Nikon Speedlight SB-16

The Nikon Speedlight SB-16 is a serious bit of old-school flash gear, made for photographers who wanted far more control than a simple point-and-fire unit could offer.

The main flash head can be tilted for bounce lighting and adjusted to suit different focal lengths, with settings for 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm lenses. There’s even a smaller secondary flash on the front, designed to add some direct light when the main head is bounced.

You’ve got TTL automatic exposure with compatible Nikon film cameras, two non-TTL Auto settings, manual control and a dedicated Motor Drive mode. The large calculator dial on the back keeps everything visible without needing to dig through menus, because there aren’t any.

It’s big, unmistakably 1980s and genuinely capable. A great match for a classic Nikon SLR if you want a flash that feels as purposeful as the camera underneath it.

Best for

Classic Nikon SLRs, bounce flash, portraits, indoor photography, more controlled 35mm flash photography and photographers building a period-correct Nikon kit.

What to expect

The SB-16 offers considerably more control than the smaller vintage flashes we’ve been listing.

Its adjustable head lets you change the flash coverage to match different focal lengths, while the tilting design gives you the option of bouncing light from a ceiling rather than firing everything directly at your subject.

On compatible Nikon cameras you can use TTL flash metering. There are also two non-TTL automatic settings, manual operation and a Motor Drive mode, making it useful even when you’re working outside its original TTL system.

It runs on four standard AA batteries.