Nikon F5 compatibility

Nikon F-5 Compatibility

Ikelite SubStrobes have been famous for their compatibility with all Nikon camera systems, but older SubStrobes do not support use with the Nikon F-5 with Action Finder, with the Nikon F100 cameras, with Nikon Coolpix digital cameras, and some Olympus digital cameras.

All SubStrobes produced before June 1, 2001 are subject to this limitation.

SubStrobe 50 before serial #59827
SubStrobe 100 before serial #11101
SubStrobe 200 before serial #5600
SubStrobe 400 before serial #15020

* This incompatibility specifically applies when two Substrobes are used with a dual sync cord or "T" connector. A single Ikelite SubStrobe usually functions properly, but we have found a few of the above cameras that lock up after taking one picture. A second older strobe can be added if it is triggered with our #4100 Remote TTL Sensor (discontinued).

Substrobe models 50, 100A, and 200 may be able to be updated for compatibility, subject to parts availability. Substrobe models Ai, MV, and 400 cannot be updated.

Modified strobes operate with any Nikon or Nikonos system, but not with some other cameras like Pentax, older Minolta, or Sea & Sea cameras. All current SubStrobe models including the SubStrobe DS-51 and SubStrobe DS-125 feature this special electronic circuitry.

* Newer TTL systems for digital SLR cameras require use of a current model "DS" Substrobe for TTL exposure. See strobe compatibility for these systems by serial number.

The following special information pertains to the Nikon F100 camera: When spot metering is selected on the F100, standard TTL flash is automatically selected.

With standard TTL Flash, the TTL flash sensor of the camera detects the TOTAL amount of light passing through the lens and reflected from the film surface. It controls flash output and is not directly linked to the ambient light meter of the camera. The strobe TTL sensing is not tied to a selected AF point. When spot metering is selected on the N90, multi-sensor balanced fill flash is selected.

Multi-sensor balanced fill flash can be performed with non-preflash strobes such as SB22, SB23, SB24 and Ikelite SubStrobes. The SB23, for example, does not exchange serial data signals with the F100 yet still provides multi sensor balanced fill flash as per F100 instruction manual page 82.

The difference between 3D multi-sensor balanced fill flash and multi-sensor balanced fill flash is that the TTL multi-sensor does not process information using preflash. Flash output is still controlled by selected segments of the TTL flash sensor based on other exposure information according to Nikon F100 instruction manual page 78. Some of the other exposure information most likely comes from the ambient light sensor and selected segments of the flash sensor are used to control flash exposure as a result. The only requirement is the use of an AF or AF-D type Nikkor lens.

Our newest Digital SubStrobe DS-51 can provide the preflash required for digital cameras, but not the multi-preflashes required for film cameras. The DS-51 operates with all applicable sync cords, both of our Remote TTL Sensors, and is completely compatible with all film cameras including the Nikonos, newest Nikon F5 and Nikon F100 flash systems.

F100, N90s, N70 and F5 all use a 5-segment TTL flash sensor.