Nikon specific flash systems

Nikon has its own light-controlling communication systems called CLS and AWL, but what do they stand for, and how do they work?

The Creative Lighting System, or CLS for short, is Nikon’s communication system that allows Cls-compatible Speedlights to ‘talk’ to Cls-compatible camera bodies. The CLS system can contain several features (depending on the type of Speedlight and camera body you’re using) including: Advanced Wireless Lighting (AWL), ITTL, Flash Value Lock, Flash Color Information Communication, Auto FP High Speed Sync, and AF Assist illuminator. To determine compatibility, head to Nikon’s official website.

Advanced Wireless Lighting

Any camera bodies and Speedlights that are listed as Awl-compatible allow multiple wireless flashguns to be controlled independently from the camera by up to three groups: A, B and C.

I-TTL mode

This is a through-the-lens automatic flash mode in Nikon’s Creative Lighting System. The camera meters the scene with a series of pre-flashes, rather than the ambient light, to correctly expose the subject.

Flash Value Lock

The ‘FV Lock’ option allows you to lock in the flash exposure. So even if you change your lens aperture, alter the composition, or zoom the lens in or out, the flash exposure will remain consistent between shots.

Flash Color Info

When using a colour compensation flash gel with compatible camera bodies, the camera automatically detects the type of filter attachment and adjusts the white balance automatically for correct colours.

Auto FP High-speed Synchronization

If you want to choose a wide aperture and are therefore forced to make your shutter speed faster to avoid overexposure, Auto FP allows shutter speeds faster than 1/250 sec to do this.

Wide-area Af-assist Illuminator

When focusing in low-light, it’s possible to improve the autofocus by engaging the Af-assist function on your Speedlight for razor-sharp autofocusing in the darkest of shooting scenarios.