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2026-10-07 Nikon SB-11 Flash

    Imagine collecting two rare and powerful flash that you find you can’t really use.
I managed to get two Nikon SB-11 flash only to find I needed to own a Nikon F3 to use them. Or I could find some different connecting cords, or even a slave sensor attachment, but as it stands now I can only use them on manual.









Some details on the SB-11—
  • Discontinued in 1980. 
  • Eight second manual recycle. 
  • Uses eight AA batteries, alkaline or NiCad. 
  • Suitable for all manual focus Nikons and works well with Through-The-Lens sensor cameras 
  • Had its own detachable sensor but also had dedicated cables for different cameras. For example this flash was one of a pair (later identified as “A” and “B”) that came with three SC-12 cables that only work with the Nikon F3 camera.





    The front of the SB-11 has a multi connector just under the flash head.













This is one of the three SC-12 cables that connect the flash to the Nikon F3.
    

One end of the SC-12 allows you the choice of automatic or manual flash.
    
    Just above and to the left of the A and M switch, mounted on the flash head’s hub you find the various auto ranges at the different apertures and film speeds (up to ASA 800)









    
    On the back of the head there is an open flash red button and a flash ready red LED.
    














    The camera mounting plate has a robust release to free the flash from the bracket. The chrome ring can be moved to allow the flash to pivot from the two upper white dots matching to the two bottom dots which releases the handle. You can also spin the chrome ring to lock the attachment/release.







    

These are some of the spare bits that came with the flash. Starting at the upper left and rotating clockwise there is —
  • a slip-over wide lens panel
  • a SC-12 cable—one end fits over the rewind handle on the F-3, the other end mounts on the SB-11
  • two battery trays—top with batteries, bottom empty
    I have a flash meter so I attempted testing both SB-11’s (labelled “A” and “B”) as well as a Vivitar 285. One of the two SB-11’s had been fired much more than the other so I assumed it might show up as more powerful. The Vivitar flash was relatively "unformed" by lack of use too.

    According to the literature.
  • The guide number in meters is 36—with wide panel 25 
  • The guide number in feet is 118—with wide panel 82
    My test results with flash meter (100 ASA- 10 feet)

Nikon A (more cycled) SB-11 f/8.8
Nikon B SB-11                 f/8.4
Vivitar (least formed) 285 f/8.3

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