Nikon Announces Radio Controlled Speedlight SB-5000

Nikon Speedlight SB-5000 04

Product Summary

  • Model name : Nikon SB-5000 AF Speedlight
  • Release Date: 5th January 2016
  • Availability: March 2016
  • Price: $ 599.95
  • Purchase options: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Key features

  • Radio control Advanced Wireless Lighting
  • Non-stop performance more than 100 firing
  • Intuitive design

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the release of the SB-5000, the new high-end Nikon Speedlight.

The SB-5000 is the first Nikon Speedlight to be equipped with a radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting function, and is also equipped with a cooling system that enables more than 100 continuous full-power flashes. When used with the Nikon D5 or D500 digital SLR cameras released at the same time as the SB-5000, the wireless multiple flash photography that professional and advanced amateur photographers often take on is even more flexible.

Primary features

  1. Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting
    The SB-5000 is the first Nikon Speedlight to be equipped with a radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting function. Radio control makes wireless multiple flash photography easier in situations where conventional optical control is difficult, such as when remote flash units are positioned behind objects or at greater distances, or when ambient lighting is very bright (supports a communication range of up to approx. 30 m). A more flexible multi-flash system supports capture of even more creative photographic works with advanced wireless lighting.*Supported by the D5 and D500 (as of January 6, 2016).
    *Wireless Remote Controller WR-R10 and WR Adapter WR-A10 (both available separately) required. WR-R10 firmware must be updated to enable support for radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting (see Nikon’s website).
  2. Equipped with a cooling system for significant increase in the number of continuous flashes
    The SB-5000 is equipped with a new cooling system that cools the flash head. The cooling system has been significantly improved, keeping the flash panel from overheating and enabling more than 100 continuous flashes. As the cooling system keeps the Speedlight from overheating, professional and advanced amateur photographers can enjoy more comfortable and active flash photography.
  3. Smaller with improved operation
    Despite its smaller size, SB-5000 operation has been refined by assigning a number of functions to the rotary multi selector and OK button. Adoption of an  button, which offers quick access to frequently used functions, also contributes to more efficient operation. What’s more, when the SB-5000 is used with the D5 or D500, even more agile and flexible flash photography is possible.

Additional Features and Functions

  • High output flash with a guide number of 34.5 in FX format and 41 in DX format*
    *At ISO 100, m/ft, 35mm zoom head position, standard illumination pattern.
  • Power zoom function with which the SB-5000 automatically adjusts the zoom head position to match lens focal length FX format, Standard illumination pattern: 24-200 mm (14 mm with the built-in wide panel in place) DX format, Standard illumination pattern: 16-200 mm (10 mm with the built-in wide panel in place)
  • Bounce capability: Flash head tilts down to 7° or up to 90°, and rotates horizontally 180° to the left and right
  • Automatic switching of zoom head position with detection of the camera’s image area setting—FX or DX format—for optimal angle of flash coverage

Product Photo

Nikon Speedlight SB-5000 07

Nikon Speedlight SB-5000 02

Sample Image

Nikon Speedlight SB-5000 Sample Image 01

Nikon Speedlight SB-5000 Sample Image 02

Nikon Speedlight SB-5000 Sample Image 03

Nikon Speedlight SB-5000 Sample Image 04

Specification

Electronic Construction Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry
Guide Number 34.5, /113, (ISO 100, m/ft)
Illumination pattern There are 3 illumination patterns: standard, even, center-weighted The light distribution angle is automatically adjusted to the camera’s image area in both FX and DX formats
Effective flash output distance range 0.6 m to 20 m (2 ft to 65.6 ft) (varies depending on camera’s image area setting, illumination pattern, ISO sensitivity, zoom head position, and lens aperture in use)
Flash mode i-TTL, Auto aperture flash, Non-TTL auto flash, Distance-priority manual flash, Manual flash, Repeating flash
Other available functions Test firing, monitor pre-flashes, AF-assist illumination for multi-point AF and modeling illumination
Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) A number of flash operations are available with compatible cameras: i-TTL mode, Advanced Wireless Lighting, modeling illumination, FV lock, Flash Color Information Communication, auto FP high-speed sync, AF-assist illumination for multi-point AF and unified flash control
Multiple flash-unit photography operation Advanced Wireless Lighting, Direct remote wireless multiple flash-unit photography (remote mode)
Bounce capability Flash head tilts down to 7 ° or up to 90° with click-stops at -7°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90° Flash head rotates horizontally 180° to the left and right with click-stops at 0°, 30°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180°
Power source Use 4 AA-size batteries of the same brand from any of the following types: 1.5 V LR6 (AA-size) alkaline batteries 1.2 V HR6 (AA-size) rechargeable Ni-MH batteries For minimum number of flashes and recycling time for each battery type, see F-17
Flash-ready indicator The SB-5000 is fully recycled: lights up Insufficient flash output for correct exposure (in i-TTL, auto aperture flash, non-TTL auto flash or distancepriority manual flash mode, or AUTO mode in direct remote wireless multiple flash-unit photography): flashes slowly
AF-assist illuminator (in remote mode) The SB-5000 is fully recycled: flashes slowly and goes out Insufficient flash output for correct exposure (in i-TTL, auto aperture flash or non-TTL auto flash mode, or AUTO mode in direct remote wireless multiple flashunit photography): flashes slowly
Flash duration 1/980 s at M1/1 (full) output 1/1110 s at M1/2 output 1/2580 s at M1/4 output 1/5160 s at M1/8 output 1/8890 s at M1/16 output 1/13470 s at M1/32 output 1/18820 s at M1/64 output 1/24250 s at M1/128 output 1/30820 s at M1/256 output
Mounting foot lock lever Provides secure attachment of the SB-5000 to camera’s accessory shoe using locking plate and locking pin to prevent unintentional detachment
Flash exposure compensation -3.0 EV to +3.0 EV in increments of 1/3 EV steps in i-TTL, auto aperture flash, non-TTL auto flash or distance-priority manual flash mode
Other functions ISO sensitivity manual setting, redisplay of amount of underexposure due to insufficient flash output in i-TTL mode, reset to the default settings, key lock, thermal cut-out, firmware update
Dimensions (WxHxD) Approx.73, x137, x103.5mm (2.9, x5.4, x4.1in.)
Weight Approx.520g (18.4 oz) (with 1.5 V LR6 (AA-size) alkaline batteries x 4), Approx. 420 g (14.9 oz) (Speedlight only)
Supplied Accessories Speedlight Stand AS-22, Nikon Diffusion Dome SW-15H, Fluorescent Filter SZ-4FL, Incandescent Filter SZ-4TN, Soft Case SS-5000, Accessory pouch