Nikon SB-400 User manual

SB-400

Speedlight

Instruction Manual

Speedlight

SB-400

Instruction Manual

■Preparation

• For your safety .................................................................................................2

• Foreword .........................................................................................................8

• Confirm receipt ................................................................................................8

• Compatible cameras.......................................................................................10

• Speedlight parts .............................................................................................10

• Installing the batteries ....................................................................................10

■Basic operation

• Attach the SB-400 to the camera ...................................................................12

• Adjust the flash head .....................................................................................12

• Setting the camera's mode.............................................................................13

• Flash shooting distance range.........................................................................13

■Available flash modes

• Slow-sync flash/Red-eye reduction/Red-eye reduction with slow-sync

flash mode/Rear-curtain sync/FV (Flash Value) Lock/Exposure compensation

and flash output level compensation/Manual mode........................................14

■Effective usage of Speedlight

• Bounce flash ..................................................................................................15

• Notes on bounce flash....................................................................................16

■Reference information

• Optional accessories .......................................................................................18

• Tips on Speedlight care ..................................................................................18

• Notes on handling batteries............................................................................19

• Notes on continuous flash shooting................................................................20

• Troubleshooting .............................................................................................21

• Specifications .................................................................................................22

Preparation

For your safety

Before using your product, please read the following safety

precautions carefully and thoroughly to ensure correct and safe

use and to help prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury

to yourself or others.

For quick reference by those who use the product, please keep

these safety instructions near the product.

In this manual, safety instructions are indicated with these

symbols:

WARNINGS for Speedlights

1 If corrosive liquids seep from the batteries and get in your eyes,

immediately wash your eyes with running water and consult with a

doctor. Your eyes could be seriously damaged if they are not treated quickly.

2 Never attempt to disassemble or repair the flash unit by yourself, as this

could result in you receiving an electric shock and could also cause the unit to

malfunction; such malfunction could lead to personal injury.

3 If corrosive liquids seep from the batteries and come in contact with your

skin or clothes, wash immediately with running water. Prolonged contact

could injure your skin.

WARNING Disregarding instructions marked with this symbol

could result in personal injury, or death and

property damage.

CAUTION Disregarding instructions marked with this symbol

could result in property damage.

4 If the flash unit is dropped and damaged, do not touch any exposed

interior metal parts. Such parts, especially the speedlight's capacitor and

associated parts, could be in a high-charge state and if touched could cause an

electric shock. Disconnect the power or remove the batteries and be sure that

you do not touch any of the product's electrical components, and then bring the

flash unit to your local Nikon dealer or authorized service center for repair.

5 If you detect heat, smoke or notice a burning smell,

immediately stop operation and remove the batteries to prevent the unit

from catching on fire or melting. Allow the flash unit to cool down so that you

can safely touch it and remove the batteries. Then bring the unit to your local

Nikon dealer or authorized service center for repair.

6 The flash unit should never be submerged in liquid or exposed to rain,

saltwater or moisture unless it is properly protected from the liquids and

moisture. Underwater use requires a certified underwater housing. If

water or moisture gets inside the unit, this could cause the unit to catch on fire

or cause an electric shock. In such instances you should immediately remove the

batteries from the speedlight and then bring the unit to your local Nikon dealer

or authorized service center for repair.

Note: electronic devices that are penetrated by water or moisture are often not

economically repairable.

7 Do not use the unit in the presence of flammable or explosive gas. If the

flash unit is operated in areas where there is a flammable gas, including propane,

gasoline and dust, it could cause an explosion or fire.

8 Do not fire the flash unit directly at the driver of a moving car, as this

could temporarily impair the driver's vision and cause an accident.

9 Do not fire the flash unit directly into the eyes of someone that is at

close range, as it could damage their eyes' retinas. Never fire the flash unit

closer than 1 meter from infants.

10 Do not fire the unit while the flash head is touching a person or object.

Such use can result in the person being burned, and/or their clothes igniting

from the heat of the flash's firing.

Preparation

11 Keep small accessories out of the reach of children to avoid the possibility

of the accessory being swallowed. If an accessory is accidentally swallowed,

immediately consult with a doctor.

12 Use only the batteries specified in this instruction manual.

Batteries other than those specified could leak corrosive liquids, explode or catch

on fire or otherwise not perform satisfactorily.

13 Do not mix battery types, brands or old and new batteries, as the batteries

could leak corrosive liquids, explode or catch on fire.

When using more than one battery in a product, always use identical batteries

that were purchased at the same time.

14 Non-rechargeable batteries such as manganese, alkalinemanganese and

lithium batteries should never be charged in a battery charger because

they could leak corrosive liquids, explode or catch on fire.

15 When using standard size (AA, AAA, C, D) or other common rechargeable

batteries such as NiCd and Ni-MH battery types, or when recharging

them, be sure to use only the battery charger specified by the battery

maker and read the instructions thoroughly. Do not recharge these

batteries with their terminals reversed in the charger or before the

batteries have cooled off sufficiently because they could leak corrosive

liquids, explode or catch on fire. The same caution also applies to using the

rechargeable batteries that may be supplied by the photo product's

manufacturer.

CAUTIONS for Speedlights

1 Do not touch the flash unit with wet hands, as this could cause an electric

shock.

2 Keep the flash unit away from children to prevent them from putting the

unit in or near their mouth, or otherwise touching a dangerous part of

the product; as such contact could cause an electric shock.

3 Do not apply strong physical shocks to the unit, as this could cause a

malfunction that could cause the unit to explode or catch on fire.

4 Never use active agents that contain flammable substances such as paint

thinner, benzene or paint remover to clean the unit, never spray any

insect deterrent spray on the unit, and never store the unit in locations

containing chemicals such as camphor and naphthalene, as this could

damage the plastic case, cause a fire or cause an electric shock.

5 Remove any batteries from the unit before storing the unit for a long

time to prevent the unit from catching on fire or leaking corrosive liquids.

WARNINGS for Batteries

1 Never heat or throw batteries into a fire, as this could cause the batteries to

leak corrosive liquids, generate heat or explode.

2 Do not short-circuit or disassemble the batteries because this could cause

the batteries to leak corrosive liquids, generate heat or explode.

3 Do not mix battery types, brands or old and new batteries, as this could

cause the batteries to leak corrosive liquids, generate heat or explode.

4 Do not install batteries in the reverse direction as this could cause the

batteries to leak corrosive liquids, generate heat or explode. Even if only one

battery is installed in reverse it will cause the speedlight to malfunction.

5 Be sure to use the battery charger specified by the battery maker to avoid

the possibility of batteries leaking corrosive liquids, generating heat or exploding.

Preparation

6 Do not carry or store batteries along with metallic materials such as

necklaces and hair pins because such materials could cause the batteries to

short-circuit, leading to battery leakage, heat generation or an explosion. In

addition, specially when carrying a quantity of batteries, place them

carefully in a storage case that prevents the battery terminals from

touching another battery's terminals because if they touch in reverse order it

could also cause the batteries to short-circuit, leading to battery leakage, heat

generation or an explosion.

7 If corrosive liquids seep from the batteries and get in your eyes,

immediately wash your eyes with running water and consult with a

doctor. Your eyes could be seriously damaged if they are not treated quickly.

8 Always follow the warnings and instructions printed on the batteries to

avoid activities that could cause the batteries to leak corrosive liquids, generate

heat or catch on fire.

9 Be sure to use only batteries specified in this instruction manual, to avoid

the possibility of batteries leaking corrosive liquids, generating heat or exploding.

10 Never open the casing surrounding batteries or use batteries whose

casing has been breached as such batteries could leak corrosive liquids,

generate heat or explode.

11 Keep batteries out of the reach of children to help avoid the possibility of

them being swallowed. If a battery is accidentally swallowed, immediately

consult with a doctor.

12 Batteries should not be submerged in water, exposed to rain, moisture or

saltwater unless they are properly protected from the wet environment.

If water or moisture gets inside the batteries, this could cause them to leak

corrosive liquids or generate heat.

13 Do not use any battery that appears abnormal in any way, including a

change in color or shape. Such batteries could leak corrosive liquids or

generate heat.

14 Stop recharging rechargeable batteries if you notice that recharging is

not completed within the specified time to help prevent the possibility of the

battery leaking corrosive liquids or generating heat.

15 If corrosive liquids seep from the batteries and come in contact with your

skin or clothes, wash immediately with running water. Prolonged contact

could injure your skin.

16 When recycling or disposing of batteries, be sure to insulate their

terminals with tape. If the battery's positive and negative terminals short-

circuit after coming into contact with metallic objects, it could cause fire, heat

generation or an explosion. Dispose of used batteries in accordance with local

government regulations.

17 Non-rechargeable batteries should never be charged in a battery charger

because they could leak corrosive liquids or generate heat.

18 Remove dead batteries from your equipment immediately, leak corrosive

liquids, generate heat or explode.

CAUTION for Batteries

1 Do not throw or apply strong physical shocks to the batteries as this could

cause batteries to leak corrosive liquids, generate heat or explode.

This symbol indicates that this product is to be collected

separately. The following apply only to users in European

countries.

• This product is designated for separate collection at an

appropriate collection point. Do not dispose of as household

waste.

• For more information, contact the retailer or the local authorities

in charge of waste management.

Symbol for separate collection applicable in European

countries

Preparation

Foreword

Thank you for purchasing the Nikon Speedlight SB-400. To get the most

out of your Speedlight, please read this instruction manual thoroughly

before use. In addition, keep your camera instruction manual handy for

quick reference.

Confirm receipt

Confirm receipt of contents in your kit

Using your Speedlight correctly

The Nikon Speedlight's performance has been optimized for use with

Nikon brand cameras and accessories, including lenses.

Camera and accessories made by other manufacturers might not meet

Nikon's specification criteria, and nonconforming cameras and accessories

could damage the Speedlight's components. Nikon cannot guarantee the

Speedlight's performance when used with non-Nikon products.

SB-400 Soft Case Instruction manual Warranty card

Instruction manual

Warranty card

Take trial shots

Take test photos before photographing important events, such as

weddings and graduations.

Have Nikon regularly spot-check your Speedlight

Nikon recommends that you have your Speedlight serviced by an

authorized dealer or service center at least once every two years.

Life-long learning

As part of Nikon's "Life-long learning" commitment to ongoing product

support and education, continually updated information is available online

at the following sites:

• For users in the U.S.A.: http://www.nikonusa.com/

• For users in Europe and Africa: http://www.europe-nikon.com/support/

• For users in Asia, Oceania and the Middle East: http://www.nikon-asia.com/

Visit these sites to keep up-to-date with the latest product information,

tips, answers to frequently asked questions, and to receive general advice

on digital imaging and photography. Additional information may be

available from the Nikon representative in your area. See the URL below

for contact information:

http://nikonimaging.com/

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