SB-23 on NIKON FM???

[hower]

Can the Nikon Speedlite SB-23 be used on the Nikon FM??? I am looking for a small lightweight flash to be used on my Nikon FM, I have SB-800 but it is too big and heavy.

Anyone got experience in it?

Or any other small flash (similar to SB-23) be used?

[diediealsomustdive]

SB-23 is a tiny flash that is meant to be used in TTL mode ONLY when used with FG, FE2, F3, and later SLRs up to F6 but lack the DTTL or iTTL for DSLR use. When used with non-TTL SLR, like the FM, FE, and all earlier Nikon SLR, it becomes a manual flash with a single output - full output.

You can use it on the FM, if you bother to do either of the following (actually it is one and the same):
1) paste the table that comes with the SB-23, look up the ISO you are using, and distance of the subject, to find the correct aperture f number to set on your lens.
2) memorize the guideline number of SB-23 in m (or feet) for the ISO you are shooting. Focus on your subject, read the distance from the lens, and divide the GN by this distance in m (or feet). For example, if GN = 12 and you are shooting at distance 3m, f = 12/3 = f4.

IIRC the SB-400 does the same as the SB-23 when used on film camera.

If you find this too bothersome, the better alternative could be SB-22, larger than SB-23 but smaller than all other more recent speedlights. It has auto aperture automation, non-TTL. Set the flash to A1 or A2, which at ISO100 corresponds to f4 and f8, IIRC, set your camera aperture to the f4 (or f8), shot if you subject is within indicated distance. The thyristor eye on the flash will read the reflected light and do the automation.

All other recent Nikon speedlights are about the same size as SB-800. The next smaller SB is the SB-600, which is almost the size of SB-800.

The other alternative is to get another SLR, like F3, FG, FE2, FA, FM3A - comparable in size with the FM. And your SB-23 will do TTL on these cameras.

Hope this helps.

[hower]

Thanks... But if SB-23 can be used on the FM at M Mode, why is it not stated in the SB-23 Manual?

http://www.nikon-euro.com/kdb/en/2003/6513/sb23.htm

In this table, it stated it does not work on Nikon FM2/FM2N, which I assume is the same cat as Nikon FM...

Why is it so? I thought all Nikon MF with Hot Shoe work in M mode?

[diediealsomustdive]

I had never used the SB-23 on the FM or FM2, I had an FM earlier. When I bought my SB-23 FG was my travelling camera with 20mm f/3.5, 50mm f/1.8 and 105mm f/2.5. Very compact setup with a good range.

I was taken aback when I saw your reply and the Nikon Europe table. I no longer have my SB-23, and couldn't find my FM and FM2 brochure (they're somewhere in the house). My old speedlight brochures also showed the same thing: a "-" across FM2 with the SB-23.

The SB-23 has a switch that says "OFF - M - TTL", so there really is no good reason why it won't work with any Nikon camera. Puzzling....

Then I found an on-line copy of the manual. On Page 2 it says "ATTENTION: The SB-23 will not operate with Nikon cameras other than those listed above". Those above were FA, FE2, FG, .... to F5, F90X. So it looks like you are right - it won't work with FM/FM2 or earlier Nikkormats...

My apologies....

Looks like either:
1) Get SB-22; or
2) Get FE2, FA or FG to go with the SB-23.

[hower]

Thanks... This really puzzle me too...

Just wondering if anyone have a SB-23 and a Nikon FM/FM2 to confirm?

It will be helpful...

[karnage]

Hi, I have an FG and an FM2n and I'm looking for a small portable flash for these too. Did a search here and found this thread.

I was also looking at the SB23, and then it got me wondering if an SB400 will work on the FG or FM2n in at least Auto mode or Manual mode? This way, I can use my SB400 on my D300 as well, rather than just being able to use a small flash with my film cameras.

Anyone who owns an SB400 and have tried it with their film cameras?

[KWYLEE]

try the Metz 20 C-20. Small flash and works on almost every camera - my fm2, d700 & gx200.

[diediealsomustdive]

Originally Posted by karnage Hi, I have an FG and an FM2n and I'm looking for a small portable flash for these too. Did a search here and found this thread. I was also looking at the SB23, and then it got me wondering if an SB400 will work on the FG or FM2n in at least Auto mode or Manual mode? This way, I can use my SB400 on my D300 as well, rather than just being able to use a small flash with my film cameras. Anyone who owns an SB400 and have tried it with their film cameras?

SB-400 has an on-off switch, nothing else.

This is found in the manual:
Compatible cameras
This Speedlight, which features the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS), provides i-TTL flash operations in combination with CLS-compatible cameras. Manual mode is also available with the D40 camera.

Cameras compatible with CLS: D2-Series, D200, D80*, D70-Series*, D50*, D40*, F6, COOLPIX 8400, COOLPIX 8800*
*When using the SB-400 with these cameras, the SB-400 must be turned on.

I think SB-400 is not backward compatible - no chance with FG and FM2n.

[hower]

I have both cameras and I can confirm on that. It will not fire at all...

[karnage]

Hmm... looks like I'll have to try the Metz then... That's the one LX3 users are using right? Small flash for small cam. =)

[karnage]

Hi all, I didn't manage to find a Metz 20 C-20 so far. But I've read that the next most compact flash that is compatible with the FM2n is the SB15. Went to TCW today and saw an SB17 (which is essentially the same as the SB15 except for the specialized F3 mount), and was actually quite disappointed because it wasn't really small at all. They also had an SB23, and the weight difference between the SB23 and the SB15 was like, wow... haha!

Does anyone have any other suggestions to a small and compact flash to use with manual cameras, namely FM2n and FG? Meanwhile, I'll keep looking for the Metz...

Thanks!

[KWYLEE]

i bought my Metz 20 from K-13, shop on 2nd Floor Peninsular Plaza above Cathay photo .Try there.

[karnage]

Oh, how much did you get it for?