2026-05-14 Nikon SB-15 Flash

The Nikon SB-15 is a hotshoe based flash that works well with Nikon film cameras.*
Specifically it works in Through The Lens mode with the Nikon FA, FE2, F501/N2020, F-301/N2000, FG and Nikonos-V (via V-Type Sync cord)—

the usable film speed range is ASA/ISO 25-400 with FA, FE2, FG and Nikonos-V
the usable film speed range is ASA/ISO 25-1000 with F-501/N2020 and F-301/N2000
usable aperture range for all cameras from f/2 to f/22 (at ASA/ISO 100)

For non TTL use there are two auto ranges, depending on film speed. For example at ASA/ISO 100 A2 setting at f/4 gives a range of 0.6 ~ 6.2 m (2 ~ 20 feet) while the A1 setting at f/8 works from 0.6 ~ 3.1 m (2 ~ 10 feet).

In addition you have full power in manual (“M”) setting and approximately 1/13 power at motor drive (“MD”) setting.
Guide number of 25 in meters at ASA/ISO 100 or 18 with wide panel installed. Guide number of 41 ASA/ISO 25 and feet, 30 with Wide-Flash Adapter.

The flash covers 60º H and 45º V—so lenses 35mm and longer. With the Wide-Flash adapter the coverage is 70º H and 53º V so coverage extends to 28 mm lenses.

Colourful Calculator Dial

The SB-15 flash works best—8 second recycling— with alkaline-manganese batteries (160 flash), while Ni-Cd batteries will work—9 second recycling—with lower performance. Zinc-Carbon are the worst choice giving just 60 flash per set of four.

The instruction manual for the SB-15 is 53 pages long. There are a lot of settings and uses to cover because the settings are different for different Nikon cameras.
The flash unit itself can pivot 180º. It is usually set horizontally with the calculator dials facing up, but you can rotate the unit so the dials are down if you need to tilt the flash tube down for close-up work.
The flash will change the display inside Nikon cameras to indicate charge and exposure information.

The flash reflector release

The battery holder is particularly clever. It is a clip that allows fast changes.

This flash had a damaged clip, later repaired with glue

The battery clip only fits into the body one way, as the two clips are different widths.

The SB-15 has a PC sync connection so multiple units can be wired together.

* Note: Having at least one SB-15, I still haven’t checked the sync voltage. Various internet sources have said its voltage is slightly over 4V, which would mean the SB-15 is safe for all digital cameras, or conversely the sync voltage is too high for anything but the film cameras listed above.

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