Key Features
- Powerful, compact and portable i-TTL Speedlight unit optimized for use with Nikon's Creative Lighting System (CLS).
- Operates a stand-alone Speedlight, wireless Speedlight Commander or wireless remote unit .
- Control as many as 3 remote groups (A, B and C) with the SB-800's wireless Commander mode without leaving the camera position.
- Flash Value Lock provides a fixed flash output for more consistent flash output.
- Flash color information is provided for more accurate flash control.
- Built-in flash compensation: plus or minus 3EV in 1/3rd step increments.
- Nikon's most advanced Speedlight with a guide number of 184 feet (at ISO 100 at 105mm zoom-head position).
- Advanced wireless control provides fully automatic and independent control of an unlimited number of SB-900, SB-800, SB-600 and SB-R200 Speedlights.
- Four channel options for wireless operation prevents triggering of other Nikon CLS compatible Speedlights when working in competitive environments.
- Built-in Wide-area AF (autofocus) illuminator, compatible with every AF NIKKOR lens and all CLS compatible Nikon cameras.
- Auto FP High-speed sync for working with higher shutter speeds offering greater depth of field control.
- Bounce and swivel flash head control for more creative flash techniques and lighting effects.
Year Introduced
2003
Commander Function
Yes
Remote Function
Yes
Guide Number
38m/125ft. (at ISO 100, 35mm zoom-head position, 20°C/68°F) to 53m/174ft. (at ISO 100 and 105mm zoom-head position, 20°C/68°F)
Electronic Construction
Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry
Flash Exposure Control
i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash with CLS compatible cameras, Manual Flash (with Nikon Creative Lighting System digital and 35mm SLR cameras), Distance-priority manual flash
Other Available Functions
Test Firing, Monitor Pre-flashes, AF-assist illuminator, Modeling illuminator
Bounce Function (Tilt)
Flash head tilts down to 7° or up to 90° with click-stops at -7°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°.
Bounce Function (Rotate)
Flash head rotates horizontally 180° to the left and right with click-stops at 0°, 30°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180
Minimum Recycling Time
38m/125ft. (at ISO 100, 35mm zoom-head position, 20°C/68°F) to 53m/174ft. (at ISO 100 and 105mm zoom-head position, 20°C/68°F)
Flash Duration
1/1050 sec. at M 1/1 (full) output
1/1100 sec. at M 1/2 output
1/2700 sec. at M 1/4 output
1/5900 sec. at M 1/8 output
1/10900 sec. at M 1/16 output
1/17800 sec. at M 1/32 output
1/32300 sec. at M 1/64 output
1/41600 sec. at M 1/128 output
1/1100 sec. at M 1/2 output
1/2700 sec. at M 1/4 output
1/5900 sec. at M 1/8 output
1/10900 sec. at M 1/16 output
1/17800 sec. at M 1/32 output
1/32300 sec. at M 1/64 output
1/41600 sec. at M 1/128 output
Power ON/OFF
Press the power button for approx. 0.3 sec. to turn the SB-800 on or off.
Required Power Source
Four 1.5 V alkaline AA-size batteries, Four 1.5 V lithium AA-size batteries, Two 1.2V 2600mAh (Ni-MH rechargeable) batteries
Optional Power Supply
SD-8A High-Performance Battery Pack
Flash-ready Indicator
Lights up: recycled and ready to fire.
Blinks: flash fires at its maximum output, indicating light may have been insufficient (in TTL Auto Flash, Auto Aperture B Flash and Non-TTL Auto Flash A operations).
Blinks: flash fires at its maximum output, indicating light may have been insufficient (in TTL Auto Flash, Auto Aperture B Flash and Non-TTL Auto Flash A operations).
Ready Light
Back
Flash Compensation
–3.0 EV to +3.0 EV in increments of 1/3 steps in i-TTL auto flash
Custom Setting
Sound Monitor, Standby function, AF-Assist Illumination, LCD Panel Contrast, Unit or Measuring Distance
Minimum Number of Flashes / Recycling Time
150/2.9–30 sec. (1.2V Ni-MH) (x5)
150/4–30 sec. (1.2V Ni-MH) (x4)
140/5–30 sec. (1.5V Nickel) (x5)
140/6–30 sec. (1.5V Nickel) (x4)
90/3.5–30 sec. (1.2V NiCd) (x5)
90/4–30 sec. (1.2V NiCd) (x4)
190/7.5–30 sec. (1.5V Lithium) (x5)
170/7.5–30 sec. (1.5V Lithium) (x4)
130/4–30 sec. (1.5V Alkaline-manganese) (x5)
130/6–30 sec. (1.5V Alkaline-manganese) (x4)
150/4–30 sec. (1.2V Ni-MH) (x4)
140/5–30 sec. (1.5V Nickel) (x5)
140/6–30 sec. (1.5V Nickel) (x4)
90/3.5–30 sec. (1.2V NiCd) (x5)
90/4–30 sec. (1.2V NiCd) (x4)
190/7.5–30 sec. (1.5V Lithium) (x5)
170/7.5–30 sec. (1.5V Lithium) (x4)
130/4–30 sec. (1.5V Alkaline-manganese) (x5)
130/6–30 sec. (1.5V Alkaline-manganese) (x4)
Wireless Flash Modes
Off, Master, Remote, SU-4
Wireless Communication Channels
Four: 1, 2, 3 and 4Channels
Wireless Groups
Three: A, B and C
Other Functions
Recalling the underexposure value in the TTL auto flash mode, Resetting the settings
Dimensions (mm)
(70.6 x 127.4 x 91.7mm)
Dimensions (inch)
2.8 x 5.0 x 3.6 in.
Weight (grams)
(350g)
Weight (lbs)
12.0 oz.
Supplied Accessories
SD-800 Quick Recycle Battery Pack (for one R6 (AA) - size battery), AS-19 Speedlight Stand, SJ-800 Colored Filter Set (FL-G1 and TN-A1), SW-10H Diffusion Dome , SS-800 Soft Case