1. Flash photography with the Coolpix 5700.

The Coolpix 5700 can take advantage of many of Nikons' external Speedlights, including the  SB80DX, 50DX, 28DX, 30, 22S, 28, 26, 25, 24 and 22.
This page covers direct connection of external Speedlights to the Coolpix 5700, the use of Nikon leads, including the SC17, studio flash units and the use of slave units.
For more information on the Nikon products available for flash photography contact your local dealer for the 'Nikon Photographic Accessories' brochure.

The built-in Speedlight of the Coolpix 5700 is required to be in the 'UP' position when external flashes are to be used, this is because the photocell is placed next to the flash diffuser. The external Speedlight will not fire and an error message is displayed on the cameras monitor screen if the built-in flash is prevented from being raised. (Image 1). The default for the built-in Speedlight is auto pop-up, this can be changed to manual from the Speedlight Options menu (Image 2.) and the flash button used to operated the pop-up.
There are also various combinations that can be selected from the cameras Speedlight menu including variable power output, shot confirmation and Speedlight control, details for these functions can be found on pages 136 and 137 of the Coolpix 5700 English instruction manual.
 

	Image 1. The built-in Speedlight should be raised for correct exposure to be obtained, when using external Speedlights.
	Image 2. Speedlight Options menu.

Attaching an external Speedlight.
With the external Speedlight connected, TTL mode should be selected, doing this allows the cameras photocell (circled below) to measure the amount of light the external Speedlight is required to emit. Also, if the Speedlight includes a power zoom head, this should be set to an angle wider than 28mm to cover the angle of view on the camera.
 

Image 3. Coolpix 5700 and SB28DX Speedlight. Photocell circled.

As default, 'Speedlight Control', within the Speedlight Options menu, is set to Auto, this means that when an external Speedlight is attached the built-in Speedlight is disabled and only the external flash will fire. This can also be adjusted by the user by selecting 'Int and Ext active' from the same menu.

Using TTL flash off camera.
If an SC-17 TTL lead (Image 3) is being used, the same operations apply as if the Speedlight were connected directly to the camera. When using the SC-17 lead, care should be taken that the lead does not push the built-in Speedlight down, and therefore cancelling the signal to the external Speedlight.
When using a directly connected Speedlight or one connected via the SC-17 TTL lead, the external Speedlight should be set to TTL mode. D-TTL, which is available on the SB-50DX and SB-28DX is not supported, together with the power zoom function. (The external Speedlight zoom head should be set manually to an angle greater than 28mm).
 

Image 3. The SC-17 TTL lead.

Using a multiple flash set-up.
When the use of multiple Speedlights is required to create the correct effect or exposure, then the connection of an SC-17 TTL lead together with the SC-18/ 19 leads can be used to great effect to connect Speedlights to the Coolpix 5700, with all Speedlights set to TTL utilising the cameras photocell.
If SB-50DX external Speedlights are used, the TTL leads are not required as the Speedlight contains a wireless slave system which is activated by a main or master Speedlight. This could be the built-in Speedlight of the Coolpix 5700 or an external unit connected directly to the cameras accessory shoe or via an SC-17 TTL lead.
When using the slave function of the SB-50DX, the slave also uses TTL auto to control exposure.
If the AS-15 sync adapter is to be used, the output from the internal flash can be reduced by up to 2 stops using the 'Speedlight Options' menu, this can help reduce the impact of the built-in flash on the subject.

Using the Coolpix 5700 to trigger wireless Slave Flash Controllers.
It is possible to use wireless slave flash control using the E5700's built-in Speedlight to activate SU-4 slave units on which other Speedlights can be mounted and positioned around the subject.  (the SB-50DX/SB-80 DX have built-in slave units). This kind of scenario would probably be a studio or a staged situation as the wireless flash units need some positioning in advance.

The SU-4 detects the firing of the master flash (this can be the built-in Speedlight or externally connected Speedlight) and sends a firing start signal to the slave flash attached. The SU-4 terminates the firing of the slave flash by detecting the firing stop signal. Use of the SU-4 eliminates the need for connecting cords.

If the E5700 built-in flash is to be used as the triggering flash then the amount of light emitted from this triggering flash can be reduced by using the hotshoe mounted diffuser that is provided with the SU-4. Alternatively an external hotshoe mounted Speedlight such as the SB-50DX with IR attachment could be used, this attachment allows only IR light to be emitted which does not contribute to the flash exposure but will trigger the SU-4.

Related pages on this web site:

Can the built-in Speedlight be used in Macro photography?

What flash/ Speedlight systems can I use with my Coolpix 5000?