Nikon SB-1 Speedlights
Written by David Barth in August 2003
The SB-1 was the first professional Nikon flash gun for the Nikon F camera. It was introduced in February 1969.
Prior to the introduction of the SB-1, all Nikon flashes used flash bulbs.
The SB-1 has "7.2v" printed on the inside of the battery compartment indicating the voltage of the NiCad battery
that powers the SB-1.
The original 7.2v NiCad battery is no longer available. However, a specialty battery store, such as "Batteries Plus"
in the U.S., may be able to build one.
The positive (+) end of the battery goes into the battery compartment in the handle. The negative (-) end is
against the screw-on cap.
The SB-1 uses an SK-1 or SK-2 flash bracket to mount a camera. A band and connector mount on the handle of the
speedlight to connect the bracket. The band and connector are different for the SK-1 and SK-2 brackets.
Early SB-1 speedlights used the SK-1 bracket. Later models used the SK-2 bracket.
Early models have only the serial number, such as 100814, on the chrome band at the top of the handle. Later models,
such as the speedlight with serial number 104281, have the following information on the chrome band: "94-33, 100, 117,
220, 240v 50-60HZ 38.4Ws MSE".
Early units have four clear, plastic phillips-head screws securing the top of the Speedlight. Later models do not
have screws in the top.
All SB-1 Speedlights use a NiCad battery that is recharged in the SB-1 by attaching the SA-1 AC power unit. The
power unit can operate with several different voltages, 94-33 volts, 100 volts, 117 volts, 220 volts, and 240 volts,
selectable by rotating a selector on the SA-1.
The SA-1 can also be used to power the SB-1 Speedlight when an AC outlet is nearby.
SB-1 Speedlight accessories include the following:
- Separate battery pack
- SF-1 flash-ready light
- SC-4 ready-light adapter
- SE-1 supplemental flash head
- SA-1 power pack
- SK-1 camera bracket for earlier SB-1 models
- SK-2 camera bracket for later SB-1 models