How to Use a Nikon SB800 Flash for a Fill Light

Nikon's SB-800 Speedlight is Nikon's top of the line flash. The SB-800 combines powerful flash operation with Nikon's Creative Lighting System, known simply as CLS. When using a CLS compatible camera, fill-flash is simplified by using the SB-800 i-TTL function. The i-TTL function enables the SB-800 to emit preflashes which help to determine the correct exposure for the subject that is being photographed. Follow these steps to get photographs that stand out from the others.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nikon SB-800 Speedlight
• Nikon Digital Camera compatible with CLS
• Nikon Diffusion Dome SW-10H

1. Mount the SB-800 on a Nikon CLS compatible camera. Power up the camera and dial in the film speed that you desire. Set the camera to the Programmed Auto Mode, "P" on the Exposure Mode dial.

2. Power up the flash. Press the mode button till you see the "TTL BL" setting on the flash's LCD. The camera and flash are now ready for i-TTL Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash operation.

3. Compose your picture and take a photograph. View the resulting photograph on the camera's LCD screen. If you are satisfied with the result, take some more photographs till you get the one that stands out from the rest. If you are not satisfied with the result, proceed to the next step.

4. Change the Flash Output Level by making an exposure compensation to the flash. Press the "SEL" button on the flash. The flash power can be raised or lowered in 1/3 steps. Press the "+" or "-" buttons to get the desired flash level. Press "+" if the photograph is dark. Press "-" if the photograph is too bright. Start with a "-1ev" setting for an overexposed photograph. Start with "+ 1/3ev" setting for an underexposed photograph.

5. Take some more photographs, each time checking the photograph and changing the exposure compensation until you get the photograph that you are looking for.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are not sure that your camera is a CLS model, mount the flash on the camera and power up both units. The flash LCD screen will show a wavy double ended arrow above a camera icon if the camera is CLS ready.
• When indoors, try pivoting the flash head and bouncing the flash off the ceiling or walls for better flash results.
• Try using the Nikon Diffusion Dome when indoors or outdoors to soften the flash output.