Compatible flash units

The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)

Nikon’s advanced Creative Lighting System (CLS) supports a variety of features thanks to improved communication between the camera and compatible flash units.

Features available with CLS-compatible flash units

Flash unit0
SB-5000SB-5000
SB-910/SB-900/SB-800SB-910/SB-900/SB-800
SB-700SB-700
SB-600SB-600
SB-500SB-500
SB-R200SB-R200
SB-400SB-400
SB-300SB-300
SU-800The SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander

SB-5000

Supported features
Single flash
i-TTLi-TTL balanced fill-flash41
Standard i-TTL fill-flash42
qAAuto aperture4
ANon-TTL auto-
GNDistance-priority manual4
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash4
Optical Advanced Wireless Lighting
Master
Remote flash control4
i-TTLi-TTL4
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control4
qAAuto aperture4
ANon-TTL auto-
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash4
Remote
i-TTLi-TTL4
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control4
qA/AAuto aperture/non-TTL auto43
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash4
Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting-
Color Information Communication (flash)4
Color Information Communication (LED light)-
Auto FP high-speed sync44
FV lock45
Red-eye reduction4
Camera modeling illumination-
Unified flash control-
Camera flash unit firmware update4
  1. Not available with spot metering.
  2. Can also be selected via the flash unit.
  3. Choice of qA and A depends on the option selected with the master flash.
  4. Available only in i-TTL, qA, A, GN and M flash control modes.
  5. Available only in i-TTL flash control mode or when the flash is configured to emit monitor pre-flashes in qA or A flash control mode.

SB-910/SB-900/SB-800

Supported features
Single flash
i-TTLi-TTL balanced fill-flash41
Standard i-TTL fill-flash42
qAAuto aperture43
ANon-TTL auto43
GNDistance-priority manual4
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash4
Optical Advanced Wireless Lighting
Master
Remote flash control4
i-TTLi-TTL4
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control-
qAAuto aperture4
ANon-TTL auto-
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash4
Remote
i-TTLi-TTL4
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control4
qA/AAuto aperture/non-TTL auto44
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash4
Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting-
Color Information Communication (flash)4
Color Information Communication (LED light)-
Auto FP high-speed sync45
FV lock46
Red-eye reduction4
Camera modeling illumination-
Unified flash control-
Camera flash unit firmware update47
  1. Not available with spot metering.
  2. Can also be selected via the flash unit.
  3. qA/A mode selection is performed on the flash unit using custom settings.
  4. Choice of qA and A depends on the option selected with the master flash.
  5. Available only in i-TTL, qA, A, GN, and M flash control modes.
  6. Available only in i-TTL flash control mode or when the flash is configured to emit monitor pre-flashes in qA or A flash control mode.
  7. Firmware updates for the SB-910 and SB-900 can be performed from the camera.

SB-700

Supported features
Single flash
i-TTLi-TTL balanced fill-flash41
Standard i-TTL fill-flash4
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
GNDistance-priority manual4
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash-
Optical Advanced Wireless Lighting
Master
Remote flash control4
i-TTLi-TTL4
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control4
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash-
Remote
i-TTLi-TTL4
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control4
qA/AAuto aperture/non-TTL auto-
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash4
Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting-
Color Information Communication (flash)4
Color Information Communication (LED light)-
Auto FP high-speed sync42
FV lock43
Red-eye reduction4
Camera modeling illumination-
Unified flash control-
Camera flash unit firmware update4
  1. Not available with spot metering.
  2. Available only in i-TTL, GN, and M flash control modes.
  3. Available only in i-TTL flash control mode.

SB-600

Supported features
Single flash
i-TTLi-TTL balanced fill-flash41
Standard i-TTL fill-flash42
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
GNDistance-priority manual-
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash-
Optical Advanced Wireless Lighting
Master
Remote flash control-
i-TTLi-TTL-
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control-
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
MManual-
RPTRepeating flash-
Remote
i-TTLi-TTL4
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control4
qA/AAuto aperture/non-TTL auto-
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash4
Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting-
Color Information Communication (flash)4
Color Information Communication (LED light)-
Auto FP high-speed sync43
FV lock44
Red-eye reduction4
Camera modeling illumination-
Unified flash control-
Camera flash unit firmware update-
  1. Not available with spot metering.
  2. Can also be selected via the flash unit.
  3. Available only in i-TTL and M flash control modes.
  4. Available only in i-TTL flash control mode.

SB-500

Supported features
Single flash
i-TTLi-TTL balanced fill-flash41
Standard i-TTL fill-flash4
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
GNDistance-priority manual-
MManual42
RPTRepeating flash-
Optical Advanced Wireless Lighting
Master
Remote flash control42
i-TTLi-TTL42
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control-
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
MManual42
RPTRepeating flash-
Remote
i-TTLi-TTL4
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control4
qA/AAuto aperture/non-TTL auto-
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash4
Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting-
Color Information Communication (flash)4
Color Information Communication (LED light)4
Auto FP high-speed sync43
FV lock44
Red-eye reduction4
Camera modeling illumination-
Unified flash control-
Camera flash unit firmware update4
  1. Not available with spot metering.
  2. Can be selected using the [Flash control] item in the camera menus.
  3. Available only in i-TTL and M flash control modes.
  4. Available only in i-TTL flash control mode.

SB-R200

Supported features
Single flash
i-TTLi-TTL balanced fill-flash-
Standard i-TTL fill-flash-
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
GNDistance-priority manual-
MManual-
RPTRepeating flash-
Optical Advanced Wireless Lighting
Master
Remote flash control-
i-TTLi-TTL-
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control-
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
MManual-
RPTRepeating flash-
Remote
i-TTLi-TTL4
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control4
qA/AAuto aperture/non-TTL auto-
MManual4
RPTRepeating flash-
Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting-
Color Information Communication (flash)-
Color Information Communication (LED light)-
Auto FP high-speed sync41
FV lock42
Red-eye reduction-
Camera modeling illumination-
Unified flash control-
Camera flash unit firmware update-
  1. Available only in i-TTL and M flash control modes.
  2. Available only in i-TTL flash control mode.

SB-400

Supported features
Single flash
i-TTLi-TTL balanced fill-flash41
Standard i-TTL fill-flash4
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
GNDistance-priority manual-
MManual42
RPTRepeating flash-
Optical Advanced Wireless Lighting
Master
Remote flash control-
i-TTLi-TTL-
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control-
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
MManual-
RPTRepeating flash-
Remote
i-TTLi-TTL-
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control-
qA/AAuto aperture/non-TTL auto-
MManual-
RPTRepeating flash-
Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting-
Color Information Communication (flash)4
Color Information Communication (LED light)-
Auto FP high-speed sync-
FV lock43
Red-eye reduction4
Camera modeling illumination-
Unified flash control-
Camera flash unit firmware update-
  1. Not available with spot metering.
  2. Can be selected using the [Flash control] item in the camera menus.
  3. Available only in i-TTL flash control mode.

SB-300

Supported features
Single flash
i-TTLi-TTL balanced fill-flash41
Standard i-TTL fill-flash4
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
GNDistance-priority manual-
MManual42
RPTRepeating flash-
Optical Advanced Wireless Lighting
Master
Remote flash control-
i-TTLi-TTL-
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control-
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
MManual-
RPTRepeating flash-
Remote
i-TTLi-TTL-
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control-
qA/AAuto aperture/non-TTL auto-
MManual-
RPTRepeating flash-
Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting-
Color Information Communication (flash)4
Color Information Communication (LED light)-
Auto FP high-speed sync-
FV lock43
Red-eye reduction-
Camera modeling illumination-
Unified flash control-
Camera flash unit firmware update4
  1. Not available with spot metering.
  2. Can be selected using the [Flash control] item in the camera menus.
  3. Available only in i-TTL flash control mode.

The SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander

When mounted on a CLS-compatible camera, the SU-800 can be used as a commander for SB-5000, SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600, SB-500, or SB-R200 flash units. Group flash control is supported for up to three groups. The SU-800 itself is not equipped with a flash.

Supported features
Single flash
i-TTLi-TTL balanced fill-flash-
Standard i-TTL fill-flash-
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
GNDistance-priority manual-
MManual-
RPTRepeating flash-
Optical Advanced Wireless Lighting
Master
Remote flash control4
i-TTLi-TTL-
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control41
qAAuto aperture-
ANon-TTL auto-
MManual-
RPTRepeating flash-
Remote
i-TTLi-TTL-
[A : B]Quick wireless flash control-
qA/AAuto aperture/non-TTL auto-
MManual-
RPTRepeating flash-
Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting-
Color Information Communication (flash)-
Color Information Communication (LED light)-
Auto FP high-speed sync42
FV lock43
Red-eye reduction-
Camera modeling illumination-
Unified flash control-
Camera flash unit firmware update-
  1. Available during close-up photography only.
  2. Disabled when RPT is selected for flash control mode.
  3. Available only in i-TTL flash control mode or when the flash is configured to emit monitor pre-flashes in qA flash control mode.

Notes and tips for optional flash units

When using an optional flash unit, be sure also to read the documentation supplied with the unit.

  • If the unit supports CLS, refer to the section on CLS-compatible digital SLR cameras. This camera is not included in the “digital SLR” category in the documentation for the SB-80DX, SB-28DX, and SB-50DX.
  • If the flash-ready indicator (c) flashes for about three seconds after a photograph is taken in i-TTL or non-TTL auto mode, the flash has fired at full power and the photograph may be underexposed (CLS-compatible flash units only).
  • i-TTL flash control can be used at ISO sensitivities between 100 and 12800.
  • At ISO sensitivities over 12800, the desired results may not be achieved at some ranges or aperture settings.
  • In mode P, the maximum aperture (minimum f-number) is limited according to ISO sensitivity, as shown below:
    Maximum aperture (f-number) at ISO equivalent of:
    10020040080016003200640012800
    455.67.18101113
    1. If the maximum aperture of the lens is smaller than given above, the maximum value for aperture will be the maximum aperture of the lens.
  • The SB-5000, SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600, SB-500, and SB-400 provide red-eye reduction in red-eye reduction and slow-sync with red-eye reduction flash modes.
  • “Noise” in the form of lines may appear in flash photographs taken with an SD-9 or SD-8A high-performance battery pack attached directly to the camera. Reduce ISO sensitivity or increase the distance between the camera and the battery pack.
  • The camera provides AF-assist illumination as required. AF-assist illuminators on optional flash units will not light.
  • When an SC-series 17, 28, or 29 sync cable is used for off-camera flash photography, correct exposure may not be achieved in i-TTL mode. We recommend that you select standard i-TTL fill-flash. Take a test shot and view the results in the camera display.
  • In i-TTL, do not use any form of flash panel (diffusion panel) other than the flash unit’s built-in flash panel or supplied bounce adapter. Using other panels may produce incorrect exposure.

Flash photography

Flash photography cannot be combined with some camera features, including:

  • silent photography,
  • video recording, and
  • HDR (high dynamic range)

Using FV lock with optional flash units

  • FV lock is available with optional flash units in TTL and (where supported) monitor pre-flash qA and monitor pre-flash A flash control modes (see the documentation provided with the flash unit for more information).
  • Note that when Advanced Wireless Lighting is used to control remote flash units, you will need to set the flash control mode for the master or at least one remote group to TTL, qA, or A.

Other flash units

The following flash units can be used in non-TTL auto (A) and manual modes. The options available do not vary with the lens used.

Flash unitSupported features
SB-80DX, SB-28DX, SB-28, SB-26, SB-25, SB-24Non-TTL auto, Manual, Repeating flash, Rear-curtain sync1
SB-50DX, SB-23, SB-29, SB-21B, SB-29SManual, Rear-curtain sync1
SB-30, SB-272, SB-22S, SB-22, SB-20, SB-16B, SB-15Non-TTL auto, Manual, Rear-curtain sync1
  1. Available when the camera is used to select the flash mode.
  2. Mounting an SB-27 on the camera automatically sets the flash mode to TTL, but setting the flash mode to TTL disables the shutter release. Set the SB-27 to A.

Metering areas for FV lock

The areas metered when FV lock is used with optional flash units are as follows:

  • Stand-alone flash unit
Flash control modeMetered area
i-TTL6-mm circle in center of frame
Auto aperture (qA)Area metered by flash exposure meter
  • Remote flash units
Flash control modeMetered area
i-TTLEntire frame
Auto aperture (qA)Area metered by flash exposure meter
Non-TTL auto (A)

Flash compensation for optional flash units

In i-TTL and auto aperture (qA) flash control modes, the flash compensation selected with the optional flash unit or the camera [Flash control] item is added to the flash compensation selected with the [Flash compensation] item in the photo shooting menu.

Studio strobe lighting

To adjust the color and brightness of the view through the lens so that shots are easier to frame, select [Off] for Custom Setting d7 [Apply settings to live view].