Modern Classic SLRs Series :

Nikon SB-28 AF-TTL Speedlight

Instruction Manual - Part II

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Getting started

Becoming familiar with the SB-28 Before

starting to take flash pictures, you should
familiarize yourself with various settings and
adjustments of the SB-28, regardless of which
Nikon SLR camera you are using.

Credit: Image courtesy of Laura Kornylak ®

<shutterblade@comcast.net> from shutterblade*com where
the Company has a website on its own. Image copyright ©
2003. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of
the contributing photographer.

Loading batteries Four penlight batteries (1.5V or lower) of any of the following
types may be used:
a. AA-type alkaline-manganese (1.5V)
b. AA-type lithium (1.5V)
c. AA-type NiCd (rechargeable) (1.2V)
d. AA-type Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) (rechargeable) (1.2V)
NOTE : AA-type high-power manganese batteries are NOT recommended for
use with the SB-28 and/or SB-28DX

1 Open the battery chamber lid.

2 Install four penlight batteries
following the + and – symbols
inside the chamber. Close the
battery chamber lid.

Various optional external power source DC Units are available for use with the
SB-28. Using an external power source. WARNING: AVOID using mix battery
types or brands, or use old with new batteries.
Adjusting the flash head / Selecting the distance scale:
Adjusting the flash head Hold down the flash head tilting/rotating lock release
button while adjusting the flash head to the horizontal/front position. When the
button is pressed for approx. 0.5 sec. after adjusting the flash head to the
horizontal/front position, the power turns on and the flash shooting range
indicator bars appear on the LCD panel. They do not appear if the flash head
is adjusted to a position other than the horizontal/front position. The indicator
bars blink when the flash head is tilted down to -7°.
Selecting the distance scale
(meters/feet) Set the distance scale on
the LCD panel to either meters (m) or
feet (ft). 1 Press the button for
approx. 0.5 sec. to turn the SB-28 off. 2
Hold down the .button as you press
the button. To return to the former
setting, repeat steps 1 and 2.

Attaching the SB-28 to the camera When attaching the SB-28 to your
camera, make sure both units are turned off to avoid accidentally firing the
flash.

1 Loosen the SB-28's

mounting foot locking wheel
and slide the SB-28 into the
camera’s accessory shoe.

2 Tighten the locking wheel. With cameras equipped with a safety lock system,
the mount pin is automatically inserted into the locking hole in the camera’s
accessory shoe to secure the SB-28.
Detaching the SB-28 To detach the
SB-28, loosen the mounting foot locking
wheel all the way. If the wheel doesn't
loosen easily, push the foot forward
gently in the direction of the white arrow
and try loosening the wheel again.

Turning the SB-28 on and off / Standby function

Turning power on and off: To turn the SB-28 on and off, depress and hold the
button for approx. 0.5 sec.
Standby function: If both the SB-28 and camera are not used for after approx.
80 seconds, the SB-28 shuts off automatically to conserve battery power. This
is called the standby function.
Canceling and setting the standby function 1 Press
the button for approx. 0.5 sec. to turn the SB-28
off. 2 Hold down the button as you press the
button. The SB-28’s standby mode indicator :on
the LCD panel appears when the function is set and
disappears when it is not set. Perform steps 1 and 2 to
cancel it or reset it.

Note: The standby function is preset when the SB-28 is shipped from the factory. (Check
that the standby mode indicator :appears on the LCD panel when the SB-28 is turned
on.). When carrying the SB-28 in your camera bag with the standby function set, make
sure to turn off the flash unit to avoid accidental battery drain.

To turn the SB-28 on again after it enters the standby mode, you can:
Lightly press the shutter release button (except cameras in Group VII - refer to
chart on first page).. Press the button on the SB-28. Press the SB-28’s
button.
After the SB-28 is turned on, the ready-light lights up as soon as the SB-
28 is recycled and ready to fire. Make sure the ready-light lights up before taking
the picture. The ready-light blinks when the flash fires at maximum output. In TTL
Auto Flash OR Non-TTL Auto Flash ·mode, if the ready-lights on the SB-28 and inside
the camera’s viewfinder blink for approx. 3 seconds after the picture is taken, the flash has
fired at its maximum output, indicating that light may have been insufficient for correct
exposure. In that case, use a wider aperture or move closer to the subject before taking
any more pictures

Replace batteries. Replace alkaline-manganese batteries if the ready-light takes more

than 30 seconds to light up. Replace lithium batteries if the ready-iight takes more than 10
seconds to light up. Notes on batteries. Recharge NiCd or Ni-MH batteries if the ready-
light takes more than 10 seconds to come on. When exhausted batteries are used in the
SB-28, the zoom-head position adjustment may be activated repeatedly, producing sound
inside the unit, even when the power is turned off.

Test firing You can perform simple test firing by pressing the
button to ensure that the SB-28 is working properly. 1 Press
the button to turn the SB-28 on. 2 After the ready-light
comes on, press the button to fire the SB-28. NOTE If the
SB-28 enters the standby mode, press the button once to
turn the flash back on, then press the button again to test-fire
the unit.

Setting the ISO film speed Cameras in Groups

I and II The ISO film speed is automatically set and
indicated on the SB-28’s LCD panel. NOTE: The usable
film speed in Auto Flash mode is ISO 25 to 1000.
Cameras in Groups III through VII Set the ISO film
speed manually in this manner:

1 Turn the SB-28 off.

2 Turn it on again. The film speed starts blinking.
3 Press the or button to increase or decrease the
film speed. Press the button to stop the film speed
from blinking.

The film speed indicator blinks during adjustment and

stops after 8 seconds unless the button is pressed.
The last blinking number is the one automatically set.
Note: The following ISO film speeds can be used in TTL
Auto Flash mode: ISO 25 to 1000 for cameras in
Groups III and IV, plus F-501/N2020 and F-301/N2000
cameras. ISO 25 to ISO 400 for cameras in Group VI,
plus F-401s/N4004s and F-401/N4004 cameras.

Adjusting the zoom-head position The SB-28 has six zoom-head position
settings: 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm and 85mm. (The zoom head is
set to either 18mm or 20mm when the built-in wide flash adapter is used.)
Cameras in Groups I and II with Nikkor lenses with a built-in CPU
1 The zoom head is automatically adjusted. Automatic zoom-
head positioning is not possible if a small M appears above
the ZOOM on the LCD panel. Press the button several
times until the M disappears. 2 After automatic adjustment,
make sure the zoom-head position on the LCD panel matches
the focal length of the lens in use. With a zoom lens, the zoom
head automatically adjusts within the range of 24mm to
85mm. When the focal length exceeds the SB-28's available
range, the zoom-head adjusts to the closest wideangle or
telephoto setting of the lens in use.

NOTE To cancel automatic zoom-head positioning and set the position

manually: 1 Press the and buttons simultaneously for approx. 2 sec. until the
small M above ZOOM starts blinking. Then press the button and set the desired
zoom-head position manually. 2 The zoom-head position indicator changes every time you
press the button: 24mm 28mm 35mm 50mm 70mm 85mm Once set manually, the
zoom-head position is locked and does not change even when the power is turned off and
on again or the lens is changed. To resume automatic zoom-head position adjustment,
press the and buttons simultaneously for approx. 2 sec. until the small M above
ZOOM disappears.
Other camera/lens combinations Press the button and adjust the zoom-head
position manually to match the focal length of the lens in use. The indicator changes each
time you press the button: 24mm -> 28mm-> 35mm-> 50mm -> 70mm -> 85mm
When set manually, a small M appears above the ZOOM on the LCD panel. When using a
Zoom-Nikkor lens, set the zoom-head position on the SB-28 to correspond to the shortest
focal length of the lens (for example, select the 28mm setting when using a Zoom-Nikkor
28-85mm lens). Then, the flash will cover all the focal lengths.

Setting the built-in wide flash adapter

The SB-28 comes with a wide flash
adapter coverage to match an 18mm or
20mm lens. 1 Slide out the wide flash
adapter and gently push it down into
place in front of the flash head.

Note: Because the bounce card comes out at the same time, return it 3 to its
original position inside the flash head. The zoom-head position indicator
changes to 20mm and the indicator bars display the appropriate flash shooting
distance range.
2 To change to 18mm, press the button once. The
zoom-head position indicator toggles between 18mm
and 20mm each time you press the button. To
replace the wide flash adapter, lift it up and slide it back
into its original place inside the flash head. If the built-
in wide flash adapter is broken off accidentally, it is
no longer possible to set 18 or 20mm. In this case,
press the 'and buttons simultaneously for
approx. 4 sec. until the zoom-head position indicator
starts blinking, making it possible to adjust the zoom-
head automatically or manually to its six basic settings
(24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 85mm).

For available flash operations with the

SB-28 and each camera group, refer to
the table on the fold-out page at the
front of this manual.

Selecting a flash mode When the button on the back of the SB-28 is
pressed, the flash mode indicator sequences through these modes: Note that
the LCD indications and available flash modes differ depending on which Nikon
camera and lens you are using. The table below shows the auto flash mode
recommended for use with each camera group. Refer to the reference pages
corresponding to your camera.
Basic operation Shooting in the auto flash mode The SB-28 provides a
variety of flash modes to cover virtually all shooting situations. These modes
range from TTL Auto Flash to Non-TTL Auto Flash ·and Manual Flash In
this section, TTL and Non-TTL Auto Flash modes are explained.
TTL Auto Flash : If your camera is in group I to VI, flash modes, to get the
most out of TTL automatic flash operations.
Non-TTL Auto Flash ·: If your camera is in Group VII with no TTL Auto Flash
mode available, Non-TTL Auto Flash ·mode. This mode can also be used with
cameras in all
groups.

| previous | NEXT | 2/6 The SIX basic Flash Operations with the Nikon SB-28
Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six
| Back | Index Page The Nikon F5 SB-28 Instruction manual
| Back | Index Page The Nikon F5 SB-28DX Instruction manual
Relative:
Nikon AF-TTL Speedlight Models: Nikon SB-800 | Nikon SB-600 | Nikon SB-30 |
Nikon SB-29(s) (2000) | Nikon SB-28 (1997) | Nikon SB-27 (1997) | Nikon SB-26 (1994) |
Nikon SB-25 (1992) | Nikon SB-24 (1988) | SB-23 | SB-22 (1987) | SB-20 (1986)
Nikon AF-TTL Speedlight DX-Series: Nikon SB-28DX (1999)| SB-50DX (2001) | SB-80DX
(2002)
Additional information on various Nikon MF Bulb Flash - Nikon MF-Speedlights SB-1
~ SB-21A/B
| Back | Main Index Page - Nikon F5 Professional SLR camera
The Camera - Background, Issues & Summary
Basic Features | Focusing | Metering Systems | Exposure Control | Reliability Issues
| Nikkor lens Compatibility

Prisms/Finders - Index page - 2 parts

Film Backs: Index Page - 1 parts
Focusing Screens - Index Page - 1 part
Flash System - Index Page - 3 parts
System Accessories: | Power Sources | Cases | Remote Control | Miscellaneous
Macro Photography - Related info on Micro-Nikkor lenses

Technical Specification for Nikon F5

Main Reference Map / Nomenclature

Resource Centre: Instruction Manuals

Nikon F5 Camera Body - 18 parts
MF-28 Multi-Function Back HTML - 8 parts
PC Links - Photo Secretary - 2 parts
AF-TTL Speedlights: SB-28 / SB28DX | SB29(s) info | SB30 | SB50DX | SB80DX |
SB600 info | SB800

Variants: F5 50th Anniversary Model | Nikon/Kodak DCS-620 | DCS-720 Digital Still

SLR camera
| Back | Index Page of Digital Nikon SLR cameras
| Back | Main Index Page of Pictorial History of Nikon SLR cameras
Nikon F | Nikon F2 | Nikon F3 | Nikon F4 | Nikon F5 | Nikon F6 | Nikkormat /
Nikomat | Nikon FM | Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital
SLRs | Nikon - Other models

The Eyes of Nikon:-

Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page
Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:- Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full
Frame | Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm15mm18mm20mm | Wideangle Lenses -
24mm28mm35mm | Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto Lenses -
85mm105mm135mm180mm & 200mm | Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm
500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |
Special Application lenses:
Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-
Zoom 70-180mm
Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm
Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF
Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm
Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm
Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm
Index Page
Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units |
Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm
Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom
lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm

MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm |

36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm |
50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm |
180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm

Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E
| TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E

Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

| Message Board | for Nikon F5 Series SLR model(s) |

| Message Board | for your Nikon Optics in a shared

environment
| Message Board | Specifically for Dispose or Looking
for Nikon/Nikkor Photographic Equipment

W A R N I N G: The new G-SERIES Nikkor lenses have removed the

conventional aperture ring on the lense barrel, they CANNOT adjust
aperture(s) when operating in manual exposure control even with certain
earlier MF/AF Nikon SLR camera models. But they are FULLY
COMPATIBLE with the Nikon F5 featured here in all usable metering
systems and/or exposure modes. Please refer to your local distributor for
compatibility issue(s).

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A resource dedicated to my kids, Alvin Foo & Esther Foo- one day, BOTH might need to use all these
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