Nikon SB-26 Instruction Manual - Page 58

AF Assist LED - Autofocus Flash Photography in Dim Light The SB-26's AF assist LED enables you to perform autofocus flash photography in dim light or even total darkness with some Nikon AF cameras. When ambient light is insufficient for autofocus operation, the AF illuminator automatically turns on to start operation and give contrast to a dark subject, allowing the camera's autofocus system to function as though it were daytime. If ambient light is sufficient, the AF illuminator does not light up. Before proceeding: E ATTACH SPEEDLIGHT TO CAMERA. E TURN ON BOTH SPEEDLIGHT AND CAMERA. E USE SINGLE-SERVO AUTOFOCUS (S or A) E USE SINGLE-FRAME SHOOTING (S) FILM ADVANCE MODE E FOR F5, SELECT CENTER FOCUS AREA Hints and Notes SB-26 • Check that the SB-26's ready-light has come on. APPLICABLE NIKON SLR MODELS F5 E F-601M/N6000 FE2 F90X/N90s E F50-Series/N50 E FG F90-Series/N90 E F-401x/N5005 E Nikonos V F70-Series/N70 E F-501/N2020 E F3-Series F4-Series E F-301/N2000 F2-Series F-801/N8008 E F-401/N4004 E FM2 F-801s/N8008s E F-401s/N4004s E FG-20 F-601/N6006 E FA 114 • Lightly press the camera's shutter release button to activates the AF illuminator LED. Do not use autofocus lock function. • Confirm whether in-focus indicator LED ! in the camera's viewfinder appears. If the in-focus indication does not appear inside the viewfinder, the subject is beyond the autofocus distance range (see at right "Notes of AF assist LED"); focus manually on the clear matte field. Chapter 4 • In Rear-Curtain Sync Flash with the F-601/N6006, a light pattern from the AF assist LED sometimes affects the picture. To prevent this, confirm that the LED light pattern has disappeared before shooting. • Usable autofocus lenses are: With Nikon F-501/N2020: AF Nikkor lenses from 35mm to 105mm (including the latest D-Type) With other cameras: AF Nikkor lenses from 24mm to 105mm (including the latest D-Type) Notes on AF assist LED Autofocus distance range with AF assist LED depends on the lens in use and subject's reflection ratio. For example, with an AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens (including the latest D-Type lens) and a subject having 35% reflection ratio, you can perform autofocus from approx. 1m (3.3 ft.) to approx. 8m (16.4 ft.), at 20˚C (68˚F). If the ready-light does not stay on after the AF assist LED activates, replace batteries. 115