Nikon SB-30 User Manual

Speedlight
Blitzgerät
Flash

SB-30

Instruction Manual

Bedienungsanleitung

Manuel d’utilisation

Manual de instrucciones

E

G

F

S

English .................1 – 034

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Deutsch ..............35 – 068

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Français..............69 – 102

F

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Español ...........103 – 136

Foreword

Thank you for purchasing the Nikon Speedlight SB-30.
The SB-30 is a compact, light, and versatile Speedlight having a guide number of 16/52
(at 28mm angle of coverage, ISO 100, m/ft, 20°C/68°F). Available flash shooting modes
are TTL auto flash, Non-TTL auto flash, and Manual flash. Wireless multiple flash operation
is also possible.

Major features of the SB-30

• The SB-30 is useful as a handy flash unit to perform TTL auto, Non-TTL auto, and Manual flash, when
used with Nikon SLRs cameras not having a built-in Speedlight.

• The SB-30 is suitable as a slave flash unit in wireless or wired multiple flash operation when used in
combination with the COOLPIX or Nikon SLRs cameras having a built-in Speedlight.

• Close-up flash photography using with the flash head tilted down is possible without detaching the
Speedlight from the camera. Wireless multiple flash operation using the SB-30 as an Infrared remote
commander is also possible to control the firing of other slave flash unit(s).

To get the most out of your Speedlight, please read this and your camera instruction manual
thoroughly before use.

• Because the SB-30 features the same TTL flash operations as those of the SB-22s, refer to those items
in the flash photography section of your camera instruction manual corresponding to SB-22s, if the
SB-30 is not listed.

• (p. xx) indicates the reference page.

English

Preparation

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1

Tips on using the Speedlight

• Take test shots before shooting important occasions like weddings or graduations.

• The Nikon Speedlight SB-30’s performance has been optimized for use with Nikon cameras/
accessories and lenses. Camera/accessories made by other manufacturers may not meet
Nikon’s criteria for specifications, and nonconforming cameras/accessories could damage the
SB-30’s components. Nikon cannot guarantee the SB-30’s performance when used with
non-Nikon products.

Note

• The Nikon N90s, N90, N70, N60, N55, N50, N8008, N8008s, PRONEA 6i, N6006, N6000, N5005,
N4004, and N4004s are sold exclusively in the U.S.A.

The Nikon N80-Series and N65-Series are sold exclusively in the U.S.A. and Central and South America.

•

• The Nikon N2020 and N2000 are sold exclusively in the U.S.A and Canada.

Warning

• Batteries shall not be exposed to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like.

• Dry batteries shall not be subjected to charging.

• Do not expose the SB-30 to water as this may result in electric shock or cause the unit to catch on fire.

2

Contents

Preparation

Foreword .............................................................1

Tips on using the Speedlight ..............................2

Speedlight parts..................................................4

Mode selector dial ..............................................5

Flash head tilting angle.......................................5

Installing the battery............................................6

Turning the power ON/OFF and the Standby function

Attachment to the accessory shoe .....................9

Usable cameras and available flash modes.....10

Using the SB-30 with SLRs cameras

As a handy Speedlight

Auto flash modes ..............................................12

TTL auto flash mode......................................12

Non-TTL auto flash mode ..............................13

Manual flash mode............................................18

Illuminating a distant subject using the SB-30
and cameras such as the COOLPIX

Wireless slave flash shooting............................20

Shooting a distant subject using the SB-30 in

conjunction with cameras such as the COOLPIX
that have a built-in Speedlight

..............................22

........7

Shooting a subject when the SB-30 is placed away

from the camera

Softening the shadows cast on the wall by the

master flash unit or lightening the background

Multiple flash operation using the SB-30 as an

infrared remote commander ..........................27

Multiple flash shooting using cords ..................27

Advanced operation

Close-up flash operation from approx. 0.3 to 1m

(1 to 3.3 ft.) with the built-in wide-flash adapter

Exposure compensation ...................................30

Reference information

Optional accessories ........................................31

Troubleshooting ................................................32

Tips on Speedlight care and Notes on batteries

Specifications....................................................34

................................................24

..........26

.....28

......33

Preparation

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9

10

11

12

13
14
15

1

2

4

3

5

6

7

8

Speedlight parts

1 Flash head
2 Infrared filter (p. 27)
3 Mounting foot
4 Mount pin
5 Hot-shoe contacts
6 Light sensor window for

Non-TTL auto flash (p. 13)

n wide-flash adapter

7 Built-i

(p. 28)

4

8 Battery chamber lid
9 Ready-light (pp. 7, 13)

10 Exposure compensation

switch (p. 30)

11 Power switch (p. 7)
12 Mode selector dial (p. 5)
13 Light sensor window for

wireless slave flash

(pp. 20-26)

14 Standby resume button (p. 8)/Slave

flash firing cancel button (p. 23)

15 Mounting foot lock lever (p. 9)

Supplied accessories

Soft Case SS-30

Mode selector dial Flash head tilting angle

4

1

2

3

50゜

75゜

13゜

75°: for shooting normal

subjects

50°: for shooting subjects

closer than 0.4m (1.3 ft.)
(p. 29)

13°: when not in use.

Preparation

1 TTL auto flash mode (pp. 12, 14)

2 Non-TTL auto flash mode (pp. 13, 16)

3 Manual flash mode (p. 18)

4 Wireless slave flash mode (p. 20)

CAUTION!

Do not detach the flash unit while it is set at the
13° position. Otherwise, the flash unit or camera
might get scratched.

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5

Installing the battery

1

1 Set the SB-30’s power switch to the OFF position.

2 Open the battery chamber lid as indicated by the arrows.

3 Install the battery following the + and – marks as shown. Then close the battery chamber lid by

sliding it into place while pressing down.

• Install one 3V lithium battery (CR123A or DL123A). Do not use the other types of batteries.

• When replacing the battery, be sure to set the power switch to the OFF position. If the battery is replaced
while the power switch is set to the ON or STBY (standby) position, the Speedlight may fire accidentally or
the power may not turn on correctly. In this case, set the SB-30’s power switch to the OFF position once,
then set it back to the ON or STBY position. (p. 7)

2

3

Battery performance

•

When using a fresh battery, the number of flashes when the SB-30 fires at M1/1 output is approx. 250 times.

•

With a fresh battery, the recycling time after the SB-30 fires at M1/1 output is approx. 4 seconds.

• Replace the battery, if the ready-light takes more than 30 seconds to light up when the unit first turned
on or after firing the unit.

6

Turning the power ON/OFF and the Standby function

1

1 Set the SB-30’s power switch to the ON or STBY position.

• When set to the STBY position the Standby function is activated. (p. 8)

• The Standby function does not work with COOLPIX digital cameras having no hot-shoe contacts. In this
case, set the SB-30 to the ON position.

2 Make sure the ready-light comes on.

• When the ready-light lights up, the SB-30 is fully recycled and ready to fire.

3 Set the SB-30’s power switch to the OFF position when not in use.

• Be sure to set the SB-30’s power switch to the OFF position when not in use to conserve battery power.

23

Preparation

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7

Conserving battery power using the Standby function

• If the SB-30’s power switch is set to the STBY position, the Standby function is activated
only when the Mode selector dial is set to either TTL auto, Non-TTL auto, or Manual
flash mode.

• If the SB-30 and the camera are not used for approx. 40 seconds, the Standby function
activates and automatically turns the SB-30 off to conserve battery power. This is called
the standby state.

• The Standby function does not work if the Mode selector dial is set to the Wireless slave
flash mode. Take care that the power remains on and is consuming.

To turn the SB-30 on again after it enters in the standby state, you can:

• Press the Standby resume button/Slave flash firing cancel button.

• Lightly press the shutter release button on a camera that is compatible with the TTL auto
flash mode.

8

Attachment to the accessory shoe

Attaching and detaching the Speedlight

Slide the SB-30’s mounting foot 1 into the camera’s accessory shoe,
then turn the lock lever 2 in the direction of the arrow to lock the unit.

• When the SB-30 is attached to an accessory shoe not equipped with a
mount pin hole to prevent accidental detachment, take care that the SB-30
does not fall off.

• When detaching the SB-30, set the flash head tilting angle to 75° or 50°,
turn the lock lever 90° in the opposite direction to unlock the unit, then pull
the Speedlight off.

Note on attaching the SB-30 to cameras that have a built-in Speedlight

When the SB-30 is attached to the camera’s accessory shoe, do not pop-up the camera’s built-in
Speedlight. Otherwise, only one of the Speedlights will fire. However, this is not a malfunction.

Preparation

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9

Usable cameras and available flash modes

Available flash modes with film-based SLRs cameras

Camera type and model

Cameras compatible with the TTL auto flash mode:

F5, F4-Series, F100, F90X/N90s, F90-Series/N90, F-801s/N8008s,
F-801/N8008, F-601
FG, F3-Series

Cameras incompatible with the TTL auto flash mode:

2

Without a built-in flash

F2

, FM2, New FM2, FE, FG20, EM, FM10, FE10

*

Cameras with an accessory shoe

F80-Series/N80-Series
F60-Series/N60, F55/N55
F-401x/N5005, F-401s/N4004s, F-401/N4004, Pronea 600i/6i

Cameras without an accessory shoe

With a built-in flash

Pronea S

1

Optional TTL Flash Unit Coupler AS-17 is required.

*

2

Optional TTL Flash Unit Coupler AS-1 is required.

*

3

TTL auto flash is not possible when the SB-30 is mounted on the accessory shoe. Set the flash mode to the Non-TTL auto.

*

4

Set the camera’s exposure mode to Manual when the built-in Speedlight is used as a master flash unit.

*

10

M

/N6000, F-501/N2020, F-301/N2000, FM3A, FA, FE2,

1

*

:

4

, F70-Series/N70

*

3

, F50-Series/N50, F-601/N6006,

*

4

, F65-Series/N65-Series,

*

:

◎

: Recommended flash mode ○: Usable flash mode ×: Not usable −: Not applicable

Connection

to the camera

Accessory

shoe

Accessory

shoe

Accessory

shoe

Wireless

Wireless

Mode selector dial settings

Manual

Non-TTL auto

TTL auto

◎

（p . 14）

（p .14）

○○−−

◎

×

（p .16）

◎

○−−

○○−−

−−−

−−−

Wireless (A)Wireless (M)

◎

（p .21）

（p .21）◎（p .21）

◎

（p .21）

◎

Available flash modes with digital cameras

Camera type and model

1

, D100

D1-Series

*

COOLPIX 5000/5700

COOLPIX 900/910/950/990/995/4500

5

700/775/800/880/885/2000/2500/3500/4300

COOLPIX

*

6

COOLPIX 100/300/600

1

The D-TTL auto flash mode is not possible with the SB-30.

*

2

Except the COOLPIX 900

*

3

Use of the Multi-Flash Bracket Unit SK-E900 is recommended.

*

4

Use of the Bracket Set SK-9 is recommended.

*

7

/5000

/5700

*

*

*

*
*

◎

: Recommended flash mode ○: Usable flash mode ×: Not usable −: Not applicable

Connection

to the camera

Accessory

shoe

Accessory

shoe

3

Cord

*2*

4

Wireless

*

4

Wireless

*

4

Wireless

*

5

The built-in flash fires one preliminary flash before actually
firing to produce the correct flash output.

6

A dedicated Speedlight for the COOLPIX 600 is required.

7

At the “Auto with red-eye reduction” setting, the Wireless (M) mode is not possible.
Use the Wireless (A) mode instead.

Mode selector dial settings

Manual

Non-TTL auto

TTL auto

◎

×

◎

（p .14）

◎

（p .14）

−−−

○−−

（p .16）

○○−−

○○−−

◎

（p .21）◎（p .21）

−−−×

−

−−

◎

（p .21）◎（p .21）

Wireless (A)Wireless (M)

（p .21）

Preparation

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◎

11

Using the SB-30 with SLRs cameras

As a handy Speedlight

Auto flash modes

Two auto flash modes are available with the SB-30: TTL auto flash and Non-TTL auto flash

TTL auto flash mode

This mode is possible with SLRs cameras compatible with TTL auto flash. At
the instant the shutter is released and the SB-30 starts firing, the camera’s
built-in TTL auto flash sensor measures the flash illumination through-the-lens
that is reflected back from the subject and adjusts the SB-30’s flash output,
providing the correct exposure.
For usable cameras, refer to “Usable cameras and available flash modes”
(p. 10).
Available TTL auto flash modes such as Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash, Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash,
Center-Weighted Fill-Flash/Spot Fill-Flash, or Standard TTL flash vary, depending on the cameras and
lenses in use. For details, refer to your camera’s instruction manual.

• 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash is not possible, because the SB-30 does not fire a series of preflashes
(Monitor Preflash).

• The D-TTL auto flash mode is not possible with the SB-30.

12

Non-TTL auto flash mode

This mode is possible with all Nikon SLRs cameras including Digital SLRs.
At the instant the shutter is released and the SB-30 starts firing, the
SB-30’s built-in light sensor for Non-TTL auto flash measures the flash
illumination that is reflected back from the subject, automatically controlling
the SB-30’s flash output to provide the correct exposure. Therefore, auto
flash shooting is possible with cameras incompatible with TTL auto flash.
A choice of four shooting apertures is available: f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, and f/8
at ISO 100, and f/5.6, f/8, f/11, and f/16 at ISO 400.

Insufficient flash light warning indication in auto flash modes

When the flash has fired at its maximum output and underexposure may
have occurred, the ready-light blinks for approx. 1.5 sec. To compensate,
use a wider aperture or move closer to the subject and reshoot.

Basic operation

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Taking flash pictures in the TTL auto flash mode

1

1 Set the SB-30’s Mode selector dial to D.

2 Set the camera’s exposure mode, metering system, sync mode, shutter speed, etc.

• The ready-light inside the camera’s viewfinder blinks to warn you that the setting on the camera
is not correct and TTL auto flash is not possible. In this case, make sure the camera settings
are correct.

3 Check the aperture and flash shooting distance range.

• Make sure the main subject is within this range by referring to the table “Determining the aperture and flash
shooting distance range” (p. 15).

• If the camera’s exposure mode is set to Aperture-Priority Auto (A) or Manual (M), set one of the appropriate
apertures obtained from the table on the camera.

4 Make sure the SB-30’s ready-light is on, then shoot.

• Refer to page 13 if the ready-light inside the camera’s viewfinder blinks after shooting.

2

4

14

Determining the aperture and flash shooting distance range (m/ft.)

25 50 100 200 400 800

− f/1.4 f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 1–8/3.3–26 0.7–5/2.3–16

f/1.4 f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 0.7–5.6/2.3–18 0.5–3.5/1.6–11

f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 0.6–4/2–13 0.3–2.5/1–8.2

f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 0.6–2.8/2–9.1 0.3–1.7/1–5.5

Non-TTL

auto flash

f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22 0.6–2/2–6.5 0.3–1.2/1–3.9

f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22 f/32 0.6–1.4/2–4.5 0.3–0.8/1–2.6

f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22 f/32 − 0.6–1/2–3.2 0.3–0.6/1–1.9

• At an ISO sensitivity of 100 (200), the available shooting apertures in the Non-TTL auto flash mode are:
f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, and f/8 (f/4, f/5.6, f/8, and f/11)

• At an ISO sensitivity of 100 (400), the available shooting apertures in the TTL auto flash mode are:
f/2 to f/16 (f/4 to f/32).

• Use of the built-in wide-flash adapter is recommended when shooting subjects closer than approx.
1m (3.3 ft.) (p. 28)

ISO sensitivity Flash shooting distance range (m/ft.)

No wide-flash adapter in place With wide-flash adapter in place

• Set the flash head at the 50° position when shooting subjects closer than approx. 0.4m (1.3 ft.) (p. 5).

TTL auto flash

Basic operation

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Taking flash pictures in the Non-TTL auto flash mode

1

1

1 Set the camera’s exposure mode, sync mode, shutter speed, etc.

• The ready-light inside the camera’s viewfinder blinks to warn you that the shutter speed is not correctly set
with cameras FM3A, New FM2, and FE. In this case, make sure the camera settings are correct.

2 Determine the correct aperture to match the shooting distance range by referring to the table

“Determining the aperture and flash shooting distance range” (p. 15). Set the same aperture on the
SB-30’s Mode selector dial.

• For the available apertures, refer to the table “Determining the aperture and flash shooting distance
range.” (p. 15)

3 Set the same aperture on the camera or lens as set on the SB-30.

• Otherwise, the correct exposure cannot be obtained.

• When using a zoom lens having a variable aperture, refer to “Variable apertures after zooming in or out”
(p. 17) before setting the aperture.

4 Make sure the SB-30’s ready-light is on, then shoot.

• Refer to page 13 if the ready-light inside the camera’s viewfinder blinks after shooting.

16

24

Variable apertures after zooming in or out

• With zoom lenses having a variable aperture, take note of the following before setting the
aperture on the SB-30.

• For details, refer to your camera and lens instruction manuals.

Reading the aperture on the camera’s LCD panel or in the viewfinder

• Lock the lens aperture at its minimum, and after composing the picture by zooming in or
out, read the aperture appearing on the camera’s LCD panel or in the viewfinder.

Reading the aperture using the scale on the lens

• After zooming in or out to select the appropriate composition, read the aperture in the
following way:

At wideangle zoom settings, read the aperture value at the green index (or line).
At telephoto settings, read the aperture value at the yellow index (or dot).
At intermediate settings, read the aperture value between the two indexes.

Basic operation

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17

Manual flash mode

The SB-30’s flash output level can be set manually at M1/1, M1/8, or M1/32. In the Manual mode,
you must determine the correct exposure by calculation using a combination of the guide number,
shooting distance, and lens aperture.

• If the camera’s exposure mode is set to other than Aperture-Priority Auto (A) or Manual (M), the shutter may
not be released, depending on the cameras in use.

Guide number (m/ft.) and ISO sensitivity

ISO sensitivity 25 50 100 200 400 800 1600

M1/1 8/26 11/36 16/52 22/72 32/105 45/148 64/210

Flash output level M1/8 2.8/9 4/13 5.6/18 8/26 11/36 16/52 22/72

M1/32 1.4/4.6 2/6.6 2.8/9.2 4/13 5.6/18 8/26 11/36
M1/1 5/16 7.1/23 10/33 14/46 20/66 28/92 40/131

Flash output level

(with wide-flash adapter in place)

• To obtain the correct exposure, use the following equations to determine the aperture and guide number to match the

flash shooting distance.

f/stop (aperture) = Guide number (GN) ÷ Shooting distance (m/ft)
Guide number (GN) = Aperture x Shooting distance (m/ft)

•

For example, when shooting a subject at a distance of 2.5m (8.2 ft), at an ISO sensitivity of 400 and a lens aperture of f/2.8:

Guide number = 2.8 x 2.5 = 7 (in meters) or 2.8 x 8.2 = approx. 23 (in feet).

Therefore M1/8 is the correct flash output level with the wide-flash adapter in place.

• Likewise, when shooting a subject at a distance of 4m (13 ft.), at an ISO sensitivity of 400 and M1/1 flash output level

without using the wide-flash adapter:

18

f/stop = 32 ÷ 4 = 8 (in meters) or 105 ÷ 13 = approx. 8 (in feet). Therefore, f/8 is the correct lens aperture.

M1/8 1.8/5.9 2.5/8.2 3.5/11 5/16 7.1/23 10/33 14/46
M1/32 0.9/3 1.3/4.3 1.8/5.9 2.5/8.2 3.5/11 5/16 7.1/23

Taking flash pictures in the Manual flash mode

1

1 Set the camera’s exposure mode, sync mode, shutter speed, etc.

2 Determine the aperture and flash output level to match the flash shooting distance.

• The guide number varies as shown in the guide number table on page 18, depending on the flash output
level with and without the wide-flash adapter in place.

3 Set the aperture on the camera or lens and the flash output level on the SB-30.

4 Make sure the SB-30’s ready-light is on, then shoot.

• In the Manual flash mode, no warning ready-light blinks to indicate that the light may have been insufficient
for correct exposure after shooting.

34

Basic operation

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Illuminating a distant subject using the SB-30 and cameras such as the COOLPIX

Wireless slave flash shooting

In this section, the SB-30 is used as a slave flash unit that starts and stops firing in sync with the master
Speedlight mounted on the camera or the camera’s built-in Speedlight. With the SB-30, the following
types of wireless slave flash shooting can be performed.

• The Standby function does not work if the Mode selector dial is set to the Wireless slave flash mode.

Take care that the power remains on and is consuming.

Shooting a distant subject using cameras such as the COOLPIX that have a built-in Speedlight

By placing the camera and the SB-30 side-by-side to fire the SB-30 in sync with the built-in Speedlight,
you can illuminate a distant subject, creating a picture not possible when using the built-in flash by
itself.

Using the SB-30 as a slave flash unit placed away from the camera (p. 24)

In multiple flash, when the SB-30 is used away from the camera, you can create more natural-looking
pictures with sufficient illumination throughout the picture.

Softening shadows cast on the wall by the master flash unit or lightening the background (p. 26)

By using the SB-30 at full (M1/1) output, you can eliminate unattractive shadows or lighten the
background to create more natural-looking pictures.

Multiple flash operation using the infrared remote commander (p. 27)

With the built-in infrared filter in place, the SB-30 operates as an infrared remote commander to trigger
other slave flash units.

20

(P. 22)

Two methods of wireless slave flash shooting

Wireless slave flash can be performed in two ways by setting the Mode
selector dial:

(1) Auto wireless slave flash (A) mode:

• The SB-30 starts and stops firing in sync with the master Speedlight.

• The maximum shooting distance of the SB-30’s light sensor is approx. 5m (16 ft.).

(2) Manual wireless slave flash (M) mode:

• The SB-30 only fires at M1/1 output in sync with the master Speedlight.

• The maximum shooting distance of the SB-30’s light sensor is approx. 40m (131 ft.).

Notes

• Position the slave flash unit (SB-30) so that light from the master flash unit can reach the light sensor of the
slave flash unit. This is particularly important when taking pictures while holding a slave flash unit in your hand.

•

The correct exposure cannot be obtained if the master Speedlight fires a series of preflashes (Monitor Preflash).
Cancel the Monitor Preflash of the master flash unit using the methods described below. This is necessary
except for the one preliminary flash firing of the COOLPIX that does not affect the correct exposure.

F80-Series/N80-Series, Set the camera’s exposure mode to Manual (M)
F70-Series/N70

F5, F100, F90X/N90s, Cancel the Monitor Preflash of the Speedlight mounted on the camera.
F90-Series/N90

D1-Series Set the flash mode of the Speedlight mounted on the camera to Non-TTL auto

or Manual flash.

Basic operation

E

21

Shooting a distant subject using the SB-30 in conjunction with cameras such
as the COOLPIX that have a built-in Speedlight

By placing the camera and SB-30 side-by-side to fire
the SB-30 in sync with the built-in Speedlight, you can
illuminate a distant subject, creating pictures not
possible when using the built-in Speedlight alone. Set
the SB-30’s Mode selector dial to the Wireless slave
flash (A) mode to perform auto flash.

• The COOLPIX 900, COOLPIX 700 series, COOLPIX 800
series and COOLPIX 2500 cameras that fire one
preliminary flash are usable.

• With the Pronea S that has no accessory shoe or the
F55/N55, which has a hot shoe but no TTL auto flash
function, the SB-30 can still perform TTL auto flash.

• When attaching the SB-30 to cameras such as COOLPIX
700 series, COOLPIX 800 series, using the optional
Bracket Set SK-9, refer to the SK-9 instruction manual.

Slave flash
unit:SB-30

Main subject

Bracket Set

Camera: COOLPIX 700 series,

Master flash unit: Built-in Speedlight

SK-9 (optional)

COOLPIX 800 series,
COOLPIX 2500, etc.

22

Taking flash pictures with the COOLPIX

1 Make the necessary settings on the camera as with a normal Speedlight.

2 Set the SB-30’s Mode selector dial to Wireless slave flash (A).

• In wireless slave flash shooting, exposure compensation using the SB-30’s Exposure compensation
switch is not possible. In this case, make exposure compensation on the camera.

3 Check the aperture and flash shooting distance, then shoot.

• Press the Standby resume button/Slave flash firing cancel button to avoid accidental firing in sync
with other Speedlights. The SB-30 will not fire, while this button is pressed.

Taking flash pictures using film-based SLRs cameras

1 Set the master Speedlight, either the built-in Speedlight or one mounted on the camera, to fire.

• Be sure to cancel the master flash unit’s Monitor Preflash (p. 21).

2 Use the SB-30 as the slave flash unit and set it to the Wireless slave flash (A) mode.

• In wireless slave flash shooting, exposure compensation using the SB-30’s Exposure compensation
switch is not possible. In this case, make exposure compensation on the camera.

3 Check the aperture and flash shooting distance, then shoot.

• Press the Standby resume button/Slave flash firing cancel button to avoid accidental firing in sync
with other Speedlights. The SB-30 will not fire, while this button is pressed.

Basic operation

E

23

Shooting a subject when the SB-30 is placed away from the camera

When the SB-30 is placed away from the camera to
perform multiple flash, you can take more natural­looking pictures with sufficient illumination. Set the
SB-30’s Mode selector dial to Wireless salve flash (A)
to perform wireless multiple flash operation in the TTL
auto or Non-TTL auto flash mode.

• The COOLPIX 900, COOLPIX 700 series, COOLPIX 800

series and COOLPIX 2500 cameras that fire one
preliminary flash are usable.

• Speedlights such as the SB-30, SB-80DX, SB-50DX, etc.

that feature a wireless multiple flash function can be
used as the slave flash unit. Also, any other Speedlight
compatible with TTL auto flash, when mounted on the
optional Wireless Slave Flash Controller SU-4, is usable.

• In the wireless slave flash (A) mode, the maximum

shooting distance of the SB-30’s light sensor is approx.
5m (16 ft.).

• Position the slave flash unit so that light from the master

flash unit only reaches the light sensor of the slave flash
unit. If too much light from other slave flash units enters
the light sensor of the slave flash unit directly or
indirectly, correct operation may not be possible

24

Slave
flash
unit 1: SB-30

Camera: All Nikon SLRs and Digital cameras.
Master flash unit: Built-in Speedlight or Speedlight

Any Speedlight compatible with TTL auto flash

*

when mounted on the optional Wireless Slave
Flash Controller SU-4.

Main subject

mounted on the camera

Slave
flash
unit 2

*

Taking flash pictures

1 Make the necessary settings on the camera as with a normal Speedlight.

2 Set the SB-30’s Mode selector dial to Wireless slave flash (A).

• In wireless slave flash shooting, exposure compensation using the SB-30’s Exposure compensation switch
is not possible. In this case, make exposure compensation on the camera.

3 Set the master Speedlight’s flash mode to TTL auto flash.

• Be sure to cancel the master Speedlight’s Monitor Preflash (p. 21).

• If Monitor Preflash cannot be canceled, set the flash mode to other than the TTL auto flash mode.

• The D-TTL auto flash mode is not possible with the SB-30. With Digital SLRs cameras, set the flash mode to
Non-TTL auto flash or Auto Aperture flash.

4 Check the aperture and flash shooting distance, then shoot.

Basic operation

E

25

Softening the shadows cast on the wall by the master flash unit
or lightening the background

Set the SB-30’s Mode selector dial to Wireless slave
flash (M), and the Speedlight will fire at M1/1 output,
allowing you to eliminate shadows or lighten the
background for creating more natural-looking
pictures.

• The maximum shooting distance of the master

Speedlight’s light sensor is approx. 40m (131 ft.).

Shadows

Taking flash pictures

1 Use the SB-30 as the slave flash unit and set it to

the Wireless slave flash (M) mode.

2 Determine the correct exposure using the flash-to-

subject distance and aperture set on the camera or
lens, then shoot.

• Refer to “Manual flash mode” on page 18.

• To eliminate shadows such as those cast on the
wall, use a lens aperture that makes the
illumination on the wall overexposed by the
equivalent of at least +2 stops.

Slave
flash
unit 1: SB-30

Camera: All SLRs cameras
Master flash unit: Speedlight mounted on the

26

Wall

Main subject

camera or the camera’s built-in
Speedlight.

Multiple flash operation using the SB-30 as an infrared remote commander

With the built-in infrared filter in
place, you can use the SB-30
as an infrared remote commander
to perform wireless multiple flash,
using slave flash units only to
illuminate the subject without the
use of a master flash unit.

• Set the flash mode to TTL auto flash; Non-TTL auto
flash is not recommended.

• The infrared filter can be used together with the
wide-flash adapter.

• Even though light leaks from both sides of the
infrared filter, this will not affect the correct
exposure.

• Without using the infrared filter, the master flash
unit works as a normal flash unit and the subject is
also illuminated by this flash unit.

Slave
flash
unit 1: SB-30

Any Speedlight compatible with TTL auto flash

*

when mounted on the optional Wireless Slave
Flash Controller SU-4.

Infrared

light

Main subject

Infrared
light

Camera: SLRs or Digital

Master flash unit: SB-30

Infrared

light

cameras,

Slave
flash
unit 2

*

Multiple flash shooting using cords

Like other Speedlights compatible with the TTL auto flash mode, the SB-30 can perform TTL multiple flash
using optional TTL Remote Cords SC-17/SC-24, TTL Multi-Flash Sync Cords SC-18/SC-19, or the TTL Multi­Flash Adapter AS-10. For details, refer to your camera or accessory instruction manuals or brochures.

Basic operation

E

27

Close-up flash operation from approx. 0.3 to 1m (1 to 3.3 ft.) with the
built-in wide-flash adapter

With the SB-30 attached to the camera’s accessory shoe, close-up flash shooting can be performed.

• Be sure to use the built-in wide-flash adapter when taking close-up flash photographs.

• Vignetting may occur in close-up flash shooting when using a large diameter lens, lens hood, etc.

1

1 Set the SB-30’s Mode selector dial to t.

• With cameras incompatible with the TTL auto flash mode, set the dial to the Non-TTL auto flash or
Manual flash mode.

2 Set the camera’s exposure mode, metering system, sync mode, shutter speed, etc.

• The ready-light in the camera’s viewfinder blinks to warn you that the settings on the camera are not correct
and TTL auto flash is not possible. In this case, check the camera’s settings.

3 Set the wide-flash adapter in place by pulling it up.

• Take care that the black infrared filter does not obscure the front of the flash adapter.

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