Nikon Hot Shoe Pinouts

The following are the pinouts for the Nikon hot shoe:

x    4
   1
2    3

In the pre-CLS flashes, these are defined as:

  • Pin 1 — X (trigger)
  • Pin 2 — Rdy (ready to fire)
  • Pin 3 — Q (quench flash)
  • Pin 4 — SP (Speedlight present)
  • mount — GND (Ground)

In the CLS flashes, these are defined as (general/Nikon):

  • Pin 1 — Sync / X (trigger)
  • Pin 2 — Clock / CRT/CRY 
  • Pin 3 — Data / CSTP
  • Pin 4 — Handshake / CSP

Note that different voltages are used on some of the pins to form a communication link between camera and flash outlining abilities and state. If you’re interested in those protocols, see this Herve Queval’s page on them.

This information is not verified, nor it it certified by Nikon. Use at your own risk.

Looking for gear-specific information? Check out our other Web sites:
mirrorless: sansmirror.com | general: bythom.com| Z System: zsystemuser.com | film SLR: filmbodies.com


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