Nikon D4S Manuel D’Utilisation

Your D4S is equipped with the latest fi rmware (version C 1.20), which off ers 
the following features not described in the 

User’s Manual.

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Shooting no longer ends automatically after 30 minutes when “Time” is se-
lected for shutter speed.  To close the shutter and end shooting, press the 
shutter-release button all the way down.

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The maximum number of shots is ignored when shutter speeds of 4  s or 
slower are selected in mode 

f

 or 

h

.

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The D4S now supports optional SB-500 fl ash units.  Custom Setting e3 (Op-
tional fl ash) off ers a Commander mode option when an SB-500 is attached.

Commander Mode
Use a camera-mounted SB-500 as a master fl ash controlling one or more 
remote optional fl ash units in up to two groups (A and B) via Advanced Wire-
less Lighting.

Selecting  Commander mode displays the menu 
shown at right.  Press 

4

 or 

2

 to highlight the fol-

lowing options and 

1

 or 

3

 to change. Compose 

the shot and arrange the fl ash units as shown in the 
SB-500 manual.

Choose a fl ash mode for the SB-500 mounted on the camera accessory 
shoe (the master fl ash).

i-TTL mode.  Choose fl ash compensation from values between +3.0 and 
–3.0 EV in increments of ⁄ EV.

Choose the fl ash level.

–– ––

The master fl ash does not fi re, although remote fl ash units do. The master 
fl ash must be on so that it can emit monitor pre-fl ashes.

Group A Choose a fl ash mode for all fl ash units in group A.

i-TTL mode.  Choose fl ash compensation from values between +3.0 and 
–3.0 EV in increments of ⁄ EV.

Auto aperture (available only with compatible fl ash units).  Choose fl ash 
compensation from values between +3.0 and –3.0  EV in increments of 
⁄ EV.

Choose the fl ash level.

–– ––

The fl ash units in this group do not fi re.

Choose a fl ash mode for all fl ash units in group B. The options available are 
the same as those listed for Group A, above.

Choose from channels 1–4.  All fl ash units in both groups must be set to 
the same channel.

❚❚

 

A

The fl ash compensation value selected with the 

M

 button and sub-command dial 

is added to the fl ash compensation values selected for the master fl ash (Optional 
fl ash), group A, and group B in the Commander mode menu.  A 

Y

 icon is dis-

played in the control panel and viewfi nder when a fl ash compensation value other 
than ±0 is selected for Optional fl ash > TTL. The 

Y

 icon fl ashes when the master 

fl ash is in mode M.

 

D

Position the sensor windows on the remote fl ash units to pick up the light from the 
master fl ash (particular care is required if the camera is not mounted on a tripod).  Be 
sure that direct light or strong refl ections from the remote fl ash units do not enter the 
camera lens (in TTL mode) or the photocells on the remote fl ash units (AA mode), as 
this may interfere with exposure even when – – is selected for Optional fl ash. To 
prevent timing fl ashes emitted by the master fl ash from appearing in photographs 
taken at short range, choose low ISO sensitivities or small apertures (high f-numbers). 
After positioning the remote fl ash units, take a test shot and view the results in the 
camera monitor.

Although there is no limit on the number of remote fl ash units that may be used, the 
practical maximum is three.  With more than this number, the light emitted by the 
remote fl ash units will interfere with performance.