This manual provides a comprehensive guide to the Nikon SB-700 Speedlight, designed for photographers seeking advanced flash solutions. It covers basic operations, advanced techniques, and troubleshooting for optimal use.
1.1 Overview of the Nikon SB-700 Speedlight
The Nikon SB-700 is a high-performance Speedlight designed for versatility and creativity in flash photography. Compact and lightweight, it offers advanced features like wireless lighting control, bounce flash functionality, and compatibility with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS). With a guide number of 28/92 (m/ft, ISO 100) and coverage for lenses from 24mm to 120mm, it caters to both amateur and professional photographers, delivering precise and powerful lighting solutions for a wide range of shooting scenarios.
1.2 Intended Use and Target Audience
The Nikon SB-700 Speedlight is designed for photographers seeking advanced lighting control, from enthusiasts to professionals. It is ideal for those who want to enhance their creativity in portrait, event, and studio photography. Compatible with FX and DX DSLRs, it serves as a versatile tool for capturing high-quality images with precise illumination. Its portability and ease of use make it suitable for photographers of all skill levels, providing reliable performance in various shooting environments and lighting conditions.
Key Features of the Nikon SB-700
The Nikon SB-700 offers a guide number of 28/39 (m/ft) at ISO 100, compatibility with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS), and a flash head that tilts 90 degrees upward and 7 degrees downward with 360-degree rotation for enhanced flexibility.
2.1 Guide Number and Flash Coverage
The Nikon SB-700 features a guide number of 28/39 (ISO 100, meters/feet) at the 35mm zoom head position, providing excellent coverage for wide-angle and telephoto lenses. It supports lenses from 24mm to 120mm in FX format, ensuring versatile lighting control. The flash’s adjustable zoom head and even illumination pattern enhance coverage, making it suitable for various shooting scenarios, from portraits to group photos, while maintaining consistent lighting quality and reliability.
2;2 LCD Panel and Control Layout
The Nikon SB-700 features a large, easy-to-read LCD panel that provides clear visibility of flash settings and modes. The intuitive control layout includes dedicated buttons for quick access to key functions, such as adjusting flash compensation and selecting wireless modes. The SEL button allows for precise setting adjustments, while the OK button confirms selections, streamlining workflow. This user-friendly design enables photographers to navigate and customize settings efficiently, even in fast-paced shooting environments, ensuring seamless control over lighting configurations.
2.3 Thermal Cut-Out and Overheat Protection
The Nikon SB-700 incorporates a thermal cut-out system to prevent overheating during prolonged or intense use. The flash automatically detects temperature increases and adjusts recycling time to cool down, ensuring safe operation. This feature protects the unit from damage and maintains reliability. Overheat protection is essential for photographers using the flash extensively, especially in high-temperature environments or rapid-firing scenarios.
Compatibility and System Integration
The Nikon SB-700 is compatible with FX and DX format DSLRs and integrates seamlessly with the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) for advanced wireless lighting control.
3.1 Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) Compatibility
The Nikon SB-700 seamlessly integrates with the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS), enabling advanced wireless lighting control. This system allows photographers to manage multiple Speedlights wirelessly, ensuring precise and creative lighting setups. The SB-700 can function as both a master and remote flash unit, providing flexibility for complex lighting configurations. CLS compatibility enhances the flash’s versatility, making it ideal for professional and enthusiast photographers seeking sophisticated lighting solutions.
3.2 Compatibility with FX and DX Format DSLRs
The Nikon SB-700 is fully compatible with both FX and DX format DSLRs, ensuring versatile use across Nikon’s interchangeable lens cameras. It covers lenses as wide as 24mm and up to 120mm in FX format, making it suitable for a variety of shooting scenarios. This compatibility allows photographers to achieve consistent and high-quality lighting results, whether using full-frame or crop-sensor cameras, catering to both professional and enthusiast photographers.
Flash Head Flexibility and Movement
The SB-700 flash head tilts up 90 degrees and down 7 degrees, with 180-degree rotation left and right, enabling versatile bounce flash and creative lighting techniques.
4.1 Bounce Flash Functionality
The SB-700 offers exceptional bounce flash capabilities, allowing the flash head to tilt up 90 degrees and down 7 degrees, with 180-degree rotation. This flexibility enables photographers to direct light at various angles, reducing harsh shadows and creating soft, natural illumination. The bounce function is ideal for both indoor and outdoor photography, providing creative control over lighting direction and intensity while minimizing red-eye effects. This feature enhances versatility for diverse shooting scenarios, making it a valuable tool for professional and amateur photographers alike.
4.2 360-Degree Flash Head Rotation
The SB-700 flash head rotates 180 degrees to the left and right, offering a full 360-degree range of motion. This feature enhances creative flexibility, allowing photographers to direct light from various angles without moving the camera. The 360-degree rotation is ideal for bouncing light off walls, ceilings, or reflectors, creating dynamic and evenly illuminated shots. This versatility makes it a powerful tool for achieving desired lighting effects in diverse photography scenarios, from portraits to event coverage.
Wireless Lighting Capabilities
The SB-700 supports wireless lighting, enabling photographers to control multiple flash units remotely. It offers master and remote modes, expanding creative possibilities for advanced lighting setups and coverage.
5.1 Master Flash Unit Setup
The Nikon SB-700 can function as a master flash unit, enabling wireless control over remote flash units. To set it up, enable master mode on the SB-700 and configure settings via the LCD panel. This allows photographers to adjust power levels and channel settings for remote flashes, enabling advanced lighting setups. The master function provides expanded creative control, making it ideal for multi-flash configurations without the need for complex wiring or external controllers.
5.2 Remote Flash Unit Configuration
The SB-700 can also operate as a remote flash unit, allowing it to be controlled by a master flash or commander. To configure it as a remote, set the mode to “Remote” via the LCD panel and select the appropriate channel to match the master unit. The SB-700 will then receive wireless signals and adjust its flash output accordingly. This setup enables seamless integration into multi-flash systems, offering flexibility and convenience for creative lighting arrangements without the need for physical connections or complex setups.
Setting Up and Using the SB-700
Attach the SB-700 to your camera’s hot shoe, power it on, and adjust settings via the LCD panel. Use wireless modes for remote operation and creative lighting control.
6.1 Setting Manual Flash Mode
To set manual flash mode on the Nikon SB-700, rotate the mode selector to ‘M’. Use the LCD panel to adjust flash power levels from 1/1 to 1/128. Press the ‘SEL’ button, then use the ‘Zoom’ and ‘Fn’ buttons to change settings. The flash defaults to 1/8 power in manual mode. Ensure your camera is in manual mode (M) for full control. Disable Auto ISO for consistent results. Adjustments are reflected on the LCD, allowing precise control over flash output for custom lighting effects.
6.2 Advanced Wireless Lighting Setup
Set the SB-700 as a Master or Remote flash via the LCD panel. Select Master mode to control up to three remote flash groups. Use the ‘SEL’ and ‘Fn’ buttons to configure groups and channels. Remote flashes must match the Master’s channel. Adjust flash power levels wirelessly through the Master unit. Enable wireless lighting by pressing ‘SEL’ and ‘Zoom’ buttons simultaneously. Ensure line-of-sight between units for reliable communication. This setup enhances creative lighting control for complex photography scenarios, offering flexibility and precision in wireless flash operations.
Custom Settings and Personalization
The SB-700 offers customizable settings, allowing users to adjust flash power and personalize preferences. Easily tailor the flash to suit your photography style and needs using intuitive controls.
7.1 Adjusting Custom Settings for Personal Use
Custom settings on the Nikon SB-700 allow photographers to tailor flash behavior to their preferences. Access the custom settings menu via the LCD panel to adjust flash power, zoom head position, and default modes. Save personalized configurations for quick access during shoots, enhancing efficiency. Explore options like setting multiple profiles for different scenarios or syncing with camera settings for a seamless workflow. Easily reset or modify configurations as needed to adapt to varying photography conditions and styles.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Address common issues like overheating or connectivity problems by resetting settings, cleaning flash contacts, and ensuring proper battery installation for optimal performance and reliability.
8.1 Flash Not Firing or Syncing
If the flash fails to fire or sync, ensure the unit is properly connected to the camera hot shoe or wireless trigger. Check for overheating, as the thermal cut-out may activate. Verify battery levels and clean the flash contacts. Confirm the flash mode is set correctly (Manual, TTL, or Wireless). Ensure the camera’s flash settings match the SB-700 configuration. If issues persist, reset the flash to default settings or perform a firmware update for compatibility.
Accessing the User Manual
The Nikon SB-700 User Manual is available for free download from Nikon’s official website or via the Nikon Manual Viewer 2 app in multiple languages.
9.1 Downloading the Manual in Multiple Languages
The Nikon SB-700 User Manual is available for download in multiple languages, including English, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Czech. Users can access these manuals through Nikon’s official website or the Nikon Manual Viewer 2 app. The manual is provided in PDF format, ensuring compatibility across various devices. Nikon has also added support for additional languages based on user requests, making it accessible to a global audience. Simply visit the official Nikon support page and select your preferred language to download the manual.
Advanced Flash Techniques
The Nikon SB-700 supports advanced techniques like bounce flash, wireless lighting, and creative illumination setups, enabling photographers to achieve professional-grade results with versatility and precision in various lighting scenarios.
10.1 Examples of Creative Lighting Techniques
The Nikon SB-700 enables photographers to explore various creative lighting techniques. Use bounce flash for soft, natural illumination or 360-degree rotation for dynamic lighting effects. Wireless Master and Remote modes allow for multi-flash setups, creating depth and dimension in images. Experiment with color filters for unique hues or diffusion domes for softer light. Techniques like high-speed sync and slow sync open possibilities for freezing motion or blending ambient light. These features make the SB-700 ideal for portrait, event, and macro photography, offering endless creative possibilities for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
The Nikon SB-700 offers versatility and advanced lighting solutions, making it a valuable tool for photographers. Its compact design, wireless capabilities, and compatibility with Nikon systems ensure exceptional performance and creativity.
11.1 Summary of Key Features and Benefits
The Nikon SB-700 is a compact, high-performance Speedlight offering advanced flash capabilities. It features wireless lighting control, a 360-degree flash head rotation, and thermal cut-out protection. Compatible with Nikon’s CLS, it supports FX and DX DSLRs, ensuring versatility. The large LCD panel simplifies adjustments, while its lightweight design enhances portability. With a guide number of 28/92 (m/ft) and wide flash coverage, it delivers powerful and creative lighting solutions for photographers of all levels.