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| Nikon
Speedlight |
| SB-25
TTL AF Speedlight |
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Four
years after debut of the high performance flash, Nikon SB-24,
Nikon announced a successor, Nikon SB-25 TTL Speedlight
in 1992. This update was essential due to rapid development
in both Nikon camera/flash design. It was marketed along
with a new generation of Nikon AF SLR camera, Nikon F90
(N90 in US), a high tech AF SLR camera with cross AF sensors,
built-in 3.6 fps power drive, improved Matrix metering with
8 segments evaluative system that requires works a new series
of AF-Nikkor lenses that has a distance chip embedded in
the lense for evaluating light levels and contrast of the
subject and based on the distance information to track on
moving subject during a shooting sequence.
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Among
the many innovative features in the camera,
there are few areas which directly related
to flash photography which called for an update
of a new flash unit to support the functions:
The F90 was the world's first SLR camera that
provides TTL-Multi Sensors (5 segments) evaluative
flash metering. The system provides precise
light and distance in flash exposure measurement.
Further, since beginning with the F90 onwards,
many Nikon updated AF SLRs also offer other
new camera function in Matrix filled-flash,
second curtain sync, preflash Red-Eye reduction
and an amazing 1/4000 sec FP fast sync capability.
The last few inclusions were not supported
in the design of any of the previous Nikon
AF speedlights and the SB-25 was specifically
introduced to patch what the previous Nikon
Speedlight such as SB-24 that cannot offer
and aimed to supplement those functions with
the new F90 and of cause, all the subsequent
Nikon AF bodies introduced at later stage
that may provide similar capabilities. |
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Well,
similarly that was how Nikon auto TTL-thrystor evolved all
these years - the subsequent Nikon SB-26 TTL AF Speedlight
that introduced later in September, 1994 (with the F90x)
also incorporates a few additional enhancements (in particular
with an interesting built-in wireless slave flash control
function for true-cordless single or multiple flash operation).
Eventually when AF-Nikon SLRs which has 3D-Matrix Multi-Sensors
balance fill-flash function, there was also a need to call
for a new flash model to support the 3D-Matrix and that
was how both the Nikon SB-27 and Nikon SB-28 speedlights
were introduced. |
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However,
Nikon SB-25 Speedlight is versatile enough
and has a great backward compatibility with
older Nikon SLR models as it can also be used
with all Nikon AF SLR cameras without the
prescribed new functions. With any Nikon bodies
that equipped with more advance functions,
such as 3D-Multi-Sensor TTL auto flash, it
will/should be working flawlessly with those
bodies as well and it can also be used with
Nikon standard TTL auto flash, as well as
non-TTL automatic flash, as well as full manual
control. This very high-spec Nikon TTL auto
thyristors unit does not only performs true
to its capability, but it has an extremely
well-designed physical construction. The entire
body structure is very rigid and all operating
buttons are hard rubberized-coated, slightly
recessed to prevent accidental actuation.
Operating logic is well thought out especially
in relating to its display system. The LCD
panel at the rear section indicates selected
distances or ranges, as well as apertures
which can be adjusted. Operating status such
as type of automatic flash, special flash
functions, and zoom head setting are indicated. |
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This
high performance Nikon TTL Speedlight has a guide number
of 118 (138 ft at 35mm setting, ISO/ASA100 film). It provides
enough raw power to cover for many action-based flash photography
and even support working range for stroboscopic effect in
repeating flash photography. |
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With
capable Nikon SLR bodies that supports rear curtain synchronization,
such as the Nikon F4 Series, F90, F801(s) and F601(s)) available
at its time of introduction, the flash allows synchronization
with the rear shutter curtain. Similarly, with these mentioned
bodies, the power driven motorized zoom head will adjust
its focal length in correspondence with the focal length
of the lense in use. |
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One
improvement made to the SB-25 is its flash head which
has a tilting angle (-7°) which allows the flash
extends its TTL filled-flash function in macrophotography.
Similar to the previous SB-24, the SB-25's flash head
is very versatile and flexible as it can be maneuver
by tilting from -7° to +90 >° with click
stops; rotates through an arc of 270 °, 90 °
clockwise and 180 ° counterclockwise with click
stops. |
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The
LCD is backlit and has a very pleasant indigo
colour when it is turn on in the dark. It
provides good contrast to read various information
and settings even when the ambient light is
not ideal. |
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Naturally,
other than permitting high speed FP sync flash, the main
additional technical highlights still remain in its newly
incorporated features in Red-Eye Reduction and the two Monitor
Preflash features with camera models such as F90 and above.
With the flash functions of the N90 the SB-25 has two preflash
features in a visible pre-flash burst of light which is
used for reducing any possible redeye effect and an invisible
monitor preflash provides information regarding reflectance
of the subject in focus. As many of the keypads, switches
and button at its rear control panel are very similar to
the previous SB-24 and owners and/or any photographer who
may have experience with the SB-24 may find it very easy
to navigate the various controls in the SB-25. Below are
some of the features found in the SB-25 Speedlight, used
them singularly or in combination with the camera types
you owned and you may find the SB-25 can be a truly worthy
investment with its vast potential help to unleash your
creative potential in flash photography. |
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In
a multiple flash photography setup, the complexity
of ensuring good, natural looking flash pictures
can be very difficult. Nikon designed Speedlight
with an array of system flash accessories
(TTL sync cords, flash couplers and TTL connections
to simplify the entire process. |
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In
operation, Nikon designed the SB-25 simplifies the
flash taking process with more assuring results via
some new technologies in both camera/flash combinations:
i.e. before the main flash fires, imperceptible Monitor
Pre-flashes go off to scan the whole scene with the
TTL Multi Sensor. The in board computer instantaneously
evaluates which areas need what amounts of light;
and then the main flash illuminates the scene perfectly.
So, this ensures dark areas stay dark, the light areas
are rendered with better, more natural colour. On
the other hand, the foreground remains balanced with
the background. This process ensures the whole scene
can be looks more natural without the presence of
over dominant flash effect. The breakthrough of these
sequence enables a more realistic-looking flash pictures. |
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Technical
Highlights & Main Features at a glance:
The
powerful SB-25 has a guide number of 36 (metres) at
ISO 100 at its 35mm zoom setting, and 50 (metres)
at 85mm. With the F90, it offers such advanced features
as Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash, Red-Eye Reduction
and FP High-Speed Sync. Selectable flash modes include
TTL mode, non-TTL auto, and manual flash control.
For example, FP high-speed sync enables you to capture
a sharply focused moving subject with shallow depth
of field in fill-flash. Also selectable is a strobo-effect
operation in which the flash fires continuously at
selected rates. The SB-25 provides autofocus capability
in total darkness with any Nikon AF SLR (AF-assist
Illuminator). You can rotate and tilt its flash head
for bounce flash photography. Flash coverage automatically
adjusts for any focal length from 24 to 85mm. This
can be increased to that of a 20mm Ultrawideangle
lens with the built-in wide flash adapter. Manual
control is also possible. For your reference, all
basic information related to flash photography is
displayed on the flash's LCD panel. There's also a
built-in bounce card for the catch-Iight effect. |
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Finally,
the ISO-Standard type accessory shoe on most Nikon
SLRs introduced after 1992 offer an extra secure positioning
hole which will mate with the flash foot for foolproof
mounting system prevents the SB-25 from accidentally
slipping off. Overall, this high performance Nikon
AF-TTL flash is very usable and has very wide compatibility
with Nikon AF SLRs - which makes it a very attractive
speedlight to use. |
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Slow Sync When flash
pictures are taken at high shutter speeds in dim light,
the background may come out dark. Setting Slow Sync
extends the automatically controlled shutter speed
range In P and A mode (between 1/250 sec. and 1/60
sec.) down to 30 sec. Now background details jump. |
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| Detailing the FULL
LCD display of the Nikon SB-25 speedlight and briefly described
its various functions. Reference: The Instruction Manual |
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Rear-Curtain Sync
Nikon Speedlights make it possible to fire the flash just
before the shutter curtain closes especially effective at
slow shutter speeds. This results in the available light
turning into a stream of light following the flash-illuminated
subject. When Rear-Curtain Sync is set in the Auto-Multi
Program or Aperture-Priority Auto exposure mode, Slow Sync
is automatically selected. |
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Red-Eye Reduction
Before the shutter is released and before the TTL Multi
Sensor's pre flashes, the SB-25 fires three visible but
relatively dim flashes, followed by the main flash which
takes the picture. The three dim pre flashes make the subject's
eye pupils become smaller, thus reducing the appearance
of Red-Eye |
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FP High-Speed Sync
With the Nikon SB-25 Speedlight set at the FP mode, the
flash output continues from the start of the shutter curtain
opening until it is fully closed, thus allowing flash synchronization
with fast shutter speeds from 1/250 to 1/4000 sec. You can
capture fill-flash pictures even with film that has a high
ISO rating, and still maintain wide aperture settings for
expanded control of depth of field. You choose from two
levels of flash output. Please note that: Not all Nikon
SLRs are equipped with the FP sync feature (F5, F100 and
F90(x) series and/or future models). |
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Repeating Flash
This strobo-effect operation is selectable with the Speedlight
SB-25, 'In which the flash fires continuously at selected
rates, you can choose the length of time between flashes
(1Hz to 50 Hz), the number of flashes and flash output amount.
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AF-Assist
Illuminator Dedicated Nikon
Speedlights - the SB-28, SB-27, SB-26 SB-25, SB-23, SB-22
and SB-20 -with autofocus illuminators send an LED-pattemed
beam of light to the subject. making it possible to take
sharply focused pictures even in total darkness. |
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Nikon
TTL multiple-flash system
Choose a combination of Nikon Speedlights: SB-28, SB-27,
SB-26, SB-25, SB-24, SB-23, SB-22, SB-20 or even the MF
SB-16B, and use them with the TTL remote or TTL multi-flash
sync cord. The camera's TTL Multi Sensor system automatically
measures and controls the light from all units. |
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Automatic
Balanced Fill-Flash works
not only in bright light situations but also in twilight
and at night within a controlled shutter speed/aperture
range. 5-Segment TTL Multi Sensor In combination with a
full fine of Nikon dedicated TTL Speedlights, Any Nikon
SLRs that offers such capabilities (see Specification section
for reference) can really spark your imagination, illuminating
any photographic situation. You can perform automatic balanced
fill flash in the TTL mode in any flash shooting situation,
assuring a beautiful, naturally balanced exposure for both
foreground and background. With any capable Nikon SLRs (see
specification section), TTL flash output is controlled by
a 5-segment TTL Multi Sensor incorporated in the bottom
of the mirror box. Flash output is more precisely monitored
and controlled than conventional TTL flash control with
its single-segment TTL sensor. |
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3D
Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash
The highest performance possible, 3D Multi-Sensor Flash
works with a combination of a Nikon SLR that offers such
capability (as a rough guideline, Nikon F90/N90 onwards),
a D-type AF Nikkor lens and the SB-25 AF Speedlight. In
this flash mode, the SB-25 fires a series of pre-flashes
that are detected by a capable Nikon SLR that equipped with
such feature; then the TTL Multi Sensors will analyze for
brightness and contrast. Moreover, distance information
from the D-type AF Nikkor lense in use, along with other
exposure control information, is integrated, thus automatically
compensating flash output level so that flash output and
ambient light are balanced. 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash
can be performed with any metering system. When a capable
Nikon SLR model with such capability and a SB-25 are used
with a non-D-Type AF or Ai-P Nikkor lens, (non 3D) Multi-Sensor
Balanced Fill-Flash which offers the same flash output control
system but without distance information and operation superior
to single-sensor systems-is performed. Multi-Sensor Balanced
Fill-Flash, minus Monitor Preflash, is also performed with
newer Nion flash models as well as older series such as
SB-24, SB-23,, SB-22, SB-20 and the MF Nikon Speedlight
SB-15/16B. |
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Centre-Weighted
and Spot Fill-Flash For Ai-type
Nikkor lenses that have no computers, there's Centre-Weighted
or Spot Fill-Flash. The many Nikon AF SLRs that offer such
possibility in TTL Multi Sensor's elements, functioning
as one, control flash output for a natural fill-flash effect.
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TTL Flash Using standard
TTL flash control, the flash operates independently from
the camera's computer, providing a traditional flash exposure.
Even for this basic operation, most Nikon AF SLRs offers
advanced performance. The manual flash compensation control
provided is a small detail that can make a big difference. |
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Unique
TTL Multi Sensor The first
of its type for flash photography. this sensor provides
multifunction performance. With the Monitor Pre flash of
the SB-25 AF Speedlight, it provides flash exposure analysis
before the picture is taken, it then controls the flash
during the actual exposure. Virtually. Monitor Pre-flash
operation is so fast that you cannot even see it. and camera
operation remains the same. |
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| Specifications
for Nikon SB-25 TTL AF Speedlight |
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Electronic
construction:
Automatic silicon-controlled rectifier and series circuitry |
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Flash modes:
f
F our settings (TTL, A, M and Repeating/Strobe Flash) |
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Guide Number:
GN 36 (meters and ASA 100); GN 20 with flash diffuser. |
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Angle
of coverage:
Coverage as wide as 20mm with built-in wide flash adapter,
auto power zoom 24mm-85mm with the Nikon F5, F100, F90x/N90s,
F90 Series/N90, F4 Series, F801/N8008 and F801s/N8008s and
and other capable/newer Nikon SLR bodies; manually set with
other cameras. |
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Bounce
flash:
Flash head tilts from -7° to +90° with click stops;
flash head rotates through an arc of 270°, 90° clockwise
and 180° counterclockwise with click stops. |
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Flash
exposure control:
Nikon F5, F100, F90x/N90s, F90/N90, F4, F801/N8008, F801s/N8008s,
F601/N6006, F601M/N6000, F50/N50, F401x/N5005, F501x/N2020,
F301/N2000, F401/N4004, F401s/N4004s and other capable AF
Nikon models in conjunction with any AF-Nikkor CPU** lense;
MF Nikon SLRs such as FA, FE2, FG, Nikonos-V. Usable aperture
f/1.4 - f/22 at ISO 100. Shooting distance .6-20 meters
(2-66 ft.). Distance scale can be changed from meters to
feet with lever inside battery compartment. Nikon F3 series
only operates in Auto mode but TTL flash is possible via
AS-7 and/or AS-17 flash coupler. |
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Multi-Sensor
Balanced Fill-Flash with
the later Nikon AF cameras such as Nikon F5, F100, F90x,
F85, PRONEA 600i or F70 etc. with any AF-Nikkor CPU lense
* Matrix balanced fill-flash: with F4-series,
F801/N8008, F801s/N8008s, F601/N6006, F50/N50 or N5005 and
other capable/newer Nikon SLR bodies with AF and Ai-P Nikkor
lenses. |
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Auto
flash Mode:
Non-TTL, light measured via sensor on front. Usable apertures
: f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8 and f/11 (at ISO 100). Shooting
distance .6-20 meters (2-66 ft.) Manual control: full output
light output set in 18 steps from Full to 1/64 power in
1/3 steps. |
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*
"CPU" lenses refer to those AF Nikkor, AF-I Nikkor,
IX-Nikkor or Ai-P Nikkor lenses which feature a built-in
microcomputer and CPU contacts. ** With F4-series, Manual
Focus Ai-S or Ai Nikkor lenses are also usable. |
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#
Coverage as wide as 20mm with built-in wide flash adapter,
auto power zoom 24mm-85mm with the Nikon F90x/N90s, F90
Series/N90, F4 Series, F801/N8008 and F801s/N8008s; manually
set with other cameras.
# Three power switch settings; OFF, STBY and ON; at STBY
position with Nikon F90x/N90s, F90/N90, F4, F801/N8008,
F801s/N8008s, F601/N6006, F50/N50, F401x/N5005, F501x/N2020,
F301/N2000, F401/N4004, F401s/N4004s, FA, FE2, FG, Nikonos-V,
FM2 or FG-20 the SB-25 turns off automatically after unit
is not used for approx. 80 seconds and turns on when the
camera is turned on.
# TTL Mode : Used with Nikon F90x/N90s, F90/N90, F4, F801/N8008,
F801s/N8008s, F601/N6006, F601M/N6000, F50/N50, F401x/N5005,
F501x/N2020, F301/N2000, F401/N4004, F401s/N4004s, FA, FE2,
FG, Nikonos-V. Useable aperture f/1.4 - f/22 at ISO 100.
Shooting distance .6-20 meters (2-66 ft.). Distance scale
can be changed from meters to feet with lever inside battery
compartment.
# AF Assist Light : LED beam automatically fired using AF
in insufficient light with Nikon F90x/N90s, F90/N90, F4,
F801/N8008, F801s/N8008s, F50/N50, F401x/N5005, F501x/N2020,
F401/N4004 and F401s/N4004s
# Red eye reduction lamp fires before main flash with Nikon
F90x/N90s, F90/N90.
# Rear curtain sync for Nikon F90x/N90s, F90/N90, F4, F601/N6006,
F601m/N6000, F801/N8008, F801s/N8008s.
# FP High Speed sync flash - available with Nikon F90x/N90s,
F90/N90 enables high speed shutter (1/250 or faster) for
flash sync.
# Monitor pre-flash - available with when used with Nikon
F90x/N90s, F90/N90 and AF Nikkor lens. |
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Flash
working range:
0.6 to 18m (2.0 ft ~ 65 ft.) with indicative increments
in 0.6, 0.8, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 13 and 18m |
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Film
speed range in TTL auto flash mode:
ISO 25 to 1000 with Nikon F4-series, F90x, F-801s, F70,
F-601s, F50 or F-401x; with F-401s and older: ISO 25 to
400. |
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Recycling
time:
Approx. 7 seconds minimum (full discharge) |
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Red-Eye
Reduction:
Lamp fires before main flash with Nikon F5, F100, F90x/N90s,
F90/N90 and other capable/newer Nikon SLR bodies |
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AF-Assist
Illuminator:
Automatically fires LED beam toward subject when performing
autofocus with all Nikon AF SLRs such as Nikon F5, F100,
F90x/N90s, F90/N90, F4, F801/N8008, F801s/N8008s, F50/N50,
F401x/N5005, F501x/N2020, F401/N4004 and F401s/N4004s and
other capable Nikon AF SLRs |
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Rear
Curtain Sync:
Nikon F5, F100, F90x/N90s, F90/N90, F4 Series, F601/N6006,
F601m/N6000, F801/N8008, F801s/N8008s and other newer/capable
Nikon SLR bodies introduced at later stages |
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FP
High Speed sync flash: a
A vailable with Nikon F5, F100, F90x/N90s, F90/N90 and other
capable Nikon SLR bodies enables high speed shutter (1/250
or faster) for flash sync. |
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Monitor
Pre-flash: a
A vailable with when used with Nikon F5, F100, F90x/N90s,
F90/N90 and other newer Nikon SLR bodies with D-type AF
Nikkor lenses. |
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Power
source:
Four 1.5V AA-type alkaline-manganese or NiCd AA batteries;
Accepts optional battery packs SD-7 and high performance
power pack SD-8 |
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Dimensions
(without mounting foot):
Approx. 79mm x 135mm x 101mm |
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Weight
(without batteries): Approx. 380g (13 oz) |
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Other
features:
Three power switch settings; OFF, STBY and ON; at STBY position
with Nikon F5, F100, F90x/N90s, F90/N90, F4, F801/N8008,
F801s/N8008s, F601/N6006, F50/N50, F401x/N5005, F501x/N2020,
F301/N2000, F401/N4004, F401s/N4004s, FA, FE2, FG, Nikonos-V,
FM2 or FG-20 the SB-25 turns off automatically after unit
is not used for approx. 80 seconds and turns on when the
camera is turned on. |
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