Flashes & lighting
Nikon Speedlight SB-19 User manual
User manual for Nikon Speedlight SB-19. 29 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-19
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 29
- File size
- 2.0 MB
- Category
- Flashes & lighting
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
FOREWORD
The NikonSpeedlightSB-19is a compact,direct-mountingelectronic
flashunitwhichprovidesautomaticcontrolof the f lashexposure.When
usedwith the NikonFG-20or EM camera,it offers a wide choiceof
shootingapertures,for example,IromIl2 to f/11at ASA/lSO100.
Throughthe use of a silicon-controlledrectifierand seriescircuitry,the
SB-19is able to conserveenergy when shootingsubjectsat close
range;thusrecyclingtimesare shorterand the numberof flashesper
batteryset is greater.
For best results,readthis instructionmanualfrom cover to cover be-
fore actuallyusingthe unit.A few minuteswiselyinvestednow will pay
off in yearsof rewardingphotographicexperiences.
SW
www.orphancameras.comView original page 3Page 4 · Read text
#1{OMENCLATURE
@ '
O Flashhead @ Ready-light
@ Mountingfoot O Lockingwheel
@ Usableaperturewindowfor B mode @ Readylightcontact
@ Lightsensor @ Flashcontact
@ ASA/lSOf ilm speedscale @ Apertureselection/
@ASA/ISOfilm speedindex auto shootingrangetable
OASA/lSOfilm speedsettingknob @ Powerswitch/
@Apertureindicatorfor A mode shootingmodeselector
@ Batterychamberlid @ Aperturecouplingcontact
Printed in Japan (84.4.AO)&-2View original page 4Page 5 · Read text
1. Openthe battery f.Load the batteries.
chamberlid @. Loadfour 1.5V AA-tYPePen-
Slidethe lid in the directionof lightbatteriesinto the chamber,
the arrow. making sure the positive and
negative (+ and -) terminals
match the diagramsinsidethe
chamber.
Alkaline manganese batteries
are recommended;manganese
or NiCd batteries can also be
used, but the Performancewill
be lower.
lf the batteriesare not installed
correctly,the flash unit will not
work properlyand there maYbe
batteryleakage.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 5Page 6 · Read text
$. Close the chamber lid. l. Turn the locking wheel
Slidethebatterychamberlid @ on the SB-19'smount-
backuntilit clicksintoplace. ing foot @ counterclock-
wise until it reachesthe top.View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
Nikon
!. Attachthe flashunit to $. Lock the flash unit
the camera. securely into place.
Slide the mounting foot forward Tightenthe lockingwheelto pre-
into the camera's accessory ventthe SB-19f rom accidentally
shoe as far as it will go. slipping out of the accessory
oWith NikonF3-seriescameras,the shoe.
Nikon Flash Unit Coupler AS-4 or
AS-7must first be attached to the
accessory shoe before mounting
the S8-79
www.orphancameras.comView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
Propershutterspeedfor flashphotographydependson the camerain use.Referto the followingtablefor the shutterspeedswhichare usable with your camera.With most Nikoncamerasset for automaticexpo- sureoperationor at certainmanualshutterspeeds,the correctshutter speedis automaticallyset by simplyturningon the SB-19. For example,if you are usingthe NikonFG-20,set the shutterspeed/ modeselectordialto A. Or,withthe EM,set the modeselectorto AUTO.View original page 8
Page 10 · Read text
* With the NikonFA,the LCD indicationin the view- Actual shutter
speed lor f indervariesaccordingto thesettings:250appears
in the (P, S, and A) automaticexposuremodes,
M250 appearsat a manualsettingof 1/500 or
faster,M and the shutterspeedset (e g., M125)
appearsat a manual settingof 1 1250or slower,
whileno indicationappearsat M250and B.
**With the NikonFG,the viewfinderindicationsvary
accordingto the settings:two adjacentLEDsindi-
cating 1/90sec appearat P, A, or 1/125secor
faster,one LED indicatingshutterspeedas set at
1/60or slower,whileno indicationappearsat B or
M90.
***With NikonF3-seriescameras,the LCDindication
in the viewfindervariesaccordingto the settings:
80 appearson A, M80 appearsat X or 11125or
faster,the shutterspeedset (e g , M60) appearsat
a manualsettingof 1/60 or slower;while M- ap-
pearsat B and T
* t t * Whenthe shutterspeeddialsettingis improperfor
flash synchronization,the camera's ready-light
blinksas a warningView original page 10Page 11 · Read text
32- !. Determinea shooting 40- 64- apertureusingthe
80- table@. 125- r 6 0 - The Nikon SB-19 provides two
250- 320- automatic modes of ooeration:
500- 640- A and B. The A mode can be
1000- used with all Nikon cameras,
1250- whereasthe B mode is reserved
exclusivelyfor the Nikon FG-20
l. Setthe film speed. andEMwithan Al-SNikkor,Nikon Turnthe ASA/ISOfilm soeed Series E, or Al-Nikkorlens at-settingknob @ untilthe number tached.With Al-modifiedlensescorrespondingto the speed of and non-Al lenses,the B modefilm in use is oppositethe ASA/ cannotbe used.
ISO film speed index @. Dots oTheZoom-Nikkor35-105mmf/3.5-betweenthe numberson the film f/4.5cannotbe usedin the B mode
speed scale representinterme- eventhoughit is anAIS Nikkorlens.
diate settings,such as 64 and Also, when a teleconverteris at-
80, etc tached,the A mode mustbe used.
olf the batteriesin yourFG-20or EM
becomeexhausted,set the camera
to M9oand switchthe sB-19to the
A mode.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
0.6m(2.0fr) 3.5m(11.sfr)
ln the A mode, the aperturein- In the B mode, the usableaper-
dicator@ showsthe usableaper- tures are shown in the window @
ture. For example,at ASA/ISO just to the right of the film speed
100,the usableapertureis f/5.6. window.The right side of the table
The automaticshootingrange in shows the automatic shooting
A mode is always from 0.6m to rangesfor each aperture.As you
3.5m (2.0ftto 11.5ft).lf you set can see from the table,the larger
the film speedsettingknobat an the aoerlure (tne smaller the f-
intermediatesetting(e.9.,64, 80, number)you select, the greater
etc.),the aperlureshouldbe set the maximumshootingdistance,
at an intermediatesetting.For whereasthe smallerthe aperture
example,with ASA/lSO125film, (the largerthe f-number),the less
set the aoerture1/3 of an f/stoo the maximumshootingdistance.
betweenf/5.6and f/8. It's also true that the larger the
aperture,the lessthe depthof field
and the shorterthe recyclingtime
betweenshots.On the otherhand,
the smaller the aoerture, the
greaterthe depthof field,but theView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
0.6m(2.0ft) 5m(16.4tr)
longerthe recyclingtime, There- $. Setthe apertureon
fore,in choosingan aperture,all the lens.
three factors-maximum shoot- .Although the automatic shooting
ing distance,depth of field, and range in the A mode is always 0 6m
llash recyclingtime-should be to 3.5m (2.0ftto 11.sfl, the rangein
takenintoconsideration. the B mode depends on the film
speed in use and the aperture
Example1: lf you are usingASA/ selected For example,at ASA//SO
ISO100film, you can selectany 100, the automatic shootingrange in the B mode is:aperturelrom tlZ to f/11.With a 2. 1 10m (6.9-32.8filfor f/2
subject2 m (6.6ft)away,the usable 0.9-7m rc 0-23 )fil for f/2 8
aperturesare tl2.B,f/4, f/5.6 and 0 6-5m Q 0-164fil for f/4
f/8 0.6-35nQ.0-11 5fil for t/5 6
0 6-2 5mQ 0-8Ztil for f/8
Example2: lf you are usingASA/ 0.6-1.7m (2.0-56fil for f/l1
ISO100f ilm andselectf/4,the auto
shootingrangeis f rom0.6m to 5m
(z.ottto 16.4ft).
www.orphancameras.comView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
l. Turnon the SB-l9/setthe modeselector@. Slidethe power switch/shootingmode selectorto the A or B posi- tion.View original page 14
Page 15 · Read text
l. Wait for the ready-light @ to come on.
As soonas the SB-19'sready-lightlightsup,the flashunitis readyto
fire.The ready-lightof current Nikoncamerasalso comes on, so you
don't have to take your eye away from the viewfinder.Note that the
camera'smetermustfirst be turnedon to activatethe viewfinderready-
light.
oTheready-lightwill light up whenthe 58-79ls recycledto approx.80o/ofull
capacity.Therefore,it is recommendedthat you wait for a few more seconds
whenshootingsub/ectslocatedat thefar limitof theautoshootingrange.
.With alkaline-manganesebatteries,if the ready-lighttakesmorethan30 sec. to
lightup,youshouldreplacethe batterieswitha f reshset
oBothready-lightswillblinkit theshootingmodeselectorls setat B withcameras
otherthanFG-20andEM.
.lf theshutterspeedsel on the FM2or FEis improperfor f lashsynchronization,
the camera's ready light will blink
.lf the flashunit is not securelylocked in place on the FG-20or EM, lhe S8-/9 s
ready-light wi II bli nk.
(Referto the Ready-LrghtInformationCharton theothersideof thesheet)
www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
$. Takethepicture. When you depress the shutter release button, the SB-19 fires for flash shooting.After a short while, the ready-lighttights up again to indi- cate when the flash is ready for the next shot. tlf the flash unit fired at its maximum output, the ready-light blinks for approx. 2 secondsas a warning immediatelyfollowing the sf,ot to indicatethere stiltmay be underexposure.ln thls case, check the combination ol shooting distanceand apetture selected, and use a wider aperture or move closer to the subiect if necessary.View original page 16
Page 17 · Read text
{. Turnofl the flash unit.
After the shootingsessionis over, don't forget to slide the power
switchto the off positionto conservebatterypower.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 17Page 19 · Read text
tGgEure
For manualoperation Guide number at various film speeds
Althoughthe SB-19has no manualmodesetting,you can makethe flashunit ISA/lS0film
fireat its maximumoutputby settingthe FG-20or EM at M90 or B whenthe ioeed 25 1240 50 64 l0 100125160200 50 t20 100r00)40]0c1000125C1600
number SB-19is usedin the B mode. iuide l0 1 1 I J 1 4 16 18 20 22 25 28 32 36 40 45 50 57 63 71 8C n meters
4( 52 i9 66 72 82 g2 1051 1 8131 148164 187 207 233 262 By usingthe apertureselection/autoshootingrangetable,you can determine iuiden feetnumber33 It 43
the shootingaperturefor maximumoutputby referringto the maximumshoot-
ingdistance(thenumberon the far right).Forexample,withASA/lSO100film
and a subject5m away,the correct apertureis f/4. You can also determine
theapertureby usingtheguidenumber(whichindicatesthe powerof the unit)
accordingto the followingequation:
guidenumber
f/stop=
flash-to-subiectdistance
Forexample,withASA/lSO100film and meters,the SB 19'sguidenumberis
20.lf the subjectis 5m away,divide20 by 5 to get f/4.WithASA/lSO25 film and
feet,the guidenumberis 33.Therefore,if the subjectis 16ft away,divide33 by
16 togetapprox.tl2.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 19Page 21 · Read text
-- IHrrc#r
I
Whenshootinga dark subject(onewith low reflectivity)or one lightin ln the B mode
tone (havinghighreflectivity),over-or underexposuremay occur.To You can use either the camera'sexposurecompensationbuttonor
preventthis,exposurecompensationis required. ASA/lSOfilm speedring By usingthe exposurecompensationbutton,
c Forbestresu/ts,do not attemptto makemorethan-f2 slepsof exposurecom- you can make approx + 2 exposurecompensationOr by adjusting
pensation the film speedring,you can makevirtuallyany amountof compensa-
tion desired.Turnthe ringto a smallernumberfor + sornpensationor
In the A mode turn it to a highernumberfor - compensation(referto the table).For
Exposurecompensationcan be performedby stoppingdownor open- example,if you are usingASA/lSO100film,resetthe film speedringto
ing up the lens.With a dark subject,use a smallerapertureWhen a 50 for +1 comoensationor to 2OOfor -1 comoensation.
subjectis lightin tone,usea largeraperture. Becausethe usableaperturesand autoshootingrangesdependon the
film speed,you must reset the SB-19'sfilm speed settingknob and
determinethe apertureagainafter resettingthe camera'sfilm speed.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 21Page 24 · Read text
TIPS OlI SPEEDLIGHT CARE
oTo removedirt or fingerprints,wipe with a dry, soft or silicon-
treatedcloth.Neveruse thinner,benzineor alcohol,sincethey
mightdamagethe plasticparts.
o lf you do not plan to use the unit for more than two weeks,re-
move the batteriesto avoidpossibledamageto the circuitryby
batteryleakage.lf leakageshouldinadvertentlyoccur,take the
flashunitto your nearestNikonauthorizedservicefacility.
AS-4 .To preventdamageto the flash unit'selectroniccircuitry,keep
the cameraaway from placeswhere the temperatureis likelyto
Flash Unit Couplers AS-4 and AS-7 go higherthan60oC,such as insidethe trunkof a car in the hot
Theseaccessoriesconvertthe accessoryshoe of F3-seriescameras summersun; also.do not store the unit in exceptionallydamp
to the standardISO-typeaccessoryshoe, allowingdirect attachment places.Usethe SB-19withinthe rangeof -10oC..,+50oC.
of the SB-19.A specialfeatureof the AS-7is that it letsyou changefilm o lf you havenot usedyourflashunitfor a longtime,the recycling
withoutremovingthe flashunit. time may differfrom that listedin the specifications.Firethe unit
a few timesso that it recoversits normalcondition.
r Neverattemptto disassembleor repairthe flashyourself. These
delicate proceduresshould be left to an authorizedservice
facility.
o K€€pthe flashunit away f rom saltwaterand out of the rain.View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
ffREDTIPS ()1{ SPEEDLIGHT CARE EYEtt
oTo removedirt or fingerprints,wipe with a dry, soft or silicon- "Red eye" is a phenomenonin flash photographywhere the
treatedcloth.Neveruse thinner,benzineor alcohol,sincethey centerportionsof the subject'seyesappearas brightred orbs in
mightdamagethe plasticparts. colorphotographs(or whitein black-and-whitepictures).Thisis a
o lf you do not planto use the unit for more than two weeks,re- resultof the lightfrom the flashilluminatingthe retinadirectly.lf
movethe batteriesto avoidpossibledamageto the circuitryby the subjectlooksstraightinto the lens and there is littleor no
batteryleakage.lf leakageshouldinadvertentlyoccur,take the ambientlight,the pupil is wide open, makingthe retinaclearly
flashunitto yournearestNikonauthorizedservicefacility. visiblein the picture.
.To preventdamageto the flash unit'selectroniccircuitry,keep To avoid"red eye," you can take any or all of the followingpre-
the cameraawayfrom placeswherethe temperatureis likelyto cautions:
go higherthan 60"C,such as insidethe trunkof a car in the hot 1. Askthe subjectnotto lookdirectlyintothe lenswhenthe picture
summersun; also.do not store the unit in exceptionallydamp is taken.
places.Usethe SB-19withinthe rangeof -.10oC"'+50"C. 2. Increasethe room'soverallilluminationto reducethe opening
.lf you havenot usedyourflashunitfor a longtime,the recycling of the subject'spupils.
time maydifferf rom that listedin the specifications.Firethe unit
a few timesso that it rdcoversits normalcondition.
o Neverattemptto disassembleor repairthe f lashyourself. These
delicateoroceduresshould be left to an authorizedservice
facility.
. KeeDthe flashunitawavf rom saltwaterandout of the rain.
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ffRED EYEtt "Red eye" is a phenomenonin flash photographywhere the centerportionsof the subject'seyesappearas brightred orbs in colorphotographs(or whitein black-and-whitepictures).Thisis a resultof the lightf rom the flashilluminatingthe retinadirectly.lf the subjectlooksstraightinto the lens and there is littleor no ambientlight,the pupilis wide open,makingthe retinaclearly visiblein the oicture. To avoid"red eye," you can take any or all of the followingpre- cautions. 1. Askthe subjectnotto lookdirectlyintothe lenswhenthe picture is taken. 2. lncreasethe room'soverallilluminationto reducethe ooenino of thesubject'spupils.View original page 26
Page 27 · Read text
OPTIIUIUMBATTERY PERFORMANCE
New batteries Disposal
Betweenmanufactureand firstuse,all batteriesexhibitsomedrain. Do not disposeof batteriesby burning.Also, for safety'ssaxe,
Therefore,care should be taken to purchase the newest (and neverdisassemblebatteries.
freshest)ones possible.To help you do this, some manufacturers
stampthe date of manufactureon the bottomof each battery.Ask Polarity
yourcameradealerfor assistancein interpretingthe codes. when installingbatteries,observethe voltagepolaritiescarefully.
Reversalof the positive(+) and negative(-)terminalswill resultin
Temperature leakage.lf leakageshouldoccur,cleancarefullyor take the SB-19Batterylife ratingsare basedon operationat around2S"C QT"F). to yourdealer.
At other temperatures,battery life is shortened.spare batteries
shouldthereforebe kept availableif operationin low temperarures NiCd batteries
is anticipated. In comparisonwith regularbatteries,Nicd batteriesprovidefaster
recyclingtime and betterefficiencyat low temperatures.However,
Continuoususe notethat the recyclingtime and the numberof flashesper battery
Batteriesare drainedmuchmorequicklyby continuoususethan by set are dependenton the age of the batteries,how much charqe
intermittentuse. theyhave,andtheircapacities.
Battery brands
Do not mix brands of batteries,nor use batterieswith differenr
model numbers.Also, avoid mixingnew and old batteriesstnce
properperformancewill not be obtainedand battery leakagemay
occur.
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&View original page 27From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.