View original page 12
Page 14 · Read text
Setthe lensaperture.'A.1,I r-! Set the aperture ring on the lens to the appropriatef/stop. In the example,f/4 is set on the lens. -1tr-r Set the lens aperturc. Set the aperture ring on the lens to the f/stop chosen.ln the example,t14is set on the lens.View original page 14
Page 16 · Read text
for the ready-lightto comeon. tVotes.' 1) With the SB-17and F3-seriescameras, both ready-lights14.WaitThe readylighton the backof the SB-17lights blink when the flash unit is not securely locked in place
up to indicatethe flashis readyto fire.lf your camera or when the film speed selllng on the camera is not within
hasan LED ready-lightinsidethe viewfinder(except the usable range when the flash unjl rs used in the TTL
F2seriescameras),it will lightup at the sametime. mocle.
With the SB-17and the FA, FE2 or FG, the camera's
meter must first be turned on to see the LED ready-light
inside the viewfinder. ln case the TTL mode is set, the
camera's ready-light blinks because the TTL mode is for
exclusive use with F3-serlescameras.
For more detailed inlormation about the ready-light warn-
ing, refer to page 32
D lf the ready-lightdoes not come on, first make sure the
batteries are properly installed lf they are, you must re-
place them with a f resh set
15View original page 16Page 18 · Read text
flash ofl the unit.{A!vr Turn power To conserve battery betweenshooting
sessions,slidethe powerswitchto the leftView original page 18Page 19 · Read text
SynchronizotionSpeed In flash photography,the shutterspeed with which set by simplyturningon the SB-17.Then as soon as electronicflashwill synchronizedependson the cam- the SB-'17is turnedoff, the synchronizationspeedis era in use.With NikonF3-seriescameras,or the FA, cancelledand the camerarevertsto normalshooting. FE2,FE,FG,or EM (plusthe FlashUnitCoupler45-6) Reler to the followingchart lor the shutterspeeds set for automaticoperationor at certainmanualshut- whichare usablewithvourcamera. ter speeds,the correctshutterspeedis automatically 18 www.orphancameras.comView original page 19
Page 21 · Read text
,-CONTROLS lN DETAIL-conlinued
TTL(through-the-lensautomatic
operation)
This mode is usable only with Nikon F3-series
cameras.Exceptwhenan F3-seriescamerais set to
T, this mode providesautomaticthrough-the-lens
(TTL) controlof the flash exposureat any aperture
from l12 to ll22 to match the camera-to-subjectdis-
tance, the fartheraway the subject,the more light
emittedby the flash unit; the closerthe subject,the
lesslightgivenofl. Becausethe exposureis measured
throughthe lens, no exposurecompensationis re-
ouiredin off-cameraand/or bounceflash ooeration
ShootingMode Selector@ or even with a teleconverteror filter attached to
Thereare four settingsto choosefrom Note that as the lens.
soonas the SB-17is turnedon, the appropriateLED Note:Theusablefilm speedrangefor TTLoperationis ASA/
(eitherred or green)on the back of the unit will light ISO25 to 400 At ASA//SO25,f/16andf/22cannotbe used,
up to indicatethe setting. at ASA//SO50,f/22cannotbe used
20 www.orphancameras.comView original page 21Page 22 · Read text
A (non-TTLautomaticoperation) MD(synchronizationwith motordrive)
Inthe non-TTLautomatic(A)mode,the lightoutputof At the motor Orive(MD) setting,the SB-17is able to
the flashvariesautomaticallyto match the flash-to- recycle fast enough to synchronizewith a motor-
subjectdistance,but insteadof the lightbeingmeas- drivencamerafiringcontinuouslyup to four lrames
uredthroughthe lens,it is readby the lightsensor@ per second.lt is possibleto take up to lour f lashpic-
on the front of the SB-17.At any film speedsetting, tures in rapidsuccessionin this way.At MD, the SB-
you havea choiceof two workingaperturesindicated 17's light output is approx.one-thirteenththat of its
by the blue 41 and red A2 apertureindicatorbands maximumpower;theMD guidenumberis 7 (ASA/lSO
@, @ at the bottomof the exposurecalculatordial. 100 and meters).Like the M setting,this is also a
manual setting;therefore,the exposureshould be
M (manualoperation) calculatedmanuallyusing the exposurecalculator
At the manual(M)setting,the SB-17firesat its maxi- dialor guidenumberequationshownon page 26.
mum light output regardlessof the flash-to-subject fVofe.'As sufficientpoweris requiredfor the flash unit to
distance.To insurecorrectexposurewhenthe subject synchronizewitha motordrive,usethenewestand freshest
is closerthanthe near limitof the automaticshooting batterieswheneverposslb/e.For the same reason,avoid trippingthe shutterimmediatelyafter the ready-lightcomesrange,it is recommendedthat you shooton manual; on, but wait for at /east30 secondsbeforebeginningthelikewisewhen the subjectis near the far limit of the motordrivesequence.
autoshootingrange,it is a goodideato use the SB-17
on manual.In the manualmode,exposureshouldbe
determinedwith the exposurecalculatordial or with
the guidenumberequationfoundon page26.
21View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
ExposureColculotorDiol @ 2) Set the modesettingknob@.
Locatedin the centerof the exoosurecalculatordial
The exposurecalculatordial on the top of the SB-17 is the mode settingknob Thereare threesettingsto
helpsyou selectthe apertureyou mustset on the lens choosef rom: NOis for normalshooting,W@ is used
dependingon the camera-to-subject/flash-lo-subjectwhenthe Wide-FlashAdapteris in place,whileMD @
dislanceTousethe dial,followthesesteos: shouldbe set when operatingthe SB-17in the MD
shootingmode.Tochangethe setting,graspthe knob
1) Set the film speed. with your fingertipsand turn it until the appropriate
To set the ASA/lSOfilm speed,turn the ASA/lSOfilm N, W, or MD is alignedwiththe whiteindex@
speedsettingringIt untilthe numbercorresponding
to the speedol your film is oppositethe ASA/lSOfilm
soeedindex@ Dotsbetweenthe numberson the film
speed scale representintermediatesettings (see
illustration)
22 www.orphancameras.comView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
3)Determinethe exposurc.
Dependingon which shootingmode you've selected,
readoff the usablef/stop(s)from the dial. In either
the TTL or A mode, more than one f/stop is usable.
When choosing an aperture, make sure that your
subjectis withinthe auto shootingrangeindicatedby
lhe color-codedlines.The larger the aperture(tne
smallerthe f-number)you select, the greater the
maximumshootingdistance,whereasthe smallerthe
aperture(the largerthe f -number),the lessthe maxi-
mum shootingdistance.lf the subjectdistancere-
mainsthe same,the largerthe apertureyou select,
the less the depth of field in the final photography; For through;the-lens (TTD operation
however,the recyclingtime is shorterlOn the other On the dial there are eight f/stops ranginglrom ll2
hand,the smallerthe aperture,the greaterthe depth lo 1122.Each f/stop delerminesthe usabledislance
of field,but the recyclingtime is longer.Therefore,in range in which you can obtainthe correct automatic
choosingan f/stop,all these factors shouldbe taken exposure.These rangesare indicatedby a seriesof
intoconsideration. color-codedlinesabovethe distancescale.
Example 1
lf you are usingASA/lSO100film and selectf/4, the
auto shootingrange is indicatedby an orange line.
Thus,you can take picturesof subjectslocatedbe-
tween 1 and 6.2m (approx. 3 and 21ft) from the
camera.View original page 24Page 26 · Read text
For a subjectmore than 3 1m away,the only usable
f/stopis f/4. With a subject2m away,you can select
eitherf/8 or t14.lt a shorterrecyclingtime is pref-
erable, use f/4. lf greater depth of field is desired,
usef/8.
Example2
lf you are usingASA/lSO400 film, the usableaper-
ture is now f /'16at A1 and f /B at A2.
Justas in the TTL mode,the depthof field,maximum
shootingdistance,and recyclingtime dependon the
f/stop selected Regardlessof the film speedand the
correspondingf/stop,availableat 41 or 42, the auto
For non.TTL automatic (A) operation shootingrange is the same As you can see in the followingtable,the closestsubjectdistanceis alwaysWithNikoncameras,includingthe F3-series,you can 0 6m (2.0ft).
obtainthe automaticexposureby settingthe SB-17's
Nole: Regardlesso/ lhe seltlngson the exposurecalculatorshootingmode seleclorto A and the 41/A2 switch@ dial, any film speedcan be used tor non-TTLautomaticto eitherA1 or A2. As soonas the SB-17is turnedon, operatton.
the appropriateLED lightsup on the flash unit indi-
catingyourselection.You'llnoticethat in the non-TTL Auto shooting range
automaticmode,there is a choiceof two f/stopsindi- Selector Using wide-flash
catedby the blue and red apertureindicatorbandsat mode Normal usage adapter
thebottomof the calculatordial.
A 1 0 . 6 - 3 . 1 m 0.6-22m
Example 1 (blueindex) (z- rott) Q-7 tt)lf you are usingASA/lSO100film,the usableaperture
is f/8 at,the blue A1 setting and tl4 at the red A2 A2 0.6-6.2m 0.6-4.4m
(redindex) (2-20tt) Q-ttttlsetting.The automaticshootingrange in this case is
0.6 to 3.1m (2 to 10ft)at 41 and 0.6m to 6.2m Q lo
20ti at A2. 25View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
-CONTROLS lN DETA|L-conlinued
Guide numbersin the manual mode
Unit:m (ft)
ASAflSO N (Normal) W (with Sw-6)
800 71 Q$) 50 (164)
400 50 (164) 3 5 ( 1 1 5 )
200 35 (115) 25 @2\
100 25 (82) 18(5e)
50 18(5e) 1 3 ( 4 1)
25 13 (41) e (30)
For manual (M) operation
Set the ASA/ISOfilm speed on the exposurecalcu- Withoutreferringto the exposurecalculatordial,you
latordial and the shootingmode selectorat M, then can also determinethe f/stop by using the following
focuson the subjectand'lookat the lens to read off eouation:
the focuseddistancewhich determinesexactly how guidenumber far away the subject actually is. Now, read off the f/stop -
f-numberwhich appearsdirectlyabovethe flash-to- f lash-to-subjectdistance
subjectdislanceon the dial and set this apertureon WithASA/lSO100film and melers,the SB-17'sguide
yourlens. numberis 25. lf the subjectis 3m away,divide25by
Example 3 to get approx.f/8. With ASA/lSO25 film and feet,
When usingASA/lSO100 and the subject is located the guide numberis 41. Therefore,if the subjectis
6m (20ft) away,the correct apertureis approx.f/4. 10ft away,divide41 by 10to get approx.l14.
With a subject 3m (10ft) away, the aperture is The guide numberat variousfilm speedsis shown in
approx.f /8. the abovetable.
26 www.orphancameras.comView original page 27Page 28 · Read text
Guide numbersin the MD mode Unit:m (ft)
ASA'ISO N (Normal) W (with SW-6)
800 20 02) 14 (46)
400 14 (46) 10 (33)
200 10 (33) 7 (23)
100 7 Q3) 5 (16)
50 s (16) 3.s(11)
25 3 . 5( 1 1 ) 2.5(8.2)
For motor drive (MD) operation
After settingthe ASA/lSOfilm speed,the shooting Example
mode selector,and the mode settingknob at MD on With ASA/ISO100 and a subject 1.5m (4.9ft)away,
lhe exposurecalculatordial, focus on the subject; the aperture is approx. tl4. With a subject 3.5m
thenlookat the lensand readoff the focuseddistance (11.5ft)away,the apertureist12.
to determineexactlyhow far away the subjectac- Withoutreferringto the exposurecalculatordial,you
tuallyis. Now, read off the f-numberwhich appears can also determinethe f/stop by using the guide
directlyabove the flash-to-subjectdistanceon the numberequationfoundon page26.
dialandset thisaoertureon vour lens. The guidenumberfor variousfilm speedsat the MD
settingis shownin the abovetable.
Note:Whenusingthe Wide-FlashAdapter@, youcannot
readoll the correctf/stoplrom the exposurecalculatordial.
/n this case,calculatethe exposuremanuallyusinga guide
numberof 5 (ASA//SO100and meterdor 8.2 ASA|ISO25
andfeet).
27View original page 28Page 29 · Read text
-CONTROLS lN DETA|L-continued
Exposurecompensation
ln TTL or non-TTLautomatic operation with a dark
subject (one with low reflectrvity)or one light in tone
(havinghigh reflectivity),over- or underexposuremay
occur To prevent this, exposure compensalion is
reouired
Note: lf you photographa sublect of very hph reflectrvrty
suchas whenshootrngdtrectlyrnlo a mtrroror metallrcsur
face, underexposureis certain to occur ln this case, take
theprctureon manual
@
@ The large expanseof white wall causes the off-center
subiectto come out too dark
o With exposure compensation,the subiect comes out properlyexposed o
www.orphancameras.comView original page 29Page 30 · Read text
TTL exposure compensation
WhenshootingTTLautof lashpictureswith NikonF3- For example,if you are usingASA/lSO100film with
seriescameras,you can use the camera'sexposure the exposurecompensationdial set at + 2 (over-
compensationdial to make exposurecompensation exposure),you can read 25 f rom the tableshownon
accordingto the shootingsituationor to make inten- the next page.Resetthe exposurecalculatordial of
tionallyover-or underexposedphotographs. the SB-17to ASA/lSO25, and then the correcl TTL
Turnthe dialin the + directionto givemoreexposure auto .shootingrange to match the compensated
and turn it in the opposite(-) directionto give less amountwillbe shownon the exoosurecalculatordial.
exoosure(refer to the camera'sinstructionmanual
for more information)tne TTL auto shootingrange
changes according to the amount of exposure
comoensatron
29View original page 30Page 31 · Read text
-CONTROLS IN DETA|L-continued
ASA/ISOfilm speedto set forTTLexposure
compensation
oompensation \xposur€=.-- value + 2 + 1 0 - 1 - 2
Film speedin use-\.
25 25 5C 10c
50 25 50 10c204
100 25 50 100 40c
200 50 100200 Arrr
400 100200400
I\fote: At ASA/,SO 25, you cannot compensatein the +direc' Non-TTL automatlc exposure compensation
tion; at ASA//SO 400, you cannot compensatein the -direc' In the non-TTLautomaticexposuremode, exposure in the one-step compensation 50, only tion; at ASA/,SO compensationcan be performedby stoppingdown 200, only one'step and at ASA//SO +direction is available
comrensation in the -direction. ln these cases, make the or openingup the lens.With a dark subject,use a
necessary compensation in the non-TTL automatic mode smalleraperture.When a subject is light in tone, use
(see tollowing)or shooton manual. a largeraperture.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 31Page 33 · Read text
-CONTROLS lN DETA|L-continued
Warningfunction
To preventmistakesin flash shooting,the SB-17's . lmproper shutter speed setting
ready-lightand the ready-lightin the camera'sview- The ready-lightblinkswhenthe shutterspeedsetting
finderblinkas a warningin the {ollowingfivecases: on the FMZ or FE is improperfor flash synchro-
.lmproper mounting nizationand the camera'smeteris on.
To preventthe SB-17from accidentallyfallingoff . lnsufficient light for the shot taken
fromthe camera,the ready-lightblirrksas a warning In the TTL or non-TTLautomaticmode,if the flash
as soon as the SB-17is turnedon if the lockingis has fired at its maximumoutput,the ready-light
not completelytightened. blinksas a warningafter the shot,indicatingthere
. TTL exposurecontrol inoperable may be underxposure.In this case, check the
Becausethe TTL modeis for exclusiveuse with F3- combinationof shootingdistance and aperture
seriescameras,the ready-lightblinksas a warning selected,and use a wider apertureif necessary.
whenthe shootingmodeselectoris set at TTLwhen The followingchart is useful in determiningthe
the SB-17is mountedon otherNikoncamerasusing behaviorof the viewfinderready-lightfor various
the AS-5or 6. cameras:
. lmproper f ilm speed setting
Becausethe usablefilm speedrangefor TTL oper-
ation is from ASA/ISO25 to 400, the ready-light
blinksas a warningin the TTL modewhen the film
speedsettingon an F3-seriescamera is over ASA/
ISO400 (withno exposurecompensation).Alsothe
samewarningwill appearwhen the exposurecom-
pensationdial is set over -1 with the ASA/lSOfilm
soeeddialset at 200. I
32 www.orphancameras.comView original page 33Page 35 · Read text
-CONTROLS lN DETAll-continued have been insufficientfor the subject.In this case,
switch to A2 if you were usingA1 or move closer to
the subject.This test-firingis especiallyusefulwhen
the flashheadis tiltedand/orrotaledfor bouncef lash.
In the TTL mode, test-firingmust be performedby
trippingthe shutter.Note.that without film loaded in
the camera, the ready-lightwill blink even if the
correct exposureis obtainable.As a substitutefor
loadedroll film, you can use a strip of cut film (pro-
vided it is not too old) or a piece of gray paper.The
white plasticcard lound insideof new Nikoncameras
to protectthe shuttercurtainscan also be used for
OpenFloshButton@ thislf youpurpose.do not want to trip the shutterfor test'firing
The ready-lighton the SB-17can be usedas an open' (e.9. you have film loadedin the camera and do not
flash button to fire the flash unit manuallywithout want to wastea frame),rotatethe film speeddial until
havingto trip the camera'sshutter.In this manner, your desiredapertureis lined up with the blue or red
you can create multiple-exposure"stroboscopic" aperlureindicatorband: lhen set the shootingmode
effectsor paintthe scenewith lightby firingthe flash selectorat A, select A1 or A2 to match the aperture
unit repeatedlywith the cameraset at B. In this case, indicator band chosen, and push the open-flash
make sure that the flash unit is not connectedto the button. lf the ready-lightdoes not blink,you can use
camera.The open-flashbuttonis also usefulfor tesl- the appropriateaperture for TTL operation.But re-
firingthe SB-17to determinewhetherthe illumination member,this methodof test-firingis not preciseand
from the flash is sufficientfor properexposurein the 'shouldnot be consideredinfallible.
non-TTLautomaticmode. lf the flash has ftred at its
maximumoutput,the ready-lightblinksas a warning
after a shot, indicatingthat the amountof light might
34 www.orphancameras.comView original page 35From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
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