Nikon® Creative Lighting System: Digital Field Guide, Second Edition

Nikon® Creative Lighting System: Digital Field Guide, Second Edition

Released October 2009
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9780470454053

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Book description

A full-color, go-anywhere guide to Nikon's entire array of creative lighting possibilities

Nikon's Creative Lighting System is like having a low-cost, wireless, studio lighting system that's portable enough to fit into a camera bag. Although the possibilities are endless and exciting, setting up, synchronizing the equipment, and determining lighting ratios can be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, this Digital Field Guide has been completely updated to shed some light on the situation!

Beginning with the basic functions of the Nikon SB-900, the SB-800, and the SB-600, the author then goes on to demystify the complexities of using multiple speedlights, adjusting flash outputs, and setting up a wireless studio.

  • Clearly explains how to get the best results when using multiple speedlights

  • Includes examples and unique advice on how to light specific subjects, such as weddings, wildlife, portraits, product shots, and corporate locations

  • Covers other Creative Lighting System components, such as Nikon's wireless commander and macro speedlights

With this handy, on-the-go guide, you'll no longer be in the dark on Nikon's Creative Lighting System.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. About the Author
  3. Credits
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Introduction
    1. The Evolution of the Nikon CLS
    2. What's in This Book for You?
  6. Quick Tour
    1. Getting Started
    2. Taking Your First Photos with a Speedlight
  7. 1. Exploring the Nikon Creative Lighting System
    1. 1.1. Main Features and Functions
    2. 1.2. Anatomy of the Speedlight
      1. 1.2.1. SB-400
      2. 1.2.2. SB-600
        1. 1.2.2.1. Control buttons
        2. 1.2.2.2. Combination buttons
      3. 1.2.3. SB-800
        1. 1.2.3.1. Control buttons
        2. 1.2.3.2. Combination buttons
      4. 1.2.4. SB-900
        1. 1.2.4.1. Control buttons
      5. 1.2.5. Camera compatibility
        1. 1.2.5.1. D40, D40X, D50, D60, D3000, and D5000
        2. 1.2.5.2. D70/D70s
        3. 1.2.5.3. D80, D90, D200, D300/D300s, and D700
        4. 1.2.5.4. D2X/D2Xs, D2H/D2Hs, D3/D3X
    3. 1.3. Included Accessories
      1. 1.3.1. SB-900
        1. 1.3.1.1. SS-900 soft case
        2. 1.3.1.2. AS-21 Speedlight stand
        3. 1.3.1.3. SJ-900 color filter set
        4. 1.3.1.4. SZ-2 color filter holder
        5. 1.3.1.5. SW-13H diffusion dome
      2. 1.3.2. SB-800
        1. 1.3.2.1. SS-800 soft case
        2. 1.3.2.2. SD-800 quick-recycling battery pack
        3. 1.3.2.3. AS-19 Speedlight stand
        4. 1.3.2.4. SJ-800 colored filter set
        5. 1.3.2.5. SW-10H diffusion dome
      3. 1.3.3. SB-600
        1. 1.3.3.1. SS-600 soft case
        2. 1.3.3.2. AS-19 Speedlight stand
    4. 1.4. Add-on Accessories
      1. 1.4.1. SU-800 wireless Speedlight Commander
      2. 1.4.2. R1/R1C1 and SB-R200
      3. 1.4.3. SG-3IR
  8. 2. Setting Up Your Nikon Speedlights
    1. 2.1. Power Requirements
      1. 2.1.1. Nonrechargeable
      2. 2.1.2. Rechargeable
    2. 2.2. Navigate the Settings and Menus
      1. 2.2.1. Flash modes
        1. 2.2.1.1. i-TTL and i-TTL BL
        2. 2.2.1.2. Non-TTL Auto Flash/Auto Aperture
        3. 2.2.1.3. Guide Number Distance Priority
        4. 2.2.1.4. Manual
        5. 2.2.1.5. Repeating Flash
        6. 2.2.1.6. SU-4 mode
          1. 2.2.1.6.1. Using SU-4 mode as a master
          2. 2.2.1.6.2. Using SU-4 mode as a remote
      2. 2.2.2. SB-900 custom functions and settings
        1. 2.2.2.1. Non-TTL Auto flash mode
        2. 2.2.2.2. Master RPT flash
        3. 2.2.2.3. Manual mode output
        4. 2.2.2.4. SU-4
        5. 2.2.2.5. Illumination pattern
        6. 2.2.2.6. Test firing button
        7. 2.2.2.7. Flash output level of test firing in iTTL
        8. 2.2.2.8. FX/DX
        9. 2.2.2.9. Power zoom
        10. 2.2.2.10. AF-Assist
        11. 2.2.2.11. Standby
        12. 2.2.2.12. ISO
        13. 2.2.2.13. Remote ready light
        14. 2.2.2.14. LCD panel illuminator
        15. 2.2.2.15. Thermal cut-out
        16. 2.2.2.16. Sound monitor
        17. 2.2.2.17. LCD panel contrast
        18. 2.2.2.18. Distance unit
        19. 2.2.2.19. Zoom position setting for wide-flash panel
        20. 2.2.2.20. My Menu settings
        21. 2.2.2.21. Firmware
        22. 2.2.2.22. Reset
      3. 2.2.3. SB-800 custom functions and settings
        1. 2.2.3.1. ISO
        2. 2.2.3.2. Wireless Flash mode
        3. 2.2.3.3. Sound monitor
        4. 2.2.3.4. Non-TTL Auto flash mode
        5. 2.2.3.5. Standby
        6. 2.2.3.6. Distance unit
        7. 2.2.3.7. Power zoom
        8. 2.2.3.8. Zoom position setting for wide-flash panel
        9. 2.2.3.9. LCD panel illuminator
        10. 2.2.3.10. LCD panel contrast
        11. 2.2.3.11. AF-Assist
        12. 2.2.3.12. Flash Cancel
      4. 2.2.4. SB-600 custom functions and settings
        1. 2.2.4.1. Wireless remote flash mode
        2. 2.2.4.2. Sound monitor
        3. 2.2.4.3. Remote ready light
        4. 2.2.4.4. AF-Assist
        5. 2.2.4.5. Standby
        6. 2.2.4.6. Power zoom
        7. 2.2.4.7. Zoom position setting for wide-flash panel
        8. 2.2.4.8. LCD illuminator
  9. 3. Flash Photography Fundamentals
    1. 3.1. Understanding Flash Exposure
    2. 3.2. Key Terms
    3. 3.3. Basics of Using Flash
      1. 3.3.1. Achieving proper exposures
        1. 3.3.1.1. Guide Number
        2. 3.3.1.2. Aperture
        3. 3.3.1.3. Distance
        4. 3.3.1.4. GN / D = A
      2. 3.3.2. Flash sync modes
        1. 3.3.2.1. Sync speed
        2. 3.3.2.2. Front-curtain sync
        3. 3.3.2.3. Red-eye reduction
        4. 3.3.2.4. Slow sync
        5. 3.3.2.5. Rear-curtain sync
      3. 3.3.3. Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC)
    4. 3.4. Understanding Color Temperature
      1. 3.4.1. What is Kelvin?
      2. 3.4.2. White balance settings
      3. 3.4.3. Mixed lighting
    5. 3.5. Using Repeating Flash
    6. 3.6. Using Bounce Flash
    7. 3.7. Fill Flash
    8. 3.8. Simple Light Modifiers
      1. 3.8.1. Diffusion Domes
      2. 3.8.2. Bounce cards
    9. 3.9. Speedlights versus Studio Strobes
  10. 4. Advanced Wireless Lighting
    1. 4.1. Flash Setup for Advanced Wireless Lighting
    2. 4.2. Setting Up a Master or Commander
      1. 4.2.1. SB-900
      2. 4.2.2. SB-800
      3. 4.2.3. Built-in flash
    3. 4.3. Setting the Flash Mode
      1. 4.3.1. SB-900
      2. 4.3.2. SB-800
      3. 4.3.3. SU-800
    4. 4.4. Setting Up Remotes
      1. 4.4.1. SB-900
      2. 4.4.2. SB-800
      3. 4.4.3. SB-600
    5. 4.5. Setting Up Remote Groups
      1. 4.5.1. SB-900
      2. 4.5.2. SB-800
      3. 4.5.3. SB-600
    6. 4.6. Making Adjustments on the Fly
      1. 4.6.1. SB-900
      2. 4.6.2. SB-800
      3. 4.6.3. SU-800
  11. 5. Setting up a Portable Studio
    1. 5.1. Introduction to the Portable Studio
    2. 5.2. Equipment
      1. 5.2.1. Stands
      2. 5.2.2. Brackets and multiclamps
      3. 5.2.3. Umbrellas
      4. 5.2.4. Softboxes
        1. 5.2.4.1. Flash-mount softboxes
        2. 5.2.4.2. Stand-mounted softboxes
      5. 5.2.5. Reflectors and diffusers
        1. 5.2.5.1. Diffusion panel
        2. 5.2.5.2. Reflectors
      6. 5.2.6. Backdrops
        1. 5.2.6.1. Seamless paper
        2. 5.2.6.2. Vinyl
        3. 5.2.6.3. Muslin
        4. 5.2.6.4. Canvas
        5. 5.2.6.5. Background stands
      7. 5.2.7. Filters
        1. 5.2.7.1. Attaching the filters
        2. 5.2.7.2. Settings
          1. 5.2.7.2.1. SB-900
          2. 5.2.7.2.2. SB-800/SB-600
        3. 5.2.7.3. Using filters
          1. 5.2.7.3.1. Color correction
          2. 5.2.7.3.2. Special effects
    3. 5.3. Transporting Your Portable Studio
  12. 6. Advanced Flash Techniques
    1. 6.1. Action and Sports Photography
      1. 6.1.1. Setup
      2. 6.1.2. Tips and tricks
    2. 6.2. Concert Photography
      1. 6.2.1. Setup
      2. 6.2.2. Tips and tricks
    3. 6.3. Macro Photography
      1. 6.3.1. Setup
      2. 6.3.2. Tips and tricks
    4. 6.4. Night Photography
      1. 6.4.1. Setup
      2. 6.4.2. Tips and tricks
    5. 6.5. Portrait Photography
      1. 6.5.1. Indoor
      2. 6.5.2. Outdoor
      3. 6.5.3. Pet Portraits
    6. 6.6. Special Effects Photography
      1. 6.6.1. Setup
      2. 6.6.2. Tips and tricks
    7. 6.7. Still-Life and Product Photography
      1. 6.7.1. Setup
      2. 6.7.2. Tips and tricks
    8. 6.8. Wedding and Engagement Photography
      1. 6.8.1. Setup
      2. 6.8.2. Tips and tricks
  13. A. Posing Considerations
    1. A.1. Getting Started
    2. AA.2. Positioning the Head and Neck
    3. AA.3. Additional Tips
  14. B. Resources
    1. B.1. Informational Web Sites
      1. B.1.1.
        1. B.1.1.1. Nikon
        2. B.1.1.2. Nikonians.org
        3. B.1.1.3. Photo.net
        4. B.1.1.4. J. Dennis Thomas's Digital Field Guide Companion
    2. B.2. Workshops
      1. B.2.1.
        1. B.2.1.1. Ansel Adams Gallery Workshops
        2. B.2.1.2. Brooks Institute Weekend Workshops
        3. B.2.1.3. Great American Photography Workshops
        4. B.2.1.4. Mentor Series Worldwide Photo Treks
        5. B.2.1.5. Photo Quest Adventures
        6. B.2.1.6. Summit Series of Photography Workshops
        7. B.2.1.7. Santa Fe Photographic Workshops
    3. B.3. Online Photography Magazines and Other
      1. B.3.1.
        1. B.3.1.1. Digital Photographer
        2. B.3.1.2. Digital Photo Pro
        3. B.3.1.3. Flickr
        4. B.3.1.4. Outdoor Photographer
        5. B.3.1.5. Photo District News
        6. B.3.1.6. Popular Photography & Imaging
        7. B.3.1.7. Shutterbug
  15. C. How to Use the Gray Card and Color Checker
    1. C.1. The Gray Card
    2. C.2. The Color Checker
  16. Glossary

Product information

  • Title: Nikon® Creative Lighting System: Digital Field Guide, Second Edition
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: October 2009
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9780470454053