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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Need HELP getting Nikon SU800/SB800/D3 To Work Properly
Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 12:07 AM on 07.27.09 |
->> I must be stupid. But for the life of me, I am not doing something right and it's driving me crazy.
When using a Nikon D3 with a SU800, firing a SB800, the flash WILL fire, but it comes out underexposed. It's as if the flash fires before the shutter actually opens. I keep reading the instruction manuals but they are terrible.
Any SU800/D3 users out there?
Can someone walk me through this? I am one frustrated puppy.
HELP! |
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Chris Morrison, Photographer, Assistant
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Tucson | AZ | USA | Posted: 4:34 AM on 07.27.09 |
| ->> Might be a dumb question but do you have either the exposure compensation or the flash exposure compensation set to something other than 0? |
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Ron Holman, Photographer
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Visalia | CA | USA | Posted: 6:17 AM on 07.27.09 |
| ->> One more dumb question: shutter @1/250 or slower? |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 8:23 AM on 07.27.09 |
| ->> no...all are at 0.. shutter exposure is 250 or less.. |
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Shelley Cryan, Photographer
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New England | CT | USA | Posted: 8:42 AM on 07.27.09 |
| ->> Are you in SU4 mode on the sb800? If so, perhaps the IR preflashes of the su800 are setting off the sb800 too early. |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 9:04 AM on 07.27.09 |
->> Shelley,
Went back and checked the SU800 is in SU mode. Shooting in my bedroom, the unit will emit a single beep, but is firing too early.
M |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 9:07 AM on 07.27.09 |
->> IIRC correctly, I have to set the D3 don't I? I can't find where I read that..
Submenu? |
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Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 12:22 PM on 07.27.09 |
->> If you dial in some positive compensation does that solve the issue ?
Perhaps what your seeing is just a metering issue because if the flash was really firing too early, what I belive you'd have is part of the shutter curtain across the frame rather than an underexposure.
Are your batteries in the SB800 fully charged as well ? If they are weak, or you have a bad battery, that also could result in the flash putting out less than the correct light level even though the system otherwise reports it is working correctly |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 12:58 PM on 07.27.09 |
| ->> Did you check exposure compensation on both the SU800 and the camera? |
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Ron Holman, Photographer
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Visalia | CA | USA | Posted: 1:21 PM on 07.27.09 |
| ->> As I recall, the SU mode causes mine to fire on the first flash, any flash. I set mine to "Remote" for CLS. Then you should see the display for channels and groups. |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 4:17 PM on 07.27.09 |
->> Jeff wrote:
f you dial in some positive compensation does that solve the issue ?
I've increased the exposure control, and it makes no difference.Somehow, the unit isn't in synch. Just shooting in my bedroom with incadescent light, there will be a orange tint when I shoot.
IF I turn the light off, then there is no exposure at all.
Bert wrote: >> Did you check exposure compensation on both the SU800 and the camera?
Yes I did.
The batteries are good. All new.
It's not firing the flash at the proper time. Shelley, I am in SU mode, how would one control the pre flash signals? I tried to get them to work the other day on a shoot and ended up using pocket wizards.
Any other thoughts? |
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Michael Schwarz, Photographer
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Decatur | GA | USA | Posted: 6:14 PM on 07.27.09 |
| ->> Unless I am misunderstanding your post, you need to put the SB-800 in remote mode, not SU-4 mode. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 6:49 PM on 07.27.09 |
->> SU-4 mode just activates the internal optical slave.
Are you trying to use the SB-800 in TTL mode and it is giving you underexposed frames? |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 6:52 PM on 07.27.09 |
->> So let me get this straight:
You have an SB-800 speedlite on the hotshoe of a D3.
You this same flash on the hotshoe in SB-800 in SU-4 mode. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 6:54 PM on 07.27.09 |
->> Or:
You have an SU-800 Commander on the hotshoe of a D3.
You are trying to trigger an SB-800 speedlight off camera.
You have the SB-800 in SU4 mode. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 6:54 PM on 07.27.09 |
| ->> If the above is the case, you have the SB-800 speedlight in the wrong mode. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 6:57 PM on 07.27.09 |
->> Having the SB-800 in SU-4 mode, as I mentioned previous, just activates the internal optical slaves in the SB-800.
If you want to trigger the of-camera SB-800 with the SU-800, you have to have the SB-800 in "Remote" not "SU4". |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 8:15 PM on 07.27.09 |
->> Robert,
Both you and a SportsShooter viewer by the name of Dave Tewksbury came up with the same answer - and you're correct.
So obvious, so stupid... I should go hit my head against a wall. Made the adjustment and the unit works like a charm.
I owe you a beverage, and Mr. Tewksbury a endorsement when he wants to join SS.com.
Thanks to all for your help. Once again, SS.com proves it is the "coolest place on the planet."
Michael |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 9:21 PM on 07.27.09 |
->> "RTFM".
ALSO ... Go out to your local bookstore or a decent camera shop and buy Joe McNally's wonderful "Hotshot Diaries". Well worth the price. |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 10:13 PM on 07.27.09 |
->> Robert,
Already have both of Joe's books. Both are dogged eared.
Got the lens Joe described as "the lens Nikon designed that I didn't know I needed" the 14-24mm today (what a outrageous lens) as well so it's been a very good Monday.
I was using the Nikons with PWs but the SU800 is such a handy tool there's no comparison.
I always feel it's the nut behind the viewfinder that ultimately makes the difference but this is like opening birthday gifts.
WOW is all I can say.
Thank you again.
Michael |
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Ron Holman, Photographer
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Visalia | CA | USA | Posted: 2:38 AM on 08.01.09 |
->> Just checking back after vacation and was surprised to see so many posts after my last one.
Apparently the posts of Michael Schwarz, Shelley Cryan and myself were given the same attention as the instruction manual. ;-) |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 3:50 AM on 08.01.09 |
->> The manual is one thing, but knowing the capabilities of this pretty complex system is best done by simply using the gear.
I've been spending a lot of time in the garage simulating different scenarios for using the SB800 speedlights. I have several, so using them in different combinations and discovering what I call "The Joy of the Commander" --- the SU800 that is.
Working with speedlights in different "banks" is pretty cool and controllable right from your camera's hotshoe (where the SU800 sits) --- I even dial down strobes in the FourSquare to get a cool fall-off effect.
I've read the manual but nothing has taught me more than just playing with the gear late at night in the garage and seeing the results.
'Nuff Said! |
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