"Mississauga, ON, September 15, 2010 - Nikon Canada today introduced the versatile SB-700 Speedlight, the latest addition to Nikon's powerful and versatile Creative Lighting System (CLS). The SB-700 is a high-performance versatile Speedlight that brings simplicity to on-camera, remote and multiple flash photography. Building on the success of the popular SB-600 Speedlight and the advanced functionality of the SB-900 Speedlight, the SB-700 also incorporates a wide zoom range covering the most popular focal lengths, FX/DX format identification that optimizes zoom settings and provides a more efficient use of batteries and flash coverage, and three light distribution patterns for flash-to-scene customization. Whether used as an on-camera flash or as a wireless commander or remote, the Nikon SB-700 Speedlight offers dependable and consistent flash exposure even under the most challenging lighting conditions."

I have a real love/hate relationship with flashes; in general, I dislike flash photography, but that's mostly because I'm not very good at working with off-camera flash (and direct flash, even bounced, can be awful). I've tried putting my SB-600 into slave mode, and it was the most convoluted process I could imagine. I'm sure it would get better with practice, but it's not exactly simple. The SB-700 is on my "might buy" list because it has a user interface that looks much easier to figure out than my SB-600. I have a friend that works wonders with off-camera flash, so I know it's something I should add to my photographer's tool kit. Where do you stand on flash photography?

The remainder of the press release and more images are after the break.

"The SB-700 integrates a host of new features designed to make flash photography simple, accurate and creative for amateur to professional photographers looking for an on-camera speedlight offering more power for greater depth-of-field control than the built-in flash. It can also be used as an additional speedlight for wireless multiple flash setups, or set up as a Commander or a Remote unit.

"The Nikon SB-700 is a multifunctional speedlight incorporating many features that made the SB-600 Speedlight such a popular and well respected flash unit as well as advanced technology of the SB-900 Speedlight," said Gregory Flasch, National Advertising and Communications Manager at Nikon Canada Inc. "The high-quality design is simple yet sophisticated."

The Nikon SB-700 has many new and redesigned features and that make it easy-to-use, yet powerful enough to assist in tough and challenging lighting conditions and settings. The SB-700's LCD design and layout enables easy-to-remember and intuitive operation, while the multi-step power zoom covers wide 24-120mm angle of view with FX-format cameras. The improved user interface of the SB-700 utilizes a large easy-to-read dot-matrix LCD panel making navigation and usage even easier.

As part of Nikon's Creative Lighting System, the SB-700 includes support for Nikon's advanced wireless TTL operation and can function as a wireless Commander with control over two separate groups of speedlights, or as a Remote Speedlight when controlled by the SB-900 Speedlight or with the built-in speedlight set to Commander Mode in most Nikon digital SLR's. The SB-700 also incorporates a high-speed recycling time approximately 2.5 seconds for full power with NiMH batteries and approximately 3.0 seconds with AA Alkaline batteries. The Nikon SB-700 also features a new Quick Wireless Mode with A: B (light ratios) for quick setting of multiple flash units. This makes it easy and quick to control two remote flash units in i-TTL mode. The SB-700 also features Thermal Cut-Out detection that automatically detects heat build-up due to rapid flash firing and limits its operation by increasing recycling time if the temperature of the flash head rises. For improved durability, heat-resistance and ease-of-use, the SB-700 uses new hard plastic-type colour filters (for fluorescent or incandescent colour temperature balancing) instead of flexible film type colour filters and are supplied with the SB-700. When using the supplied filters, the flash automatically recognizes which filter is being used and automatically adjusts white balance accordingly on the latest Nikon digital SLR camera. Additionally, the SB-700's AF-assist illuminator is compatible with the complete line of AF systems used in Nikon digital SLR cameras.

Similar to the Nikon SB-900 Speedlight, three illumination patterns (standard, centre-weighted and even) can be selected in SB-700 to match each shooting situation. When "even" is selected, the light from the flash will cover a subject from centre to edges without light falloff. This pattern is suitable for shooting group photographs indoors. The "standard" pattern will cover all conventional, standard flash coverage. The centre-weighted pattern provides larger guide numbers than other light distribution types at the same focal lengths. This illumination pattern is suitable for subjects such as portraits, in which the light falloff at the image edges can be ignored.

Like the Nikon SB-900, when the SB-700 is mounted on a camera compatible with user firmware updates, the SB-700 firmware can be updated using the same procedure as with a Nikon digital SLR camera.

Available accessories

The SB-700 uses four AA type Alkaline, Lithium-ion of rechargeable NiMH batteries. To enhance the weatherproof ability of Nikon digital SLRs, optional Water Guards will be available for select cameras to protect the connection between the flash and camera, allowing users to utilize the flash when weather conditions are less than ideal. The SJ-4 Colour Filter set provides a Warming, Red, Yellow or Blue filter for adding colour to the background, foreground or just to accent the scene.

Availability and Pricing

The new Nikon SB-700 Speedlight is scheduled to be available in late November 2010, and will have an estimated selling price of $379.95**. The SB-700 will come bundled with the Speedlight Stand, Bounce Adapter, Colour Filter Holder, Intelligent Colour Filter Kit, Diffuser Dome and Soft Case.

About Nikon

Nikon, At the Heart of the ImageTM, is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Canada distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon's Exclusive EXPEEDTM or EXPEEDTM 2 advanced digital image processing system technologies. All Nikon Canada products are sold through a network of Authorized Nikon Canada Dealers. For more information on Nikon Canada and its products and services or to find an Authorized Nikon Dealer, visit www.nikon.ca.

**Photos are available upon request

Note: Specifications, design, product name, standard accessories and release schedule may differ by country or area.

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