Wireless Image Transmission
Nikon is leading the imaging world with wireless image transfer technology via
Wi-Fi. The D200 marks the announcement of the Wireless Transmitter WT-3 (available
Spring 2006), offering
photographers creative new ways to set up their workflow. The new IEEE802.11b/g
compatible Wireless Transmitter WT-3 provides fast image transmission with improved
security and compatibility with the latest protocols. It also provides alternative
buttons for shutter release and AF-start as well as an extra command dial to
facilitate more comfortable shooting in vertical format.
(Note: That is a D2H with the WT-1 shown above as we don't have a picture of the
D200 and WT-3 combo as of yet but we imagine it will be similar.)
GPS Support
GPS support for the recording of location information with shooting data: Location
information such as latitude, longitude and altitude can be transferred from a GPS device
and recorded with the shooting data for an image. Nikon has developed the new MC-35
cable (optional) for connection to NMEA0183-compatible GPS devices.
i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash
and Wireless Flash Control
The built-in manual pop-up flash is operated with a button release.
The Guide number (ISO 100 at m/ft and 20°C/68°F) is approx. 12/39 (manual 13/42).
Modes available are: Front-Curtain Sync (normal sync), Red-Eye Reduction,
Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync and Rear-Curtain Sync.
Flash compensation is adjustable from -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV.
The Speedlight SB-800 features i-TTL flash control for automatic balanced fill-flash
and advanced wireless lighting capabilities when used with the D200. The i-TTL Balanced
Fill-Flash control utilizes Nikon's new Advanced Data Communication system to introduce
improved monitor-pre-flash and wireless operation.
The SB-800 offers groundbreaking new features such as advanced wireless control for
multiple SB-800 speedlights controlled from a master speedlight, new Auto FP high-speed
sync, new Flash Value (FV) lock, flash color information communication for improved color
accuracy and a new Wide-Area AF Assist Illuminator that is tailored to the D200's new
11-area Multi-Cam 2000 AF sensor module.
The SB-800 speedlight system features new wireless technology to
control up to four groups of SB-800 speedlights wirelessly. This set of four
includes one Master Controller and three remote groups - each of which can contain any
number of SB-800 speedlights for total lighting control. Features for
speedlights within each group can be individually controlled from the Master Controller.
These settings are made and confirmed on the Master Controller's large dot-matrix LCD
screen. All speedlights within this wireless arrangement can operate in i-TTL mode for
completely automatic flash exposures - which are calculated via a new monitor pre-flash
function that measures light from each source and combines them with overall camera
exposure readings - producing an accurate, well exposed photograph with balanced lighting.
Each group within the wireless arrangement can also be programmed to different flash modes
such as i-TTL AA, or Manual mode, or any combination of these modes.
One of the most appealing features of Nikon's i-TTL wireless system is the ability to
adjust flash compensation settings on the fly for each group of speedlights, from the
Master Controller. This makes controlling light output from speedlights placed in hard to
reach locations simple and effortless. The SB-800 makes multiple flash photography as easy
as using a single speedlight mounted on a camera, without the hassles of cables or stands.
In addition to wireless flash capabilities, the SB-800 offers significant new features
designed for high-speed photography and exceptional overall accuracy. Highlights of these
new features include:
- Auto White Balance Adjustment using Flash Color Temperature Information: The SB-800 achieves a high level of color accuracy when used with the D200 digital SLR camera. With changes in the duration of light emitted by a speedlight, there are slight variations of color temperature. Using the D200 in Auto White Balance mode, the SB-800 communicates these slight variations in color data back to D200 and the camera's auto white balance system implements the fine adjustment needed for overall excellent white balance.
- FV-Lock: FV-Lock (Flash Value Lock) is comparable to the way an AE-Lock functions in a camera. Once the camera measures a correct flash value, the SB-800 locks this value until the photographer resets it - helping to maintain the flash value for correct exposure of the subject.
- Auto FP High-Speed Sync Flash: The SB-800's Auto FP function can automatically fire the speedlight in i-TTL mode at shutter speeds up to 1/8,000 second, offering excellent opportunities to use flash in bright light with fast aperture lenses.
- Modeling Flash: A modeling flash feature in the SB-800 fires a stroboscopic burst of light for approximately one second, allowing photographers to visually confirm lighting and shadow effects before shooting.
- Quick Battery Recycle Pack: Included with the SB-800 Speedlight is the SD-800 Quick Battery Recycle pack that cuts recycling time in the SB-800 to as short as 2.7 seconds for full power manual flash.
- Additional features: Additional features in the SB-800 include zoom coverage, bounce and rotating flash head, large LCD read-out panel, accessory filters for special color effects and emulation of fluorescent and incandescent lighting, robust locking flash shoe, and autofocus assist light.
Nikon's i-TTL speedlight technology is arguably the most robust and advanced
speedlight system in the world, and holds limitless possibilities for all kinds of
photographers using creative lighting. i-TTL technology built-in to the D200 allows
photographers to wirelessly control in full TTL, up to 2 groups of Speedlights, with
any number of individual speedlights in each group. Photographers can shed all cords
and cables or the need to ever calculate flash and distance ratios, because the i-TTL
systems is capable of making all exposure calculations in real time, wirelessly,
during the exposure to deliver a perfect flash exposure in any situation.
Photographers can even maintain full output control of each group of speedlights from
the D200's built-in speedlight. This technology can potentially distill an entire
portrait lighting system into a small set of multiple SB800, SB600 or SB-R200
Speedlights.
Power Source
Running out of power on the D200 is harder than ever, since in addition to
its remarkable capacity of up to 1800 shots per charge, the D200 also features an
intelligent power management Fuel Gauge feature that constantly monitors the
battery's precise remaining power in 1% increments. It also displays the total
number of shots taken on each charge as well as overall life of the battery, so
photographers can easily tell when to replace a battery.
The optional MB-D200 Battery Pack can hold two Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion battery packs to
effectively double the number of shots that you can capture.
It can also be used with the MS-D200 which holds
six AA alkaline, NiMH or lithium type batteries for those times when all your EN-EL3e
packs are discharged.
The MB-D200 also gives your D200 a secure vertical grip with a shutter release, main- and
sub-command dials for use when the camera is held in portrait orientation. It can also
help to lower the center of gravity when using large or heavy lenses.
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