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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Flash Problem
Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 11:44 PM on 01.26.07 |
->> ahh..where to begin, how to describe...
I have been having major problems with my flash and I am not sure what the problem is, if it is even the flash (I would say no)
Here is what happens A LOT-I am firing blanks. For every 5 shots taken, 3 can be blank. According to the red light on the back of the flash and the flash icon inside the viewfinder, the flash THINKS it is firing but it isn't. I have bought 2 new flashes (Nikon Sb800's) new off camera cords and new cords to go from my Lumydyne and Jackrabbit to the camera. Same thing. Even when the flash does fire, the file info states "flash did not fire." I am using the D2X-could this be a sign of the "beginning of the end" so to speak, meaning is this the first thing that goes before the camera dies?
Nikon isn't much help, stating the camera isn't broken.
I am planning on buying the D2Xs this week but I love this camera and don't want it to be the end of it. Would it be out of the question to send it in and have the shutter and mechanics replaced now before it is totally dead? By doing this, does it make the camera basically "brand new" like putting a new engine in acar? Also-does it erase all the settings I have now?
No one else seems to be able to figure out what is going on so I am wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar.
Another thing I have noticed is that there are times when the shot is in focus and the camera just won't fire. I don't know how to check how many actuations are on the D2X I am using but it is used pretty much 6-7 days a week for sometimes several jobs a day.
THANKS for any insight.
Debbie |
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Greg Francis, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 11:55 PM on 01.26.07 |
->> Debra,
You seem to indicate it is happening with more than one flash. I have had this happen with a Nikon flash in the past, there's a circuit within the flash, I think called the trigger circuit if memory serves, that fails. The flash only emits a tiny burst of light. But if it happens with several sb800's, then it's likely the camera. (make sure the STBY is set to off when using those external battery packs too.) |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 12:12 AM on 01.27.07 |
->> Hi Greg,
How do I turn off the standby? And if it is the trigger circuit failing, what exactly does that mean? I know some people who bought "new" flashes only to discover they were not new so there is a possibility that happened with me too. Is there something to set ont he flash or does it have to be fixed by Nikon?
Oh one more thing-does the standby mode have to be turned off even if I am using the flash constantly for a certain amount of time, or only if there is a delay in my using it? |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 1:00 AM on 01.27.07 |
| ->> a wonderful person from Brazil sent me the program on how to find out how many actuations I have on the camera..I have 89350, so I am thinking I should have a long life left on this D2X (I really thought I had alot more--can it reset itself?) |
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Alan S. Rubin, Photographer
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Charleston | SC | USA | Posted: 6:49 AM on 01.27.07 |
->> Debra,
Try cleaning the flash mount on both the camera and flash, sometimes grit and dirt will build up and will cause a bad connection. |
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Greg Francis, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 7:53 AM on 01.27.07 |
->> If it's only happening with one sb800, then it's the trigger circuit, it has to be sent to NPS or authorizedphoto.com, it's about a $120 repair.
When using high voltage exterior batteries, the battery needs to detect the flash unit, to stay in high volatge. When the flash falls into STBY, the battery loses the flash on it's 'network'.
STBY mode is only good for battery conservation when only using AA's.
To turn off STBY, hold down the up/down/side-to-side selector until you get the menu, select STBY by holding down selector, then scroll from Auto to --. To get out of menu, briefly press the on-off button. |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 9:39 AM on 01.27.07 |
->> Debra,
FWIW I had the cable on an external battery pack intermittently fail. Acted a lot like what you are getting. The flash would fire from the AA's but couldn't keep up with a 6 or 7 frame burst.
Try shooting with just the AA's for an hour and see if that clears things up.
Eric |
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Steve Mitchell, Photographer
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West Palm Beach | FL | United States | Posted: 10:02 AM on 01.27.07 |
->> Debra, I'm not an expert on flash repair but it sounds like your SB800 needs to be sent in for repair. Anytime any of my camera gear is not working they way it should, I just send it in for repair.
Steve |
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Fj Hughes, Photographer, Assistant
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Baltimore | MD | USA | Posted: 11:05 AM on 01.27.07 |
->> Debra states, "Even when the flash does fire, the file info states "flash did not fire.""
If you are using the flash off camera with a pc cable the file will always state this. There is no return signal to the camera to tell it that the flash fired.
I was also having intermittent firing problems with my off camera flash using pc cables. For me it was a short of some sort in the cable. So, I bought some pocket wizards. So far no problems. It seem those cables are pretty cheesy.
Again, if you are shooting off camera, I would turn the "stby" mode off. This was also giving me issues. The flash does not receive a signal from the camera through a pc cord when you touch the shutter like it does on the camera. You have to click off a frame to wake the flash.
When using a TTL cable with a hot shoe, this is not relevant. |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 11:44 AM on 01.27.07 |
->> ok, here's what just happened. (By the way, I am using the flash off camera on a Newton bracket so I can't use pocket wizards. When I use my Dyna lites in the studio or on location, I never have this problem-this only happens when using the SB800's either directly on the hot shoe or on the bracket)
I was just testing and taking shots of my husband. When the flash didn't fire but acted like it did (the red light on the back of the flash blinks like it is re charging) he said "it did fire, but very very low." The battery pack is fully charged, the double AA's are brand new. I am now using Duracells but have tried everything from rechargables to those high powered lithium. New cords all the way around too.
I also turned off the standby mode as you all mentioned.
I would have thought maybe it was the Lumadyne going bad (which would have really aggrevated me since it is new) but it happens with both Jack Rabbits as well.
Debbie |
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Shelley Cryan, Photographer
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Southport | CT | USA | Posted: 11:51 AM on 01.27.07 |
->> Hi Debra,
I have the same nonfiring issue -- D2X, sb800s. I don't know if the indicator light gives bad info like you mentioned-- I don't look at it usually. But the EXIF data on this is also, for me, sometimes incorrect. Anyway, it's of course the non-firing that's the biggest issue. For me, I don't think it's a problem with the flash unit -- I have several. Plus I've disabled standby. I was thinking perhaps the sb800s just can't keep up (I'm using manual at half power). But I'm not sure, so I emailed Nikon just now and will let you know their response.
Shelley |
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Greg Francis, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 11:52 AM on 01.27.07 |
| ->> Trigger circuit. Off to NPS or Authorizedphoto.com |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 12:22 PM on 01.27.07 |
->> Shelley,
Let me know if they respond to you.
Greg-this happens with ALL the SB800s I have. I have recently purchased 2 new ones and the same thing happens.
This is all fairly new too-I have been using this set up for years without a problem (camera on a bracket with Lumadyne or Jackrabbit, off camera cords)
Debbie |
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Mike Ullery, Photographer
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Troy | OH | USA | Posted: 12:38 PM on 01.27.07 |
->> Debbie,
Do you still have any other Nikon digital bodies, or one that you can get your hands on? I would try your flash set-up on a different body, if possible. That could elimiate one possibility.
You said that you've used this set up for years with no problem. Have you used it with this same body and flash?
Also, what flash mode are you shooting in? Have you tried switching through TTL/A/M to see if one fires another does not?
Mike |
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Darrell Miho, Photographer
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Temple City | CA | usa | Posted: 2:15 PM on 01.27.07 |
->> if all else has failed, i would also check the hotshoe on the camera. if the flash or ttl cord wiggles a lot when it is mounted on the camera's hotshoe, then it is possible the contacts are not touching all the time.
tighten the screws on the hotshoe with a small phillips jeweler's screwdriver. you'll also need a small flat head jeweler's screwdriver to remove the black cover plate that covers the screws.
to remove the thin black coverplate: gently wiggle the flathead screwdriver under the cover plate on the hot shoe. do not force anything, otherwise you may bend and damage the cover plate. it shouldn't take much strength to get the screwdriver underneath, but it may take a little finesse to get it to 'pop' off. just be gentle.
once it pops up, slide the plate out of the hotshoe and tighten the screws. slide the cover plate back in and snap it back into place.
hopefully this will sove your intermittent flash woes. |
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