Still A Valuable Flash Tool

Nikon has always produced an excellent family of flash attachments to complement their 35 mm SLR cameras. The SB-28DX, the flash with digital capability was(is) the sister unit to the SB-28 flash attachment designed for non-digital SLR cameras.

NOTE: Both the SB-28 and the SB-28DX have been superseded by the Nikon SB-80DX, which itself is about to be obsoleted by the SB-800DX (not yet available in stores).

This review will concern itself with the SB-28DX which I own. For an exceptionally well done review on the SB-28, see Paulphoto's review on that flash here at epinions.


INTRODUCTION & SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY:

Nikon as a company has a well-deserved reputation for a systems oriented approach to the compatibility of its cameras and accessories. The SB-28/28DX are consistent with this product philosophy and can be used with all previously released Nikon cameras. They are especially well suited to those Nikon AF models already on the market and possess enough leading edge technology and components to be suitable for future camera offerings as well.

CONTINUED USER-FRIENDLINESS:

As with the preceding models (i.e. the SB-25 and 26), the SB-28/28DX are flash units that possess increased user-friendly feature sets. The settings are transferred automatically from the camera body to the flash unit on all of the following Nikon camera bodies: the N70, the N8008,the F4, the N90/N90s, the N80, the F100 and the F5.

The buttons that govern operating features are rubber coated for easy use and are recessed slightly to minimize inadvertent or accidental contacts resulting in un-planned for actuation.

Many experts who have used the earlier Nikon flash attachments such as the SB-25 and 26 feel that this newer series is more ergonomically designed and the SB-28/28DX are in fact, smaller. Since I have not used the earlier generation flashes, I cannot comment other than to say the actual size of the unit (and its concurrent weight) have been reduced.

INFORMATION DISPLAY & READ-OUT:

The SB-28/28DX both possess an LCD on the rear of the flash that indicates selected distances and range to subject, flash mode selected and so on. Whatever info you may need to calculate flash exposure has been included by Nikon; nothing has been omitted and this thoughtfulness by Nikon will prove invaluable to users.

GUIDE NUMBER & THE SELECTED PERFORMANCE SETTINGS:

The SB-28/28DX have a GN of 118 at the 35mm setting and 138 at the 50mm setting. These figures are higher than in previous units and were (are) considered to be more than adequate by Nikon engineers for most situations requiring flash usage. A set of normal alkaline batteries under normal shooting conditions should last for at least 100 flash exposures.

Should the user choose MANUAL flash operation, then he/she can set the flash output for the following settings:

1/1 (full power), 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 to 1/64 power. This allows the photographer the flexibility and freedom to utilize a specifically chosen f stop and/or distance to the subject. It also permits the same feature set for close-up work as well.

FLEXIBLE ILLUMINATION CAPABILITY:

The SB-28/28DX both have motor driven zoom-heads. The heads adjust automatically to the length of the lens mounted on the camera from 24-85mm. This flash family also includes a built-in diffuser that enables the use of lenses with wide angle coverage out to 18mm.

The head of these zoom units tilts upward through the vertical and downward to allow close-up shots at -7 degrees. The head also pivots around the horizontal to 270 degrees to make maximum use of bounce-flash possibilities.

Using the SB-28/28DX with the following cameras allows for the complete synchronicity of the flash with the rear shutter curtain of the camera:

N90/N90s, N70, N80, N6006, N6000, F100 and F5. Check with your user manual for this capability on the N55, N65 and N75 bodies.

HI-SPEED FLASH SYNCH:

This feature is available for the N90/N90s, the N80, the F100 and the F5. Flash synch speeds of 1/4000 second are possible with the above listed camera bodies.

Note: Hi-speed synch with these bodies will not be TTL.

RED EYE REDUCTION FEATURE:

These flash units are equipped with a red-eye reduction lamp that "pre-fires" that fires for approx. 1 second prior to the actual flash. This small lamp and its emitted light reduce the size of the pupil, thereby reducing the amount of light that can enter the eye, bounce off the retina and be returned to the film plane.

PRE-FLASH MONITORING:

The SB-28/28DX also offer invisible hi-speed monitor pre-flashes that are used with Nikon AF-D lenses to gather and provide additional exposure information on the reflectance of your subject. This is another highly accurate and valuable feature that ensures proper flash exposure.

POWER SOURCES (BATTERIES):

The SB-28/28DX can use Nickel Cadmium, alkaline and Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. For external power supplies, the SB-28 family can also use the Nikon SD-8a battery pack. The decided advantage of this external pack is the significant reduction in flash recycling time to a minimum of 2 seconds. Nikon predicts 350 flashes in a normal battery cycle when using this external battery-power pack.

SB-28/28DX TECHNOLOGY & FEATURES:

TTL flash metering in the camera body is provided by the light measured off the film plane. When the amount of light measured is correct, a control charge is released that governs the duration of the flash exposure. When sufficient energy has been discharged, the flash is shut down automatically.

STANDBY FEATURE:

Approximately 80 seconds after the last flash is fired, the flash unit will automatically place itself in standby mode. This is done to conserve battery power. To reactivate the flash unit, the photographer simply needs to lightly depress the in-use camera's shutter release button.

FLASH MODES:

These are the modes available using either unit:

TTL (through the lens flash metering) is available from the TTL sensor built into the camera body. "A" mode is non-TTL with the flash unit's integral flash sensor. "M" is full MANUAL mode based on the photographer's chosen inputs and finally "STROBOSCOPIC" flash is capable through repetitive, lower powered flashes fired sequentially.

AVAILABLE VARIABLE FLASH OUTPUT (in Manual Mode):

Seven power increments are available and range from 1/1 (full power down to 1/64 power. These settings are achieved in manual mode and are selectable in 1/3 increments.

FLASH SYNCH:

The user has the flexibility to select which type of synchronization they want to utilize based on their then current shooting conditions. These include NORMAL, REAR and SLOW. Check to ensure that your camera body is capable of utilizing these features.

When using the N90/N90s, the N80, the F100 and the F5, select FP for for the faster shutter speeds from 1/250 to 1/4000 second.

Note: for the N55, N65 and N75 series cameras, check your instruction manual for interface and use instructions for the desired features of flash synchronization.


IN USE OBSERVATIONS:

I have found the Nikon predictions for battery life and number of expected flashes to be uncannily accurate. This has proven to be a welcome, but still decided pleasure as it has allowed me to pre-plan my flash shoots and determine how many batteries to carry with me. However, having been a good Boy Scout once upon a time, I also tend to err on the conservative side by being prepared. High flash usage will obviously result in shorter battery life; so it's best to carry more than you think you'll need. Also remember, COLD WEATHER drains batteries more quickly and one should be ready for a noticeable decline in efficiency, number of flashes and power.

I bought my SB-28DX after already owning Nikon's capable SB-50DX (a unit I use almost exclusively on my Nikon N80) because I realized, after having purchased a Nikon N90s that the SB-50DX was not an ideal or strong enough flash for most occasions where flash power was a consideration. I was fortunate that my timing was good because I purchased what amounted to a brand-new SB-28DX just as the newer Nikon SB-80DXs were being introduced to Nikon retailers. As a result of this fortuitous timing, I was able to purchase the SB-28DX at a considerable discount from its previous price point. I think I managed to buy this flash new for $249.00 (U.S.). At the time of purchase, I could not justify in my mind the additional $150 for the cost of a new SB-80DX. I have not regretted that decision. Although the SB-80DXs have come down in price, there is still a considerable price delta between the two flash series and I feel that the SB-28DX has more than met my needs.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SB-28 and the SB-28DX:

The flash units are virtually identical with the exception of the additional capability of the DX version to be used with Nikon's digital SLRs. While Nikon film SLR camera users will notice nothing in differences, the user of the SB-28DX has the additional advantage of complete exposure control as the SB-28DX reads the exposure values off the shutter itself rather than the film plane. This capability ensures proper and complete exposures of digital images in the same way that film is correctly exposed during flash usage.

Do not underestimate the efficiency or simple genius of this system. It's like getting two flashes in one unit. In fact, Nikon, realizing the simplicity of this feature incorporation has done so in the follow-on flash units. By way of example, the SB-80 comes ONLY in the DX designation, thereby guaranteeing complete and total compatibility with all Nikon AF SLRs, film or digital.