Speedlight
Encyclopedia
Speedlight is the brand name used by Nikon Corporation for their photographic flash units, used since the company's introduction of strobe flashes in the 1960s. Nikon's standalone Speedlights (those not built into the company's cameras) have the SB- prefix as part of their model designation. Current Speedlights and other Nikon accessories make up part of Nikon's Creative Lighting System, which includes the Advanced Wireless Lighting, that enables various Nikon cameras to control multiple Nikon flash units by sending encoded pre-flash signals to slave units.
Nikon competitors Canon
and Ricoh
use the similar name Speedlite for their flashes. Both names indicate that strobe flashes produce much shorter and more intense bursts of light than earlier photographic lighting systems, such as flashbulbs, or continuous lamps used in some studio situations.
s - ISO
100, 35FF
):
Nikon competitors Canon
Canon Inc.
is a Japanese multinational corporation that specialises in the manufacture of imaging and optical products, including cameras, camcorders, photocopiers, steppers and computer printers. Its headquarters are located in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan.-Origins:...
and Ricoh
Ricoh
or Ricoh, is a Japanese company that was established in 1936 on February 6th, as , a company in the RIKEN zaibatsu. Its headquarters is located in Ricoh Building in Chūō, Tokyo....
use the similar name Speedlite for their flashes. Both names indicate that strobe flashes produce much shorter and more intense bursts of light than earlier photographic lighting systems, such as flashbulbs, or continuous lamps used in some studio situations.
Models
Current models (guide numberGuide number
The guide number for an electronic flash measures its ability to illuminate the subject to be photographed at a specific film or sensor sensitivity and angle of view...
s - ISO
Film speed
Film speed is the measure of a photographic film's sensitivity to light, determined by sensitometry and measured on various numerical scales, the most recent being the ISO system....
100, 35FF
135 film
The term 135 was introduced by Kodak in 1934 as a designation for cartridge film wide, specifically for still photography. It quickly grew in popularity, surpassing 120 film by the late 1960s to become the most popular photographic film format...
):
- SB-400 Low-end lightweight unit (GNGuide numberThe guide number for an electronic flash measures its ability to illuminate the subject to be photographed at a specific film or sensor sensitivity and angle of view...
69 ft, 21m @ 27mm) - SB-600Nikon SB-600The Nikon SB-600 is a flash made by Nikon for their digital and film single-lens reflex cameras. The SB-600 can mount to any Nikon camera with a four-prong hotshoe. The SB-600 cannot control other flashes through a wireless connection, however a flash commander can control it...
Mid-range model - weighs approximately 300g without 4 AA batteries (GN 98 ft, 30m @ 35mm) - SB-700 Professional model - weighs approximately 360g without 4 AA batteries (GN 92 ft, 29m @ 35mm)
- SB-800Nikon SB-800The Nikon SB-800 is a flash made by Nikon for their digital and film single-lens reflex cameras. It has electronic interfaces for through-the-lens automatic exposure and automatic zoom to match lens focal lengths from 24 to 105 mm , plus 14 mm with diffuser, as well as film speed in the...
Professional model - weighs approximately 350g without 4 or 5 AA batteries (optional fifth battery for quicker recycling) (GN 125 ft, 38m @ 35mm) (discontinued) - SB-900Nikon SB-900The Nikon SB-900 is a flash made by Nikon for their digital and film single-lens reflex cameras, released on June 30, 2008. It has electronic interfaces for through-the-lens automatic exposure and automatic zoom to match lens focal lengths from 17 to 200 mm and 12 to 200 mm in Nikon DX...
Professional model - released 30 June 2008, weighs approximately 415g. (GN 111ft, 34m @ 35mm) - R1C1 Wireless Close-Up System
- SB-R200 Wireless unit (GN 33 ft, 10m @ 24mm)
- SU-800 Wireless Commander - no flash, controls other speedlight units
External links
- Wireless flash setup from momentcorp.com
- Flash products from Nikon USA
- Speedlight comparison chart from bythom.com
- Creative Lighting System overview
- Creative Lighting System review