External flashes like the Nikon SB-800 mount on top of the camera on a "hot shoe."
Released by Nikon in 2003, the Nikon SB-800 Speedlight was the top-of-the-line external flash unit that Nikon offered, and was eventually replaced in 2008. The SB-800 is a powerful multi-use external flash unit designed to work with Nikon's Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras. The flash featured a tilt/swivel head that could be used to redirect or bounce the light it created whether the photographer was shooting in a horizontal or vertical position. The flash also had a built in diffuser and bounce card for added ease of use.
Instructions
1. Open the battery compartment door located on the side of the Nikon SB-800 and install four "AA" batteries. The SB-800 will also accept an external power pack to speed up shooting and recycling times.
2. Attach the flash to your DSLR by sliding the flash onto the camera's "hot shoe" (mounting point) and lock it place by turning the locking mechanism located near the base of the flash. Turn your camera and the flash on.
3. Press the round dial on the back of the SB-800 to select the shooting mode for the flash. The SB-800 can be used in manual mode or in Nikon's i-TTL "Creative Lighting System" that is a proprietary program mode that works with the camera digital sensor and metering system to determine the best possible exposure for the image you're about yo photograph.
4. Press the button on the side of the flash head to tilt the flash head toward the ceiling, which bounces the light and creates a more natural looking light. The flash also has a button located at the base of the flash head that allows you to swivel it around. Repositioning the flash head gives you some different lighting options when shooting.
5. Hold your Nikon DSLR to your eye to compose the picture. Press the shutter release halfway down to activate the focus and exposure programming. Check for the small "lightning bolt" icon in the viewfinder indicating the flash is ready to fire. Press the shutter release the rest of the way to take the picture.
Tags: flash head, Nikon SB-800, base flash, camera shoe, external flash, external flash unit