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Nikon SB-400 AF Speedlight for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras | 
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| Brand: Nikon
Category: Photography
List Price: $129.99
Buy New: $99.99
You Save: $30.00 (23%)
New (17) from $99.99
Rating:  140 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Battery: 2 AA
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 3.8 x 3.1 x 2.4
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: 4806
Model: 4806
UPC: 018208048069
EAN: 0018208048069
ASIN: B000KKPN5C
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Compact, lightweight Speedlight unit | | • | 18mm angle of coverage with Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras | | • | Bounce capabilities in 4 steps up to 90 degrees; flash shooting distance range from 2 and up to 66 feet | | • | Approximate guide number of 98.4 feet at ISO 200 (at 18mm zoom head setting) | | • | Operates on two AA-size (1.5V) batteries; fast 2.5 second recycling time |
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Product Description
The SB-400 gives photographers the opportunity to enjoy brighter and more natural lighting for images taken using a flash. It is designed to suit entry-level digital SLR users while also suitable for more experienced users. Those who have a camera within the D2 series will also benefit from the convenient portable flash unit. The SB-400 offers a guide number of 30 (ISO 200, m), and effortless bounce flash function and is controlled in i-TTL and the D40's M (manual) mode. Flash shooting distance range from 2 and up to 66 feet Electronic construction - Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry Guide number - (at 18mm zoom-head position, 20 degrees C/68 degrees F) 30m per 98.4 feet Angle of coverage - Light distribution covers an 18mm lens when mounted on a Nikon DX format digital SLR camera (27mm lens when mounted on an F6 35mm SLR) Flash shooting distance range - 2 to 66 feet (Varies depending on the ISO sensitivity, zoom-head position, and lens aperture in use) Flash mode - i-TTL, M (manual with the D40 only) Flash exposure control set on the camera - Slow-sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction in slow sync, rear-curtain sync flash, FV lock flash, manual flash (with Nikon Creative Lighting System digital and 35mm SLR cameras) Bounce capability - Flash head tilts up to 90 degrees with click-stops at 0, 60, 75, 90 degrees Power Source - Two AA batteries (1.5V or lower) Flashes/Recycling time at full output - Alkaline-manganese (1.5V) 140/3.9 sec, Lithium (1.5V) 250/4.2 sec, Oxyride (1.5V) 150/3.1 sec, Ni-MH rechargeable (1.5V, 2600 mAh) 210/2.5 sec Lights up when the SB-400 is recharged and ready to fire. Blinks to indicate insufficient light, insufficient battery power and incompatibility of camera with SB-400 Flash duration - Approximately 1/1300th second at full output Mounting foot lever lock - Provides secure attachment to the camera accessory
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| Customer Reviews: Read 135 more reviews...
 Does exactly what it's supposed to, and is very easy to use ... March 1, 2007
110 out of 110 found this review helpful
If you need a small flash that is a lot more powerful than the on-camera flash on your compatible Nikon camera, this is a great flash. More than anything, it's a better than on-camera flash that also has bounce capability, which none of the on-camera flashes do. For me, it doesn't replace a full-featured flash like and SB-800 or SB-600, but is a lot smaller and lighter for many times when you don't need the big mama. It's not powerful enough for instance to bounce if the ceiling is higher than 10 or 11 feet with lower ISO settings, where the SB-800 can still reach. I have found I don't use it as often as I thought I would, but that's really because I've not gotten into the habit of using a fill-flash as much as I should. That's not the fault of the flash.
It is fully automatic, which really means there's nothing to set or control on this unit. If your camera isn't compatible, basically this flash won't work for you. If it is compatible, it works great and seamlessly. I use it with a D200, D70 and CP8400, and it works great with all of them.
One thing to keep in mind is if you were thinking of using it as a "better" main flash on for instance a D200 in wireless remote flash mode, think again. Only the actual in-camera flash can be used in the remote commander mode on a D200. And, this unit is NOT capable of being a remote flash in wireless flash, either. So basically, don't consider it as part of wireless remote flash operation. It's a better than in-camera flash, not a wireless flash.
Also keep in mind as far as I know in the Coolpix line only the 8400 and 8800 are fully compatible with this. Most of the newer DSLRs are, though. If your camera isn't i-TTL, it's not the flash for you. Check the compatibility before you buy.
If you want a small and fully integrated flash for your Nikon digital, it's a great unit.
A No Brainer for the $$$ June 3, 2007
35 out of 37 found this review helpful
You wouldn't, or shouldn't, be reading this if you do not have a Nikon with iTTL. It is compact and works flawlessly if you do not want to eat up your camera's battery when using flash. Advantages of bounce over the direct flash on whichever Nikon body you own, is overwhelming. Do not expect a flash unit of this size to bounce off of a high ceiling, but a large index card overcomes that problem. There is not enough offset from the lens for fill flash with a large lens hood, but you can't expect everything from such a compact unit. Although I have many compact non-Nikon flashes, the proprietary electronics of the present day Nikons almost requires using their flash systems to get optimum metering.
Great flash for a great price. June 5, 2007
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
Just got this flash for my Nikon D80 and I couldn't be happier. It's a lot of flash in a small package for just over 100 bucks. It's easy to use, easy to store, arrived in a matter of days, and has literally transformed my indoor images. Sure, I could have spent a lot more for the 600 or the 800 and gotten more pro-level capabilities but I just couldn't justify the price. My logic: get this flash and see if it meets your needs. At this price, one can always upgrade later. So far, it's completely exceeded my expectations.
Very small sizi but useful functionality December 28, 2006
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
What impressed me most when I opened package from amazon was size of the flash unit. Very small and light. I used to have regular size flash unit which was too bulky to carry around. This one I plan to carry around just in case if I need something more powerfull than build-in flash or bounce the light. In combination with wide apperture Nikon promised up to 20m usefull range. The head of the unit moves 90 degree so you can use bounced light to make portraits. Overall, I like the unit. Doesn't take space or weight.
Plus price is right.
Smart Little Speedlight! April 20, 2007
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
The Nikon SB400 is light, well-constructed, fully-automatic, very easy to use, runs on a cheap pair of readily available AA batteries, takes bulls-eye flash exposures and affordable to boot! I bought this to have a little more punch to my flash photography and to lessen the load on the camera's battery.
At first I thought I would need a sophisticated speedlight, knowledge of manual flash calculations or whatever it is that other photographers seem to know that I don't to get great flash photos. I thought only the more expensive SB600 and SB800 can do this with current Nikon DSLRs as the builtin flash just doesn't cut it. Was I wrong!
When I saw Nikon the SB400 and read reviews about it I knew I found an effective alternative. It delivered the goods with the finesse and the elegance of simplicity. It works like magic! It doesn't compete with the camera for weight. I can slip it in and out easily. Most of all it does not require elaborate setup to give WOW! results. With this speedlight I have shot portraits using bounce flash so natural my flattered friends thought it was only possible with ambient light. I have photographed small items up close without having a washed out image. I have used the excellent fill-in flash technique outdoors without worrying about over-expossure. I have easily used the SB400 as the main light at night without worrying of under-exposure. The results were just great! Unless you intentionally set out to mess it up it's hard to make a bad flash exposure with the SB400. Another feature I like is that, should I need more or less flash power than the default settings, I can easily adjust it on the camera. There are no other switches or buttons on the flash that I can possibly screw up. Perfect!
When I need flash light I just slide in the SB400 on the hotshoe of my Nikon D40, switch the lock and switch it ON and I'm good to go! All I have to do is select my shooting mode and the SB400 takes care of the rest. The SB400 is sized and designed in such a way that I like having it around.
Unless you are doing studio work or commercial location shooting (I am not), I couldn't think of any other situation that the SB400 will not fit nicely. But if you want more flash range, the facility to fine-tune the flash by hand or control flash remotely then you should consider the more expensive Nikon speedlights SB600 or SB800.
The Nikon SB400 fully covers my needs and it saved me money besides. An ideal pair for the D40. Highly Recommended!
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