Nikon SB-28 User manual

Instruction Manual E

SB-28

Autofocus Speedlight

Congratulations. You are now the proud owner of the Nikon

Autofocus Speedlight SB-28, a flash unit offering sleek new styling

and simple push-button operation. When used with Nikon SLR

cameras, the SB-28’s extensive capabilities range from 3D Multi-

Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash, today’s most advanced flash

technology, to full manual operation.

To get the most out of your new flash unit, please read this manual

before use.

WARNING—To avoid injury

• Do not fire the flash directly into a person’s eyes at close

range as this may damage the retina, leading to partial or

complete blindness.

• Avoid touching the front of the flash head while using the

SB-28. The flash head generates significant heat during

normal operation, which could cause burns.

• Do not expose the SB-28 to water as this may result in

electric shock or cause the unit to catch on fire.

Determine which group your camera belongs to.

In this manual, Nikon SLR cameras are divided into seven groups

(I to VII) unless otherwise noted. First consult the camera group

table to see which group your camera belongs to. Then as you read

the manual, you will find specific information on how to use the

SB-28 with your particular camera.

Please open the front fold-out page for easy reference.

Foreword

1Sold exclusively in the USA.

F80-Series/N80-Series, F70-Series/N70 cannot perform FP High-Speed Flash Sync.

3Center-Weighted Fill-Flash is not possible.

4Sold exclusively in the USA and Canada.

5An optional sync cord for land use is required.

*For cameras such as the Nikon F or Nikon F2, refer to Group VII. TTL Auto Flash mode cannot

be performed with cameras in this group. If flash is fired with the tindicator appeared on

the LCD panel, the flash fires at full output.

For details on the SB-28’s available TTL Auto Flash operations,

see the separate Quick Reference sheet.

Camera groups and available flash modes

Ⅰ Ⅱ Ⅲ Ⅳ Ⅴ Ⅵ Ⅶ

P.26-30

Group

Camera

name

Flash

operation

F-501/

N2020 4

F-401s/

N4004s1

F-401/

N40041

F-301/

N20004

F100

F90X/N90s

F90-Series/

N90

F80-Series/

N80-Series

1,2, 3

F70-Series/

N701,2

F4-Series

F65-Series/

N65-Series1,3

F-801s/

N8008s1

F-801/

N80081

Pronea 600

1,3

F-601/

N60061

F-601M/

N60001

F60-

Series/

N601

F50-

Series/

N501

F-401x/

N50051

FM3A

FE2

NikonosV5

F3-Series6

New FM2

FM10

FE10

: Available : Not available

3D Multi-Sensor

Balanced

Fill-Flash 7

Multi-Sensor

Balanced

Fill-Flash 7

Matrix

Balanced

Fill-Flash

Center-Weighted

Fill-Flash/Spot

Fill-Flash

Standard

TTL Flash

Programmed

TTL AutoFlash

Non-TTL

Auto Flash

Manual Flash

FP High-Speed

Flash Sync

Repeating

Flash

P.26-30

P.31-32 P.33-34 P.35-37

P.46-51

P.52-55

P.49-51

P.42-43

P.38-39

P.26-30 P.31-32 P.33-34 P.40-41

6Optional flash Unit coupler AS-4 or AS-7 is required. With AS-17, Standard

TTL flash (p. 40-41) is possible, but not Repeating flash.

73D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash and Multi-Sensor

Balanced Fill-Flash are generally referred to as Automatic

Balanced Fill-Flash with TTL Multi Sensor.

* Because the European version of the SB-28 comes with a different shaped connector, Nikon

DC Units SD-7, SD-8 and the Power Bracket Unit SK-6 are not compatible.

Speedlight parts

Built-in bounce card (P.61)

Built-in wide flash adapter (P.21)

Mounting foot

locking wheel (P.14)

Mount pin (P.14)

For cameras featuring

a safety lock system.

Hot-shoe contacts (P.14)

Mounting foot (P.14)

Flash head (P.13)

Red-eye reduction lamp (P.76)

Light sensor for Non-TTL

Auto Flash operation (P.42)

AF assist illuminator LED (P.81)

Flash head tilting/rotating

lock release button (P.13)

Battery chamber lid (P.12)

External power source

terminal (P.85)

External power source

terminal (for European

market)* (P.85)

Tilting angle scale (P.60)

Rotating angle scale (P.60)

Terminal cover

TTL multiple flash terminal (P.66)

Sync/multiple flash terminal (P.70)

LCD panel (P.5)

Control buttons (P.10)

Ready-light (P.16)

All LCD (liquid crystal display) figures and marks do not appear at

the same time. They are shown together here for ease of explanation.

1Flash mode indicator (P.22)

tØAutomatic Balanced Fill-Flash with TTL

Multi-Sensor

tø Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash,

Center-Weighted/Spot Fill-Flash

tStandard TTL Flash

ƒManual Flash (P.46)

%FP High-Speed Flash sync (P.49)

"Repeating Flash (P.52)

˙Non-TTL Auto Flash (P.42)

2Film speed (ISO)/number of repeating flashes per

frame/frequency indicators (P.18 / P.52)

3Flash shooting range indicator bars (P.13)

Notes on LCDs

• Because LCDs are difficult to read when viewed from the side, you should look at

the LCD panel directly.

• LCDs are temperature sensitive and may turn black at high temperatures (approx.

60°C or 140°F). They clear up when the temperature returns to normal (20°C or

68°F).

• In cold temperatures (approx. 5°C or 41°F and below), the LCDs’ response time

slows down. This is typical of LCDs and no cause for concern. LCDs will function

properly once the temperature returns to normal (20°C or 68°F).

NOTE

Using the SB-28 in dim light

Press the .button to turn the illuminator on. Press the button again to turn it off. The illuminator

turns off automatically after approx. 16 sec. when the SB-28 is not in use.

LCD panel indications

4Red-eye reduction indicator (P.76)

5Zoom-head position indicator (P.19)

6Flash output level indicator (P.50)

7Exposure compensation indicator (P.72)

8Underexposure indicator (P.28)

9Exposure compensation/underexposure value

(P.72 / P.28)

10 Flash shooting distance scale (m: meter) (P.13)

11 Flash shooting distance scale (ft: feet) (P.13)

12 Standby mode indicator (P.15)

13 AF assist illuminator LED canceled indicator (P.82)

14 Aperture indicator (P.42)

Take some test shots.

Before taking important flash photographs, take some test shots to

ascertain the SB-28 is working as desired in the mode(s) you have

selected.

Use only Nikon-approved equipment.

The SB-28 is designed for use with Nikon cameras, lenses, and

accessories.

—Using cameras or accessories other than those specified by Nikon may damage

the SB-28.

—Nikon cannot be held responsible for malfunctions caused by using the SB-28 in

ways not specified in this manual, or using the SB-28 with a camera made by

another manufacturer.

Tips on using this manual

• This instruction manual consists of the main manual plus a

separate Quick Reference sheet. The Quick Reference sheet

provides an overview of the SB-28’s capabilities and features,

while the main manual supplies detailed information on all

aspects of the SB-28.

• Because explanations in this manual are based on the operation

of the SB-28 only, please consult the instruction manual provided

with your camera for specific information on its use.

Notices used in this manual

Denotes important points where caution is required.

NOTE Denotes a useful point that should be remembered for

future reference.

Determine what type of Nikkor lenses you are using.

Nikkor lenses are divided into two groups unless otherwise noted.

* CPU (Central Processing Unit) acts as an on-board computer.

** IX Nikkor lenses are designed for use with the Nikon Advanced Photo System (IX240) format

SLR camera body only and cannot be used with 35mm SLR cameras.

***Except AF Nikkor lenses for the F3AF

About this manual

• AI-S-type or AI-type Nikkor lenses

• Nikon Series E lenses

• AI-modified Nikkor lenses and others

Nikkor lenses

with a built-in CPU*

• D- or G-type Nikkor lenses

• IX Nikkor lenses**

• Non-D/G-type AF Nikkor lenses***

• AI-P-type Nikkor lenses

Nikkor lenses

without a built-in CPU*

Foreword ········································································································2

Camera groups and available flash modes ··················································3

Speedlight parts ····························································································4

LCD panel indications ··················································································5

Tips on using this manual ··············································································6

About this manual ··························································································7

Using control buttons ··················································································10

Getting started ······················································································11

Loading batteries ························································································12

Adjusting the flash head / Selecting the distance scale ····························13

Attaching the SB-28 to the camera ····························································14

Turning the SB-28 on and off / Standby function ········································15

The ready-light ····························································································16

Test firing ····································································································17

Setting the ISO film speed ··········································································18

Adjusting the zoom-head position ························································19-20

Setting the built-in wide flash adapter ························································21

Selecting a flash mode ················································································22

Basic operation ····················································································23

tflash modes ····················································································24-25

TTL Auto Flash tMode (For cameras in Group I)······························26-30

TTL Auto Flash tMode (For cameras in Group II) ····························31-32

TTL Auto Flash tMode (For cameras in Group III)····························33-34

TTL Auto Flash tMode (For cameras in Group IV) ··························35-37

TTL Auto Flash tMode (For cameras in Group V) ····························38-39

TTL Auto Flash tMode (For cameras in Group VI) ··························40-41

Non-TTL Auto Flash ˙Mode (For cameras in all groups) ··················42-43

Contents

Advanced operation············································································45

Manual Flash ƒMode

(For cameras in all groups) ································································46-51

Repeating Flash "Mode ······································································52-55

Guide Numbers for determining correct aperture in ƒ

and "flash modes ············································································56-57

Bounce flash operation ··········································································58-61

Close-up flash operation in TTL Auto Flash tMode ························62-64

Multiple flash operation in tand ƒflash modes ····························65-70

Exposure compensation in flash photography

(For cameras in all groups) ································································71-75

Red-eye reduction control (For cameras in Group I [except F5]

and Pronea 600i/6i) ··················································································76

Rear-curtain flash sync ··········································································77-78

Additional information ······································································79

Checking the correct exposure (For cameras in all groups) ······················80

Autofocus flash operation in dim light

(For autofocus cameras only) ····························································81-82

Optional accessories ··············································································83-85

Tips on Speedlight care ··············································································86

Notes on batteries ··················································································87-88

Troubleshooting ······················································································89-90

Specifications ························································································91-95

By pressing a single button, you can activate frequently used

functions. When two buttons are pressed simultaneously, you

can activate functions which are not necessary to set each time.

For easy reference, refer to the chart on the back of the built-in

bounce card.

One-button operations

'To adjust the zoom-head position (P.19-20)

µTo set the flash mode (P.22)

[To select and set various functions and values

{To increase values

}To decrease values

~To test fire the flash (P.17)

.To illuminate the LCD panel (P.5)

=To turn power on and off (P.15)

Two-button operations

'+{To set or cancel automatic zoom-head adjustment (Buttons must be

pressed for 2 sec.) (P.19-20)

'+[To readjust the zoom-head position, if built-in wide flash adapter is

broken off accidentally (P.21)

µ+}To turn the AF assist illuminator LED on or off (P.81-82)

µ+=To cancel or set the standby function (Buttons must be pushed after

the flash is turned off.) (P.15)

.+=To select the distance scale (meters or feet) (P.13)

(Buttons must be pushed after the flash is turned off.)

Using control buttons

M ZOOM ONLY

NO AF ILL

ON/STBY

(m) /(ft)

FLASH

ZOOM MODE SEL

ON/OFF

Other manuals for SB-28

This manual suits for next models

Table of contents

Other Nikon Camera Flash manuals

Nikon

Nikon SB600 - SB 600 - Hot-shoe clip-on Flash User manual

Nikon

Nikon speedlight SB-N5 User manual

Nikon

Nikon Autofocus Speedlight SB-20 User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB-5000 User manual

Nikon

Nikon Speedlight SB-11 User manual

Nikon

Nikon MACRO COOL-LIGHT SL-1 User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB-N7 User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB-28 User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB-400 User manual

Nikon

Nikon Nikonos Speedlight SB-103 User manual

Nikon

Nikon SU 800 - Wireless Speedlight Commander TTL Flash... User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB600 - SB 600 - Hot-shoe clip-on Flash User manual

Nikon

Nikon Speedlight SB-700 User manual

Nikon

Nikon Autofocus Speedlight SB-27 User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB-50DX User manual

Nikon

Nikon Speedlight SB-11 User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB-5000 User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB-14 User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB-400 User manual

Nikon

Nikon Autofocus Speedlight SB-22 User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB-N7 User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB-28DX User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB-30 User manual

Nikon

Nikon SB-140 User manual

Popular Camera Flash manuals by other brands

Canon

Canon 5246B002 instruction manual

Sigma

Sigma EF-610 DG SUPER - manual

Godox

Godox DP300 instruction manual

Sony

Sony HVL-FDH4 operating instructions

Sony

Sony HVL-RLA operating instructions

Canon

Canon Speedlite 380EX instructions

Olympus

Olympus FL 36R instruction manual

Altura Photo

Altura Photo AP-305N user manual

DÖRR

DÖRR DFX-300 instruction manual

Canon

Canon SPEEDLITE 300EZ instructions

Sunpak

Sunpak 622 Super Pro-System owner's manual

Polaroid

Polaroid PL108-AF user guide

Godox

Godox Thinklite TT350P manual

Pentax

Pentax AF240Z manual

Pixapro

Pixapro Li-ion 350 II N instruction manual

Canon

Canon 430EX - Speedlite II - Hot-shoe clip-on... user guide

Opus

Opus OPL-M40 user guide

Nissin

Nissin Mark II Di866 Pofessional instruction manual