Nikon SB-50DX User Manual
Summary
The Nikon SB-50DX is a high-performance external speedlight unit engineered for advanced photography using Nikon Digital SLRs. This comprehensive manual guides photographers through mastering complex, versatile lighting solutions, covering everything from basic setup to professional techniques. Users will learn how to execute optimal bounce-flash, double-flash operation, and wireless multiple flash setups in challenging conditions. It provides detailed instructions on utilizing the full range of features, ensuring perfect and consistent results for both macro and general portrait photography.
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 1
Autofocus Speedlight
En INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Page Summary Contents For Nikon SB-50DX User Manual
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 1 Autofocus Speedlight En INSTRUCTION MANUAL
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 2 Foreword Tips on Using the Speedlight Thank you for purchasing the Nikon Speedlight SB-50DX. Take trial shots Get to know your SB-50DX, and be sure to read this manu...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 4 Contents PREPARATION.......................................................................2-9 TECHNICAL OPERATION .................................................3...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 6 Nomenclature Flash head P. 15 !q Ready-light P. 12, 21 Can be tilted up to 90° or down to Lights up when the SB-50DX is fully –18°. charged and ready to fire. Blinks...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 8 LCD Panel Lenses All indications are displayed in the illustration for easy reference. Types of CPU Nikkor lenses and non-CPU Nikkor lenses CPU Nikkor lenses G-type ...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 10 Bounce flash (p. 40) BASIC OPERATION Bounce flash with double flash using SB-50DX and camera’s built- In this chapter, even first-time users of the SB-50DX in Speed...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 12 Install Batteries and Check Battery Power ON/OFF button and standby function Use two CR123A or DL123A- Pressing the ON/OFF button turns on the SB-50DX and type 3V l...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 14 Attaching the SB-50DX to the Camera Lock lever Turn off the SB-50DX and With the SB-50DX attached to the camera camera body, and attach the body, turning the lever ...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 16 Adjusting the Zoom-Head Position Setting the zoom-head position manually The SB-50DX has four zoom- To change the zoom-head position without head positions: 24mm, 2...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 18 Setting Camera and SB-50DX Modes Set the flash mode to TTL/D- Automatic flash synchronization with TTL/D-TTL auto flash TTL to perform TTL/D-TTL auto In TTL/D-TTL a...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 20 Shooting with Flash If the ready-light blinks after flash Set the camera’s flash sync shooting mode, confirm the ready-light In TTL/D-TTL auto flash mode, the ready...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 22 Close-up photography (p. 43) DETAILED OPERATION This chapter features a detailed description of the SB-50DX functions.
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 24 Shooting in Exposure Mode Other Than Programmed Auto/Auto-Multi Program Flash Modes and Types of TTL/D-TTL Auto Flash Usable exposure modes and operations vary depe...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 26 Flash Modes and Types of TTL/D-TTL Auto Flash—continued Available types of TTL auto flash vary depending on the camera/lens/ When the SB-50DX is used in TTL auto fl...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 28 Cameras Compatible with TTL/D-TTL Auto Flash Mode Lens Lens TTL/D-TTL auto Exposure Metering Notes TTL/D-TTL auto Exposure Metering Notes Group Camera Group Camera ...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 30 Cameras Compatible with TTL/D-TTL Auto Flash Mode—continued Manual Flash Notes In Manual flash mode, the SB-50DX always fires at its maximum output. 1: 3D Multi-Sen...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 32 Reading Variable Aperture of Zoom Lenses Guide Number Some zoom lenses have variable aperture (lens’ brightness) with zooming The guide number indicates the power o...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 34 Exposure Compensation in Flash Photography Flash Output Level Compensation Exposure compensation lets you intentionally modify the correct By adjusting flash output...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 36 Autofocus Flash Photography in Dim Light The SB-50DX’s AF-Assist Illuminator enables you to perform autofocus With cameras having selectable focus areas flash photo...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 38 Flash output level compensation (p. 35) + compensation TECHNICAL OPERATION No compensation This chapter shows photographic techniques in flash shooting such as boun...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 40 Bounce-Flash Photography When taking pictures of a person in front of a wall, a direct flash often causes Bounce-flash operation with single flash (example photos, ...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 42 Bounce-Flash Photography—continued Close-Up Flash Photography Bounce-flash operation with double flash (SB-50DX and camera’s With the wide-flash adapter attached to...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 44 Close-Up Flash Photography—continued 5. Tilt the flash head down. 7. Compose, focus, confirm the ready-light comes on, then shoot. Tilt the flash head down to –18°....
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 46 Multiple Flash Photography Perform multiple flash shooting in the following situations: Canceling Monitor Pre-flashes in multiple flash operation To eliminate shado...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 48 Wireless Multiple Flash Operation 4. Set the flash mode on the master flash unit to TTL auto (p. 18). You can perform wireless multiple flash operation with the SB-...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 50 Wireless Multiple Flash Operation—continued 6. Shoot following the same procedure as in normal TTL auto flash operation. Wireless Flash mode Flash operation can be ...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 52 Wireless Multiple Flash Operation—continued Multiple Flash Operation Using the Infrared Remote Commander Manual wireless multiple flash operation with the SB-50DX s...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 54 Double-Flash Operation Multiple Flash Operation Using Cords By attaching the SB-50DX to a camera that has a built-in Speedlight, you For detailed information about ...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 56 Accessories for Multiple Flash Operation To perform TTL multiple flash operation, use the following optional accessories. Wireless Slave Flash Controller SU-4 The S...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 58 Effective Speedlight Placement Bounce-flash operation to produce more natural-looking pictures Eliminating shadows cast by the subject Bounce the light off the ceil...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 60 Effective Speedlight Placement—continued Emphasizing the outline of the subject Illuminating a subject mainly from the side When taking a portrait, you can backligh...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 62 Effective Speedlight Placement—continued Illuminating a distant subject When light from the master flash unit is not strong enough to illuminate a subject at a dist...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 64 Speedlight Care Notes on Batteries •Cleaning Speedlight Keep batteries out of children’s Use a blower brush to remove dirt and dust from the SB-50DX and clean it wi...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 66 Troubleshooting Camera Warning indication Cause Remedy Page Camera Warning indication Cause Remedy Page All cameras Ready-light does not Batteries are not Install b...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 68 Troubleshooting—continued TTL auto flash shooting distance range (ft.) Microcomputer of the SB-50DX Usable film speeds, usable apertures and flash shooting distance...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 70 Specifications Electronic Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and Recycling time and Minimum recycling type: approx. 3.5 sec. with fresh batteries. c...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 72 Index 1/300 TTL High-Speed Sync...............33 Equations including guide number .....33 Manual exposure mode ......................24 Shutter-Priority Auto exposu...
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 74
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SB-50DX (E) 02.12.9 2:33 PM Page 76 No reproduction in any form of this manual, in whole or in part (except for brief quotation in critical articles or reviews), may be made without written authorizat...
Manual Details
| Brand | Nikon |
|---|---|
| Pages | 39 |
| File Size | 1.47 MB |
| Published | June 01, 2026 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I service the SB-50DX speedlight?
Nikon recommends having your Speedlight serviced by an authorized dealer or service center at least once every two years.
Does the SB-50DX work with non-Nikon brand cameras?
Its performance is optimized for use with Nikon brand cameras and accessories. Using it with non-Nikon products may not guarantee optimal performance.
What photography modes can I use with this speedlight?
You can perform TTL auto flash, Manual settings, bounce-flash photography, close-up flash photography, or multiple wireless flash photography.
How is double-flash photography achieved with the SB-50DX?
Both the SB-50DX's built-in and the camera’s internal Speedlight will fire simultaneously when used together.