Nikon SB-50DX - Manual (Page 19)

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Detailed Operation
Autofocus Flash Photography in Dim Light
The SB-50DX’s AF-Assist Illuminator enables you to perform autofocus
flash photography in dim light.
• AF-Assist Illuminator
• The AF-Assist Illuminator automatically turns on
when the camera’s shutter release button is
lightly pressed in dim light. After focus is
achieved, the AF-Assist Illuminator turns off.
• The AF-Assist Illuminator is not activated when
the is shown in the LCD panel. To
activate the AF-Assist Illuminator, press the
MODE and – buttons at the same time until the
disappears.
• The AF-Assist Illuminator can be used with the
Nikon AF camera when AF Nikkor lenses are
used.
• Usable focal length for the AF-Assist Illuminator
is approx. 24mm to 105mm (35mm to 105mm
with the F-501/N2020). Autofocus distance
range with the AF-Assist Illuminator is from
approx. 1m (3.3 ft.) to approx. 5m (16 ft.).
• For autofocus with the AF-Assist Illuminator, set
the camera’s focus mode to Single Servo AF
(Autofocus with Focus-Priority), AF or A. (See
your camera’s instruction manual.)
• The AF-Assist Illuminator does not turn on when
the focus is locked or when the ready-light does
not light up.
• When using the SB-50DX, the camera’s AF-
Assist Illuminator does not turn on but the AF-
Assist Illuminator on the SB-50DX turns on.
However with F60-series/N60 and SB-50DX’s
flash mode set to manual, AF-Assist Illuminator
of the F60-series/N60 turns on. (See your
camera’s instruction manual.)
• With some cameras, AF-Assist Illuminator of the
SB-50DX may not turn on when performing
double flash shooting using the camera’s built-in
Speedlight (p. 42, 54).
With cameras having selectable focus areas
Set the camera’s AF area mode to Single Area AF and select the center focus
area, or set Dynamic AF Mode with Closest Subject Priority. (If center focus area
is not selected in Single Area AF mode, the AF-Assist Illuminator does not turn
on). For detailed information about AF area mode, see your camera’s instruction
manual.
• Canceling AF-Assist Illuminator
• To cancel the AF-Assist Illuminator, press the
MODE and – buttons at the same time until
appears in the LCD panel.
• With the AF-Assist Illuminator canceled,
autofocusing may not be performed in dim
light.
• To activate the AF-Assist Illuminator, press the
MODE and – buttons once again so
disappears. (Without this operation,
the AF-Assist Illuminator remains canceled
even after the SB-50DX is turned off.)
• With the F80-series/N80-series and F65-
series/N65-series camera bodies, canceling
the AF-Assist Illuminator on the SB-50DX does
not cancel the AF-Assist Illuminator on camera
body. To cancel the AF-Assist Illuminator, also
cancel it on the camera body. (For details, see
your camera’s instruction manual.)
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