Nikon today officially released its SB-5000 Speedlight, whose development was first announced back in November. The Nikon SB-5000 Speedlight is the company’s new flagship flash, released alongside the flagship Nikon D5 camera.
The SB-5000 is the first Nikon flashgun to be equipped with a radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting function (with a communication range of up to ~30m), and is also equipped with a cooling system that enables more than 100 continuous full-power flashes.
Radio control makes wireless multiple flash photography easier in situations where conventional optical (infrared) control is difficult, such as when remote flash units are positioned behind objects or at greater distances, or when ambient lighting is very bright.
The tilt-swivel flash head can be zoomed to match the angle-of-view rage of a 24-200mm lens. The guide number is 34.5 (in metres at ISO 100) in FX format and 41 in DX format, at the 35mm zoom head position.
Nikon SB-5000 Speedlight Released Alongside the Nikon D5
Nikon SB-5000 Speedlight Price
The Nikon SB-5000 AF Speedlight will be available in March for the SRP of $599.95.
| Buy Nikon SB-5000 Speedlight | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nikon SB-5000 Speedlight | $599.95 | Amazon | B&H | Adorama |
New Radio Controlled SB-5000 Speedlight: Lighting with No Limits
The Nikon D5 is optimized to work with the newest flagship Speedlight, the SB-5000, illuminating new possibilities in creative lighting. A first for Nikon, the flash operates via radio frequency and will operate without a direct line of sight for a range of up to approx. 98 feet (30 meters). This new-found flexibility lets photographers place lights in different rooms, around corners and work seamlessly in bright ambient light with maximum efficiency. When paired with the WR-R10 and the D5 or the D500, this Speedlight can control up to six groups (A-F) or 18 Speedlights for truly advanced wireless lighting. It is also possible to perform Advanced Wireless Lighting using either radio-controlled (up to three groups) and/or optical-controlled units (up to three groups) by simply attaching a conventional, optical-control Nikon Speedlight or the SU-800 Commander (as a master or commander unit) and a WR-R10 (as a commander) onto the D5.
The new smaller SB-5000 Speedlight also has a radically new design that includes its own internal cooling system, which prevents overheating of the flash panel from consecutive firings. As a result, the SB-5000 can fire consecutively for longer than conventional models, without flash cool-down time between bursts, and can fire up to 120 continuous shots at 5 second intervals. Controls have also been streamlined and refined, with the addition of an “i” button for access to frequently used settings. The design also integrates versatile bounce ability, with the flash head capable of tilting down to -7° or up to 90°, and rotate horizontally 180° to the left and right.
Pricing and Availability:
The Nikon SB-5000 AF Speedlight will be available in March for the SRP of $599.95.
Nikon SB-5000 Key Specifications
- Price: $599.95
- Commander function: Yes
- Remote function: Yes
- Transmission mode: Radio control and optical communication
- Transmission range: Radio control approx. 98 ft. (30m), optical communication – line of sight
- Guide number: 34.5 m / 113 ft. (at 35mm) 55m / 180 ft. (at 200mm) (FX format, ISO 100)
- Lens coverage: 24 to 200mm lens, 14mm with wide panel (FX format)
- Minimum recycling time: 1.8 sec. (approx.) with Ni-MH (2600 mAh) batteries, 2.6 sec. (approx.) with AA-size Alkaline (1.5V) batteries
- Flash duration: 1/980 sec. at M 1/1 (full) output, 1/30,820 sec. at M 1/256 output
- Optional power supply: SK-6 Power Bracket Unit, SD-9 High-Performance Battery Pack
- Wireless groups: Radio controlled: Master + 6 groups; Optically controlled: Master + 3 groups
- Dimensions: 73 x 137 x 103.5mm
- Weight (sans batteries): 14.9 oz. (420 g)
